Should I start flying first class?
 

I've just inherited a bunch of money, but I'm not really interested in buying a pile of expensive junk (boat, airplane, vacation house, designer watches, pet tiger, etc). I'd rather upgrade the experiences in my life, and maybe flying first class is something that would be an enjoyable splurge? I've never flown anything but coach, and never upgraded to "economy plus" or anything like that. What are good things to consider when becoming a first class flyer? One thing I know even without having ever flown first class is that first class on some airplanes is crap, so I'll watch for that. I don't fly all that much and typically don't bother with loyalty programs, but if I'm flying first class -- even just two or three times a year -- does it become worthwhile? What else should I know in order to get the most out of becoming a first class flyer?

I view inheritances as something that I mostly keep for the next generation. If I got $1 million, I would treat it that way. If I got $100 million, then I could see spending $500,000 per year (1/2 percent) with some extra allowance for buying a better house or similar unusual purchases. Along that same line, $10 million would be $50,000, hardly a lot. Bumping it up to 1% is also ok, in my opinion.

I would stick with economy unless it is too cramped, then premium economy. An exception might be a red eye from the US to Europe, keeping in mind that a business class JFK-LHR red eye is less comfortable than a daytime economy class JFK-LHR.

I have flown international first class, international business class, international business class where the seat mainly reclines, premium economy, and economy. International business class can make you feel like you have a fat head but is not that much better except better food and you can lie down. The lying down part is nice transpacific and red eyes from the US to Europe.

Frequent flyer and other loyalty programs are worth it, even if it doesn't change your flying behavior. I have gotten a few free car rentals, a few free hotel stays, lots of US domestic trips in economy, and some international economy and international business class trips. (My estimate is 30 round trip airplane trips or equivalent one ways, 15 hotel stays, and 20 free car days so that is not a huge number). I never paid more just to get a certain airline's miles or points. Once my father had to attend a funeral and rather than spend a lot on a last minute trip, I used my miles for a free trip for him.

I guess you are referring to USA domestic first class (on old 2 class aircraft). In some cases is less quality than international long haul business class: more equivalent to international PE. USA domestic first ( lay flat seats) on 3 class aircraft is a lot better.: You need to check what you are flying. Long haul wide body international business class on better airlines can be a step above.

Where would you travel to? USA domestic? USA regional? The other side of the world
As above, suggest you not spend the $$ just because you (now) have the $$$. Once spent you do not get back.

Wow, just checked out some international (west coast to europe) flights, and first class is literally 10X economy. Is that fairly typical? I can't justify that, except maybe for a one-off like a second honeymoon. Should have checked that out before even posting the question. I can easily afford it without even noticing the dip in the checking account, but I just can't wrap my head around spending ten times as much as I need to.

Yes. 10X or more. Routes and aircraft with First class is decreasing.
Look at long haul business class.

Sometimes -- not always -- you can get a decent deal on international Business Class flights by buying miles from the airlines when they have a sale, and then redeeming for Business Class (or First Class, where offered).

Of course, if you plan to spend more on other things with your new-found wealth, you could amass a lot of miles by churning credit cards. Take a look at the several FT credit-card forums for some of the current offers.

Jerry says once you fly first class, you can't go back to coach
 

Cracks me up every time :D

Some years ago, when I first figured out how to upgrade using miles to business, I ran into an incredibly wealthy self-made friend in the same row. I asked him why he was travelling without his wife. He wasn't - it's just that the wife (who lives off his money) refused to slum it in business whereas my friend found it perfectly ok and First not worth the money (and that was in the days before lie flat).

Like in all of these threads, it all depends on what you value. But if you can afford it relatively easily (I assume that the cost is not completely trivial, like you inherited a billion dollars, or else you wouldn't be asking), I would suggest splurging on a few trips, like Emirates A380, Singapore and other Asian airlines, but fly them en route to a first-class vacation not just a flight for the sake of it. The fun is still there (or al least it will be when the COVID restrictions end).

Lol, I love this comment. The moment of realization.

Business class to Europe for $3k is well worth it. First class for $8k isn’t. Also most airlines don’t have a first class offering any more.

Rather than say "some cases" I would say "almost all cases."

It can be, but it's not always that way. Sometimes it's "only" 3-6x more expensive. Which is still a lot. Depends on anything from seasonality to the market you're flying to/from, etc. Suffice to say though, international premium cabin fares can get very expensive very quickly when paying cash.

But don't rule out first class domestic. Which I'll touch on in a minute.

One thing to consider is that right now, in 2021, first class US domestic market is a far less enjoyable experience than it had been a couple years ago - due to pandemic protocols. Typically on a major US carrier flying a ~2+ hour flight in First you'd get a hot meal on actual plates with silverware, drinks in glassware, etc. Currently, you'll likely get a snack bag or bagged sandwich at best, G&T in a plastic cup like a cheap bear - that kinda thing. I'm sure we'll get back to normal at some point, but as it stands right now the in-flight experience isn't all that amazing.

I do think loyalty programs are worthwhile even if you fly a handful of times a year in any class. They don't cost anything, and some (many? most?) don't expire so long as you have some sort of activity every so often. It adds up, even more so if you have a credit card program that transfers to an airline you like to use. Over a ~2-3 year span I've accumulated enough points for several international flights in business or first class. Just need international flying to become a bit more accessible!

When flying becomes a bit more normal with protocols, I'd say give domestic First a try. I fairly often see fares where Economy is say $400 and First is $600 so it's much less of a leap.

Final thought - with more financial means at your disposal, something you could consider is just traveling *more* rather than focusing on class of service on the couple hours it takes to get somewhere. I've been enjoying more quick little weekend getaways to new places, and I find that's really the thing that makes life more of a rich experience.

Just my 2 cents.

depending on your level of wealth and free, there's something called fractional ownership: Netjets/WHeelsup/Jetsmarter

those are mainly for people who want privacy AND/OR time = money, but don't want the hassle of owning a jet

if you have a lot of money AND free time/flexibility, then stuff like empty legs may be useful (empty legs may be cancelled, hence the "a lot of free time/flexibility"
(not advocating this particular provider, just providing an example: https://www.privatefly.com/privateje...mpty-legs.html

see forums below:
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/othe...-aviation-754/
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/luxu...ls-travel-220/

I worked in international finance for a long time and got very used to international business and first class. At this point I have the money to travel in whatever class of service I want, but I still don’t shell out for domestic F most of the time. It’s just not worth it. My personal rule is to fly F if the flight is over 3 hours, and if I’m flying by myself (Mr. tm478 never wants to shell out for F regardless of circumstance!).

For me, Business/First class is all about the larger seat. The extra service is nice, too, but the bigger seat and additional personal space is what I value. The longer the flight, obviously, the more value.

My travel preferences:

Less than 2 hours: Coach is fine (but will still price first class to see if it is worth it)
More than 2 hours: First. (Unless the fare is nuts)
Overseas: Business Class

I will fly Jet Blue, but purchase the 'even more room' seats.

I enjoy travel, and have decided to do it well. My best friend thinks paying for anything but basic economy is nuts, so he is fine with the middle seat in coach on a TATL. Different people have different preferences.

I would like to try first on a premium airline to see how it is, but I can't justify the extra money.

The best way to know is to try. Be careful, you might get hooked on it like I am. :)