5 ms·

I think to spend 20k on airfare you would have to be purposefully avoiding good deals.

tytso 8y ago
Not really; international business class for a couple could easily run into the 20k territory depending on time of year.
- ansgri 8y ago
  Then why flying business class if you care about that sort of cost? I've heard horror stories about economy class in USA, but I've flown 9h flights European-level economy and that's quite bearable (though not so pleasant) experience.
  - danbolt 8y ago
    I was kind of thinking the same thing reading this and the above comment. I'm sure with a bit of saving I could afford a business class trip, but spending the money to spend extra time on vacation or doing something interesting seems to outweigh the thought of having some extra legroom or food.
- miguelrochefort 8y ago
  If you're not a millionaire and pay business class from your own pockets, you're insane.
  - ghshephard 8y ago
    Most millionaires I know don't fly business class. People whose company is paying for their travel (and possibly are billing back a client), people using points, and the ultra-wealthy (>$5mm net worth) are the only people I know who would drop $10K on a 15 hour flight.
ghshephard 8y ago
For two? Not at all - I've been on a couple of $9k-$10k business trips that I booked following company policy (advance notice, take advantage of best available pricing, etc...). And this is just business class for a couple, as well. I'm not even thinking about flying first class in emirates, or, heaven forbid, having to fly with children. I booked my mother using points from Canada to Singapore, in business, and the flight (if I had paid with cash) would have been $8300 - and that was after looking 3-4 days in either direction for best pricing.
- mrguyorama 8y ago
  >just business class I find this laughable. I thought it was common understanding that business class prices were significantly disconnected from the prices that the average person pays for a flight
  - ghshephard 8y ago
    I'm not sure I understand what you are saying. I'm referring to the seats in the front of the plane, somewhat wider, lie-flat on long flights, better food. This is the type of flight that people who aren't being super-price conscious fly, so called wealth level 3. By definition, anybody flying in coach is not level 3.
    - kaitai 8y ago
      Um... That's not true. My spouse and I could spend whatever we wanted (your 20k or whatever) on flights to Europe from the US in business class; we could pay in cash tomorrow and not really have to worry. But we don't, because that would be stupid. Flying business class to Europe for 10k each is not something we value. Similarly, we don't buy steak when we go out to eat. My spouse can cook a steak from our local farmer better than any steak I've paid $45+ for. We don't feel restaurant steak is a good value. Seafood? Yeah, we'll pay for that -- don't know how to cook it well, so it's a good value for us. There is a significant difference between price and value. Coach is a fine value for me. I'm short, and I want to give my money to restaurateurs in Portugal, not American Airlines. The pleasure per dollar is a much better ratio. (BTW, Portugal is a great value :) )

Not really; international business class for a couple could easily run into the 20k territory depending on time of year.

ansgri 8y ago
Then why flying business class if you care about that sort of cost? I've heard horror stories about economy class in USA, but I've flown 9h flights European-level economy and that's quite bearable (though not so pleasant) experience.
- danbolt 8y ago
  I was kind of thinking the same thing reading this and the above comment. I'm sure with a bit of saving I could afford a business class trip, but spending the money to spend extra time on vacation or doing something interesting seems to outweigh the thought of having some extra legroom or food.
miguelrochefort 8y ago
If you're not a millionaire and pay business class from your own pockets, you're insane.
- ghshephard 8y ago
  Most millionaires I know don't fly business class. People whose company is paying for their travel (and possibly are billing back a client), people using points, and the ultra-wealthy (>$5mm net worth) are the only people I know who would drop $10K on a 15 hour flight.

ghshephard 8y ago

For two? Not at all - I've been on a couple of $9k-$10k business trips that I booked following company policy (advance notice, take advantage of best available pricing, etc...). And this is just business class for a couple, as well. I'm not even thinking about flying first class in emirates, or, heaven forbid, having to fly with children. I booked my mother using points from Canada to Singapore, in business, and the flight (if I had paid with cash) would have been $8300 - and that was after looking 3-4 days in either direction for best pricing.

mrguyorama 8y ago
>just business class I find this laughable. I thought it was common understanding that business class prices were significantly disconnected from the prices that the average person pays for a flight
- ghshephard 8y ago
  I'm not sure I understand what you are saying. I'm referring to the seats in the front of the plane, somewhat wider, lie-flat on long flights, better food. This is the type of flight that people who aren't being super-price conscious fly, so called wealth level 3. By definition, anybody flying in coach is not level 3.
  - kaitai 8y ago
    Um... That's not true. My spouse and I could spend whatever we wanted (your 20k or whatever) on flights to Europe from the US in business class; we could pay in cash tomorrow and not really have to worry. But we don't, because that would be stupid. Flying business class to Europe for 10k each is not something we value. Similarly, we don't buy steak when we go out to eat. My spouse can cook a steak from our local farmer better than any steak I've paid $45+ for. We don't feel restaurant steak is a good value. Seafood? Yeah, we'll pay for that -- don't know how to cook it well, so it's a good value for us. There is a significant difference between price and value. Coach is a fine value for me. I'm short, and I want to give my money to restaurateurs in Portugal, not American Airlines. The pleasure per dollar is a much better ratio. (BTW, Portugal is a great value :) )