Should I burn a SWU to go J -> F on HKG -> DFW
#16
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Long Island, NY
Posts: 1,662
But if you're a side or stomach sleeper and not of slender build, I think the J seat has more wiggle room where it counts -- I find that in the F seat, I'm weirdly constricted on both sides by the vertical barriers and it is very difficult for me to find a comfortable position to sleep, even though my feet have ample room. In the J seat, I can bend my knees in a natural position and because of the vacant space under the desk area, I have ample room there, and I still have enough room not to be unhappy with my feet.
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#17
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: SNA
Programs: AA EXP, UA 1K (until it expires then never again), *wood Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 9,239
So I only got 4 system-wide upgrades, and had already burned one for the outbound from Y -> J going to Seoul. I wasn't planning on doing the upgrade but I decided to based on everyone's feedback here. The flight isn't until September (and I'm surprised they already have 4 other people booked in F), I'll set Expert Flyer alerts up for all four of those windows and hope for a schedule change so I can do HKG -> LAX (eat at flagship dining) -> JFK (eat at flagship dining again) -> (sleep at my apartment + as long of a stopover/layover as they'll give me) -> Cancun.
I also figured that it's arguably a good value for a SWU because if I was doing a mileage upgrade for this, the cash co-pay would be higher than the Y->J cash co-pay. I'll probably end up doing some mileage upgrades this year, but that's basically all I use my miles for anyway, so that's ok.
Thanks again to everyone for your feedback!
I also figured that it's arguably a good value for a SWU because if I was doing a mileage upgrade for this, the cash co-pay would be higher than the Y->J cash co-pay. I'll probably end up doing some mileage upgrades this year, but that's basically all I use my miles for anyway, so that's ok.
Thanks again to everyone for your feedback!
#18
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Live: PWM/KBXM/BGR; Work: DCA/DFW/Everywhere; Play: LAS/MUC/MLE
Programs: AA EXP, DL PM, Hyatt Glob, Marriott Ambassador/LTP, Nat'l Exec Elite, mlife Noir, LEYE Gold
Posts: 6,631
There is probably also something about angling into the window, maybe it's the privacy I guess, that makes it feel easier for me to get comfortable in the J seat. Don't get me wrong, the F seat is great, it just takes me much longer to find a comfortable way to sleep in it for some reason.
#20
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Anywhere but home
Programs: UA 1K/MM, DL SM/MM, AA Gold, HH Dia, PC Plat, ALL Gold, MR Gold
Posts: 4,547
I agree. I usually try to sleep more (and am more tired) flying eastbound (to DFW) than westbound (to HKG). So, I'd do it for sure on DFW to HKG, but harder decision on the opposite direction.
#21
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: New York City + Vail, CO
Programs: American Airlines Executive Platinum, Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador Elite
Posts: 3,215
Im also doing 6-7 trips to Europe this year that will probably be booked in Y, so my argument would have been to keep one for one of those, but Ill plan to do mileage upgrades or LFBUs.
#22
Join Date: May 2015
Location: WAS, SZX, HKG
Programs: AS MVP Gold 75K, CX Green
Posts: 734
I would probably save it for later or until one of the F window seats open up. The 77W mini cabin windows seats are really private. Plus if you are seated in 3A/3J there isnt really a footwell constriction. Thus I think the 77W J seats are very sufficient for just about anything.
#23
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Sun Prairie, WI
Programs: AA Executive Platinum, HH Diamond, National Executive
Posts: 1,786
Given the number of trips to Europe I'd probably say save it. While the SWU to F isn't a waste, it isn't a ton of difference and you could save some miles on the EU trips.
#24
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Chicago
Programs: AA- EXP UA - Silver SPG- PLT Marriott- PLT
Posts: 751
I think it's worth it, provided you don't need the SWUs for a trip where you need to go from Y-J. Also, since you're booked in business, is using miles to upgrade an option?
#25
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: New York City + Vail, CO
Programs: American Airlines Executive Platinum, Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador Elite
Posts: 3,215
I'm booked in deep-discount business (booking code is I) it would be 25,000 miles + $550 in cash.
#26
Join Date: May 2011
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EXP, LT Gold
Posts: 3,143
But requiring an extra $200 just to go J-->F is silly, IMO. Particularly, AA F. Especially when you've likely already paid $3K+ for a J ticket.
#27
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 27,191
This is one place on the AA upgrade chart that makes such little sense to me. $25K + $350 to J is reasonable... and the improvement in the quality of the flight is pretty big.
But requiring an extra $200 just to go J-->F is silly, IMO. Particularly, AA F. Especially when you've likely already paid $3K+ for a J ticket.
But requiring an extra $200 just to go J-->F is silly, IMO. Particularly, AA F. Especially when you've likely already paid $3K+ for a J ticket.
#28
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: New York City + Vail, CO
Programs: American Airlines Executive Platinum, Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador Elite
Posts: 3,215
This is one place on the AA upgrade chart that makes such little sense to me. $25K + $350 to J is reasonable... and the improvement in the quality of the flight is pretty big.
But requiring an extra $200 just to go J-->F is silly, IMO. Particularly, AA F. Especially when you've likely already paid $3K+ for a J ticket.
But requiring an extra $200 just to go J-->F is silly, IMO. Particularly, AA F. Especially when you've likely already paid $3K+ for a J ticket.
#29
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 27,191
For what it's worth, Air France seems to ask for ~$1.5-2k+ for J-to-F, didn't seem to matter much whether it's a 7-hour or 12-hour flight. But that's a bigger step up in soft product than on AA (still difficult to justify though!). If I had to make a guess on AA, I'd say $750-1000 if they even do it.
#30
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2012
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