What’s your tipping point to buy into F?
Nov 5, 2019, 3:14 pm
#16
Join Date: Apr 2017
Programs: AS 100k, DL PM, New Sagaya
Posts: 1,292
Thank you, all. These are exactly the sorts of responses I was hoping for. I realize that our cost/benefit analysis is all going to be different, but you’ve all presented useful thoughts.
What would the actual earning difference be for a 313 mile flight for an MVPG, G vs F/I?
What would the actual earning difference be for a 313 mile flight for an MVPG, G vs F/I?
I/P/F - 331 miles = 500 min plus 75% bonus of 375 for total of 875.
Nov 5, 2019, 3:26 pm
#17
Join Date: May 2013
Location: SEA
Programs: AS MVP Gold 100K
Posts: 2,030
Nov 5, 2019, 3:53 pm
#18
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: British Columbia
Programs: AS MVPG100K, Marriott Marriott Titanium Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 7,263
James
Nov 5, 2019, 4:55 pm
#19
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: San Diego, CA
Programs: Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan MVP Gold, Marriott Rewards Lifetime Titanium Elite
Posts: 120
Soon to be MVPG here. I’ve got a quick work trip coming up (SAN-FAT) in a couple of weeks. Main fare is $114, F is $149. Pretty certain I’ll get U, as the First cabin rarely flies full on these flights. I could pay the extra $35 out of pocket for the COS bonus miles, but I’m not sure it’s worth it. I will have already attained MVPG by then, so I don’t need the miles for tier qualification.
Thoughts?
Thoughts?
Nov 6, 2019, 8:37 am
#20
Join Date: May 2013
Location: SEA
Programs: AS MVP Gold 100K
Posts: 2,030
Well its not cheap, about $1,200. I was not doing it as a mileage run, I was doing it because I need to go to DC. For that same $1,200 I could probably make two trips in coach and end up with more miles....except it would be in coach and I don't need to go to DC twice.
Nov 6, 2019, 5:06 pm
#21
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: Alaska Airlines
Posts: 659
For me, EQM is usually the primary motivation when deciding to up-spend into F. The extra RDM certainly factors into it as well, but EQM is more important to me in the short term.
If F provides a much better mile-to-dollar ratio - I'll pull the trigger.
I've found some good deals on E75 flights like SEA-SLC or PAE-LAS where the cost increase is negligible but the extra miles are worth it.
In your case, since you don't need the EQM, I'd just roll the dice with the upgrader and spend the $30 on a fancy drink (a nice pour of bourbon would be my choice) at the destination. Or whatever floats your boat
If F provides a much better mile-to-dollar ratio - I'll pull the trigger.
I've found some good deals on E75 flights like SEA-SLC or PAE-LAS where the cost increase is negligible but the extra miles are worth it.
In your case, since you don't need the EQM, I'd just roll the dice with the upgrader and spend the $30 on a fancy drink (a nice pour of bourbon would be my choice) at the destination. Or whatever floats your boat
Nov 7, 2019, 8:12 pm
#22
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: New York City, United States.
Posts: 2,629
Nov 7, 2019, 8:23 pm
#23
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 12,598
Work won't pay for F tickets (even if they're cheaper than Y), but buyups are allowed. My threshold on UA was always $50-60/hr for something like LAX-IAD, and I wouldn't bother for a shorter flight.
Nov 7, 2019, 8:36 pm
#24
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO
Programs: AS, UA, WN, IHG Diamond Elite, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Gold, CET 7*
Posts: 3,301
Nov 7, 2019, 10:21 pm
#25
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: SEA/ORD/ADB
Programs: TK ELPL (*G), AS 100K (OWE), BA Gold (OWE), Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Plat, IHG Plat
Posts: 7,763
I'm usually willing to pay ~$5/hr to get into E+, ~$20/hr to get into domestic F, ~$40/hr to get into lie flat J, and ~$60/hr to get into international lie flat F.
Unsurprisingly, I fly a lot of coach domestically... For mileage redemptions, I almost always end up in J/F, even with my relatively high value per AS mile of $0.02.
Unsurprisingly, I fly a lot of coach domestically... For mileage redemptions, I almost always end up in J/F, even with my relatively high value per AS mile of $0.02.
Nov 8, 2019, 1:51 pm
#26
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 1,610
For Alaska Airlines F class? Almost never - only once did I find Hawaii flight about $50 more and that was fine, and I think once to NYC it was a small $50 upcharge? When Virgin had the recliners I paid a minor upcharge in miles sure.
But in general, as an MVP you can almost always get exit row or preferred rows, which is more than enough.
Alaska F is simply .... not worth it.
But in general, as an MVP you can almost always get exit row or preferred rows, which is more than enough.
Alaska F is simply .... not worth it.
Nov 10, 2019, 12:03 am
#27
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 6,752
I'm probably in the minority here, but I actually prefer the Premium coach window seat with an empty middle over their First class. I can easily recline and almost lay down sleep more soundly than their F seats, but only when I have an empty middle.
Nov 10, 2019, 3:46 am
#28
Join Date: Aug 2018
Programs: AA Exec Plat, Bonvoy Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 621
But personally this comes from years of getting on the bus to school and immediately going back to sleep...I even require being on the right side of the plane for this to feel comfortable, since my seat on the bus was always on the right side of the bus.
Nov 11, 2019, 10:12 pm
#29
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: PDX
Programs: AS 75K, BW Plat, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 10,725
I think the cost difference between main cabin and F on these intra-California E175 flights has gotten low enough that these flights are no longer the "slam dung" elite upgrades that they were in the past....for example, we flew SAN-MRY yesterday and most of F was already sold before the elite upgrade windows even opened...there was no chance of clearing and I suspect there were MVPGs in the back as well.
Nov 11, 2019, 10:56 pm
#30
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend, Moderator, Information Desk, Ambassador, Alaska Airlines
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: FAI
Programs: AS MVP Gold100K, AS 1MM, Maika`i Card, AGR, HH Gold, Hertz PC, Marriott Titanium LTG, CO, 7H, BA, 8E
Posts: 42,953
...what empty middle? 
Things have gotten quite full.
And yes, F is pricing out often at a much more reasonable level. So its making it more difficult to secure an upgrade.
Things have gotten quite full.
And yes, F is pricing out often at a much more reasonable level. So its making it more difficult to secure an upgrade.