To pay or not to pay is the question
Jun 28, 2018, 12:42 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Orlando
Programs: Delta-Million miler
Posts: 1,312
To pay or not to pay is the question
I am traveling to Addis Ababa airport on my way to Kilimanjaro in about a month. It is a long flight of over 15 hours. I am flying by coach. The airline offers a one way upgrade (only up-to Addis Ababa) for about $1000. Return will be another $1000. Unfortunately I can't use miles (as I don't belong to the FF flyer program of this airline or its partners). Is it worth paying $1000 each way for a comfortable flight?
Any opinions?
Any opinions?
Jun 28, 2018, 12:52 pm
#2
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: GIG - YYC - SVO
Programs: Lost it all and don't care
Posts: 945
If it is a lie flat bed.......you'd have to be crazy not to pay $1K each way to upgrade from economy.
But that is just me.......been there done that........many a time. Your body and mind will either thank you, or punish you, for the first 2 days after you land.
But that is just me.......been there done that........many a time. Your body and mind will either thank you, or punish you, for the first 2 days after you land.
Jun 28, 2018, 1:22 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: SEA (the REAL Washington); occasionally in the other Washington (DCA area)
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Posts: 21,371
over on the Delta board, the conversation has come to more or less of a consensus that ~$1/minute is the “worth-it” threshold ... 15 hours is 900 minutes, and a lie-flat is clearly more desirable than domestic F, but as always the person who’s paying is the only one who can make the real value judgement
Jun 28, 2018, 2:08 pm
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Massachusetts, USA; AA Plat, DL GM and Flying Colonel; Bonvoy Platinum
Posts: 24,233
If I was about to climb Kilimanjaro, I'd want to be as rested as possible. If paying another $1,000 would mean that my legs wouldn't be all cramped up from sitting in an economy seat for 15 hours, it would take me about two nanoseconds to get my credit card out. And if I had just climbed Kilimanjaro, I'd pay any amount to be able to lie down.
(I'm guessing that, if you can afford to climb Kili, then you can find $2,000 somewhere without starving your family or having your home repossessed. If I guessed wrong, my apologies. And if you're going there for some other reason, perhaps physical rest isn't as important.)
(I'm guessing that, if you can afford to climb Kili, then you can find $2,000 somewhere without starving your family or having your home repossessed. If I guessed wrong, my apologies. And if you're going there for some other reason, perhaps physical rest isn't as important.)
Jun 28, 2018, 3:16 pm
#7
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: NYC, CDG, NCE
Programs: DL DM
Posts: 2,633
Jun 28, 2018, 5:03 pm
#8
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: GLA
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 2,962
Sort of question that’s impossible to answer, unfortunately.
Only you know what $1000 means to you, and what you won’t spend it on (or what debt you won’t pay off) if you upgrade.
Only you know how well you cope with long haul Y, or how much you appreciate J.
I’m guessing though that you’re really just wanting people to tell you to do it!
So go on, then, enjoy!
Only you know what $1000 means to you, and what you won’t spend it on (or what debt you won’t pay off) if you upgrade.
Only you know how well you cope with long haul Y, or how much you appreciate J.
I’m guessing though that you’re really just wanting people to tell you to do it!
So go on, then, enjoy!
Jun 28, 2018, 5:12 pm
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Pittsburgh
Programs: MR/SPG LT Titanium, AA LT PLT, UA SLV, Avis PreferredPlus
Posts: 31,007
Depends on how well you sleep on a plane and how your body reacts. MrsCP can fall asleep on an RJ before takeoff and I need to wake her to deplane, feeling great.
I can barely sleep on any plane at all.
Also consider the lag time between the flight and the climb. A couple of nights sleep does wonders, and I can do a lot of things for $1,000.
For some people, $1,000 is a pittance to feel better for a day. For others, it's a month's discretionary spending.
I can barely sleep on any plane at all.
Also consider the lag time between the flight and the climb. A couple of nights sleep does wonders, and I can do a lot of things for $1,000.
For some people, $1,000 is a pittance to feel better for a day. For others, it's a month's discretionary spending.
Jun 28, 2018, 5:28 pm
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Orlando
Programs: Delta-Million miler
Posts: 1,312
You got it!
Sort of question that’s impossible to answer, unfortunately.
Only you know what $1000 means to you, and what you won’t spend it on (or what debt you won’t pay off) if you upgrade.
Only you know how well you cope with long haul Y, or how much you appreciate J.
I’m guessing though that you’re really just wanting people to tell you to do it! So go on, then, enjoy!
Only you know what $1000 means to you, and what you won’t spend it on (or what debt you won’t pay off) if you upgrade.
Only you know how well you cope with long haul Y, or how much you appreciate J.
I’m guessing though that you’re really just wanting people to tell you to do it!
So go on, then, enjoy!Thanks to all of you
Jun 28, 2018, 7:44 pm
#11
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: USA
Programs: SA Air, Air Canada, KLM, BA,Lufthansa, United, AA, Hawaiian, Air New Zealnd, Qantas, Virgin Atlantic
Posts: 777
No one can answer the "is it worth it" questions, only the person asking the question can make that judgment.
For me, any flight is "worth it", I've been done with coach in any form for several years.
For me, any flight is "worth it", I've been done with coach in any form for several years.
Jun 29, 2018, 5:58 am
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: London & Sonoma CA
Programs: UA 1K, MM *G for life, BAEC Gold
Posts: 10,224
If that means you are 71, then the answer is very simple: pay the money and enjoy life.
Jun 29, 2018, 7:00 am
#15
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: MCI
Programs: AA LT Gold; BA Silver; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3,081
He's gone now. I'm 65, shorter and have no back problems but that's still how I travel. The rest of my lifestyle is pretty modest so I can still keep the bills paid and stash a little in the grandkids' 529 accounts.
OP, you made the right choice.