Is $240 a good deal to upgrade MCS to F LAX-MCO
Dec 12, 2017, 2:34 pm
#1
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Is $240 a good deal to upgrade MCS to F LAX-MCO
Wondering if I should pay that upgrade fee, as its a 5 hour flight.
Seems high to me
Seems high to me
Dec 12, 2017, 4:44 pm
#3
Moderator: Alaska Mileage Plan
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 12,316
It's the going rate. It's up to you to decide if it "seems high."
Is the MCS seat next you unassigned? Is it a lunch or dinner flight? Do you drink alcohol? These are questions that may inform your decision.
Is the MCS seat next you unassigned? Is it a lunch or dinner flight? Do you drink alcohol? These are questions that may inform your decision.
Dec 12, 2017, 5:42 pm
#4
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11:30 am, so its a lunch flight
not sure if anyone is seated next to me MCS or not.
and i do drink alcohol, but not more than 3 or 4 on a single flight.
not sure if anyone is seated next to me MCS or not.
and i do drink alcohol, but not more than 3 or 4 on a single flight.
Dec 13, 2017, 3:05 pm
#5
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I'm Gold and SFO based but travel nationally for business. If I'm going to SEA/LA/SAN/DEN I'll usually just stick with MCS. However for ORD and JFK I'll usually pay the upgrade to F mainly because it's much more relaxing and you have more room to work. I consider the fee to be a bargain as well, especially since the flight is usually expensed to begin with.
Dec 14, 2017, 11:38 am
#6
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[Edited to fix my mistake] $240 for an F seat seems a little steep, even for a 5-hour flight. My over/under is maybe $100. The extra seat width is a big plus but otherwise not a huge upgrade from MCS.
Last edited by Boraxo; Dec 14, 2017 at 4:23 pm
Dec 14, 2017, 2:05 pm
#8
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Unless you have money to burn, I would not bother. The flight time will be around 4:20 to 4:30 in the winter and it is a day time flight. You could buy a gourmet lunch anywhere for less than $240. MCS would be fine and you get free drinks and food so why bother.
Dec 14, 2017, 8:50 pm
#9
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Exactly why VX F is a waste of money on anything but a red-eye. Ill say the same of B6 Mint and any other airline offering premium services on daytime flights.
Dec 14, 2017, 10:24 pm
#10
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I've found having the extra space and power very productive on transcons. The VX F and B6 Mint seats are very comfortable to work or rest and in the past 4 years on VX great service. I'm now back in the Boston area and grooving on the B6 Mint experience.
Dec 14, 2017, 10:57 pm
#11
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VX F is worth it nonstop. The F is more than just the meal... The big seat and 8:1 service ratio is huge. So I say that $240 is worth it. OT can try it once and if it's that bad, then just don't do it again.
Dec 15, 2017, 8:40 am
#12
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This is not a huge benefit on a 4 hour flight. It is more compelling on say BOS to SFO in the winter when the flight can exceed 6 hours. MCS seat is adequate for a 4 hour flight and you are not getting a lie flat seat nor free internet as on Mint. $240 in Mint would be a no brainer. $240 on a longer flight from the East Coast is not a bad deal. It is not a great value for this particular flight.
Dec 15, 2017, 11:00 pm
#13
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For LAX-MCO I consider it a good deal, when I have paid $399 for SFO BOS, or $299 for SFO - ORD. The question for the OP is how much room do you need and your tolerance for jet lag, For me the primary benefit of F is getting a nap when I need it/want it.
Dec 16, 2017, 10:56 am
#14
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Unless the OP were coming in on a red eye from Asia or something, why would one need a nap on an 1130AM 4 hour flight? The OP asked if it was a good deal for that particular flight and the answer is no. Could it be worth it for some people--sure. If the person only paid $99 for the original ticket and got a free upgrade to MCS, it would be an ok deal but still not a steal. The incremental benefit for this particular flight when MCS already has reasonable leg room and free food is negligible.
Dec 16, 2017, 11:20 am
#15
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Unless the OP were coming in on a red eye from Asia or something, why would one need a nap on an 1130AM 4 hour flight? The OP asked if it was a good deal for that particular flight and the answer is no. Could it be worth it for some people--sure. If the person only paid $99 for the original ticket and got a free upgrade to MCS, it would be an ok deal but still not a steal. The incremental benefit for this particular flight when MCS already has reasonable leg room and free food is negligible.
If the cost is going to materially affect someone's budget, add to credit card debt, etc., then the cost is obviously not worth it. If $240 isn't going to materially affect the budget, then I'm all for a much more relaxing day.