Upper Class?????

So here I sit looking at Her Gorgeousness's plans for numerous holidays over the next year. And I am wondering.

In the days when various corporates picked up my bill then first class /business class flights were a) a norm and b) an extremely convenient/enjoyable method of travel. Plus the food was good.

But now, when I pay for it myself, I am wondering what I am going to get for my money that makes it worthwhile removing the cobwebs from the chequebook.

And most of our planned destinations have Virgin flights.

So, apart from bragging rights, is it REALLY worth spending the dosh on seats in the pointy bit? And, in these days of credit crunch etc (YAWN), what makes it so?

[y] or [n]

[Bazz]

In a word yes. Of course it is all a matter of personal preference and personal budget. As you been accustomed to F & J flights you will get a rude awakening in W or Y. It is hard to go back. Then of course there is the Clubhouse with all it has to offer and Revivals to look forward to on your way home. Depending on destination you may have a VS Clubhouse at your destination. I would say a definite yes.

And the price can be good if you pick up your tickets in one of the numerous VS sales that seem to be on at the moment.

I see the flight as very much part of my holiday. I really look forward to choosing what Cowshed treatment I will be having, walking into the CH and turning left into the UC suite is the perfect start and makes all those months of working hard to pay for the trip worth while.

I've had flights where the price for turning left was only slightly more than full fare at the back. I love going through the 'what ticket/miles combination is best' options , but even without the prospect of a sale ticket I would try and pay the extra if possible. But if you don't get a buzz out of the UC experience or the cost means you have to compromise too much on the hotel or the family lose out on extras during the holiday it will appear a lot less attractive.

[Neil]

Sounds to me, like you need to become the newest V-Flyer to become a miles whore. I am by no means wealthy enough to be able to afford UC straight up for all of our flights, but thanks to the wonderful miles you can earn for doing practically everything, we are able to fly UC without cost really being an issue. Yes, it requires a commitment to a particular airline, credit card, group of hotel chains, but when you can pick up 2 LHR-SFO flights in UC for less than 800, it's a huge saving.

Of course, as Bazz says, it is down to personal choice, but I doubt I could fly long haul in Y again and would rather save a bit longer to fly W or J.

[RichardMannion]

I'd rather not go on holiday if it had to be in Economy long haul (unless the plane is empty, and then I actually prefer Economy to Premium if I can a row of seats for myself).

I agree with what others have said, if you have been used to F/J flights, turning right will be very hard. I would rather not go if it is long haul Y.

I love the build up to my flight and enjoying the CH and all what UC has to offer. It is such a part of the holiday and doesn't leave you dreading the long flight there or back, so much nicer to arrive relaxed, and refreshed, instead of aching, grumpy and tired.

Dominic

quote:Originally posted by DMetters-Bone
I agree with what others have said, if you have been used to F/J flights, turning right will be very hard. I would rather not go if it is long haul Y.

I love the build up to my flight and enjoying the CH and all what UC has to offer. It is such a part of the holiday and doesn't leave you dreading the long flight there or back, so much nicer to arrive relaxed, and refreshed, instead of aching, grumpy and tired.

Dominic




Ah, you've seen me on a plane then Dominic?
[:p]

I'm going to go against the grain here and say that I'd always rather go on holiday than not go because I can't afford PE or UC. To be honest I think the supposed awfulness of Economy is way OTT and for most flights it's fine. Ultimately you arrive at the same time as everyone else and ok you're not going to be as well rested but you'll be over it pretty pronto.

quote:Originally posted by clarkeysntfc
I'm going to go against the grain here and say that I'd always rather go on holiday than not go because I can't afford PE or UC. To be honest I think the supposed awfulness of Economy is way OTT and for most flights it's fine. Ultimately you arrive at the same time as everyone else and ok you're not going to be as well rested but you'll be over it pretty pronto.


I agree. Though due to age and stage I can now choose to fly at least PE, if it was a choice of going economy or not going at all I'd go economy.

Paul

Think I will have to offer an opposite side to the current trend of thought.

Personally, I see any opportunity to fly UC or PE whether through cash or miles or combination, as a nice perk. But it does not make the holiday.

As much as we all love UC and VS, myself being seriously smitten with revivals, I personally think it is very sad that anyone would say they wouldn't go on a holiday becuase they couldn't afford by whatever means, an UC ticket.

I've flown long-haul many destination through different airlines in Y. Sure it's no where near as comfortable or luxurious, but it is a luxury to fly in J. And I'm always so excited that it doesn't bother me once I've reached my destination.

I can't imagine missing out on traveling to all ends of the world, and the experiences that top any air travel class ten-fold, because I was too prideful/stubborn, what have you, to fly because I was in cattle class. For instance, scuba diving in the Great Barrier Reef is worth more than me than any flight, and I would give up the possibility of ever flying in F/J for the rest of my life, to experience that again.

I'll take my 4x holidays per year prior to my last UC flight that were all Y, over not going on holiday at all, and being stuck in England. If your experience at your destination doesn't exceed your flight, something is seriously wrong! [:p]

I'm really surprised at how easy it is to collect miles, and now that the FC Shop provides miles on lots or purchases, I think I may go down that route, rather than currently using Quidco.

At the moment, I still have to stay that the marketing of PE makes it look far sexier than UC, for a long haul flight I would have to do at least one way in the big seats. On an outbound journey, at the start of your holiday, I can pretty much put up with anything... on the way back I want to be pampered a bit more. That said, my next VS flight is UC out and PE back, really looking forward to both.

But if it absolutely came down to it, I agree with Paul (pjh): would fly Y again if the other option was not to travel.

[Darren Wheeler]

A lot of your decision will come down to what you are happy paying for a flight. For me, flying Upper is as important as the rest of the holiday.

As someone here once had on their signature: 'Travelling in style is the only true luxury left'

It can also be a matter of health. My husband has had extensive spinal surgery that sadly was unsucessful and damaged his spinal cord leaving him numb from the waist down if he sits for any length of time.

So for him(us)UC is now essential.

quote:Originally posted by HWVlover
quote:Originally posted by DMetters-Bone
I agree with what others have said, if you have been used to F/J flights, turning right will be very hard. I would rather not go if it is long haul Y.

I love the build up to my flight and enjoying the CH and all what UC has to offer. It is such a part of the holiday and doesn't leave you dreading the long flight there or back, so much nicer to arrive relaxed, and refreshed, instead of aching, grumpy and tired.

Dominic




Ah, you've seen me on a plane then Dominic?
[:p]


HA HA Just know what I am like!!!

In reply to what others are saying that economy isn't that bad and you all get there at the same time. Yes you are correct, but try being 6ft 4in travelling to Australia and stuck in a middle seat! You wouldn't want to be sitting next to me with me moaning for the whole time......[}:)]

Im afraid that if i couldnt go UC longhaul, i would rather stay somewhere in europe i know its sad probably to say so, but the excitement of being at the CH and taking guests so as to share your experience and then onto the flight, well its all part of my holiday and all part of the build up. And well worth spending money on for me.

cheers

alex

I'm in the quantity over quality camp. Whilst there is nothing like the UC/Business Class experience when someone else is paying, and if I can work some kind of a miles upgrade when I'm paying I will try. BUT I'd rather travel as often as possible in economy than less often in a higher class.
I'm even getting so tight now that I'll book the cheapest of cheap tickets which normally aren't miles upgradable, but I'll of course smile sweetly and politely ask if I can use mile to upgrade at check-in.
Afterall, its only 24 hours in two weeks, and if it means I can afford another long haul holiday later, then so be it.
Then again at 6ft5 and rather broad shouldered I find the Upper Class suite only comforable if laying flat.

Well i have never flown UC [:I] but as many may have read I will be next month WOOHOO.
In my W and Y opinion business and first are luxuries and although I would prefer to always travel the best if i have to pay for it and not corporate can i justify J prices? I wouldnt allow myself to pay a ridiculous price for it!
The sales have been fantastic on all airlines although Virgin have had my business this year and have allowed me to spoil myself, but as many have said being a mileage whore (and i have certainly started to learn that down to a fine artyoung [}:)] ) is a great way for the extra benefits.
Having flown Premium i can say i would never want to go back to Y so well see what happens next month. My wallet will certainly start worrying!

Alex

As a side note, I've managed to find return flights from LHR to SIA on A380 with SQ in Y for just 290 incl. all taxes and fares! The caveat? No miles, no nothing, but it's so damn cheap. Cheaper than a flight to NY and back with Virgin.

I was planning a trip out to Malaysia late summer/autumn and I think I may just have to snatch this offer up since it's sooo cheap and as I've said before, Y on an A380 is quite pleasant when I flew from LHR to SYD last year on the upper deck.

I think it is truly down to personal opinion. I've only ever flown in Y so I haven't got any experience elsewhere..I always fly with my family as I'm only 17 (no, I don't fidget constantly and annoy anyone, I'm well behaved!). I'd much rather my fam booked these lovely holidays we go on with Virgin throughout the year (we've got SFO, LAX and LAS to look forward to this year) rather than just getting to go once in J class. But I suppose, as I've never experienced upper, I can't give an equal argument. My dad is 6'4' and of course he struggles but the excitement for the holidays keeps him going.

I personally don't think economy is as bad as people make out sometimes. Maybe I don't have as high standards, but on my flight to LAS last year the food was immense. I've never been fed so well and I must say it WAS a shock but it shows that we were looked after.

[HighFlyer]

Whether Upper is 'worth it' is entirely down to your own personal circumstance and how much the flight is costing you I guess. Some of the sale bargains and flight upgrades with miles that I have purchased over the years have well been worth it. Spending over 4k on an UC ticket, in my book, is not worth it, but I don't begrudge anyone who wants to pay that out of their hard earned. Its all about balance, and finding that bargain.

There is also the factor that once you have turned left too many times you just cant think of doing anything else and that sets you off down a certain path where you just accept the cost of a Z fare (or an L + miles) as part of your holiday expenses. [:w]

Thanks,
Sarah