My partner and I hadn’t traveled internationally since before the global pandemic, so we were very excited about our trip to the United Kingdom. While Jared enjoys the logistical planning of our travel and accommodations, I map out the details of our itinerary at each destination. Many assume that we travel lavishly by paying the upfront cost for business class seats, but there are a variety of ways to circumvent that full price such as the use of miles and points and paying attention to sales when they become available. Before I learned about these travel tips from Jared, I naively booked the cheapest flight and hoped for the best. Picture me anxiously waiting for my motion sickness medication to work from my economy seat, desperately waiting for the flight to end. As the more savvy traveler, Jared loves to ensure that we have a more magical experience in the skies.
If you’re anything like me, susceptible to motion sickness, clueless when it comes to travel points and miles, or you’re a generally anxious traveler, continue reading for my top 3 reasons to treat yourself to a business class seat on your next international flight!
1) LOUNGE ACCESS
Stepping into your first airport lounge is like walking into a dream where there are no lines for the toilet, the food looks and tastes delicious, and everything is free… because you paid for it with your upgraded flight status. It wasn’t until I started traveling with Jared that I knew these places even existed, so it certainly was a whole new world for me! Menu items rotate throughout the day to include breakfast, lunch, and dinner options, as well as various snacks, and alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
Amenities differ between airlines and airports. We flew out of IAH with Singapore Airlines, so the assigned lounge for business class flyers is the United Polaris Lounge in Terminal E. This lounge includes buffet and restaurant-style dining, both complimentary with lounge access, so we started by sharing a meal at the restaurant before browsing the items in the buffet. I often have to stop myself from over-eating by reminding myself that our in-flight meal will be served shortly after boarding. Something you don’t have to remind me is that I’m at an open bar, so it’s become tradition for us to enjoy at least two flutes of champagne before our flight.
2) TROUBLESHOOTING
In the event of flight delays, there are often agents in the lounge who are able to assist. There won’t be as many passengers on your flight in the lounge so, instead of waiting in a long queue or calling and being placed on hold by the airline, you’ll have a much smoother experience. While you wait for updates, you can do so from the lounge and avoid paying for overpriced concessions at the terminals.
3) COMFORT
The core feature that most associate with business class travel is the seat itself. Each airline provides a unique experience so it can be advantageous to investigate the best seat in the cabin ahead of booking your flight. We flew on Singapore Airlines’ A350 long haul which has seats near the first row of the cabin that are more spacious because of their open front design, so instead of being partially blocked by the seat in front of you there is more legroom. Flying together in adjoined flatbeds is a highlight of the trip, especially when we can comfortably watch the same movie with a glass of wine.
Each airline offers different inflight menu items. Singapore Airlines sends an email ahead of the flight to select your meals, and it’s always a good idea to check for availability if you have any dietary concerns or restrictions. Jared discovered that lobster dinners were exclusively available for pre-order so we both chose that and paired it with their famed $97 bottle of Piper-Heidsieck 2014 Vintage Brut. Airlines will sometimes offer complimentary pajamas and amenity kits for business and first class flyers, and the flat bed will include at least one pillow and a blanket. We prefer to travel with a change of clothes and slippers for overnight flights to sleep more comfortably and also pack a pillow in our carry-on luggage. My favorite perk of flying in business class on the way to my destination is that it ensures I am more well-rested upon arrival, avoid jet lag, and have a great start to my holiday.
When deciding to book an international business class flight, don’t let the price tag intimidate you. The cost of the upgraded status is found in other aspects of your trip aside from the seat. Lounge access provides a variety of amenities to improve your pre-flight experience compared to the overpriced concessions found near the boarding gates. More spacious seats that convert into flatbeds are beneficial during overnight flights, especially for those who have difficulty sleeping upright. Travel doesn’t have to be a daunting experience, it can be as easy as researching some of the options already available to you.
Growing up in a lower-middle class family, I rarely if ever traveled anywhere by plane and share my mother’s anxiety over air travel. Learning from Jared that the journey could in fact be as enjoyable as the destination was a wonderful surprise. I grew to appreciate his passion for travel, especially when I learned about how he optimizes not only the itinerary of the trip but also how to align our spending to make the most of mileage and points programs. For example, the per person cost for our outbound flight was 80,000 points, transferable from all major credit card programs, and $10 cash.
Points are generally redeemable for $0.01 per unit so the total cost of a one-way non-stop business class ticket was equivalent to $810, compared to $400 for an economy seat. The additional $410 is the opportunity cost to consider for not only a fully-reclining seat, but the ease of travel, as well as food, drink, and amenities. For more information on planning your next trip abroad using points and miles, check out The Points Guy!
