Ask TF: When Should You Splurge on First Class?

Dear Travelling Fool

I'm looking at ticket prices for a trip I'm taking to Michigan and saw that a first class seat is only $150 more then a basic economy ticket. Is it worth it to spend more to sit in first class? The flight isn't very long so I'm not sure if I should splurge on a first class ticket.

Thanks!
Half-Stache


Having choice between economy and first class is a luxury in and of itself. On domestic flights in the States the first class area is so small that anyone who regularly flies first class will scoop up the seats early. I've flown a few flights in the US first class and basically it's as close as you can get to flying when an airplane ticket was still a luxury that few could afford. There's meals and as many drinks as you'd like and blankets and pillows that come in plastic wrap. A dedicated flight attendant to make sure that your trip is as pleasant as possible.

The biggest selling point for a first class ticket, in my opinion, is the flexibility. There are no restrictions on carrying a bag onto the plane as well as the ability to check your bags with no fee. The ticket can be cancelled or the flight time changed. To top it all off you get a multiplier bonus for the miles you earn, or earn more miles for the same flight depending on your carrier.

But how do you know if it's worth booking first class? First look at the upgrade cost. Is it more then double the base price of the ticket? Probably. First class tickets while coming with premium amenities also come with a premium price tag. If you're okay paying for a premium ticket then next we need to look at the length of the flight.

Personally, I don't recommend spending money (or points) on a first class ticket if the flight is under 2-hours in length. I did it once on a flight from Ohio back to NY and found the whole thing to be completely worthless. For flights that short there's nearly no time spent at a cruising altitude which limits the cabin services that are available, thus limiting what you get with your first class ticket. Sure having a larger seat is always nice, but for the added cost generally not worth it for shorter flights. I'd rather save $150 and just squish into a seat. For something in the 3-6 hour range? Sure! If I can afford the upgrade (or it's not an absurd amount more then the base ticket I've already purchased) then I'm going to try and grab a seat up front in luxury. Over 6 hours? It honestly depends. I'll try my best to book first class with my miles or reward dollars but chances are if I'm going that far it's because I found a sweet deal (using one of these methods) and the extra cost just isn't worth it.