Upgraded Flights or Upgraded Accommodations?

[NotUrsula]

Yep, the big issue is the extent of the price difference. Unless you have the status to snag an upgrade at a low cost, buying Business class tickets on a typical US-Europe flight is going to cost around 10X what Economy does. With 2 passengers or more that's a lot of money. Even with higher European lodging costs, spending an extra $10K or more on hotels over what you would have normally paid is a *lot* more bang for your buck.

Me, I'm a bit claustrophic on widebody flights, mostly because the seat width is so tight in order to accommodate up to 10 seats across. I generally can't afford the bump to business, but what I do when I can is fly on a plane that has 3 seats on the window rows, and buy two of them just for me. It makes a huge difference in how much I can relax.

My preference in Europe is always to rent a short-let apartment rather than stay in a hotel. More space and less judgement over my American habits (like wanting ice, or using a top sheet), LOL.

 

[DCLMP]

Upgraded flight and budget hotel. I’m perfectly happy in a Hampton inn or anything similar.

 

[MillauFr]

Upgraded airline seats to Europe from the Northeast isn't worth it. With flight times under 7 hours I would just pick a morning departure and get to Europe in the evening.

 

[DCLMP]

I would beg to differ about business class compared to economy. On long haul flights, which is what we're talking about here, there is no comparison between business class and economy seats, even if you book extra legroom or exit rows. I can't think of a single case where an economy seat would be a better experience than business.

With hotels, I don't want to think of it as budget vs luxury, more like paying more to get a better room, location, or amenities. Unless you're booking the top options anyway, there is usually a way you can upgrade a trip by staying closer to the attractions you'd like to see or booking a suite instead of a standard room. It's all hypothetical anyway, like if someone is offering you the choice between a $4 airline and $1k hotel gift card or a $1k airline and $4k hotel gift card to use on your next vacation.

If you're looking for a cheap, lie-flat option to Japan, see if Zipair is able to work for your schedule. They're a budget airline who has business class seats but doesn't bundle them with things like food and bags.

Where are flying from and to that would probably help answer the question. I assume by long haul you mean 8+ hours? I would never pay for a luxury hotel in Europe I'm not sure it's really worth it.

 

[DCLMP]

I've been to London three times. The first time we stayed at the Premier Inn with cash. The other two times we stayed at Waldorf with Hilton points and the third time the Hilton on Park Lane with points... both 5-star hotels. I was glad I didn't pay cash for the two 5 stars. Hotels in Europe are not like hotels in the US. Premier Inn was great just like your basic Hampton Inn and within walking distance to the Tower of London.

In Rome, we stayed at Hotel IQ Roma budget hotel, clean and new and within walking distance of everything. In Paris and Zurich we stayed at the Hyatt Regency outskirts of town, but 1 a minute walk to the metro. I think to get a hotel room in Europe the size of what were used to in the US you would have to pay some astronomical fee for a suite. It's not worth it.

 

[Magical2017]

Better accommodations, economy flight, unless I was traveling for more than 8 hours.

 

[tvguy]

Economy flight and budget hotel and spend the money on something else. I can't sleep on a plane, and I only use the hotel to sleep, so no need for a pool or other perks.
I am a step up from my daughter, she flew from the West Coast to the U.K. in May economy, and stayed at a hostel, one where you share a bathroom. I insist on a private bathroom.

 

[dvcgirl67]

I think I got the same email from "Going"...which used to be Scott's Cheap Flights. I'm not a member, but I guess I signed up for emails from them at some point.

Right now we're really enjoying flying up in front of the plane, but like NotUrsala said, unless you have status, you're paying full price....and we don't have status. We've found that booking at the 11 month mark is the way to go if you have inflexible dates, as we do. But we've also been purchasing "fully refundable"....in case prices drop or we have to cancel. Those flights used to be ridiculously expensive, but it's much more reasonable these days.

For hotels, we really don't need a 5 star hotel if we're traveling to Europe. I can see staying at a 5 star near the end of a trip if we finished up at a beach resort, but classic touring trips, I don't need a dedicated restaurant in the hotel or a spa that I won't use. If we're going to a resort....we like 5 star. We haven't ventured into the AirBnB world, but plan to do that in the near future. I also look forward to being retired with complete flexibility where we can snag deals here and there.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I've been to London three times. The first time we stayed at the Premier Inn with cash. The other two times we stayed at Waldorf with Hilton points and the third time the Hilton on Park Lane with points... both 5-star hotels. I was glad I didn't pay cash for the two 5 stars. Hotels in Europe are not like hotels in the US. Premier Inn was great just like your basic Hampton Inn and within walking distance to the Tower of London.

In Rome, we stayed at Hotel IQ Roma budget hotel, clean and new and within walking distance of everything. In Paris and Zurich we stayed at the Hyatt Regency outskirts of town, but 1 a minute walk to the metro. I think to get a hotel room in Europe the size of what were used to in the US you would have to pay some astronomical fee for a suite. It's not worth it.

Our Venice hotel and Athens hotel were about the same size or larger actually than other hotels we've stayed at in the U.S. One was Hyatt (purchased over time to be a Hyatt) and I forget the other brand. The one in Athens the bathroom was a tad scrunched in space but then they had a couch and a table and chairs with a place setting on them. What you do have a lot more outside of the U.S. is hotels in more unique buildings so you do stand a higher chance of that in relation to room size or just the layout. Whereas many U.S. hotels are in designed buildings for hotels. Looking at this hotel in Luxembourg last night and while perfect in location across the street to the train station I'm not keen on the studio aspect where the shower is in the corner glass enclosed, sink and TV and bed all in the same space, though the toilet has it's own room with a door.

We don't expect a 700+ sq feet room like we get an Encore in Vegas that's for sure. You might find more double/full than at least queen beds in Europe as well.

The one thing we did find is irons and ironing boards are not a common amenity in Europe.

 

[tony67]

With the ridiculous cost (IMO) for lie flat seats etc... Id much rather use that towards a better hotel - especially in Europe.

Club level or and executive lounge in an EU hotel is far better than in the US and makes for a much more enjoyable experience so Id spend the money on that - and more importantly location - being in walking distance of the main touristy area is far more important. And if you have a club level room they have drinks and snacks all day in most places so you can pop in for a coffee, wine, beer or water and a break in the middle of the day.
Appetizers and drinks at night and breakfast in the morning. I've been in ones that have basically full meals at night and full self service bars.

I'd say the same is true for Asia from what I hear - except the club lounges are an entire level higher in quality than Europe. Club lounges in the US are a joke in comparison to both and becoming all too rare as they try to cut costs.

 

[wenrob]

Upgraded flight hands down. For us hotels are for sleeping and showering, we don’t hang out in them or use amenities. As long as it’s clean and things work that’s all we need.

 

[soccerdad72]

I suppose it depends on the destination. If the trip is one that's centered around the hotel/resort, give me the economy flight and upgraded hotel. If, however, it's a trip that we'll be simply sleeping at the hotel each night, I'll take the upgraded flight.

 

[jimmymc]

Where are flying from and to that would probably help answer the question. I assume by long haul you mean 8+ hours? I would never pay for a luxury hotel in Europe I'm not sure it's really worth it.

For long haul, 8-12 hours. At minimum across an ocean or from Europe to east Asia. And you can pick the location if you think the answer would be different for Paris vs Tokyo, or any other city.

 

[Moliphino]

I've been to London three times. The first time we stayed at the Premier Inn with cash. The other two times we stayed at Waldorf with Hilton points and the third time the Hilton on Park Lane with points... both 5-star hotels. I was glad I didn't pay cash for the two 5 stars. Hotels in Europe are not like hotels in the US. Premier Inn was great just like your basic Hampton Inn and within walking distance to the Tower of London.

In Rome, we stayed at Hotel IQ Roma budget hotel, clean and new and within walking distance of everything. In Paris and Zurich we stayed at the Hyatt Regency outskirts of town, but 1 a minute walk to the metro. I think to get a hotel room in Europe the size of what were used to in the US you would have to pay some astronomical fee for a suite. It's not worth it.

The Hilton Garden Inn in Bordeaux had probably the largest standard hotel room I've ever experienced in Europe and was only about $150/night. It was a bit of a hike to the historic center, but was close to the train station.

I don't care about hotel amenities as we're really only there to sleep and shower. As long as it's clean, reasonably priced, and convenient for what I want to do, I'm good. I feel no need to upgrade from the type of hotels I usually stay at.

An upgraded flight would be nice. The past couple times I've flown to Europe I've had a sore bum for days after because the seats are so uncomfortable.

 

[JLTraveling]

I'd go with the flight. I spend very little time in my hotel room while on vacation, I'd rather be out exploring. So as long as the bed's reasonably comfortable and the bathroom facilities work, I'm good. But I would like to arrive relaxed and ready to go, not stiff and sore from an uncomfortable flight.

 

[AndreaDM]

For Europe, Biz class flight and moderate hotel/AirBnB - and we did this last year. LOVED the lie flat seats and the upgraded food, etc. We spent hardly any time in our hotel.

Now we are going to Aruba in Nov., flying economy but splurging on nicer accommodations with beach front access.

 

[DCLMP]

For long haul, 8-12 hours. At minimum across an ocean or from Europe to east Asia. And you can pick the location if you think the answer would be different for Paris vs Tokyo, or any other city.

So you’re not looking for advice? It’s just a random question.

 

[jimmymc]

So you’re not looking for advice? It’s just a random question.

Correct, it's just a discussion question. I was more curious about the board's opinions and to see how the split would end up.

 

[Karin1984]

Preferably both, but most importantly:

I want at least a Business class flight for the return. I am fine with Economy going out, but when you travel to the Americas or Asia from Europe, you often have a night flight to get back. A Business class seat would guarantee me I don't need an extra day vacation to recover from the lack of sleep in Economy.

For this, I choose Business Class over more luxurious hotel. As long as it is clean and reasonably quiet, I am good. I need a place to sleep and shower. If possible a central location, but if not I can settle for near public transport/Uber options.

I know I enjoy a good Business class experience more than a luxurious hotel.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Now we are going to Aruba in Nov., flying economy but splurging on nicer accommodations with beach front access.

We've considered Aruba and SWA flies there, no need to downgrade from our normal flight experiences to do so The downer is seasonal scheduling.

I've known quite a few people who have gone to Aruba in the last 5 years most really love it but a few did it as a cruise port rather than staying on the island.