TravelUp - Insane "penalty" to upgrade

zagfles

malkie76 wrote: »

I shouldn’t expect to hold a conversation on MSE without it quickly devolving into extremes to try and make a point.

The extreme examples just serve to point out that everyone has financial contstraints, even those who think money is no object. Even a multi-billionaire probably couldn't afford a holiday on Mars.

If everything you want to do on holiday costs £6k, and flights in business cost £4K then your holiday budget is £10k. If you don’t have £10k then save until you do - if doing everything is important to you. If not, then compromise - clearly flights is an obvious way to save, while still getting from A to B.

Alternatively, save the £10k and spend it on far better value memories than a nice seat on the plane

I look at holidays as a total event then work out how much it will cost, rather than start with a set budget and work out what I can get with my money. Two camps, and people will sit in one of them.

Actually I do the same. But I won't save and so have to wait for a holiday just because I can't afford unnecessary overpriced fluff like expensive seats. It would mean less holidays :eek: So in the end, it's the same thing.

As someone who has flown TATL in a private jet I would thoroughly not recommend it - scheduled airlines offer a far superior service. Of course, you could charter a wide bodied airliner from any main airline and create any service you wanted. I have been on a privately chartered BA 747 on a TATL (clearly I wasn’t paying) which was fun, but just a regular service was paid for. The advantage was a direct flight to where we wanted to go outside of the network.

Yes, I prefer public transport too. It's like getting a bus instead of a taxi.

leylandsunaddict

never book with these small time untrusted agents!

They're a long established company, an IATA agent, and far from being small time. Their Feefo and Trustpilot reviews are generally good. I wouldn't use them but then I wouldn't use any OTA. Booking direct with the airline is the way to go.

leylandsunaddict

Why would spending extra on flights limit your ability to ‘make memories’ at the destination?

It doesn't. You don't need much/any money to make memories.

gettingtheresometime

malkie76 wrote: »

I shouldn’t expect to hold a conversation on MSE without it quickly devolving into extremes to try and make a point.

If everything you want to do on holiday costs £6k, and flights in business cost £4K then your holiday budget is £10k. If you don’t have £10k then save until you do - if doing everything is important to you. If not, then compromise - clearly flights is an obvious way to save, while still getting from A to B.

I look at holidays as a total event then work out how much it will cost, rather than start with a set budget and work out what I can get with my money. Two camps, and people will sit in one of them.

As someone who has flown TATL in a private jet I would thoroughly not recommend it - scheduled airlines offer a far superior service. Of course, you could charter a wide bodied airliner from any main airline and create any service you wanted. I have been on a privately chartered BA 747 on a TATL (clearly I wasn’t paying) which was fun, but just a regular service was paid for. The advantage was a direct flight to where we wanted to go outside of the network.

I think this is a case of 'one person's banquet is another one's picnic' & there will be no right or wrong answer.

As an example we have an Amex card & get companion vouchers; earlier in the year we flew 1st class to LA but business class back.

Yes it was lovely going into the 1st class lounge & all that entails but coming back I felt it was a better, more personal service with business class

For me the relative short flight to NY isn't worth an upgrade though perhaps I'm easy to please - flew to Australia economy & was happy with that - though we did pay to choose our return seats having been very happy with them going out.

photome

leylandsunaddict wrote: »

They're a long established company, an IATA agent, and far from being small time. Their Feefo and Trustpilot reviews are generally good. I wouldn't use them but then I wouldn't use any OTA. Booking direct with the airline is the way to go.

I think we all know that trustpilot reviews mean nothing

Shimrod

gettingtheresometime wrote: »

I think this is a case of 'one person's banquet is another one's picnic' & there will be no right or wrong answer.

I'd have to agree with this - I never flew anything other than economy because anything else always seemed so expensive for just a few hours of comfort. Now, for a long haul flight being able to afford the extra comfort of premium economy is about the difference between going or not going to that destination.

zagfles

Shimrod wrote: »

I'd have to agree with this - I never flew anything other than economy because anything else always seemed so expensive for just a few hours of comfort. Now, for a long haul flight being able to afford the extra comfort of premium economy is about the difference between going or not going to that destination.

If going very long haul eg Aus/NZ, stopping at the transit hotel in Singapore for a good kip in a quiet dark private room is heaven. Plus much cheaper than a better seat.

Shimrod

zagfles wrote: »

If going very long haul eg Aus/NZ, stopping at the transit hotel in Singapore for a good kip in a quiet dark private room is heaven. Plus much cheaper than a better seat.

I'd count the flight to Singapore as long haul! to maximise holidays, I always try for the shortest travel time. Once retired, multi-stop trips (in economy) will be the preferred option. Although if funds and time allowed, I would probably try and link a number of cruises together and avoid flying altogether.