Originally Posted by
pgh234
Now that I have to purchase three tickets when I travel (little one has graduated from lap child status), there is literally no reason to pay the elite status tax and buy above BE fares. I can't get upgraded because we are a party of three, I can't get us all in the skyclub for free on international trips, and we always get decent seats assignments (if not C+) as discussed above. Plus, as discussed, the upcharge is regularly around $300 for us to pick seats (and not have a swing at the upgrade lottery). Remember when these fares were only created to compete with the LCC's? Lol
My family of 5 decided long ago to only buy BE and has saved many hundreds of dollars. The main disadvantage is (a) the risk of lousy seats but for flights under 2 hours we can manage and there are no middle seats during covid. For cross-country we might pay the upcharge. But (b) BE is use it or lose it pre and post covid so unless you are 100% sure you will travel on that flight you could lose all of your money. So the additional fee to MC partially represents an insurance premium for the ability to make changes now that the $200 change fee is gone.
Last edited by sydneyracquelle; Jan 16, 2021 at 4:17 am