What exactly are you getting at here?
Aer Lingus business class, worth it?
- Thread starter Sarah Ryan
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Personally for me I've never upgraded as I've never viewed it worth the price or good value for money
If it was couple of hundred Euro, I might consider it but anytime I've looked it's usually in the thousands
I think if I was going on an adventure of a lifetime or bucket list trip like this I'd spend the extra money while there,
as you're probably never going back that way again, rather then on the flights there and back
Recently we flew to Beijing with Emirates , two seven plus hour flights with a 3 hour stopover in Dubai in economy
But we booked an extra day in Beijing before our trip started to allow us a bit of recovery time
Which worked out well and a hell of a lot cheaper then the airline upgrade cost
Not sure if that would work for the OP if going directly from flight to cruise ship but maybe a day or two of sightseeing in Seattle??
My only issue with Emirates and the flights was the movie selection was the same on the April fight out as the May return
If it was couple of hundred Euro, I might consider it but anytime I've looked it's usually in the thousands
I think if I was going on an adventure of a lifetime or bucket list trip like this I'd spend the extra money while there,
as you're probably never going back that way again, rather then on the flights there and back
Recently we flew to Beijing with Emirates , two seven plus hour flights with a 3 hour stopover in Dubai in economy
But we booked an extra day in Beijing before our trip started to allow us a bit of recovery time
Which worked out well and a hell of a lot cheaper then the airline upgrade cost
Not sure if that would work for the OP if going directly from flight to cruise ship but maybe a day or two of sightseeing in Seattle??
My only issue with Emirates and the flights was the movie selection was the same on the April fight out as the May return
newirishman
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I fly alot stateside with Aer Lingus. I think the business class is expensive for the service you get. Seats or good though, especially the newer planes. Overall the business class experience is like the economy experience: ok but far from luxurious.
Due to frequent flyer status I get lounge access for all flights with AerLingus, which is nice, but not life changing.
Usually only go business coming back from US, but not going there - or if it is LA flight (11 hours is very long in economy, especially with AerLingus)
(Flying mostly to Seattle and DC)
If the price difference one-way is less than 1500 euro at time of booking I might consider it for a return flight depending what my plans are for the day of arrival.
I usually ask at check in, and if they offer an upgrade for around $800 max I tend to take it.
It is a far cry from the business experience with the Emirates or Etihad. Delta premium economy had better service than AerLingus business (seats are not comparable)
Due to frequent flyer status I get lounge access for all flights with AerLingus, which is nice, but not life changing.
Usually only go business coming back from US, but not going there - or if it is LA flight (11 hours is very long in economy, especially with AerLingus)
(Flying mostly to Seattle and DC)
If the price difference one-way is less than 1500 euro at time of booking I might consider it for a return flight depending what my plans are for the day of arrival.
I usually ask at check in, and if they offer an upgrade for around $800 max I tend to take it.
It is a far cry from the business experience with the Emirates or Etihad. Delta premium economy had better service than AerLingus business (seats are not comparable)
Sarah Ryan
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Reminds me of the first time I stayed in the Merrion Hotel and I came back to the room with the turn down service and the slippers beside the bed, this is the only way to Hotel!
Needless to say my annual stay here will be cut if I do go with these flights!
Sarah Ryan
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Yes we definitely will be staying one night in Seattle pre Cruise and potentially one night post cruise as well it all depends on the flights.
If there is one thing I have learned you do not rush from a cruise ship to the airport it's a very stressful experience.
First world problem.
I regard Aer Lingus as a good low cost carrier. They are not in the same league as Emirates or Etihad or British Airways. I flew with BA First Class to Houston once. It was a free upgrade from Business Class. Now that was an experience.
Have previously flown a lot of business class with work and as yet haven't ever made the decision to pay full price for it myself. (as others have said the auction always worth a shot)
With work its a different value case - I could work when I land in America if well rested, and I could work on the day I land home following overnight flight given the reduced jet lag. Also costs a business pre tax, so better value than a person paying for it themselves without having a business to expense it to.
Its different value on the way out vs the way home when heading to US. Way out is a nice start to holiday but essentially you get a slightly better meal with a better knife and fork, lounge access, a few glasses of champagne and wine, more legroom, and less chance of sitting too close to someone irritating you. On the way back its all about getting a better nights sleep (on the way home I eat in airport and then sleep immediately after takeoff until breakfast, no meal, no booze!).
Then it comes down to how much money you have and how comfy you are with frittering it away on something that the benefit of passes extremely quickly (I guarantee than business class or not, it won't add any value to your memory of your trip 1 week after returning home) vs the good that money could do elsewhere. It could buy you another holiday, it could be well used by a charity etc.
If you have the money its worth doing once and then you can always make an informed decision in future. Personally, its never going to be the best way for me to spend 2k - I will often enter the auction or check if the price is close enough to the base price, but if not, I'll bend my legs a little and buy my own wine.
With work its a different value case - I could work when I land in America if well rested, and I could work on the day I land home following overnight flight given the reduced jet lag. Also costs a business pre tax, so better value than a person paying for it themselves without having a business to expense it to.
Its different value on the way out vs the way home when heading to US. Way out is a nice start to holiday but essentially you get a slightly better meal with a better knife and fork, lounge access, a few glasses of champagne and wine, more legroom, and less chance of sitting too close to someone irritating you. On the way back its all about getting a better nights sleep (on the way home I eat in airport and then sleep immediately after takeoff until breakfast, no meal, no booze!).
Then it comes down to how much money you have and how comfy you are with frittering it away on something that the benefit of passes extremely quickly (I guarantee than business class or not, it won't add any value to your memory of your trip 1 week after returning home) vs the good that money could do elsewhere. It could buy you another holiday, it could be well used by a charity etc.
If you have the money its worth doing once and then you can always make an informed decision in future. Personally, its never going to be the best way for me to spend 2k - I will often enter the auction or check if the price is close enough to the base price, but if not, I'll bend my legs a little and buy my own wine.
Sarah Ryan
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It's a tough job but somebody needs to take one for the team!!!First world problem.
I used to fly a lot. For a period of about 8 years I took an average of 70 flights a year. Most of them were short haul. The most frequent carrier I used was Aer Lingus but because they were to Scotland they subcontracted the flights to Aer Lingus Regional (operated by Stobart Air) and so there were no points (air miles) accruing. I was flying with them at least 30 times a year and spending between €6000 and €10,000 with them but I didn't even get lounge access. My Bank of Ireland Business Credit Card gave me that (and still does). Then there was the expectation that they would run out of food (around a third of the time) or the toilets would be dirty or the seat would be a bit broken or really dirty etc. Maybe other airlines are as shabby but I formed a very low opinion of Aer Lingus during that time and nothing I've experienced with them since has changes that... and then there's their notions; they still think they are a premium airline rather than a low cost subsidiary of British Airways (okay, the holding company BA set up to buy other airlines). AT least Ryan Air know what they are.
Culchies?
It's pretty much impossible to gain status with an airline only flying short haul
Probably best option is to book economy add the exit row seats so that in a worst case scenario you have decent leg room for what is a 10+ hour flight time (including waiting for take-off).
Then put in an offer of circa €300 - €400 for the business class auction.
Then put in an offer of circa €300 - €400 for the business class auction.
Short haul, I fly with anyone in the cheapest seat. Above 4 hours, I do premium economy or higher if I can afford it.
I have never once regretted paying more for business/first but I have had many flights where by the end I was kicking myself for not upgrading.
BA World Traveller is very good. Better food and seats that recline nearly flat.
If I'd spent the same money flying short haul to the south of England or northern Europe I've have had all sorts of memberships and cards.
Over the course of 8 years I took well over 500 flights with Aer Lingus and spend north of €50,000.
Assuming they were evenly split over the 8 years, you would only have gotten to the second highest tier.
Okay, but it got me nothing.
There were probably 30 or 40 transatlantic flights with them in there too.