nsx

I have a flight coming up from the US West Coast to Frankfurt. This month I've noticed great availability of J and F less than a few days out. I expect Business class to open at 60k on United's 787-9 (Polaris) and at 70k on LH's A380. If I wait until 2 days out I expect to see an A380 F seat open at 110k UA miles.

I need help deciding in advance whether to spend 60 or 70 or 110k. I have flown LH F on a 747 with the new seats and spent 5 fun hours at the FCT. Once.

Part of the value of F is the fancy food and drink, but I don't drink alcohol (not on principle, I just don't like it) and I don't like caviar. I will sleep half the flight. I don't need or want bath at the airport. I've had the car ride to the plane and I don't mind walking. In short, logic says the extra 40k is a poor value. Also, I could conceivably lose a J seat if I hold onto my Y seat waiting for F to open up. Although what I see this week is multiple J options every day.

I guess I'm here so you can talk me into splurging. I have well over 500k Chase points, so 40k is not a large fraction. And we all know that F seats are being eliminated on almost all carriers. This could be almost my last chance to fly F on miles. 110k seems high now, and it is high compared to the 67.5k I spent several years ago, but it might not seem high in a few years. On the other hand, the fact that I can't easily spend an extra 40k miles to move to F illustrates why airlines are eliminating F seats.

Assuming an F seat does appear, what would you decide?

worldclubber

Nic33

If I was to fly alone, I would go with Polaris if I was sure that it was the new hard product (which I am not sure is the case on the 787s). But if it is the old United C product, I would go for LH J, and not wait for F, as you may otherwise get stuck in Y. Also, I do not believe that F food and drinks (without alcohol) is worth 40K. The bed and privacy in F are way above J on LH, but again I am not sure that it is worth 40k of your points.

chris63

NewbieRunner

A380 F is my favourite LH F cabin. I’d pick A380 F any day.

htb

If I had never flown A380 in F I would pick F. Otherwise I would maybe pick F on a DAY flight FROM Frankfurt, not on a flight TO Frankfurt to enjoy the FCT. I wouldn't take F on night flights because I can sleep well enough in C.

HTB.

Resonant Programmer

Only you can decide what the miles are worth to you, but I feel Lufthansa has one of the best F experiences in the skies.

tgj1974

+1 for F, if you have plenty of miles.

daniellam

If you are male, be sure to fly LH F on the A380. They have onboard urinals in their washrooms.

nsx

OK I'm sold. As expected. I was hoping for some good excuses to splurge, and looking out for Number 1 is classic. Splurging without splashing!

I'll tell my wife that those nuts on FT talked me into it.

I will walk to the FCT for my 5-hour layover to an intra-Europe flight. An FT'er explained how to do that for my LH 747 trip in F, which was my best trip ever.

worldclubber

NewbieRunner

Make sure to pick up a duck or two this time!

mmff

Just buy her something nice on your return and she probably won't mind the 40k dent to the mileage account.

fassy

My rule is: If I'm traveling alone, J on any respectable carrier is good enough. On a day flight to the west, e.g. EU-US I'm even fully okay with Economy (while a Premium Economy is a nice extra). For the night flight or in general going East, J with full lie flat is essential but as said, J works fine.

That way, I save the miles/points to take the wife in round-trip F several times a year. Happy wife, happy life - after all.

If you drown in miles/points/vouchers which expire, well, then I'd go for F any day.

chris63