I posted on AAnother Board about what I felt the value of Business Class was, excluding the seat itself and any FF benefits from my quantifications.
If I was to attempt to quantify the value of flying business class, the benefits from my own personal perspective would look something like this, per flight:
- Lounge Access $10
- Open Bar in Lounge $10
- Free Net Access in Lounge $5
- In Lounge Massage/Haircut $40
- Extra Carry On Allowance $5
- Ability to Book the Tranquil Upper Deck on 747 $20
- Better Passenger/Toilet Ratio $5
- Complimentary French Champagne & Fin(er) Wines $20
- Improved Quality and Quantity of Catering and In Flight Snacks $25
- In Flight Kit (Socks, Eye Shades, Lip Balm, Moisturiser, Mouthwash and Toothbrush) $10
- In Seat Power $10
- Privacy (especially with Divider Raised, where offered) $20
- Arrivals Lounge, with Showers and Full English Breakfast $20
- The Softest, Fully Flat Bed in Business Class $Priceless
!
Would my values agree with yours? I suppose this is an importnat question as airlines become more Easyjet pay-as-you-go and the new MD at BA takes over and focusses again on costs as high oil prices continue to weigh in to the profit margins.
The list above works out at about $200 of demonstrable value per flight, assuming I took advantage of all the facilities and did not have any provided free through other means (eg Elite status), and excluding the value of the seat itself, whcih is obviously the major benefit from your ticket.
Not all these facilities are offered by every airline, on every route, so you get more bang for your buck depending on which carrier and routing you choose.....
Some airlines do not offer several of the services listed above, even then the advantage of business class frills over enhanced economy is marginal, especially if you don't drink, aren't over six feet or "husky", can get an elite emergency exit seat, eat prior to your flight and can rest for a day after landing, though Business is more valuable over regular 32" coach as that is rolled out on more routes.
As you can fly on a flat bed, have spa massages as either side, free drinks in the lounge and good food, plus I get a great night's sleep in a more private fully flat bed on the quieter Upper Deck of a 747, with increased entertainment options, for around $700-$800 return including taxes and 25k miles, I feel justified in paying slightly more over coach for such a service.
Especially if the 15,000 of those miles came to me "free" simply for signing up to a credit card, and I was awarded 125% of miles flown for that upgraded journey, even without status.
Choice of airline aside, the bottom line is that if you will not get the oppportunity to sample the front of the plane either through your employer paying, or through paying yourself, then you should save up your miles to the maximum you can, and redeem them where the greatest utility will be found, for a once in a lifeltime experience and forget Business and go all out for FIRST on an airline which still has genuine FIRST service (and I think the Asian carriers have this sown up...), fly somewhere exotic with someone special, and then you will always have a story to tell.
And that, I suppose, is why we all sit here and post to Flyertalk.