My wife and I book 17A/C when we are traveling without our kids and even on very full flights (like SEA-SAN last Sunday), we've had pretty good luck not having anyone in 17B.

I wish this happened on transcons. Had a surprising number of Xs show up in 17B or E.

Better than an Ex tho.

There’s a country song to be had there.

For me, there's always the thought that a short flight can turn into a long flight if things go wrong. Sitting on a runway in first makes things a tiny bit less annoying.

I like to get at least $1/minute in the air or under for costs. I also weigh bonus miles vs. chance of upgrade and how much it's going to help me with requalification.

:cool:

Like someone else said it really depends on if you need the miles and how long the flight is. The easy formula I typically use if I am flying alone is 30%. Meaning I figure if the first class ticket is 30% or less more than a standard ticket its probably worth it for me to buy first class and get the 75% status miles bump. For me personally I would also do this if it was a longer flight that had minimal shot at the upgrade even if I didnt need the miles, but I pretty much always need the miles in trying to keep MVP75 because I am typically right on the edge so I stick pretty close to that 30 percent strategy, certainly if its anywhere near 75% more then makes no sense unless you have got cash to burn!

I hover around a max of double the cost for F – almost twice the EQM with some extra comfort thrown in – but that is dependent on where I’m going and what I have to do after landing, earlier vs later in the year (for upgrades), elite level desired for the least amount of hours away from my office, etc. But considering most F/I fares for my flights greatly exceed that calculus, and I own my own business and pay for all my travel, I stay with PE.