HankScorpio

worth it to the US?

boxst

Hello

It depends how tall you are. I'm little, but the extra comfort in Premium economy was worth it for me. Although I didn't pay of course ...

Steve

Freak

I fly BA premium a lot of the time I go to the US (which is a lot)....difference is well worth the extra as I find I can walk when I get off the plane.

Virgin is much the same I am told- and part of the premium econ cabin is on the upper deck on Virgin 747s.

I think its worth every penny personally. Wider seats, less seats per row, more legroom, and a smaller & quieter cabin.

James Neill

iTrader: (1)

I used to fly to New York AA, BA or Virgin 1st Class (or Upper Class as Virgin call it) every month for about 8 months. What's all this talk of Economy and premium Economy - it all looked the same to me as I walked by to my seat

Virgin was the best out of the 3 though.

darlodge

The differnce between economy and premium economy is small. Last flight I was on people were paying the £300 each to upgrade, however all they got extra was a slightly larger (wider seat). Normally where there are 3 seats in economy, they are replaced with 2 in premium. Slightly more leg room, and a corded off area that was almost touching distance from my seat.

I did not think it was worth it, but I'm 5'8 and I can sleep anywhere so the normal seats are fine. Plus I do not have an extra £600 for upgrades

First class, upper class etc. is £1000's extra

Darren

Al Coholic

That i can confirm, i'm flying upper class next week...

James Neill

iTrader: (1)

Make sure you take advantage of the lounge - you can even get a hair cut! And put your name down for an inflight massage too. I'm not kidding!

Daryl

I think that Premium Economy is a lot better than economy for several reasons:

1. Dedicated check-in.
2. Separate cabin on most routes (upstairs on 747).
3. Wider seat/more legroom.
4. Better ratio of flight attendents to passengers.
5. Near enough first off plane, so first through Immigration (have you seen the queues!).
6. Dedicated baggage reclaim.
7. Less screaming kids!

The other bonus is that if you are in the Flying Club, you soon get enough miles to upgrade to PE everytime you fly. You're also far more likely to get upgraded to Upper Class than if you're in economy

If you want to know more, have a look at V-Flyer

MY00PPP

1) worth the extra as posted above
2) be a chancer?. turn up at the airport with your econ ticket. rather than go to check in, head for the virgin ticket sales desk. 'i have an econ ticket, how much to upgrade to premium econ?'. one of 2 things...'all full sir' or 'it costs x quid'. now chances are with 3 hours left to the flight departs you will get it at a very good rate. they would rather you pay something for it, than have it go as a free upgrade.

This works 75% of the time and if you don't mind travelling in econ if it doesn't then in the words of a bullseye audiance 'GAMBLE'.

Hope this helps.
Rich (BA Silver Card, BMI Gold Card, United 100k card)

suprabeast

yes upper class is the only way to go! especially if you are on a 10 or 12 hour flight from somewhere!


So nice to relax and have your meals when YOU want !

Graz

Yep, got a free upgrade from premium economy to upper class on a flight from Heathrow to Washington. Absolutely superb flight, so much wine

RoShamBo

iTrader: (1)

I little trick I heard about when flying BA is to write "CIP" on either the ticket, or the E-Ticket in big letters at the top.
Apparantly (backed up by an ex-colleague who looked after BA as an account for the firm we worked for at the time) it means "Corporately Important Passenger" and gets an auto upgrade to first class.
He swears by this, but sounds a bit easy to me ! Must try it sometime.

R.

sti-04!!

What just with ink ?? Black pen ??

Flying to Brussels next week with BA might give it a try

Patt@firstime

Let us know the outcome

sti-04!!

No worries

Rick Draper

Sorry but that is just not true.

Spoon

It took a pseudonym to say that? Go on, be brave and tell him he's talking bóllocks, with your real username, you know you can do it.

Personally I'd wait for Snug Rhino's son's birthday and hitch a lift.

Jamescsti

Nope it's rubbish, I worked for BA for 3 years, including time in the executive club, there is a CIP function but it's put into the checkin system, not on the ticket.

I'd recommend the upgrade to premium economy on long flights, six inches extra legroom was the official figure when I worked there, makes a big difference though on a 10 hour flight

Freak

That is his real username

Plank

Spoon

3 posts suggested otherwise with a Dec 2002 joining date. I take it you know otherwise then?

Plank.

Rick Draper

I just choose not to post here often as its full of cockends.

Freak

er yes.....he is a friend of mine. Talking to him on msn- I showed him this thread as he works for an airline- hence his reply!

not everyone has the time to rack up 5,400 posts y'know

sti-04!!

As previously posted, i will try this on monday night & advise

You dont ask you dont get

SwissTony

iTrader: (19)

ya spoon ..well and truely outed

Spoon

I bet you feel better now letting us know you do have a friend.

Daryl

You can get into the lounge at Heathrow and Gatwick without having an Upper Class ticket, costs £60 at LHR and £35 at LGW. Not cheap, but a lot cheaper than an Upper Class ticket

lordlucan

Missus works for Virgin as Aircrew. Personally I would say no, however she works Upper class and quite a few premium customers get bumped up due to over selling, happens most flights. Make sure you have a Virgin frequent flyer card as well.

Worth the gamble !

J

jods

Yo Darlodge - We just got back from Orlando flying Upper. Beats Premium into a cocked hat and if you book early enough and chip in some mileage you can fly for £1200.00 plus car on top

Going out next time with Travel city 1st class for £1096 inclusive of Car hire
(August)

HankScorpio

Thanks chaps!