CraigWatson

Currently being offered a £169 (was £189) POUG for myself and my girlfriend on the return leg of an upcoming trip to JFK on BA174, which at the moment seems to be a 772 (with the odd 77W, I can dream!).

I'm trying to justify the cost to myself (and my girlfriend!), but I'm having trouble. The only difference is on-board, so no fast-track security or boarding. The flight is an overnight (landing at 6:20am) so we're doubting if what essentially amounts to £24 per hour each is worth it for quality of sleep.

So, my question is: would you pay the POUG fee, and if so, why?

Update

So ... my girlfriend has agreed to upgrade on the outbound BA117 flight instead, which is a 744 and doesn't have the "new WT+" cabin. Is it still worth it?

thatsthebadger

For a night flight yes, a day flight no.

Globaliser

Sleeper Service is only in CW.

As for the layout and the extra space, it sounds like the question about what have the Romans ever done for us. If you discount all of WT+'s benefits, of course there's no point in upgrading to it. The 2-4-2 layout and the extra space is mostly what WT+ is all about - that's what people are paying for.

all ahead full

I would say yes, as if you get the two seats at the side, you have a fighting chance of getting some decent rest....

User Name

Yes. But - qualifier - I fly BA only for work, haven't sat in Y for years, since had so many upgrades (UuA, POUG and Op-Ups) that I almost dread traveling in WTP. If I were spending my own money...?

All about context. Do what feels right from your own value perspective.

snuffi

I took a WT to WTP POUG for £189 from LHR to HKG, albeit it a longer flight with the guaranteed newer WTP cabin on the A380. I then got upgraded to CW at the gate. I still consider it the best £189 I have ever spent.

You will need to be lucky of course, and I was travelling solo which increased my chances, but if you remain in WT you stand almost zero chance. Do you need the extra 55 TPs?

Cap'n Benj

On a 747, no, unless you need the TPs

Oaxaca

Agree with Globaliser. The space itself is the primary benefit. The space would be worth it to me, but only you can decide if that is worth £189 for you

Other things to consider, which may or may not be relevant to you:
> Some extra avios and TPs (still at current rates)
> Better food, if you eat. There should be choices from the CW menu for main. As mentioned above, Sleeper Service is only for CW, and BA174 is not a sleeper service flight anyway.
> Larger checked baggage allowance (2 bags), assuming your WT ticket is not fully flex Y class. Will you be doing a lot of shopping?

CraigWatson

All great points, thanks!

Why? I'm also trying to build an arsenal of reasons for my girlfriend, who is the overriding skeptic, if it was only me travelling, £189 is good value!

Good question, but the upgrade is one-way only, so any bags we return with will have to be taken over, unless we upgrade both ways (or buy the bag in NYC), and the POUG offer is currently only available on the return leg.

Not particularly - main focus is on the experience/product (though I do selfishly have one eye on Bronze (yay?) as I may be making a trip to PDX later in the year).

BA174 is a 772

My mistake, in my head, sleeper = overnight. I stand corrected

LondonElite

For an overnight flight, yes, always. Better seat, more space. Outside chance of an op-up to CW.

BLHD

If you upgrade 1 sector you get the higher allowance on all sectors.

Oaxaca

It's a personal thing, but for me the greater legroom, more recline and quieter cabin (less pax) are worth it, to arrive feeling less squashed. Also something to be said for 2-4-2 if you are travelling as a couple. If you're lucky, you'd get a refitted 772 with the new WTP. Don't actually know if the seat is more comfy than the old one, but there is a new IFE.

BLHD mentions that you get the upgraded allowance on all sectors (which I didn't know as I'm practically evangelical about flying HBO), but you can also do the "one suitcase inside the other" thing on the outbound as long as you are within the weight/size allowance.

paul4040

No. You still won't get a flat bed or a decent sleep.

I find it bizarre that people upgrade from WTP to CW for £400-500 or so.

If I walked into a hotel and they said they could give me a tiny little room with a bed that will jump around in the night for £500, or just a tiny reclining chair in the lobby to sleep in, you wouldn't get £500 off me.

Ziz

I might be in the minority here, but I'd be more likely to upgrade the day flight. When I'm sleeping, I'm sleeping, and a bit more leg room isn't really relevant to me. When I'm awake I get restless and want to move my legs about sometimes and that's when I am grateful for the extra space in WTP. Disclaimer: I'm only 5'5.

paulwuk

WT means a 3-3-3 Your girlfriend will have to sleep next to a leery pervy old man. WTP means a 2-4-2 layout, so she only has to sleep next to you.