Better Travel: Consider These Upgrades

Travelling can be a wonderful experience, but it’s not without challenges. Among the worst aspects of today’s travel are the inevitable flight delays or cancellations, lost luggage, jet lag, navigating unfamiliar airports, and crowds of people, mostly rushed, tired, and irritable. Those challenges can be stressful, with significant travel time and numerous connecting flights or long layovers.

Extended travel days are challenging, but there are two things that I believe you should consider to make those difficult days a much better experience. It’s important to note that these are considerations only as any advantage to making travel more comfortable comes with a cost. These options may not be worth it or may exceed your budget.

Approach at Halifax Stanfield International Airport

Airport Lounges

The cost of lounge access varies with each airport, but if you consider how long a layover is, it may make sense to purchase it. Some travel-focused credit cards offer lounge access as a perk but usually with a high annual fee. If you don’t have the included access, most major airports have lounges for a cost. Payment can be either a flat fee or hour increments. Lounges have numerous amenities such as food, usually buffet style, beverages (including alcohol options), comfortable seats with more privacy, less noise, and cleaner washrooms. Some higher-end lounges include spa services and shower facilities. The advantages of lounges can result in big demand on heavy travel days. There may be a wait if a lounge is at capacity. If you can get in, it is generally worth the wait if you have a few hours to kill.

With the high cost of everything in an airport, the lounge can be a surprisingly affordable way to spend your time. The price you pay for the advantages of a lounge may be worth it to you when you have hours to endure.

Seat Upgrades

In late September, I flew to Chicago. That included one stop in Philadephia. With premium seats available and the date near, the option to upgrade my seats reached my inbox.

“Upgrade to a Premium Cabin for your upcoming trip.”

I was curious to see how much a seat upgrade would be, what would be included, and if it would be worth it based on the duration of the flight. If you are considering upgrading your seats, doing so at the time of original booking is probably not a great idea unless budget isn’t a concern. It will be priced high as airlines know they can capitalize on those eager buyers. Business and first-class seats are lucrative for airlines. Generally, the closer to departure these options are, the cheaper they will be if they are still available. It’s common to get an email with the option to upgrade or, at the last minute, hear boarding agents announcing availability just before boarding. Once the plane is in the air, the airline isn’t going to make any money on an empty seat, so costs tend to drop.

A seat upgrade makes your flight much better. I never thought that sitting in the front of the plane made much difference, but it does. Also, the extended leg space and the upgraded food and beverage options are appreciated when you are on a plane for a while. Sometimes, you can get a pod with a seat that almost lays flat. How advantageous is that going to be on a long-haul flight? The destination, duration, and aircraft will factor into the cost and availability of these premium seats, with larger aircraft having better premium options. The premiums and luxuries will differ considerably, and the costs will vary widely. No premium options are the same, but it will be a more comfortable and enjoyable flight if you choose it.

Finally, seat upgrades like business and first-class can grant you dedicated lounge space available before you depart. Domestic flights usually don’t offer this, and international destinations are a requirement for this access.

Conclusion

It’s probably no surprise that sitting in a lounge is better than sitting on an uncomfortable seat at a boarding gate for hours and that upgrading your seat on a flight will be a more relaxing experience. It may be surprising to hear that both of these perks can be an affordable way to make your day much better when travelling. You may not always be able to get a great deal, and some flight upgrades can be shockingly expensive, but it’s worth looking into and considering the options on your next adventure.