Purchase first class or upgrade later?

[tink_n_pooh]

I'm going to book our plane tickets for our honeymoon and I would really like to surprise future DH with first class tickets. Is it usually better to purchase first class from the beginning or should I purchase coach seats and upgrade them later? We both have frequent flyer accounts but I don't think we fly enough to be upgraded with our frequent flyer miles.

 

[scratchboat]

Every airline is different, but generally for domestic US travel people fly first class one of two ways. Either they purchase 1st class tickets, or the "elite" frequent flyers of that particular airline either request or are automatically awarded the upgrade to first class. If you don't have "elite" status (gold, platinum, chairman, etc.) then the likelihood of upgrading to first after purchasing a coach fare would be poor. Some airlines offer what are called Y-Up fares - purchase a full-fare coach ticket and get an instant upgrade to first class. If you shop by best-price for a coach tickets, you will likely end-up flying in coach ...

 

[traci]

Depends. If First Class is really important, you may want to book it so you will be guaranteed seats there. It is usually so much more $$ to book it like that though. With that said, we used to get First Class upgrades before we had kids! We were surprised with an upgrade on our honeymoon flight as well. It was a nice perk, but we wouldn't have paid for it. I have also found if you ask at check-in, you can upgrade for free (or sometimes for a low price). Really it just depends on availability. Good-Luck and have a great trip!!

 

[MrsToad]

We have flown mostly Delta lately. We've noticed that Delta frequently sells upgrades at the gate, if there are seats available. HOWEVER: in all of our flights, the upgrades were only available for customers whose tickets were of certain fare codes; in all but one segment, our codes DID NOT QUALIFY for the purchase of an upgrade.

I would love to know what coach fare code(s) we would have to purchase to stand a chance at upgrading but I am guessing that the ticket price would be so high that it would not be worth taking the chance that there MIGHT be an upgrade available for purchase during our flight.

 

[beccasmom]

There is a website - FareCompare - that has an article about getting "discount" first class tickets - You might want to check it out.

 

[bavaria]

frankly if you are trying to fly First/Business within America, it may be disappointing.

Most airlines offer extra legroom, wider seats, predeparture beverage, a meal, hot towel, etc. BUT it is definitely not like flying First/business internationally.

The seats aren't really that great on domestic routes. I prefer a United Economy Plus seat to a United Business (domestic) seat. the 'meal' is nothing great - just the old Economy meals that are no longer served, but on china (sometimes). (well, United does still serve an icecream sundae on some routes, but they are doing away with the reheated cookie and even the hot nuts on some routes). The predeparture drink rarely happens, and is often served in a plastic cup. The hot towel often doesn't happen.

If you can provide the route and airline I can comment. I fly First/business about 1/2 the time I fly domestically, and all the time internationally. The difference is significant.

I use miles/upgrade certs to get my domestic First/business class seat. On most United flights, first/business is full with elite members doing the same, so don't expect to be able to purchase an upgrade at the gate. Other airlines such as Delta upgrade their elites with no instrument based on space availability, so again, the chance of a paid upgrade at the gate may be slim.

 

[bavaria]

Also, as someone mentioned, purchasing a full fare First/Business ticket can be very expensive. If you are flying from New Jersey to MCO, I would say 'don't bother', and better spend the money on an upgraded hotel room, etc.

And please don't expect an upgrade due to honeymoon - there are very few seats available for upgrades anymore, and the airlines will choose to upgrade their elite members if they DO need to upgrade anyone.

The only time that I see operational upgrades is on international routes when Economy is oversold, and Business/First still has vacant seats. They will look for frequent flyers first, and then upgrade those on special occaisions, etc. For instance, a Lufthansa Business class seat on the route I fly regularly is about $6,000; Economy is about $1,200. For the extra $4,800 one has a lie flat bed, video on demand, three meals on china, ammenity kits, etc. For me this is definitely worth the extra money or miles when I am flying 14 or more hours.

 

[erikthewise]

A first class seat purchased in advance is the worst value in the travel industry. Ask yourself what other luxuries you could buy with that same money. Then compare them to: a larger seat, plenty of leg and overhead space, a couple drinks and some upgraded snacks.

 

[bavaria]

There is a website - FareCompare - that has an article about getting "discount" first class tickets - You might want to check it out.

the headline is VERY misleading - first class for just a 'few dollars more than economy'. That is a few dollars more than FULL FARE economy, not the heavily discounted economy we see people purchase here.

I did a search EWR-MCO in Nov; the only nonstop available in First is Continental, for $678/per person. Economy is pricing at $122 for legacy carriers.

For a 2.5 hour flight, I would really question the value of the extra $556 per person. Remember too, that on a smaller aircraft ie A320/A319 or Boeing 737, First/Business is really just a very small amount of extra space.

 

[bab31]

Consider checking Midwest - but you want to be sure to book their flight that the seats are only two by two. wont be first class service- but the flight will be comfortable-I did get first class on AA last year, compliments from Midwest on a bump- Warm nuts - pre flight drink in a glass. warm moist towel,etc.... but, I agree with Bavaria- use the money for the hotel.

 

[manning]

You can buy quite a few romantic dinners with the money you'll be paying for first class.

 

[safetymom]

Personally I would save your money. I get upgraded to first almost all the time since I fly a lot. On most airlines all you get is a bigger seat, the snack basket and a free movie.

I would buy a couple of nice dinners or do something special instead of paying extra for first class on your flight.

 

[tink_n_pooh]

the headline is VERY misleading - first class for just a 'few dollars more than economy'. That is a few dollars more than FULL FARE economy, not the heavily discounted economy we see people purchase here.

I did a search EWR-MCO in Nov; the only nonstop available in First is Continental, for $678/per person. Economy is pricing at $122 for legacy carriers.

For a 2.5 hour flight, I would really question the value of the extra $556 per person. Remember too, that on a smaller aircraft ie A320/A319 or Boeing 737, First/Business is really just a very small amount of extra space.

I can book first class for $319 per person, versus about $120 for coach. We are flying into Ft. Lauderdale and home from Orlando. Sure it's a $200 price difference but I thought it would be nice.

 

[bavaria]

which airline and which type of aircraft? nonstop?

all of those things can have a BIG impact on your experience

 

[beccasmom]

the headline is VERY misleading - first class for just a 'few dollars more than economy'. That is a few dollars more than FULL FARE economy, not the heavily discounted economy we see people purchase here.


Please don't take my comment as an endorsement - I only fly first class when someone else is paying! I haven't used this information personally.