SFO-SYD - class differences
 

Searched, but couldn't find this thread - please move elsewhere if I missed it.

Looks like I'll be buying (employer's $) a last minute ticket SFO-SYD. Price difference between Global First and Business First is approx $2K on a $15K+ ticket. Company will pay for either, but comes out of my division's budget, which can absorb the $2K hit without much problem.

Seats for my potential travel date are available in both sections. For what it's worth, looks like the Business class would be a middle seat - I don't care about a window, but I do like to get up without inconveniencing my neighbor.

Question is - what is the difference between those - is there much advantage to the higher class?

I went on the UA site and tried to compare amenities, but there didn't seem to be a difference & the seats look the same (although again, it was not clear).

Thanks for whatever advice you can give.

Most here indicate GF gets you only a tiny bit of soft amenities over BF.

Better wines, an extra course, access to the Global First Lounge.

I'd never pay $2K more for it.

Difference in amenities are marginal but if I were in your situation I would spend to 2K to avoid the middle seat problem and have direct access to the aisle. The other advantage is you rarely have to wait in line to use the head.

Also to think about, despite the occasional horror story to the contrary, GF passengers do get significantly better service on the ground than BF. This is especially true in IRROPS. Not as much of a worry now that the 777s are on the route, but if you're worried about inconvenience during a delay/cancelation it might be something to consider.

I would definitely pay the extra $2k for direct aisle access.

I'd spend the extra 2K also, for all the reasons mentioned previously.

I hate to say this, but this is one situation where I would spend the $2k if the cost is going to be >$15K anyways, it's a no brainer for the following reasons:

direct aisle access
more spacious seat with vastly more storage space around it
smaller cabin = more privacy and less pax competing for the lav
the more privacy factor is especially true comparing GF to middle in BF
better RDM bonus (250% versus 175%)

one further edit:

can you justify flying SFO-AKL-SYD on NZ in J? from a product perspective that is the best *A option on the route, IMO. of course, you would not earn PQDs, which will be huge on a ticket like this (if you are not qualified for a PQD waiver, that is).

Unless you like spooning strangers, you really don't want the middle seats.

I would go GF all the way

- smaller cabin (12 people max)
- everyone has direct aisle access
- if you can get row 1 or 2 you're not next to anyone and further away from galley so it's more private
- since you'll probably sleep on this flight, better sleep on this seat vs BF.
- and since you're sleeping, no one to hop over
- Middle seat in the row of 4 is just plain dumb, day or night. not a fan of looking everywhere and just seeing people and their stuff...messy, ugh

my two cents :)

Go for GF, you'll have a much comfortable ride, use of the seat and sleep.

I'd spend an employers $2k for all the GF goodies, but not my own.

This doesn't address the question… But since when does that deter anything on FlyerTalk!

I question spending what amounts to a full salary for some people on a plane ticket to Australia. I would imagine that there are discount business-class tickets available for $6-$7000. Sure, they carry a heavy change fee. But it still is much better than the full cost

If your employer is cool with it definitely go GF, especially if it avoids a middle seat.

on short notice, i wouldn't be so sure. case in point i quickly checked fares for 5/30-6/5. China Eastern has a J fare for $7K but it routes via PVG. the next best option i see is UA at $12.5K on the non-stop or via LAX.

even out of LAX the options are pretty slim if this is truly a short notice purchase.

Based on question, yes the $2K is worth it and I would spend my money. The 777's are not the passenger friendly planes advertised.
But as others pointed out other alternatives are available.

+1.

If you have to be effective when you hit the ground, GF is a better option.

Completely agree with everyone else who said to fly GF, for that small of a difference it's a no brainier especially with the ghetto middle seats on the 777 (and 747s).

I enjoy the GF on the 777, while its no LH or QF, its the best it gets on UA, buy the GF ticket and enjoy.

"No one ever pays for United GlobalFirst" - FlyerTalk

Delta, Qantas, Virgin Australia? Are they options, because I imagine it's a much better ride.

If the 777, definitely go GF. GF is 1-2-1 seating. Business is 2-4-2, narrow lie flat with 2 seats in the middle and half are rear facing.

My view, the 2K extra is much more worth it than the base $15K for J.

There are some companies in the Bay that allow you to choose to fly economy class in lieu of business and give you a percentage of the difference in fare as a bonus. If that's an option, I'd do that instead, and then upgrade with miles :)

You get 5 extra grapes and a couple slices of lime.

I find that the hard product and the soft product is better in GF.

On the other hand, for that kind of money I would really try to fly something besides UA

The hard product is much better. The soft product is only marginally better. Service is usually very good to excellent in Int'l F, IME.

Couldn't recommend spending even and extra $200 (I've seen homeless folks with better booze in their hand than what they'll offfer you in F) *except* in the case the only alternative is a dreaded 772 middle seat. There's always the chance that a decent C seat will open when upgrades into F clear, but I suspect a lot of folks attempting to upgrade C->F are doing so precisely because they are in a middle seat, not because they think it's worth any additional money or miles - or both.

SFO-SYD - class differences
 

This is the perfect use for a SWU.

Maybe unless you have a better use for the SWU ie. upgrade to BF on a personal trip...

I thought you could earn PQD's on other *A airlines if the ticket was purchased on 016 ticket stock.

You definitely can - but you will for sure forfeit the elite RDM bonus as well as the COS PQM bonus by booking on NZ

I agree with what you said, Just commenting on PV_Premier saying wouldn't earn PQD's.

NZ seems to be one of the tougher airlines to get issued on 016 stock, maybe that was the thinking

For that difference, GF. The seat is much more suitable to a good nights sleep and if you are going to work after you land, especially dinner that evening, you need to maximize your sleep.