Would you pay £500 each to upgrade on an eight-hour flight?

[smoshna]

We're coming back from the US soon, around an 8 hour flight. It's a day flight that lands about 10pm US time in the UK.

An upgrade to business class from economy is around £500 each. Would you bother? We're not rich, earning about £10k a month.

Well I do. The OP could easily have said thst they could afford the cost of the upgrade. She could even have included that they earn £10,000 per month, but it’s just downright unnecessary, insensitive, and insulting to add that they are not rich!

I wouldn’t bother but if I was as “not rich” as the OP I probably would.

It makes a pretty big difference whether the £10k is gross or net and I don’t think OP has clarified.

Having a high income is not a privilege, it usually takes a lot of work, drive and sacrifices to achieve. OP did not brag, maybe was insensitive to mention it and could have worded it differently.

The sniping and envy on here about the level of income is disgusting. There will of course be people with very valid reasons why they can't work full time but for everyone that is moaning about their low incomes - take a step back and try and work out why you failed to achieve this yourself, and let's skip the poor old me routine.

Look you must know people earn more than you do. Of course if it’s rich it’s subjective, but many people see rich as very different to high income. Rich to me would be a multi millionaire, not someone bringing in 10k a month, I understand to you that is rich,

she clearly wasn’t bragging, she stated a fact. I agree it was not necessary so I do see your view point.

if I’m honest I’m not sure, the 500 upgrade for long haul flights sounds very unlikely with today’s climate, and no need to say how much she brings in.

overall an odd post snd she’s not been back

@EmpressStorm Yes of course I know a lot of people who earn more than I do, and I also know people who have to manage on less. But I have never met anyone in real life who would not consider someone who has an income of £10,000 per month to be rich. We will have to disagree on whether the OP was bragging - she made a completely unnecessary statement about not being rich, which to me was bragging.

With regard to the original question, I've never paid for an upgrade, but if I had that sort of income and was offered an upgrade for £500 I would jump at it.

As I've said, I don't begrudge anyone a high income. I do, however, find someone saying that they are not rich with a monthly income of £10,000 somewhat offensive. I agree that it can take a great deal of hard work and sacrifice to earn a high salary, but that isn't always the case and I expect we all know people who have fallen into high paying jobs who don't deserve it, just as we all know people who work incredibly hard and very long hours with very little financial recognition, such as nurses and care workers.

I don’t think it is rich, genuinely. Is this offensive to you also?

Oh my word. 10k a month so 120k a year. Bugger me I would upgrade in a heartbeat if that was our income.

I don’t know anyone who has fallen into a high paid job and kept it. Not one person. I know lots of high earners they all worked for it. I don’t even know how someone would fall into a high earning job

Well, to get back to the original question - damned right I would. I have arthritis in my hip; two years ago I spent eight hours from Singapore to Brisbane and back in cockroach class and very uncomfortable it was.

If it were a nighttime flight then yes, but not for an 8 hr daytime flight. £1000 is a 3 night European citybreak !

I would and have. In fact, these days we always upgrade on long haul flights. It’s worth it to us.

Objectively the OP is going to be from a high income household. At £10k that is potentially two salaries at £95k each (assuming 10% pension) or one earner at £230k.

The OP doesn’t say whether there are children, how high monthly expenses or any other circumstances. Now if she’s childless and has paid off the mortgage, she can probably crack on with the upgrade and enjoy it. If she’s got 3 kids on private school and a hefty mortgage then the upgrade would be silly.

My word, is this even a dilemma?

To even ask if it's a tiny bit over indulgence, of course it's not. The comfort, superior service, what a frugal question.

Goodness me, we give our butler more in monthly tips than you're considering to pay for a couple of seats.

My dear, please be advised to upgrade, so unpleasant to sit in economy. Ugh, dastardly!

Deffo worth it

I’m 5’6” but have long legs for my height (design fault!) and am ok in economy for 5/6 hours, but beyond that I get premium economy. My budget would never stretch to business class or first class but PE is a good compromise

No. There’s lots I’ll splash out on, but luxury travel isn’t it. I take quantity over quality when it comes to holidays!

I did PE for the 14 hour leg but the airline didn't do it from Singapore or back from Aus.

To business, yes, to premium economy, absolutely not.

Personally I wouldn’t bother, pay for the front row seats for far less and you’ll have tonnes of room to stretch out, they’re heaven to be honest

Yes. And have done so previously. It’s not just the flight it’s the easier check in, lounge etc.

You are extremely well off with that monthly income. Yes, upgrade the flights

I wouldn't because every time I get on a plane I spend the duration in absolute terror. I think it would be a waste of money as I'd still be terrified, just on a slightly comfier seat.

I do it regularly and that is a cheap upgrade to business - do it. You'll actually get some decent sleep and depending on the airline, much better food 😊

No.