nickeling and diming when flying

[LoveTrains]

So many of you know that I love trains and I hate flying.  

I am sucking it up and using my FF miles to fly cross country tomorrow.  I cashed in my FF miles for this flight, and am actually going FC on the way home (woohoo!).

I am checking in, and I notice that if I want, I can purchase an exit row for $85, an aisle seat for $62, or a first class seat for $225. Now I am wondering if it might make sense to buy first class becuase you get free checked bags with it plus priority through security and boarding. You can buy priority boarding for $20 and its $25 to check a bag - thus making FC really only an extra $180, right? 

Would I be crazy to buy this for a six hour flight from the east coast to the west? Keep in mind I am kind of fat so its get a little squishy in coach for me and my neighbors - although I can fully put the arm rest down and buckle the seat belt without an extender. 

[Deleted]

As long as you drink a lot of booze to really get your money's worth, I vote go for it!

#enabler

[maddiepaddy]

I think it's worth it for a 6 hour flight. I would definitely do it!

[Deleted]

What @angryharpy said.

[Deleted]

Do it! I'm still kicking myself for the time 1st class upgrades from SFO to ATL were $75 and I didn't do it. Ah, grad school budgets.

[Deleted]

Do it!

I wouldn't bother for a shorter flight, but that's a great deal for a 6 hour flight.

[LoveTrains]

You guys are enablers. I bought it. Honestly the flight was free to start with so that is how I justified it. Do they serve food too in FC still or has that been cut back?

I will be in coach from PVD - PHL and then have a layover there, then its a six hour flight from PHL - SEA that departs at 5:45 east coast time and arrives 9 pm in SEA. I am on US airways. Just trying to figure out if i need to eat dinner in the airport.

[emilyinchile]

You will be served dinner. Enjoy!

[raangoli]

I agree with @mavjen and @angryharpy. Enjoy your flight!

[rikki]

Yay! I was hoping you would do it. You'll have food (meals and nuts/small snacks), although don't expect it to be great.

[halfpint]

I would absolutely for a 6 hour flight. No question.

[halfpint]

And yes, drink a lot. Like, a lot.

[magdala]

Mar 13, 2013 15:44:40 GMT -5 maddiepaddy said:

I think it's worth it for a 6 hour flight. I would definitely do it!

Yup.  Yup.  Yup.

[auberge]

yes, I would do it especially considering you don't like to fly.

[thoseareradishes]

We got bumped to first class on US Air recently, and the meal was pretty decent. Chicken Caesar salad (it was pretty big, with a ton of chicken), tomato and mozzarella salad, a roll with butter, and cheesecake - this was more around lunch time. On the way home we got a breakfast spread - bagel, yogurt, granola, fruit and I think dessert. And snacks and all we could drink, and HOT TOWELS!

I was impressed.

[thinkofthesoldiers]

Depends...will you be putting your baby daddy in coach while you fly first class?

[goaskalice]

I love first class. Enjoy your meal and free booze!!

[smiley]

We flew from FL to WA and I wish we had booked 1st class. It would have been worth it for a long flight!

[midnightmare81]

I am SO jealous! We are flying SEA to EWR on Friday and I SO hope that this is an option for us too! We probably wouldn't splurge for FC, but would totally go for a exit row since we are flying with our cat in cabin, and we have a 3.5 hour flight before we reach SEA!

[FrozenSunshine]

Mar 14, 2013 2:04:58 GMT -5 midnightmare81 said:

I am SO jealous! We are flying SEA to EWR on Friday and I SO hope that this is an option for us too! We probably wouldn't splurge for FC, but would totally go for a exit row since we are flying with our cat in cabin, and we have a 3.5 hour flight before we reach SEA!

Not sure what airline you're flying but I know AK air doesn't allow cabin animals in exit rows and I assume you're coming from AK if you've already got a flight before Seattle.

[midnightmare81]

Dam! You are right, we are flying AK air from AK. They never mentioned that when we asked... They only said that they would not allow anyone to purchase exit row seats until check in if your not on status...

If it offers it to us anyway, I guess I should call and confirm before we choose it. Nothing is available for our first flight anyway, but our second has a ton of exit rows available according to the seat map

[emilyinchile]

I don't think any airline could allow animals in the exit row because you can't have anything under the seat in front of you during take off and landing in the exit row. And I don't think you can put animals in the overhead bins...

[CloudBee]

Do it. That's not much at all. You will be more comfortable, and have less of a hassle at the airport when checking in.

Have fun on your trip!

[jigsy]

I don't think I have ever had a bad meal served on first-class...In fact, I love first class breakfast on AA so much, I make sure to fly in the morning if I can help it.

[emilyinchile]

Nooo, jigsy breakfast is the worst airplane meal! They always have omelettes or scrambled eggs, and mass-produced eggs are never good. Lunches and dinners are usually decent-to-yummy on most airlines (not Iberia) in first.

[jigsy]

No way...at least not on AA. They have the best quiche! I love it. And the warm biscuits...yum. Lunch is the meal I try to avoid. The sandwich/salad options haven't really done it for me.

[SuziSaysDa]

You made the right choice - this will make for such an improved experience. Plus, flying for 6 hours over a meal time - you will actually get something to eat. Totally worth it - enjoy your trip!

[rikki]

Mar 14, 2013 10:10:59 GMT -5 jigsy said:

No way...at least not on AA. They have the best quiche! I love it. And the warm biscuits...yum. Lunch is the meal I try to avoid. The sandwich/salad options haven't really done it for me.

Ewwww... I had Exec. Platinum with AA for years and could never stomach the breakfast egg creations. The biscuits aren't bad though! 

[chessie]

I just can't stomach airplane food, pack food..your stomach will thank you

[emilyinchile]

Mar 14, 2013 10:10:59 GMT -5 jigsy said:

No way...at least not on AA. They have the best quiche! I love it. And the warm biscuits...yum. Lunch is the meal I try to avoid. The sandwich/salad options haven't really done it for me.

WTF. I always fly AA, and I always get eggs. Not quiche, just plain eggs. Eff that. Can you please instruct them to put quiche on the SCL-DFW route? TYIA.