Article: Flying first class: How can anyone afford it?

[coyote25]

Interesting article especially about the expect cost differences and being surprised it wasn’t all businessmen in business class:
The cost of flying first class: How can anyone afford it?

I expect the answer from AFF members would be different on both how can you afford but also the worth / value.

Personally long haul PE or J using points is great, even F but with J getting so good probably not worth the extra points.

 

[kpc]

i would (almost) never pay $$ for J or F but with points yes, esp F if available

 

[Pushka]

Interesting article especially about the expect cost differences and being surprised it wasn’t all businessmen in business class:
The cost of flying first class: How can anyone afford it?

I expect the answer from AFF members would be different on both how can you afford but also the worth / value.

Personally long haul PE or J using points is great, even F but with J getting so good probably not worth the extra points.

You mean, people actually pay for F?

 

[juddles]

You mean, people actually pay for F?

I have, but only when I have found a spectacular price. Best scam I ever pulled was from Europe to Aussie on QF/EK - paid less than normal J. But this was not the norm. I would never pay "full price" for F. But i know there are so many other people to whom the cash is nothing, and so they do. This is why F exists.

 

[Pushka]

I have, but only when I have found a spectacular price. Best scam I ever pulled was from Europe to Aussie on QF/EK - paid less than normal J. But this was not the norm. I would never pay "full price" for F. But i know there are so many other people to whom the cash is nothing, and so they do. This is why F exists.

Yes, actually now you mention it, I did pay F when EK were doing those wonderful specials from NZ. A once off. Very memorable first time shower on a plane.

 

[Dr Ralph]

'Article: Flying first class: How can anyone afford it?'

By using www.ozbargain.com.au to save money

 

[dajop]

The linked article isn't specifically referring to first class, it is actually discussing all premium classes, and questioning how people afford it. The sub-editor has clearly decided "First Class" gets more clicks though, noting the first line of the article is different to the headline:

The cost of flying first class: How can anyone afford it?

Is business class worth it? It’s an entirely hypothetical query given it’s (well) beyond the realm of my reality but it’s the question I inevitably ponder when I fly.

Recently, before departing on an international trip I couldn’t help but scrutinise the men, women – and yes even children – who were warmly welcomed and so quickly ushered through the first and business class queues beside me.

Also it takes a very grim view of pricing (perhaps driven by a Qantas-centric view of the world):

As a rule of thumb travelling first class costs roughly ten times the cost of flying economy, business class is closer to seven times while a premium economy ticket is around three times the price of economy. A quick online search for return flights from Sydney to London in June with Qantas confirms these multiples are slightly off but the disparity is not.

Usually you can find multiples less than this, especially if you compare {another airline} to Qantas economy, except F, which is more difficult to find a bargain in.

 

[SFSC]

We have paid for discounted F but can't even start to consider private long haul. Just out of curiosity, I recently priced out a one-way NTL-BRS for 4 PAX and it came out north of €170,000.

 

[CaptJCool]

We have paid for discounted F but can't even start to consider private long haul. Just out of curiosity, I recently priced out a one-way NTL-BRS for 4 PAX and it came out north of €170,000.

Blimey. Pass on that price.

The forum here offers some excellent ideas to find the lowest cost way of flying in the pointy end.

Ex Australia fares are sadly highly inflated. That said, businesses receive a discount from Business rewards and then a business deduction for fares so that's a 30% discount or more right there. Offset it against a professional allowance and bingo there's Nearly 40% or 50% back.

Many talk about good points earns eg (non-Aussie airline or credit card churning) cause it's an awfully big spend to do it buying groceries at woolies or Coles. .... and repositioning even in Australia or HK or wherever gives better value....

Paying for one return fare provides Status Credits and points but is pricey all the same.
Only Flying (without credit card churning) will result in a free fare after 3 or perhaps 2.5 (double or triple points will prune that back to about 1-2 paid flights for a freebie. So easy enough to earn the points one way or the other Great in low season, plenty of availability but in high season, you gotta book really early, or hope someone drops out later...so it's doable.

As I will be on superannuation when I wish to fly F, The plan is to use the preservation age 60 tax savings as the backstop to fund it if all other avenues are no longer options.

 

[TheRealTMA]

You mean, people actually pay for F?

Yes. Europe to Australia return on EK/QF is often cheaper than Australia to Europe on QF.

It’s the QF government deal that makes the price much higher.

 

[TomVexille]

Define "First".

I certainly pay for first (as in business) in the US. But paying for longhaul J is out of our price range. But we do fly F and J on points.

However I do know there are AFFers who can and do pay for proper F. And more power to them as far as I'm concerned.

 

[AviationNZ]

For the life of me, I never understand articles like this. What people can and can't afford is all about which perspective you look at it from, and what people value. You could ask the same question of absolutely everything...someone may ask "how can anyone afford a new Ford Fiesta?", others may ask "how can anyone afford a new Aston Martin?"

I just don't get what the point is??? Should everyone in life earn the same amount and value everything identically?!?

Rant over...

 

[drron]

'Article: Flying first class: How can anyone afford it?'

By using www.ozbargain.com.au to save money

Or even through alpha flight guru.

 

[JohnK]

I can afford to play the points game but Business/First not that important.

Economy is fine with the occasional trip in premium cabins.

 

[burmans]

You mean, people actually pay for F?

Funnily enough, this was exactly what I thought too.

 

[Deleted member]

You mean, people actually pay for F?

Yep they do.
They also buy Rolls Royce’s, Ferrari’s and large boats ........

 

[SFSC]

Yep they do.
They also buy Rolls Royce’s, Ferrari’s and large boats ........

But probably lease their G6.

 

[juddles]

Another angle is that for some, premium travel is not a luxury, but a need. I am 6'7" and do about 400,000km a year. It is horrible. Even in J it is a chore. I am not rich - I spend more on flights than any other thing - because I have to.

 

[drron]

And I am paying for F.However it is cheaper than J on QF.

 

[ozjuice]

Another way to look at this is the fact that the majority are clueless that when you take your J class flights, that these are in fact mostly due to being savvy, not rich. In fact I was once that majority, wondering how people did it and why I can't. I still can't believe it took me so long to catch on.
But with some great advice and a little homework I am just about to take my 4th Long Haul J flight in 12 months and haven't paid for any of them out right. Gotta love that!