Luxury travel
Posted: Sat May 13, 2017 6:45 pm
I am starting to question how much premium travel experiences befit the Christian. Jesus rode around on a donkey, not in a luxury sedan chair, and he did the most important work of any of us.
On the other hand, some of us need to travel for work, and some of what seems like "luxury" is indeed aimed at helping business travellers be their most productive. I will focus for now on just air travel accomodations. Please feel free to comment freely on your answers. I don't have any set opinion myself and am looking to hear what other people think here.
A few clarifications on luxury travel these days on airlines:
1. The most basic level is you have to stuff everything in 1 small bag and you will probably sit in a middle set in the back and have no ability to sit with any travelling companions. United calls this "Basic Economy". Typical fare: $42 - $80 one way from Minneapolis to Chicago.
2. The next level is paying for a seat assignment and bringing a larger carry-on bag on board. Most airlines call this just "Economy". Typical fare: $62 - $100 one way from Minneapolis to Chicago.
3. The next level is an "extra legroom" seat, which might possibly have a nicer snack and maybe free alcoholic drinks. American calls this "Main Cabin Extra". Typically costs $20 - $50 more for a flight ranging from 1 - 3 hours, or an extra $200 for an international flight. If you fly about 2 international roundtrips a year, an airline will let you have this for free.
4. The next level is "premium economy", which is a seat that reclines a lot more and has significantly tastier food. Typically costs about double that of regular economy.
5. The next level is "business class", which usually means a seat that fully lies flat on for international flights, or a much larger seat, free drinks, and better food on domestic flights. Typically costs about 3 to 4 times that of regular economy, but if you frequently fly the same airline, sometimes you can get this for a few hundred dollars extra from time to time.
6. There is a level of "first class", "first suites", and things beyond that like Etihad's "first apartment". You will have world class food, access to excellent lounges at airports, your own butler, and a chauffeur to drive you in a luxury car to and from the airport. Pricing could be anywhere from a free upgrade you can get (like I did the last time I flew from Australia to home) to flights costing in excess of $35,000.
And just to make things more exciting:
There are charter airlines that are fairly low cost ($200 - $400 one way) that use small, 7-seat private jets and can get you to your destination in a half hour quickly and safely. Sometimes these are the only non stop option, like from Pittsburgh to Richmond, Milwaukee, or Louisville, and priced the same as other airlines.
If someone doesn't know this, and sees you at the airport, it'll look like you've got a $1,500/hr private jet and being escorted into a luxury car to be whisked away.
And then there are airline lounges, which cost around $500 a year for a membership, and mean you always have a private place to charge up your phone or meet with colleagues. They usually include free alcohol.
On the other hand, some of us need to travel for work, and some of what seems like "luxury" is indeed aimed at helping business travellers be their most productive. I will focus for now on just air travel accomodations. Please feel free to comment freely on your answers. I don't have any set opinion myself and am looking to hear what other people think here.
A few clarifications on luxury travel these days on airlines:
1. The most basic level is you have to stuff everything in 1 small bag and you will probably sit in a middle set in the back and have no ability to sit with any travelling companions. United calls this "Basic Economy". Typical fare: $42 - $80 one way from Minneapolis to Chicago.
2. The next level is paying for a seat assignment and bringing a larger carry-on bag on board. Most airlines call this just "Economy". Typical fare: $62 - $100 one way from Minneapolis to Chicago.
3. The next level is an "extra legroom" seat, which might possibly have a nicer snack and maybe free alcoholic drinks. American calls this "Main Cabin Extra". Typically costs $20 - $50 more for a flight ranging from 1 - 3 hours, or an extra $200 for an international flight. If you fly about 2 international roundtrips a year, an airline will let you have this for free.
4. The next level is "premium economy", which is a seat that reclines a lot more and has significantly tastier food. Typically costs about double that of regular economy.
5. The next level is "business class", which usually means a seat that fully lies flat on for international flights, or a much larger seat, free drinks, and better food on domestic flights. Typically costs about 3 to 4 times that of regular economy, but if you frequently fly the same airline, sometimes you can get this for a few hundred dollars extra from time to time.
6. There is a level of "first class", "first suites", and things beyond that like Etihad's "first apartment". You will have world class food, access to excellent lounges at airports, your own butler, and a chauffeur to drive you in a luxury car to and from the airport. Pricing could be anywhere from a free upgrade you can get (like I did the last time I flew from Australia to home) to flights costing in excess of $35,000.
And just to make things more exciting:
There are charter airlines that are fairly low cost ($200 - $400 one way) that use small, 7-seat private jets and can get you to your destination in a half hour quickly and safely. Sometimes these are the only non stop option, like from Pittsburgh to Richmond, Milwaukee, or Louisville, and priced the same as other airlines.
If someone doesn't know this, and sees you at the airport, it'll look like you've got a $1,500/hr private jet and being escorted into a luxury car to be whisked away.
And then there are airline lounges, which cost around $500 a year for a membership, and mean you always have a private place to charge up your phone or meet with colleagues. They usually include free alcohol.