Is premium economy on AF worth it
Oct 20, 2016, 10:38 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 350
Is premium economy on AF worth it
Just checking in with a few others here to see if premium economy is worth the money over regular cattle class. I see the price difference is about $350 each way. I am buying tickets for a family of 3. I think cattle class only gets 50% of the miles too
Oct 20, 2016, 11:00 am
#2
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Santo Domingo, Dom. Rep. / Washington, DC
Programs: AA PPro/DL PLT, PPass, Marriott / Hilton Gold, JetBlue Mosaic, Hertz Presidents Circle, Amex Plat
Posts: 4,629
For those who don't have status, Premium Economy also includes SkyPriority access.
Oct 20, 2016, 12:48 pm
#3
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: NL
Programs: FB Gold
Posts: 42
For me it was not worth it, I managed to upgrade in the lounge from W to J on the CDG-YVR stretch for only 10000 FB points. On the way back I was not so lucky. Those PE seats are horribly hard seats with no recline (just the bottom part that shoves forward 3 inches). Did not get any sleep. Keep the money in your pocket is my advise.
Oct 20, 2016, 1:37 pm
#4
Join Date: Sep 2014
Programs: Flying Blue Plat, Air Europa Silver, IHG Plat, Accor Plat
Posts: 1,010
If you can afford it, go for it! It really is a whole lot nicer than any seat in economy. Also indeed, you will earn a lot more miles and if you have BlueBiz, you could rack up quite a few credits for your business.
Oct 20, 2016, 11:48 pm
#5
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: DUS, BRU, POA
Programs: Skyteam E+ (FB PfL), Latam Black, LH MM, Iberia plus, HH: Diamond, Marriott Bonvoy: Plat
Posts: 1,120
Another perspective: It puts you in a much better position with regard to day-of-departure or OLCI upgrades. Less miles or cash needed to upgrade to bizz.
Regarding miles earning: Eco can actually be as low as 25% on low end fare classes while you'll earn 100 - 125% in PE, depending on the fare you pick.
Regarding miles earning: Eco can actually be as low as 25% on low end fare classes while you'll earn 100 - 125% in PE, depending on the fare you pick.
Oct 21, 2016, 1:15 am
#7
Join Date: Mar 2016
Programs: LH SEN, AF Gold
Posts: 59
I personally would go for it as you have more space and the cabin is quieter. The seats are ok, even if I would prefer this one from LH as it has more recline.
On the other side it depends on the duration of your flight and length and purpose of the overall trip. If your budget is tight, then you could also consider to spend the money on a more decent hotel or nicer restaurants etc.
On the other side it depends on the duration of your flight and length and purpose of the overall trip. If your budget is tight, then you could also consider to spend the money on a more decent hotel or nicer restaurants etc.
Oct 21, 2016, 2:53 am
#8
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: SJC / SFO
Programs: Flying Blue Platinum; Marriott Bonvoy Platinum; Hilton Gold
Posts: 785
I'd certainly go with premium economy, it's reasonable for what you pay (if the fare is discounted). Not as cramped, seats are wider and each pax has their own armrest for both hands, nobody bothers you with recline and you get the miles.
Oct 22, 2016, 10:15 am
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist, Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Somewhere between 0 and 13,000 metres high
Programs: AF/KL Life Plat, BA GGL+GfL, ALL Plat, Hilton Diam, Marriott Gold, blablablah, etc
Posts: 30,514
As others have pointed out, one of the most person-specific questions. On the whole, I'd say that people who want to pay more to be in a more exclusive, smaller cabin or more legroom love it, those who want to pay more for a more comfortable recline hate it.
Oct 22, 2016, 10:32 pm
#10
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Boston, MA, USA
Programs: FB LTPE, BAEC GGL, EK Blue, SK Gold, Marriott Amb+LTT, IHG Diamond Amb, Accorhotels Silver
Posts: 1,953
I would not hesitate for a daytime flight, especially if you need to work.
You are ensured to get enough space to put your computer and even a mouse, and type without being cramped.
For a night flight, I would not pay that premium unless you are less than 5"5ft tall.
You are ensured to get enough space to put your computer and even a mouse, and type without being cramped.
For a night flight, I would not pay that premium unless you are less than 5"5ft tall.
Oct 22, 2016, 11:29 pm
#11
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Canada
Programs: FB Platinum, SM Diamond
Posts: 645
First , I am a "fan" of the PE.
If the cost for the PE is 350$ it is 1 questions you must ask yourself.
Why?
If you take it only for the additional comfort, I will say no (it depend also the flight time and how many flights).
If you are a platinum or gold (or want to be one) and want many miles, it CAN be a good option.
- What is the distance you will travel ?
- For 350$CAD (+- 260USD). I can have a 20K miles (in PE one way). In Eco it give me around 5,000 miles, in PE 20,000 miles, for my status. I am platinum,in PE this give me a total of 40,000 mile for my account
- most of the time both are 25% (eco) and 100%(PE). This is a good deal if you want mile for your status (depending the distance you flight).
If the cost for the PE is 350$ it is 1 questions you must ask yourself.
Why?
If you take it only for the additional comfort, I will say no (it depend also the flight time and how many flights).
If you are a platinum or gold (or want to be one) and want many miles, it CAN be a good option.
- What is the distance you will travel ?
- For 350$CAD (+- 260USD). I can have a 20K miles (in PE one way). In Eco it give me around 5,000 miles, in PE 20,000 miles, for my status. I am platinum,in PE this give me a total of 40,000 mile for my account
- most of the time both are 25% (eco) and 100%(PE). This is a good deal if you want mile for your status (depending the distance you flight).
Oct 23, 2016, 1:24 am
#12
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: San Francisco, CA
Programs: Flying Blue Platinum, JetBlue Mosaic, Hyatt Globalist, Alaska MVP Gold.
Posts: 1,962
When it comes to market segmentation, it certainly 'works' on me: tickets back home from SF to Europe are about 400-600$ more in Premium Economy for me vs. the V economy fares. As I only earn 25% miles on the V fare, and I prefer a good quiet time, better seats and such it's easily worth it for me.
But your mileage may vary.
But your mileage may vary.
Oct 23, 2016, 4:16 am
#13
Join Date: Sep 2014
Programs: Flying Blue Plat, Air Europa Silver, IHG Plat, Accor Plat
Posts: 1,010
I felt the difference between the old J and PE was not that different in terms of seat comfort, but each one is infinitely more comfortable than Y, IMO.
If course, it's all personal. Some people can sleep in any seat; others can hardly even sleep in the J seats.
Oct 23, 2016, 8:25 am
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Paris, France
Programs: AF/KL Flying Blue Platinum for life/Club2000 Ultimate, Accor ALL Diamond
Posts: 21,918
Oct 23, 2016, 5:14 pm
#15
Join Date: Sep 2014
Programs: Flying Blue Plat, Air Europa Silver, IHG Plat, Accor Plat
Posts: 1,010
I am. I was in the front row of PE on the way out and front row of J on the way back. It was my first time on the 'old' J, having enjoyed the new J on previous flights. I couldn't sleep properly on the angled seat, I felt like I was sliding downwards. Again, maybe it's a personal thing but I really did feel the old J wasn't much of a step up from PE on the 777, except for the service of course!