Red eye flight $350 to upgrade from eco to Mint, SFO>JFK
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 350
Red eye flight $350 to upgrade from eco to Mint, SFO>JFK
I picked up an expensive coach ticket during high season. Today I noticed the price of Mint came down to about $350 more than my coach ticket for SFO>JFK. I just want to check in with you guys to see what you think of the price difference, is it worth it?
#2
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Boston, MA
Programs: AA EXP, B6 Mosaic, UA Plat, Bonvoy Plat, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 1,772
IMO it depends on how much you value a few hours of sleep. If it were me and I had to work the following day, I'd probably spend the extra money. On a redeye you won't be able to take full advantage of the food and drink unless you want to stay awake, but the difference in comfort for sleep, if that's what you want, is enormous.
I think Mint is both the best product and the best value of all transcon premium flights I've tried in the last few years (VX, B6, AA)...
I think Mint is both the best product and the best value of all transcon premium flights I've tried in the last few years (VX, B6, AA)...
#3
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: BOS
Programs: Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott/SPG/Hilton Gold, PreCheck + Clear
Posts: 2,306
I've flown Mint on an SFO>BOS redeye, and it was the best sleep I've ever gotten on a plane -- though that was partly because I scored 2F, which is an individual seat with no neighbor. Still, unless the $350 is a hardship for you, I'd spend it in a heartbeat.
#6
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: New York, NY
Programs: AA Gold. UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt (Lifetime Diamond downgraded to Explorist)
Posts: 6,776
Upgraded my LAX-JFK flight the other day for ~$250 while I was at JFK waiting for my delayed flight. When I walked up to ask about upgrading I put a $400 budget on this and was very happy about the $250.
The rep was also able to get me 2F for the suite experience.
The rep was also able to get me 2F for the suite experience.
#7
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Cape Cod
Programs: Free agent
Posts: 1,535
That's a great deal for the best seat on the plane.
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: East Coast
Programs: AA CONCIERGE KEY & 1MM, HILTON DIAMOND
Posts: 11,820
It depends on what you already paid but usually the cheapest one-way Mint ticket is $599-$649
#10
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: New York, NY
Programs: AA Gold. UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt (Lifetime Diamond downgraded to Explorist)
Posts: 6,776
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 350
I still haven't made the move, but the seat is still available. The mint cabin is still empty at this point, should I wait to try to see if the upgrade price would be cheaper at check in? I paid $291 for the fare, I think the mint fare is $659
#12
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Cape Cod
Programs: Free agent
Posts: 1,535
I prefer 2F over 4F simply because you get off a bit faster.
My recommendation is to buy it now. That's close to the best possible price for the route.
#13
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: New York, NY
Programs: AA Gold. UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt (Lifetime Diamond downgraded to Explorist)
Posts: 6,776
I was told by a rep at JFK that the day of flight upgrade cost starts at $499. I'd jump now.
#14
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: SJC/SFO
Programs: UA lifetime gold; Hilton Gold; Marriott/SPG Plat; Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 2,954
It is all a matter of how much money you are willing to shell out for a few hours of luxury.
The mint seat is very nice (suite is even nicer even though the seat is not really different from the other mint seats), the service is usually excellent and food fairly tasty.
I think it is a much better/nicer experience than United BF on the transcon service.
If the difference is not going to affect your bottom line (at the end of the month/year) then it is a luxury worth taking. I don't think you will be disappointed.
The mint seat is very nice (suite is even nicer even though the seat is not really different from the other mint seats), the service is usually excellent and food fairly tasty.
I think it is a much better/nicer experience than United BF on the transcon service.
If the difference is not going to affect your bottom line (at the end of the month/year) then it is a luxury worth taking. I don't think you will be disappointed.
#15
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
"Is it worth it?" threads are impossible to answer because nobody here knows what $350 means to you.
If you need that $350 to prevent your house from being foreclosed, it's not worth it. If you drop $350 on a bar tab after work, it's worth it.
If your question is whether the price is right, the answer is that it is and that it's not likely to drop. At some point, a couple of people will buy what's left and you won't need to wonder because the seats will be gone.
If you are going to do this, jump now.
If you need that $350 to prevent your house from being foreclosed, it's not worth it. If you drop $350 on a bar tab after work, it's worth it.
If your question is whether the price is right, the answer is that it is and that it's not likely to drop. At some point, a couple of people will buy what's left and you won't need to wonder because the seats will be gone.
If you are going to do this, jump now.