Originally Posted by cricketer

insane really, when you consider that SFO-SIN can often be a solid 17 hour flight, and SFO-LHR can get as quick as 9 hours plus change. I get that most of the difference goes against about $10 in fixed cost for the bead of caviar, hooded pj's, and deck of cards.. but for those of us who like to spread out and sleep...

Originally Posted by DJ_Iceman

If the seat upgrade price is really $499, that seems like a ridiculously exorbitant amount for a door, an extra ottoman, a fancier amenity kit, a hood on the pajamas (really??!!), and partial GS privileges. And, as cricketer noted, a bead of caviar and a deck of cards. I predict the cost will continually decrease down to around $99, and in the meantime the seats will indeed be mostly filled by off-duty pilots, deadheading crews, and GS/1K upgraders who may or may not get the extra perks depending on how generous the flight crew is feeling.

Originally Posted by Kacee

That's been consistently cited on this forum as the reason for preferring rows 1 and 9. But $499 is pretty just steep for that. It's smart marketing by UA to throw in a bunch of other amenities.