[Rtrorkt]

Originally Posted by matthewb0051

I made the tragic mistake of upgrading to first class when our family moved to Hawaii. Now I am ruined.

The government (Army) pays some stupid rates on airfare that usually isn't the lowest. They had the responsibility to move us from VA to HI but we were visiting family in Texas. The travel folks actually wanted me to return to VA just to fly to HI (stupid but they didn't get it). I did the research and found 1st class tickets from Houston to Honolulu, I traded in my DC to HI tickets (United) and paid $50 per person ticket difference and $25 fee for the change.

Did the same thing a couple of years later when my boss wanted me to attend a conference in Florida (from Hawaii). I paid a bit more but I just couldn't imagine flying that far twice in a week in coach. It was American and 1st class sucked.

US airlines just don't know how to do first or business class. Gold standards are Qatar, Emirates, Etihad, Cathay and Singapore . Never fly Qantas or Air New Zealand.

Rode business from Europe DFW and met a fellow from the UK who was making his first trip to the US. We were together again on what passes for first class AA DFW to PHX. He was shocked at the crappy accommodation and service as compared to BA business or first.