I am one of those people that can't justify business/first. I've taken 30+ international trips, mostly to Europe and have done every single one in coach. I see the flight just a means of getting to my actual destination, vacation doesn't start until I've gotten there, so I would see anything above coach as big waste of money/miles. I don't drink alcohol on flights, prefer to bring my own food due to allergies and I find I actually get jet-lagged worse if I sleep on the flight. I'd rather tough it for a number of hours, get there at night, take a sleeping pill, sleep for 10 hours and I'll be all nice and fresh the next day. However there are other things I am particular about, like I would always take a direct flight and spend a lot more money for that if I need to. I just hate the hassle of international transfers or anything that makes the trip even longer.

On the other hand, I have no problem splurging on the nicest hotels with either money or points because that is part of what makes the vacation to me. We always remember the luxurious rooms with fantastic vistas we spend several days in, even after several years. I doubt I would ever remember a first class flight that I slept halfway through, just because I sat in a bigger seat and got served food and alcohol that I could've gotten in any restaurant for a fraction of the cost.

Having said all that...I am taking my first premium flight later this year. I have to travel 14 hours for a family wedding and there is a chance we may be expecting a baby by then, so I would rather that flight be as comfortable and safe as possible. I see it more as a necessity and a precaution rather than luxury. If we don't have a baby on the way by then, I'm sure I'll feel guilty for a long time over having wasted those miles :)

For long haul internatinal flights over 9 hours, I prefer Biz/First over coach because I get higher redemption rate, higher cents per mile. My miles not only come from CC bonus, but also from other methods. Besides, I get free foods, drinks, and showers at lounges, and saving waiting time at checkin counters and airport security. This is a huge saving for money since I eat and drink alot :-) . On the other hand, I can carry 3 bags, each up to 70 lbs/32Kgs . Most of my trips are to see my family so I would like to carry as much as I can. For additional 2 bags up to 70lbs and foods, drinks, I can save at least $250 already. This $250 definitely worths the difference in terms of miles. I get to enjoy the flights and rest comfortably. For redemptions, I always pick the types of aircraft plus best seats, routings, plus lounges that would give me the ultimate experience.

In my experience, definitely worth it. You can only live once, so try to enjoy as much as possible. Miles come and go, but there are many ways to get miles.

Once, at the end of a week-long bridge tournament, I suggested to my two partners that we go to The Palm for dinner. One accepted immediately, the other (who is a multi-millionaire) exclaimed "Hank - that will cost like $60."

It's all about what you like to spend your money on. Compared to another poster, I could care less about hotels. Anything above a Marriott Courtyard class is wasted on us. (Except maybe in Vegas.) We don't travel to spend time in hotel rooms.

Then again, compared to another poster, who talked about a very nice flight from the left coast to CLT, I remember a few years ago flying LAX-LAS-PHL with a girlfriend I was hoping to make my wife (and eventually did). Yes, that LAS-PHL leg in F was much more comfortable and romantic, it was the difference between talking and laughing and a little more (all G-rated) and sitting there sullenly and trying to pass the time until we got there. If we travel separately (we still live in different cities) it's not as big a deal to fly coach on our way to meeting, but if we're together I will always do what I reasonably can to get us upgraded. (Although paying F fares is not one of them.)

Good point and didn't say it but that's another reason I'm doing my first business class trip to Rome this year. If the miles churning game ends I will almost NEVER have a chance to do it again as I don't spend enough to get enough miles.

I see it as a chance to see how the other half lives. Not the 2%, lol, but those who can and do book first class without a second thought.

Barring a lotto win, I will never be willing (nor likely able) to pay for F. I'm currently working (churning) toward a J or F rt to Europe and looking forward to the new experience. Would not waste the additional miles/points on a shorter trip.

For those who have reimbursed travel, it's a different game entirely.

For me it varies by situation. There are some routes, airlines, and travel situations I'd only book in Y and others I'd only book in J or above.

We go to Canada at least once a year - sometimes twice. Whole family, 4 or 5 seats, always an RJ connecting to another RJ in Chicago, Cleveland, or Philly. For that one, 18k Avios, 20k US, or 25k UA/AA is the maximum I'd ever want to pay for an R/T award. Paying 45-50k just for a few beers and some nut mix would be overkill.

When my wife and I fly alone to Europe or Asia, then I'm going to look hard for J or perhaps even a good F product. We'll do it in Y if we are forced to due to availability, but for us J represents the best value. We booked the 90k US North Asia award last year and spend a total of about 32 hours R/T in premium cabins. That would have been a long time to sit back in coach just to save a few miles. Instead, we were comfortable and felt good enough to go out for dinner and a walk around Kowloon at 9PM after our 7PM HKG arrival. Totally worth it...

Speaking only of TATLs (and I suppose TPacs also), I've always felt that using points for Business (or DL's BE) was the optimal choice when comparison redemption value. On our last trip, we returned from MAD to DFW on AA, my wife in FC, I in Business, and in all honesty, the difference didn't match the points required.

Living in the middle of the country, so not exposed to interminable transcons in the back of the bus, even at, 73, 6'2", 240, I can survive Y on domestic flights, and would rather use my points for premium seats when there's an ocean to cross.

I do a lot of domestic travel for work and school with one or two international trips a year for research. My department reimburses me for a portion (up to $700 per trip) of my international travel costs although there's no way they'd ever spring for a premium cabin. Back when one could get a "GoEnvoy" (cash upgrade at OLCI) for $500, I would pay that out of pocket to get some sleep on the way over... now I use my miles to book a C ticket and instead elect to take reimbursement for the hotel, rental car and other incidental costs associated with my trips to the UK.

A flatbed means I'm well rested and ready to work after an overnight Eastbound TATL... that's a no-brainer in my opinion.

I should also add that redeeming my miles for leisure travel isn't realistically an option for me for the forseeable future (after a trip by myself out to CA to see some old friends my wife to be had a breakdown - long story, her and I now have an agreement we don't take trips on our own anymore, unless they're work/ school related.) I'd rather use the miles now than wait until there's enough for the two of us and risk the chart being devalued.

A trip does not always start at your destination. Instead, it starts the moment when you step out of the door:)

I essentially agree with all that. Nice hotel rooms last longer than a nice flight and you bring back more photos and memories. You might bring back even more if you join the "make a baby using points" club. More than one of us belong to that one. :o

I might just make that my goal while planning my 2013 points strategy :D

A lot of good points here...And I was always part of the crowd that thought-Why would anyone want to waste miles on a First class ticket, when they could just travel in coach and use the remaining points on a second ticket.

Then I flew UA BusinessFirst from Chicago to London and for the first time in my life arrived at my destination completely rested, with no jetlag and ready to sightsee the entire day.

On my way back from Frankfurt, I flew in GlobalFirst, and though I had already had a long trip (flew from Bombay to Istanbul to Frankfurt), my journey back was a peaceful one.

Having flown coach all my life, it's difficult to say if I'll never want to fly coach again :) but I'll sure as hell try my best to atleast up it to Business.

Now, when it comes to hotels, I couldn't care less. In the one month my girlfriend and I spent sightseeing across U.K and Europe, we stayed in Holiday Inns, Ibis' and Travelodges and we couldn't care less. When sightseeing, I couldn't care less about the hotel as long as the room is clean because all I really want is a place to rest my head at night. But then that's me.

agree fully, especially as I'm burning miles for two or more people on a regular basis.

Mrs & I are not earning miles/points in the large amounts we used to.

If I get ahold of some upgrade instruments, I'll purchase a cheap econ fare & fly biz, but otherwise coach it is. I don't have the jet lag issues that some seem to have posted here, so coach isn't that big a deal.

I always use miles to fly coach. I personally don't value First/Business Class double (or more) what I do coach.

As was said, you will get (and have gotten) a wide variety of answers.

But many (most?) vacation travelers would never spend $5K for the biz ticket so that valuation is iffy at best.

I have used miles for both international coach and international business. It depends on a lot of factors. I had just over 35K miles in my US account and US only required 35K for coach award to Europe in the very low winter season, so I booked coach. Fortunately both transatlantic flights were far from full, so I had 3 seats to Europe and 2 seats on the side by myself on the return.

I have taken international biz class using miles several times and am planning an international first class ticket in April to Asia. That will be my first international F award. I do enjoy the pampering, but I can just as easily sit in a decent coach seat for a few hours.