Stick with PE due to good seat?

Hi folks, I have the ultimate in first world problems here, but figured you'd have opinions

For the past several years I've been lucky enough to always travel UC (usually through miles or upgrade shenanigans) but on today's VS20 returning SFO-LHR I seem to be out of luck and have a seat in PE. However.. I managed to reserve 28C online which is right at the front, so should be as perfect a PE seat as possible?

Given this, I'm wondering whether upgrading is worthwhile - would you bother? I called Crawley and they quoted just under £7K(!!!) to upgrade to UC but recommended I ask at the airport anyway as there was availability. But given I have 28C, should I count my blessings and stick? The only things I think I'd miss out on are priority security + clubhouse at SFO (which I do love) plus having a flat surface to sleep on during the flight (but this isn't a deal breaker for me as I often sleep sat up in UC anyway).

P.S. Is SFO one of the clubhouses where it's possible to buy entry even if I do stay in PE?

If there are still unsold seats when you check in they'll be on sale, definitely for cash (a set price, certainly nowhere near £7k) and probably for miles (subject to you having an S or W ticket or, if not, paying the difference).

So I'd ask - it's a long flight!

The SFO Clubhouse is certainly available on a pay-as-you-go basis for eligible VX pax but I don't know about VS I'm afraid.

Thanks, and yeah, I'll definitely ask - my main confusion comes around whether once on-board whether UC on a night-time flight is really much of a leap beyond a "as much leg room as you want" seat in PE unless you want the bed. I've never flown such a seat before though so it might have tradeoffs I'm unaware of.

If it was the East coast I'd say PE would be perfectly comfortable for the 6 hour or so flight time but from SFO I'd suggest trying to upgrade if you possibly can.

For the past 6 years or so flying once or twice a year with VS we've only flown PE and for a family of 4 this suits our budget. We found that it is (for us anyway) a big step-up in terms of comfort and experience from economy. We have also flown similarly long routes in PE to/from LAX and didn't have any problems with sleep. Obviously though if you're used to UC the drop down might be a big thing. I guess no one can really tell you how you'd find PE compared to VS as everyone is different...I would only try and upgrade if the price/miles upgrade were suitably low

[mitchja]

That front row in Premium Economy on the 747's is good though as I had that row going to and coming back from MIA last year

You are literally first off the A/C, even before Upper. You also get fed first so get your first meal choice.

Good to know, James - thanks! So I'll be at the airport when check in opens anyway, so will see what I can beg (I once got a PE to UC for about £180 which was good) and if not, at least consider myself lucky to have landed a good seat. (I didn't even realize you could choose exit row seats for free online, but.. appears you can.)

Thought I'd post an update!

So I had the offer of spending £7000 on an upgrade from Crawley - no thanks!

Got to the airport and the check in agent seemed quite keen to know if I was planning on using miles or money (because there was a "waitlist" of people requesting to upgrade with miles, he said). My ticket was only upgradable with money anyway, so he rang someone up to debate things and came back with £1499. Still a no go for me.

The person at the other end of the phone obviously smelt $$ and after consulting with a few people, the check-in agent said that's a "special one time only" thing (as if I was requesting an upgrade to multiple flights, lol) they'd charge me in dollars instead of pounds - so $1499 instead.

Quite bizarre but feeling rather tired and likely to sleep, I went for it, so now I'm in the SFO clubhouse with the lovely Mr. W (anyone who flies through SFO a lot will know him - he's the flamboyant clubhouse manager who'll do anything for anyone) and awaiting a flat bed up in 1A (my first time there!)

Will it be worth the money? Ask me when I've had my revivals shower!