Contrasting approaches to premium travel

[HockeyMonkey]

Mrs HockeyMonkey makes me laugh sometimes.

This year we have been fortunate enough to experience quite a bit of premium award travel thanks to the advice on AFF.

My approach is to maximise the opportunity and try everything. On EK F SIN-MEL recently, this included
- Hennesy Paradis
- Dom Perignon
- Johnny Walker Blue
- Caviar
- Meals prepared to order
- Pyjamas
- Watching moves on the 32" screen
- A shower
- Grabbing lots of souvenirs that were not bolted down (Amenity kit, writing kit, snacks) ... ok maybe I got a bit carried away

For Mrs HockeyMonkey, the experience comprised of
- Water
- Sleep

Even so, I think it is going to be hard to get her to go back to Y

 

[Steady]

I’m taking Mrs Steady in Suites (+ TPR & The Pier etc) later in the year and I think she will be just like Mrs HockeyMonkey

 

[Denali]

Im Team Mrs Hockey - space and chill is my preferred way to travel.

Must say, the Hennessy bottle is an attractive design.

 

[get me outta here]

I’m also a water and (hopefully), sleep person.

 

[Denali]

...- Grabbing lots of souvenirs that were not bolted down (Amenity kit, writing kit, snacks) ... ok maybe I got a bit carried away....

Had to laugh at this, my record was about 10 DeltaOne F kits, picked up a few on the way out of the plane but they were Tumi cases and I gave most of them away here on AFF. They were cute.

 

[kelvedon]

Must say, the Hennessy bottle is an attractive design.

Retailing at nearly $1000 a bottle, the presentation is important !

 

[LadyC]

The gentleman collects almost everything he can when we are away, from the pyjamas and toiletry bags on the plane to the soaps, shampoos and body washes at the hotels. I think we even have a laundry bag or three!

 

[Denali]

The gentleman collects almost everything he can when we are away, from the pyjamas and toiletry bags on the plane to the soaps, shampoos and body washes at the hotels. I think we even have a laundry bag or three!

My husband needs a pat down after the SQ toilet break, because if you ever get in the J toilets and there are no toothbrushes, shavers ect - its because he got there first. Sorry, I do try to stop him but he says "but these are the good ones!", as he shoves a dozen toothbrushes into my handbag and plans a return raid after a restock.

I do donate as much as I can to Every Little Bit Helps, 5.5kgs of toiletries last month.

 

[Grae flyer]

These days I treat the journey as part of the holiday and enjoy every aspect of it. I even enjoy the airports, the delays , and always break the long trips (over 9 hours) with a great stop over.

 

[Buzzard]

I'm with @HockeyMonkey and try most things on board. Certain things that I know I don't like I give them a miss. I also make sure to get some sleep.

 

[daft009]

I'm personally somewhere right in the middle.

Had a few drinks, took a few amenities, slept as well to try and return back to the home time zone.

 

[SOPOOR]

Mrs HockeyMonkey makes me laugh sometimes.

This year we have been fortunate enough to experience quite a bit of premium award travel thanks to the advice on AFF.

My approach is to maximise the opportunity and try everything. On EK F SIN-MEL recently, this included
- Hennesy Paradis
- Dom Perignon
- Johnny Walker Blue
- Caviar
- Meals prepared to order
- Pyjamas
- Watching moves on the 32" screen
- A shower
- Grabbing lots of souvenirs that were not bolted down (Amenity kit, writing kit, snacks) ... ok maybe I got a bit carried away

For Mrs HockeyMonkey, the experience comprised of
- Water
- Sleep

Even so, I think it is going to be hard to get her to go back to Y

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My personal opinion, but those that try and maximise the experience are one or more of the following
-once in a lifetime travellers
- tight cough
- csnt afford/justify to fly premium class
- first timers


I'm 2, 3, 4

I assume that if you were Bill gates rich, lobster, 800 dollar bottle of wines are not a novelty so trying to have them all while on a flight that has cost you loose change wouldn't be a big deal

 

[kermatu]

Rare for me to travel F - so when I do I'm also with @HockeyMonkey and will make the most of the experience to sample (but that's all) things I would not usually have.

 

[Flying mermaid]

These days I treat the journey as part of the holiday and enjoy every aspect of it. I even enjoy the airports, the delays , and always break the long trips (over 9 hours) with a great stop over.

we are the same - only do one major trip a year, so want to enjoy every bit of it

 

[Straubs]

Still a rarity for me ... so maximisation is the aim of the game!

 

[BudgetFly]

Just Wow! bout sums it up (from someone who'll probably never see F in this lifetime)!
I still get a thrill from lounge admission!

 

[docjames]

On my only EK F trip my list was:
- two diet cokes
- sleep
- shower

Had major migraine when boarding - the 12hrs of sleep followed by a shower cured it. That wouldn't have happened in Y. Although i'd have probably got the cokes.

 

[Berlin]

I am lucky enough to have enjoyed the pleasures of First class travel a fair bit but I'm not doing it as often as to not finding it "special" anymore and honestly, I don't think I ever will. So I'm fairly in the "Indulge" corner when it comes to these things but I'd say that's not only limited to flying- I'd always enjoy a, let's say, fine French restaurant on the ground as well.

To top it off, I also have a slightly kleptomaniac streak in me as others have admitted before me: So you'd find plenty hotel towels that somehow "made it into my luggage" at my home and we haven't bought any shampoo or soap in years as there are always bags full of hotel toiletries

Finally, with regards to flying First on a good airline- as much caviar as possible, on EK of course a shower and usually at least one second "main" dish snug in there for good measure

 

[JohnK]

In a way I'm with Mrs @HockeyMonkey but also try to enjoy the experience. Premium Travel is highly overrated.

SYD SQ First lounge was a disappointment. I built up the visit to the First lounge to my wife and she wasn't too excited. In saying that the eggs benedict were nice and the other food on offer was also ok but I'd expect that food in any lounge. Qantas First lounge is streets ahead.

Onboard I had 4-5 glasses of Dom. I think it was Dom. They poured them in front of me. It tastes no diiferent to any other champagne.

I'm not sure if I have ever had Caviar but it was so-so. Definitely not something that says more please.

The meal was quite good but that in itself isn't a reason to fly premium.

The First Class host on arrival was a nice touch at the end of the flight. She managed to keep my daughter occupied for 15-20 minutes.

Im not whinging but I'll leave premium travel for special occasions or where the deal is too good to refuse.

 

[SOPOOR]

Just Wow! bout sums it up (from someone who'll probably never see F in this lifetime)!
I still get a thrill from lounge admission!

Why not? Become a points hoarder and you too can experience it