Questions and Answers

Hi Everyone,

I’m looking to take a non stop UA flight in Aug. from Paris to SFO but have recently read a lot of not so good reviews on the biz class seat on the UA 777-200. So, I’m wondering what your thoughts are on whether its “worth” it to pay the 57.5k for the biz seat or if I should just get an economy seat, pay for the economy plus upgrade and save close to 30k miles on that?

Thanks for the input,
Victor

Welcome [USER=2719]@Victor Lemus[/USER] – I flew the UA 777 ORD-BRU in October and agree it wasn’t the best business class seat I’ve ever flown – it was so narrow my shoulders rubbed the sides in flat-bed mode. Even so I can’t imagine flying that far in economy, even premium economy.

But then some of it may have to do with age and girth! If you’re young and/or slim then economy might not be an issue. Personally I did 2 legs on regional jets in one day a couple of weeks ago and ended up with a sore back so there’s no way I’d go that far in economy.

[USER=2719]@Victor Lemus[/USER] I think if you run the numbers the savings aren’t as great as you think.

The first consideration is you’re not going to have a flat bed in e+ and for that length of flight it is a consideration, although if you are going CDG-SFO it’s in the day.

So if you go economy it’s 30K miles plus about $300 for an economy+ seat that really only has a little more leg room than the back.

If you go business it’s 57.5K miles. You get a better meal, lie flat seat and some other amenities.

So economy+ saved you 27,500 miles but cost $300 in cash. You can often buy UA points for 2.1 cents. Your 27,500 points are then valued at $577.50. Deduct the $300 you spent for e+ and you saved $277.50. So is lie flat seat for 11 hours plus amenities worth $277. To me yes.

Thanks so much, you two. Appreciate the input. I went ahead and got the business class seat for the trip back home. Who knows, maybe they even retrofit it to the new Polaris seats by then!