Tired of overpriced coach fares?

[quirty30]

Book first class for a bit more money

After weeks and weeks of watching ORD/MCO flights stuck in the mid $300's for our early August dates, I was getting nervous. I saw the recent SW/Airtran sale was for late August, and AA just started a sale for late August as well. Seems I had missed any sales for our dates. Just for kicks and giggles, I priced first class for our dates on AA. Applied an Entertainment coupon code for $30 off per ticket, and I have over $300 in Disney Visa Rewards. Net result $500 per person. Same flights were $370 for economy, and when you factor in paying for checked bags, the first class price seemed worth the splurge for me. So I pulled the trigger and booked it. I just couldn't bring myself to pay over $300 for coach when I used to get it for not much more than $200. And we get to fly out of O'Hare - just a few miles from our house. We've flown out of MDW and MKE in the past on SW and Airtran, but both are an hour's drive for us and then I have to factor in cab fare or parking costs - but we can get a ride to ORD and forego those expenses altogether.

I know this won't work for everyone, but I'm quite pleased with the outcome. And if the economy fares drop now, I won't kick myself.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Quite frankly, domestic first class is not worth paying for, at least not in my opinion. I've flown it many times (free upgrades) and it's not that much better than coach, especially if you fly an airline where they offer more legroom type coach seats, such as United's economy plus.

I don't quite follow your logic. Couldn't you have applied these discounts to a coach ticket?

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

OUCH! I would never pay $200 more per person for such a short flight. Maybe if I were going to the west coast but on a short flight to Florida Especially since you are going again after your August trip. I would have applied that money to my next trip.

 

[Gracie09]

A few years ago we upgraded at check in for a united flight. It was around $50 per person but when we factored luggage, free movieetc it was worth it. My dd was 16 months and was sitting in seat 1a. She was loving the attention.

 

[crashbb]

Quite frankly, domestic first class is not worth paying for, at least not in my opinion. I've flown it many times (free upgrades) and it's not that much better than coach, especially if you fly an airline where they offer more legroom type coach seats, such as United's economy plus.

I don't quite follow your logic. Couldn't you have applied these discounts to a coach ticket?

I agree that the US domestic first is not worth paying.

And I didn't get the logic either - unless the $370 for coach is after the discounts, the actual difference in price (i.e. what it would cost the OP) is much more than $500 versus $370.

But, if the OP is happy, that is all that matters.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I agree that the US domestic first is not worth paying.

And I didn't get the logic either - unless the $370 for coach is after the discounts, the actual difference in price (i.e. what it would cost the OP) is much more than $500 versus $370.

But, if the OP is happy, that is all that matters.

Yes, to your last statement.

 

[quirty30]

I should have prefaced that I am very tall, "Pooh sized" and I am traveling with my 15 & 12 year old kids. Flying coach for me means the middle seat so I can act as a buffer for my kids - and very minimal leg room. I'm quite sure that domestic first class is no great perk for more seasoned international travelers, but for this stressed out single mom, I love the bigger seats, the extra leg room & the free drinks. Not to mention early boarding & getting off the plane first. And free checked bags means I'll carry on the necessities only, rather than trying to minimize my baggage fees. The extra expense is well worth it to me. Not to mention we are DVC members so no out of pocket lodging expenses and no car rental either. And while we usually take 3-4 trips a year, this is the only one for the kids (my October trip is solo and I used the last of my Airtran credits for my flights.)

In hindsight, this could change the way we travel going forward. Longer but less frequent trips and less stressful traveling.

P.S. Yes I could apply my reward dollars to ANY flights but using them to fly first class made the price easier to justify.

 

[Greysword]

Congrats and have fun! The price was right and you bought it, and I would have as well. Sometimes, First Class is less expensive that coach, too.

 

[Pooh2]

Book first class for a bit more money

After weeks and weeks of watching ORD/MCO flights stuck in the mid $300's for our early August dates, I was getting nervous. I saw the recent SW/Airtran sale was for late August, and AA just started a sale for late August as well. Seems I had missed any sales for our dates. Just for kicks and giggles, I priced first class for our dates on AA. Applied an Entertainment coupon code for $30 off per ticket, and I have over $300 in Disney Visa Rewards. Net result $500 per person. Same flights were $370 for economy, and when you factor in paying for checked bags, the first class price seemed worth the splurge for me. So I pulled the trigger and booked it. I just couldn't bring myself to pay over $300 for coach when I used to get it for not much more than $200. And we get to fly out of O'Hare - just a few miles from our house. We've flown out of MDW and MKE in the past on SW and Airtran, but both are an hour's drive for us and then I have to factor in cab fare or parking costs - but we can get a ride to ORD and forego those expenses altogether.

I know this won't work for everyone, but I'm quite pleased with the outcome. And if the economy fares drop now, I won't kick myself.

You can use Disney Visa Rewards toward airline tickets??? How do you do this?

 

[quirty30]

You can use Disney Visa Rewards toward airline tickets??? How do you do this?

I just realized it's only for Disney Premier Visa. (Sorry if I misled you!) I just double checked right now to review the instructions. You need to have at least $50 in rewards available. Then book your flights and pay with the Visa card. Within 60 days of purchasing the tickets, go to the rewards redemption section of your account online and choose "statement credit toward airline travel." Or you can redeem by phone. Takes 1-2 billing cycles for a credit to appear.

 

[quirty30]

Yes, to your last statement.

Congrats and have fun! The price was right and you bought it, and I would have as well. Sometimes, First Class is less expensive that coach, too.

Thanks - I knew some folks would get it. I don't mind flying coach when I can get it for around $200 RT (which was the norm for the past 4 years.) We fly Airtran a lot and have frequently paid the extra $69 each way at check-in to upgrade to their business class. And I've always felt it was worth every penny. Booking this way on AA, I don't even have to wait until 24 hours out and hope it's available. And we get to fly out of O'Hare!

 

[Pooh2]

I just realized it's only for Disney Premier Visa. (Sorry if I misled you!) I just double checked right now to review the instructions. You need to have at least $50 in rewards available. Then book your flights and pay with the Visa card. Within 60 days of purchasing the tickets, go to the rewards redemption section of your account online and choose "statement credit toward airline travel." Or you can redeem by phone. Takes 1-2 billing cycles for a credit to appear.

Ohhh, I have the no annual fee Disney visa..

 

[ChristmasElf]

Book first class for a bit more money

After weeks and weeks of watching ORD/MCO flights stuck in the mid $300's for our early August dates, I was getting nervous. I saw the recent SW/Airtran sale was for late August, and AA just started a sale for late August as well. Seems I had missed any sales for our dates. Just for kicks and giggles, I priced first class for our dates on AA. Applied an Entertainment coupon code for $30 off per ticket, and I have over $300 in Disney Visa Rewards. Net result $500 per person. Same flights were $370 for economy, and when you factor in paying for checked bags, the first class price seemed worth the splurge for me. So I pulled the trigger and booked it. I just couldn't bring myself to pay over $300 for coach when I used to get it for not much more than $200. And we get to fly out of O'Hare - just a few miles from our house. We've flown out of MDW and MKE in the past on SW and Airtran, but both are an hour's drive for us and then I have to factor in cab fare or parking costs - but we can get a ride to ORD and forego those expenses altogether.

I know this won't work for everyone, but I'm quite pleased with the outcome. And if the economy fares drop now, I won't kick myself.

First class on American is the way to go. More leg room, on and off the plane
quicker, and the food is pretty good as well.

 

[Klismania]

Congrats to you! And don't pay any attention to the naysayers. It's worth it to you therefore IT'S WORTH IT!!

I'm an infrequent flyer (once or twice a year) and pooh-sized to boot. I'd much rather save a little longer, pay the extra for 1st class, and be comfortable instead of squeezing my considerable rear end into an uncomfortable 17-inch seat and spending the next three hours worrying about how my fat may be encroaching on another passenger's 17-inch space.

As far as I'm concerned, the flight there and back is just as much a part of my vacation as touring WDW is. It's worth it to spend that flight in comfort. I'm glad you got a great deal!

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

First class on American is the way to go. More leg room, on and off the plane
quicker, and the food is pretty good as well.

Food is good?

Compared to what?

My last flight had an egg dish for breakfast. Eggs really don't taste good when they were cooked last week and reheated IMHO

Otherwise it's not bad, but it's airline food and "good" is not the word that comes to mind. (I routinely get upgraded, I still bring my own food LOL!)

 

[kathie859]

Airline + food + good IN THE SAME SENTENCE????

Seriously now Sometimes more tolerable than others--but "Good"?
Uh, no.

 

[ChristmasElf]

Airline + food + good IN THE SAME SENTENCE????

Seriously now Sometimes more tolerable than others--but "Good"?
Uh, no.

Okay, I admit there are some dishes that are not that great. (the chicken curry wrap-no one that tried it liked it)
The Steak Salad is very good as is the Tortellini in Red Sauce, and the cheesecake are all good.

Overall, the food on American is decent. And nobody does First Class better than American!

 

[quirty30]

Congrats to you! And don't pay any attention to the naysayers. It's worth it to you therefore IT'S WORTH IT!!

I'm an infrequent flyer (once or twice a year) and pooh-sized to boot. I'd much rather save a little longer, pay the extra for 1st class, and be comfortable instead of squeezing my considerable rear end into an uncomfortable 17-inch seat and spending the next three hours worrying about how my fat may be encroaching on another passenger's 17-inch space.

As far as I'm concerned, the flight there and back is just as much a part of my vacation as touring WDW is. It's worth it to spend that flight in comfort. I'm glad you got a great deal!

I totally agree with you - we've had some stressful flights over the years and it's no way to start out a vacation.

Okay, I admit there are some dishes that are not that great. (the chicken curry wrap-no one that tried it liked it)
The Steak Salad is very good as is the Tortellini in Red Sauce, and the cheesecake are all good.

Overall, the food on American is decent. And nobody does First Class better than American!

I forgot about the food - it doesn't have to be spectacular. My kids will think it's a real treat, regardless!

Thank you both for helping me feel like I made a good choice. I checked the same flights again today and they are now $1858 per PERSON Coach fares rose as well, though not as much. I guess timing is everything. I'm so glad I booked when I did.

 

[MAH4546]

American hasn't followed the other airlines in downgrading first class service standards.

You'll get decent seats, a filling meal and top notch service.