I have, on occasion, flown business class. Back before all the rules changed at the Department of State, if you flew 14 hours, you qualified for a business class ticket. That meant my flights to and from India garnered me a seat boarding to the left on the plane instead of the right. I never got to fly upstairs on a plane, I think that is a whole other level, but I did get to fly business twice.
The draconian measures that exist now to reduce costs for travel mean that an upgrade comes with miles only. So I invested some time in figuring out miles and credit cards that earn points and eating only at restaurants in the points club and ordering online through websites linked from airlines. However I am no expert, and despite traveling a lot over the last few years to Afghanistan, China and Europe, I only now am qualifying for premier status. I am officially Silver (or gold or ruby, I am not sure which). I have no idea what it means, except I do know that this morning when I showed up at the airport at 12:00 am to fly to El Salvador via Panama, I was upgraded!
UPGRADED! (Cue choir of angels)
So I am sitting in a lounge now, with dry bagels, free water and wifi, and a sense of being part of the secret club. I also got a goodie bag with tiny-sized toothpaste and a comb. This is the life! I highly recommend it. I can enjoy this status for one year and although I think the free upgrade was because I just earned this status, it does feel nicer than sitting outside a Cinnabon in the food court. (Did I mention Panama's airport has a Cinnabon?)
Hope everyone gets to fly business or first class at least once in your life - it makes it all a lot easier.
The draconian measures that exist now to reduce costs for travel mean that an upgrade comes with miles only. So I invested some time in figuring out miles and credit cards that earn points and eating only at restaurants in the points club and ordering online through websites linked from airlines. However I am no expert, and despite traveling a lot over the last few years to Afghanistan, China and Europe, I only now am qualifying for premier status. I am officially Silver (or gold or ruby, I am not sure which). I have no idea what it means, except I do know that this morning when I showed up at the airport at 12:00 am to fly to El Salvador via Panama, I was upgraded!
UPGRADED! (Cue choir of angels)
So I am sitting in a lounge now, with dry bagels, free water and wifi, and a sense of being part of the secret club. I also got a goodie bag with tiny-sized toothpaste and a comb. This is the life! I highly recommend it. I can enjoy this status for one year and although I think the free upgrade was because I just earned this status, it does feel nicer than sitting outside a Cinnabon in the food court. (Did I mention Panama's airport has a Cinnabon?)
Hope everyone gets to fly business or first class at least once in your life - it makes it all a lot easier.
