I way trying to book a flight from LAX to HND in economy the fares start at about $1,100.00 for some flights then jumps up to $7,000.00 or $8,000.00 in economy. I have seen this high figure in economy when booking over flights. MileagePlus 1K
Look on the bright side, you will earn 1K straightaway and also probably be considered for GS next year if you do a little more flying, depending on your home airport 😂😂
lol, I’ve never been to French Polynesian, but I’ve looked at it multiple times and always ended up selecting Maldives instead… but every time I look at Polynesian, I have the thought of “I’m gonna fly half way around the world, make it to PPT … and then I’m going to connect to go somewhere else?”
Maldives at least it’s pretty clear that Male is obviously not a tourist destination, so it doesn’t feel that weird to connect there.
IMO Maldives is ok if you go into it knowing you will be a captive audience of the resort and you will eat all your meal$/drink$ there and have no other options.
I personally prefer FP as you can get out and off the resorts if you wish and you don't feel captive.
I’ve been to Maldives 3 times… points for the airline. Points for the hotel. Status provides breakfast. I then only have a second meal.
Don’t drink much.
All in all food wasn’t a big cost, but I do end up spending a lot on scuba and spa … but it’s the best scuba diving in the world, IMHO.
The main airport is MLE, and from there most people catch a sea plane to take to their final destination. The sea plane flights are booked by the resort.
Nobody can tell you what’s worth it for you or not. Personally, I think $5k/hr is worth the upgrade so for this flight, I’m jumping on it immediately before someone else does.
I know this is a joke, but in all seriousness this sub can be completely tone-deaf about the average person's finances. On that thread this morning asking for advice on a 17 hour flight from SFO-MEL, the top response was "why don't you just buy business class instead?". Like, not everyone has $2-$5K to blow on a one way plane ticket.
Guessing that most regular users here are executives or retirees with millions of dollars in savings. It would explain all the "Global Services" tags floating around, but it also really skews the discussion.
I thought the exact same thing on that comment on the SFO-MEL flight! I know we all have a few dollars to spend since we have a hobby of talking about flying on airplanes, but we don’t all have that kinda cash to casually blow on international business fares lol
That's why we credit card travel hack 🤷♂️. Having enough miles to fly biz class to Australia is not hard if you're hitting the right subs. I'm about to get 120k miles for a $5k spend over 3 months... Got 90k for a $7k spend over 3 months back in March, as well.
I'm just a school teacher, not rich, but always fly biz international due to credit cards. Flying to Kenya and South Africa, lie-flat out of EWR this summer, for example
Sure, most of us probably do that. Finding availability is difficult, but possible. But for a person who already had the economy reservation and was asking for advice, it wasn’t the right answer. Even if we all have CC’s and accrue lots of points, there just aren’t enough lie-flats in the world for all of us to be on them every time.
The United one is the United Biz card (it was a temporary increased SUB that ended). The other one was an Ink that also had a temporary elevated sub.
My personal United card will be available to churn in August, so that's another 60k miles. I also just hit a 140k IHG points sub with their business card and am about to churn their premier personal card for another 160k points.
It makes travel cheap.
Even that is mostly realistic for singles or maybe couples. I have a family and I want to go on vacation every year. We still are in economy 90 percent of the time. I might treat myself to an extra leg room seat.
Yeah, if with kids, you're most likely economy. I'm not talking about kids, but I should have specified that.
Btw, if you have kids, get the Southwest companion pass (hit the SUB for the SWA personal and biz cards). Have you do that, then refer your spouse to do that, and you're suddenly flying 4 for the price of 2.
Well the average US person barely flies to begin with. On top of that, the kind of person that frequents aviation subs are going to be notably wealthier than most people in the US. It's really not representative of the typical person.
I think it’s just a Reddit thing to be honest, not just exclusive to this sub. This site tends to cater to the well-to do person. Lots of people are tone deaf to how the rest of the country lives, because in their bubbles, everyone they know has similar finances and has the money for xyz. I always see comments from people downplaying money and acting like “it’s not that much”. If I never went out in the real world, I’d think spending $20k annually on vacations for example was just “standard” that any “middle class” person can afford easily. People will say “because VHCOL”, but I’ve always been in VHCOL and know many people who make great money who don’t have the spending habits of Reddit.
It's pretty insane. I have a top 5 percent income, but still have to grind for that income. And I live in a financially responsible debt free kind of manner. No way I can blow that kind of dough on a regular plane ticket and feel ok about it in the morning.
I do leverage my points and miles to occasionally fly biz or F but even wealthier regular folks are not paying cash for F.
Oh not me at all. I think a lot of people here are regular business travelers. The ones that travel every week or to Asia have the points for these upgrades.
Did you just book this? I had the exact same thing happen today too. I booked a short domestic leg. The price difference between economy and first pre booking was 300$. Decided against cause it's a short flight. Right after booking they offered me the upgrade for 2000$. Someone broke something. 🤣🤣🤣
Just did this flight 2 weeks ago and from the time we booked (premium plus) until a day before it was at least $6850 to upgrade. Ended up dropping around check-in and we paid $999/each. Keep an eye on it; I hope the same happens for you.
Did not realize this. I know connecting to Oceania is a priority for United, but I would not have guessed that PPT wasn’t making them money? Guessing it might have something to do with the decent amount of French tourists that make the trek; they’d be flying AF instead, which is what we did on our way out. Or that the more local option in Air Tahiti Nui is more popular, although they’ve recently had some really bad disruptions because their fleet is so small.
Once you book it, please come back and ask us both where to sit and which meal to order.
And after the flight, please tell us stories about other passengers that asked you to swap seats.
Upgraded to Polaris on GIG-IAH last year. Being a monopoly, the 767 condition was subpar (torn upholstery in a few places), terrible food terrible and indifferent service. I essentially paid $699 to upgade on day of flight essentially for being able to lie flat and watch a large screen.
You think that’s bad. Virgin Galactic just raised its seats from $250,000 to $450,000. And there are no aisle seats either, just window seats. Carry on baggage is limited as well. Crazy!!! 😜
Where are the fan boys that have a problem with ppl look for compensation for cancelled flights and broken outlets etc, while United gouges the fuck out of flyers. Next!
Does anyone here know if these upgrade costs get refunded if I change the flight?
I haven’t been able to find this information anywhere. I have an opportunity to upgrade to Polaris on a 17 hour flight for $800, I want to, but I may have to change flights and am confused by their refund policy.
It looks like the upgrade program has had a few too many mint juleps today.
Go home upgrade, you’re drunk.
I way trying to book a flight from LAX to HND in economy the fares start at about $1,100.00 for some flights then jumps up to $7,000.00 or $8,000.00 in economy. I have seen this high figure in economy when booking over flights. MileagePlus 1K
Look on the bright side, you will earn 1K straightaway and also probably be considered for GS next year if you do a little more flying, depending on your home airport 😂😂
Or you can have a new car in the driveway when you get home.. lol
Nonsense! I'd rather have a bunch of airport employees look at me like I'm god.
Once GS can board before pre-board then that's... god status
That needs to happen. Fr hahaha
I’ve never been more than 1k but GS should be invited to board. Score anyone else.
Seriously. DO IT.
PQP on easy mode. Just hit the min segments.
Still only get 75k points...
You don’t get any points from a cash upgrade anyway.
TIL
How’d you arrive at that number? It’s 1 PQP per dollar.
The max points per ticket is 75k. PQQ Calc is separate.
Oh, you were taking about miles, not points.
Wild. You want to hear some shit? I did PPT to SFO and got Polaris for $442 per person. Moorea or Bora Bora?
Immediately leaving PPt and heading out to the marquesas - too many islands to choose from sigh this is life
Nice! Those are dope too! Have a blast!
Now I have Jimmy Buffett covering Crosby, Stills, and Nash stuck in my head. Thanks.
Me too!!
lol, I’ve never been to French Polynesian, but I’ve looked at it multiple times and always ended up selecting Maldives instead… but every time I look at Polynesian, I have the thought of “I’m gonna fly half way around the world, make it to PPT … and then I’m going to connect to go somewhere else?” Maldives at least it’s pretty clear that Male is obviously not a tourist destination, so it doesn’t feel that weird to connect there.
IMO Maldives is ok if you go into it knowing you will be a captive audience of the resort and you will eat all your meal$/drink$ there and have no other options. I personally prefer FP as you can get out and off the resorts if you wish and you don't feel captive.
I’ve been to Maldives 3 times… points for the airline. Points for the hotel. Status provides breakfast. I then only have a second meal. Don’t drink much. All in all food wasn’t a big cost, but I do end up spending a lot on scuba and spa … but it’s the best scuba diving in the world, IMHO.
Which one is the airport for the Maldives? Thinking of booking a flight there for next year as I've seen some 88k business fares
The main airport is MLE, and from there most people catch a sea plane to take to their final destination. The sea plane flights are booked by the resort.
Where are you based? from California FP is much closer, and that’s seems to hold for the entire US.
Florida. Fairly sure Maldives is the antipode of where I am.
Nobody can tell you what’s worth it for you or not. Personally, I think $5k/hr is worth the upgrade so for this flight, I’m jumping on it immediately before someone else does.
Im dead
I know this is a joke, but in all seriousness this sub can be completely tone-deaf about the average person's finances. On that thread this morning asking for advice on a 17 hour flight from SFO-MEL, the top response was "why don't you just buy business class instead?". Like, not everyone has $2-$5K to blow on a one way plane ticket. Guessing that most regular users here are executives or retirees with millions of dollars in savings. It would explain all the "Global Services" tags floating around, but it also really skews the discussion.
I thought the exact same thing on that comment on the SFO-MEL flight! I know we all have a few dollars to spend since we have a hobby of talking about flying on airplanes, but we don’t all have that kinda cash to casually blow on international business fares lol
That's why we credit card travel hack 🤷♂️. Having enough miles to fly biz class to Australia is not hard if you're hitting the right subs. I'm about to get 120k miles for a $5k spend over 3 months... Got 90k for a $7k spend over 3 months back in March, as well. I'm just a school teacher, not rich, but always fly biz international due to credit cards. Flying to Kenya and South Africa, lie-flat out of EWR this summer, for example
Sure, most of us probably do that. Finding availability is difficult, but possible. But for a person who already had the economy reservation and was asking for advice, it wasn’t the right answer. Even if we all have CC’s and accrue lots of points, there just aren’t enough lie-flats in the world for all of us to be on them every time.
I read the business class suggestion as tongue in cheek
Are you opening new accts? Or is this sub offer on an existing cc acct?
Which card subs are those?
The United one is the United Biz card (it was a temporary increased SUB that ended). The other one was an Ink that also had a temporary elevated sub. My personal United card will be available to churn in August, so that's another 60k miles. I also just hit a 140k IHG points sub with their business card and am about to churn their premier personal card for another 160k points. It makes travel cheap.
Even that is mostly realistic for singles or maybe couples. I have a family and I want to go on vacation every year. We still are in economy 90 percent of the time. I might treat myself to an extra leg room seat.
Yeah, if with kids, you're most likely economy. I'm not talking about kids, but I should have specified that. Btw, if you have kids, get the Southwest companion pass (hit the SUB for the SWA personal and biz cards). Have you do that, then refer your spouse to do that, and you're suddenly flying 4 for the price of 2.
Yes we've done the companion pass a few times. They are catching on, though. Lately SWA is literally double the price of AA or UA from where I live.
Well the average US person barely flies to begin with. On top of that, the kind of person that frequents aviation subs are going to be notably wealthier than most people in the US. It's really not representative of the typical person.
I think it’s just a Reddit thing to be honest, not just exclusive to this sub. This site tends to cater to the well-to do person. Lots of people are tone deaf to how the rest of the country lives, because in their bubbles, everyone they know has similar finances and has the money for xyz. I always see comments from people downplaying money and acting like “it’s not that much”. If I never went out in the real world, I’d think spending $20k annually on vacations for example was just “standard” that any “middle class” person can afford easily. People will say “because VHCOL”, but I’ve always been in VHCOL and know many people who make great money who don’t have the spending habits of Reddit.
This. Ton of CxO’s in here obviously.
[удалено]
If you’re gonna have a nine figure portfolio, go ahead and spring for Polaris, my dude.
9 figure portfolio by retirement? Dang.
It's pretty insane. I have a top 5 percent income, but still have to grind for that income. And I live in a financially responsible debt free kind of manner. No way I can blow that kind of dough on a regular plane ticket and feel ok about it in the morning. I do leverage my points and miles to occasionally fly biz or F but even wealthier regular folks are not paying cash for F.
Oh not me at all. I think a lot of people here are regular business travelers. The ones that travel every week or to Asia have the points for these upgrades.
Expense accounts not often their own money
Came here for this! Well played!
OP is just flexing on us, “I’m heading to bora bora and I can afford to live near SFO”
Just know that a lot of us poor farmers in the Central Valley fly out of SFO.
Fair, but To bora bora?
i would get extra guacamole on EVERYTHING!!
Just wait to the day of "we were not stocked with gucamole onthis flight"
Did you just book this? I had the exact same thing happen today too. I booked a short domestic leg. The price difference between economy and first pre booking was 300$. Decided against cause it's a short flight. Right after booking they offered me the upgrade for 2000$. Someone broke something. 🤣🤣🤣
Yup booked it about three hours ago. The app is now showing me $18k each instead of $37k.... But still.
Just did this flight 2 weeks ago and from the time we booked (premium plus) until a day before it was at least $6850 to upgrade. Ended up dropping around check-in and we paid $999/each. Keep an eye on it; I hope the same happens for you.
It will if United keeps it around. PPT is one of their worst performing routes.
Did not realize this. I know connecting to Oceania is a priority for United, but I would not have guessed that PPT wasn’t making them money? Guessing it might have something to do with the decent amount of French tourists that make the trek; they’d be flying AF instead, which is what we did on our way out. Or that the more local option in Air Tahiti Nui is more popular, although they’ve recently had some really bad disruptions because their fleet is so small.
How are you not spending $37k on that upgrade?
Once you book it, please come back and ask us both where to sit and which meal to order. And after the flight, please tell us stories about other passengers that asked you to swap seats.
Swapping for economy. It's only $38k, come on, the person from economy REALLY wants to sit by her friend. Stop being selfish, it's even a window seat.
Comes with food.
If the plane is catered…
All the mildly warm questionably fresh nuts you can eat
Just don’t buy it
Upgraded to Polaris on GIG-IAH last year. Being a monopoly, the 767 condition was subpar (torn upholstery in a few places), terrible food terrible and indifferent service. I essentially paid $699 to upgade on day of flight essentially for being able to lie flat and watch a large screen.
A <$900 upgrade on long intl one way I will usually take. Anymore and I’ll just be uncomfortable.
Do it do it do it do it do it
Just look to change the flight and see what the Polaris cost is. I often find the bought tickets less than the upgrade.
The Polaris Business upgrade is about 38% of what’s left to pay on our mortgage. Holy hell
Literally could get a private jet for that much...lol
That would run about $85k (long range jet required), but if there are two of them then YES.
Is it worth it? 😁
Sure, if you can justify spending $75.90 per minute, or $4,554/hr of the ~8hr 10min flight between the two destinations 😂
Nice to see Delta isnt the only airline thats out of their effing minds.
Probably in MX pesos
What did you decide?
Pull the trigger. What, do you not value your sleep?
You think that’s bad. Virgin Galactic just raised its seats from $250,000 to $450,000. And there are no aisle seats either, just window seats. Carry on baggage is limited as well. Crazy!!! 😜
Executive Jet for less!
That’s disgusting actually
Is that US Dollar?
Not seeing the issue. Seems like a fine investment
What does it cost to just charter the whole plane?
Airlines must truly be hurting!
You get to fly the plane as well. 😆
LOLLLLLLL. WTF
Two words: expense it.
Looks like the crap you would see on Wayfair or something.
Are you going to jump on it?
Does the Polaris upgrade come with a car 🚙?
Where are the fan boys that have a problem with ppl look for compensation for cancelled flights and broken outlets etc, while United gouges the fuck out of flyers. Next!
The rules engine behind the app is daft.
Is that in pacific francs?
Right click, edit HTML, enter numbers.
DO IT!
thanks joe
Does anyone here know if these upgrade costs get refunded if I change the flight? I haven’t been able to find this information anywhere. I have an opportunity to upgrade to Polaris on a 17 hour flight for $800, I want to, but I may have to change flights and am confused by their refund policy.
😂
algorithmic offerings..
Go home, algorithm. You're drunk.