UA KOA-SFO
 

My husband and I are going on a trip to Hawaii and I have just enough miles for us to go 1 way economy class and 1 way first class. I was thinking about 1st class on the way home because we'll be so excited on the way there that the upgrade wouldn't be as big of a deal.

Is it worth it to spend another 40K miles between the two of us to upgrade on United Airlines KOA-SFO? I was trying to figure it out on the UA website what kind of benefits we'd get in first class, but I'm not sure if it would be domestic even though it's a long flight about 5 hours. We'd either be flying on a 757 at 9pm (red eye) or 767 at noon.

Thanks for any advice you can give!

I've used AA miles to upgrade HNL-DFW and felt it to be well worth it (you can actually get a decent night's sleep). I doubt I would consider it worthwhile to spend the miles on a KOA-SFO leg. Just too short. YMMV.

Thanks
 

Thanks for the input. I've decided not to upgrade us. For that 40K miles I could get another flight, so we're just going to flying economy both ways :)

IMHO, the only Hawaii-Mainland product worth upgrading is CO IAH-HNL or EWR-HNL, because of the BF seats, and the food choices. The UA F product is not that good. Basically, you get a meal, free alcohol, and snacks based on the time of the flight.

I would try to buy-up to E+ plus in Economy if you are not an elite flyer with UA. The legroom is worth it.