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

[Hungarian]

I have a daytime flight to Toronto for a work trip soon. It’s on a weekend so technically it’s “me time”. Work will only pay for premium economy.

I got an offer through on my phone that I could upgrade the day flight to business class for £400. So effectively £400 for lounge access, fast track security, a nicer seat on the plane, better food, and quicker bags.

I’ve always wanted to try this airline’s business class product but would never spend my own money for a biz ticket. So £400 is probably the cheapest way for me to try it. DH thinks I’m mad to spend my own money to upgrade a work trip.

If you can afford it, you’ve earned the money, spend it how you like!

If you can afford it, I would I think. I know it's a work trip but it's your weekend!

Why not? If you can afford it and it will make you feel like you are having a treat for yourself then do it! X

It's not about the purpose of the trip. It's about the quality of your journey on your weekend.

Why does it matter if it’s work or personal trip? Either way you still have to do the flight!
£400 sounds like a good bargain tbh.

If it is worth 400 to you, and you have 400, then do it.

Nope, I'd massively resent paying for this myself unless I literally wouldn't even notice the £400. I'd rather spend it on something that would last longer than the duration of a flight, especially a daytime one.

Does that cover return as well?

I frequently upgrade things from the baseline provided by work, because I prefer those options. I often take taxis from the airport during daylight for example, even though decent public transport exists. I just prefer a taxi and don't mind paying for it

Could that £400 be spent on something better though?

Feel like if the genders were reversed everyone would be going mad at a husband spending that on work trip.

I’ve done it, albeit using points rather than cash. If it’s worth £400 to you then go for it. Most people like business for the flat bed which is probably why the day flight upgrade is cheaper, but if you haven’t done business before and want to try it a day flight is good for guzzling your body weight in champagne and enjoying the comfy seat and service. Which airport are you leaving from? Typically the Heathrow lounges are better than Gatwick or regional ones.

Do it.

I would. We did it for a transatlantic night flight on the way back from our holiday to the US years ago. The lounge meant there was comfortable seating, food and drinks on tap before the flight. We also had a connecting flight from Dublin to UK so that allowed us access to the business lounge when we landed in Dublin too. We could shower, the toilets were nicer, there was again free food and drinks. Ours were about £400 per person.

Depends on how far you have joint finances and how much the £400 would make a difference to that and general family budget.

Do you get a day off in lieu for travelling at the weekend? If so, could you forgo that and offset the cost against it?

If itslong haul go for it. If it's euro business then not worth it

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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

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?

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!