To spend £400 of my own money to upgrade a work flight?

Have you checked that is OK with work, not all companies allow an upgrade. If your work use an agency you may find you become liable to pay the full amount. Worth checking first and you never know your company may offer to pay the upgrade.

I've flown business for work before. And never been tempted to spend my own money upgrading personal flights. Sure it's nicer (much nicer than regular economy) but you're still in the same metal tube for the same (give or take few mins) time. I'd far rather spend that money on hotel upgrades, meals, experiences etc while away. Things that are enjoyable more so rather than making something less unpleasant if that makes sense.

If you can afford it why not? Usual rule of thumb for upgrades is £100/hr for a good deal. Read the small print though because upgrades don’t always include lounge access.

Not for Toronto as quite short flight.
i can book lounges from £30 at Heathrow too and usually do. £400 on say an upgraded room would seem far better value.

I’d do it. And prepare for the downer of being in the back of the plane on the way back.

Good point about the plane, if it’s old style BA business for example it’s not so worth it. If it’s Virgin is a tricky dilemma.

I would definitely do it!

Depends on your financial situation, I love business class and £400 is a deal but not if you have to live on beans and toast the rest of the month.

I wouldn't bother for a day flight. For an overnight yes; I can't sleep in normal plane seats.
In my (limited!) experience of premium economy, it's perfectly fine for a daytime trip, even a long one. That bit extra legroom makes a lot of difference, and I'm not bothered about lounges or freebies or limos from the airport or whatever, and I don't drink, so the free booze would be wasted on me.

I wouldn't. If it was the Gulf I might, but transatlantic business class can be fairly utilitarian depending on the airline. Although if it's BA to Heathrow you can use the arrival lounge which was lovely the one time I used it (shower and a free massage!)

Presumably you can expense a meal in the airport anyway so no real benefit to the lounge. If it's the return leg, lounges in North American airports aren't all that nice in my experience.

And it's a day flight so you don't need the bed.

Me too

I tend to agree. If the flight is that length and daytime you will probably spend it upright or reclined watching movies or reading. Which makes PE endurable and for about £100 you could arrange lounge access on the way out and back. Lounge experience isn’t what it used to be even in business class and wouldn’t be worth an extra £400.

A lot depends on the airline and aircraft as well. A shitty old BA Boeing isn’t going to be as nice as a new plane with a better airline. And you definitely want to investigate what seats are left to book. Even business class has bad seat options near toilets or family areas.

If money is no object and you wouldn’t miss it then I wouldn’t even tell my OH or solicit their opinion. Then again he would say it is up to you.

If it's your money, then spend it as you wish.

I wouldn't. Business class give you more leg room, wider seats and better food. I can think of a million more fun ways to spend £400.

For 6 or 7 hours to Toronto during the day I wouldn’t. If premium economy already I don’t think it’s worth it.

Personally I wouldn't.

I think that for a day flight the difference between business and premium economy is not that huge anyway, and for a night flight your company should be paying for business class.

If you're travelling at the weekend you should be getting a day off in lieu, and I would focus on making that happen.

A colleague did this, we're public sector so otherwise have to fly economy and technically upgrading, even with our own money, is against the rules as a discounted upgrade counts as a benefit and we're not allowed anything nice unless you're an MP of course

But she said she thought 'sod it, I don't often spend a lot on me' and said it was the best £400 she ever spent, so based on that, as long as you can afford it, hell yes, do it.

If you've never done business class before, treat yourself. It's a massive difference.

I remember the first time I flew BC in my 20s, I was so excited. It was a 6am flight, so we were in the lounge enjoying the bar from 4am. Needless to say, after a couple of glasses of fizz after boarding, I fell fast asleep and was woken up with a coffee 20 mins before landing. Gutted!

I'd love to do this as I never get to travel business class, it would be such a treat.

However, if you do travel business class sometimes, unless you know you'll get your money's worth, I probably wouldn't. Especially for a day time flight.

Is that both ways? And are both flights during the day?

Cor, yes, I would definitely! A bargain to get a business class flight.

I definitely would do it.

Feel like if the genders were reversed everyone would be going mad at a husband spending that on work trip.
Not from me, Dh is a big unit and hates flying. I want him to be comfortable always.
We had the option of paying £1000 for an upgrade on a trip to New Zealand to see his brother. I suggested we pay it for him and I stay with ds. I was happy to pay. He wouldn't consider it but I wish he had done it.

If you can afford it do it. You’re never going to pay £400 for an upgrade one way is a good deal . My husband does it with work flights. Work pay premium econ and he pays the difference when it’s not too expensive like this. Have to say often his work agree to pay for the upgrade as it’s so minimal compared having to buying a biz class ticket originally.

I used to do that when I worked overseas. The company paid for an economy flight back to the UK once a year, and I used to upgrade to business class. It's so worth it for the extra space, comfort, nicer food, fast track check in and bag pick up etc.

Personally I wouldn’t. I just don’t think all that is worth £400. I’d rather take £400 and spend it in the airport on perfume, make-up, sunglasses etc and have something to actually show for it.

Having done quite a few long haul flights recently, I’d say business class whenever you possibly can - especially if it’s overnight.

I’m a wriggly sleeper, so economy or premium economy would make me so unpopular with my seat neighbours. And make me grumpy, tired and stressed.

Lounges aren’t always that great in my experience, but they do usually have comfy seats and decent coffee.

If you can afford it, definitely business - it just smoothes everything.

I've done this before, I got a ticket paid by DH's company to meet him when he was away on business - I upgraded it to business class at my own cost - but it was £650. So £400 for a business class flight is very good.

It was London to LAX and it was well worth it.. especially the flat bed and lounge access. Also as I was travelling on my own I preferred it too.