How important is First Class when choosing a FF program?

[Noob]

I am interested to know others opinions on how important it is for an airline to offer First Class when choosing a FF program? The reasoning being so you can use points on First tickets or upgrades from Business.

Does this factor not matter if the airline is part of an alliance or has partners which do offer a First Class product? Hence, allowing you to redeem points for First Class tickets on other carriers.

Or are some of the "super" Business Class offerings more akin to First class and the increasing standard of Business Class removing this possible requirement?

 

[casanovawa]

It would come very low down on my list of things to look for, verging on non existant... Comapred to ease of points earning opportunities and earn and burn rates...

 

[Blackadder]

Not a high priority personally speaking, more looking for a wide reaching alliance that fits in the best with my travel plans (both domestically and internationally), plus earning opprtunities with non air service providers.

 

[Mwenenzi]

Airlines are dropping first, like Air NZ. Others are discontinuing first on some routes (CX?)
Fewer companies pay for first, than 10 years go.
Business is now like first was 10-15-20 years ago.

 

[Fantic125]

For most of my travel globally true "First Class" is so far out of reach it's not even within my 'circle of concern'.

AA "First Class" in the US is a different matter. Fairly easily available through the right bookings and/or upgrades.

In regard to choosing a FF program, the availability of 'First Class' is waaaaaaay down on my list.

My main warm and fuzzies are;

• frequency of flights on either the carrier of choice or one within the 'team' (OneWorld, Star Alliance, or Sky Team),
• on time performance,
• qualification and retention requirements,
• condition of lounges, services, priority boarding, etc,
• availability of upgrades (for me when travelling) and/or items in the FF store (that I can purchase via points to help keep the family happy).

So, F is low on my radar!

 

[coyote25]

Not high on the list but a small bonus.

 

[drron]

The only reason that first class is important for me is it means that an airline will continue to have an F lounge.

 

[Noob]

The only reason that first class is important for me is it means that an airline will continue to have an F lounge.

True! But I suppose some J lounges such as the LHR Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse offer a product which is as good and in some cases better than many First Class lounge offerings (restaurant, spa, etc.).

 

[Princess Fiona]

The only reason that first class is important for me is it means that an airline will continue to have an F lounge.

+1 to the F Lounge. I also frequently use my points for F upgrades on long haul, not essential but a nice bonus.
The more classes on an aircraft and the higher my status the better my chances of being at the pointy end with a comfy duvet and eye shades

 

[bossreggie]

Paramount to me and my choice of travel.

I like to be in row 1 always! I fly QANTAS regularly because of that.

My opinion..... Nothing else.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

Considering there is more money in the world than ever before, and also more millionaires than ever before...
High end products are selling faster than ever before (and so are their stock prices)...
We as humans are flying even more than ever before... and we are spending more money on things we don't need than ever before...

So if folks are not paying for first class... it's not lack of money... there HAS to be another reason.

THESE people are clearly flying more than ever before in history, but not in First.

To me this says they fly in business (for whatever reason), and UPGRADE to First when possible.
THESE are the people who spend the MOST on flying and keep the airlines in business.

So the logical thought is that if there is no longer an upgrade game... the game gets boring.
What better way to make the game exciting again than to start flying private... and that's exactly what more and more people do.

So First class for a FF program - for the airlines target market passenger - I would argue is one of the fundamental key products that are a MUST HAVE as part of an overall long term profit strategy.

Take out First and you take out the Fun.

 

[jamesatfish]

Paramount to me and my choice of travel.

I like to be in row 1 always! I fly QANTAS regularly because of that.

My opinion..... Nothing else.

Same here - I choose to fly First for long-haul international, and I want to be guaranteed of being in that cabin rather than playing an upgrade game. For business trips I pay for the seats, but for personal travel I want to be able to redeem my points for First seats for my family.

I don't really like the Business-as-First model that QF seem to be moving towards on most of their routes, but the complete lack of a true First offering on the Virgin group of airlines is probably the biggest thing that will keep me tied to QF over VA at this point.

 

[amaroo]

We're more of a J purchaser but do fly F every second year either through outright purchase (good deal) or points.

For me I like the F lounges - no First, no F lounge......no me.

Until VA hook up (points wise) with SQ, I'm not interested.....I know they have an arrangement with other partners but they just don't tickle me in the right spot......SQ, would see me jump over and give it a go.

 

[wilco]

Paramount to me and my choice of travel.

I like to be in row 1 always! I fly QANTAS regularly because of that.

My opinion..... Nothing else.

Im curious to know what you do for a crust.....

First class, row 1 , RR ghost, MB AMG's, P1 status.... some have the life..... lol

 

[Noob]

We're more of a J purchaser but do fly F every second year either through outright purchase (good deal) or points.

For me I like the F lounges - no First, no F lounge......no me.

Until VA hook up (points wise) with SQ, I'm not interested.....I know they have an arrangement with other partners but they just don't tickle me in the right spot......SQ, would see me jump over and give it a go.

I am interested to know is it the fact a lounge is a First Class lounge or is it the facilities on offer that is attractive? Like I previously posted, some J lounges such as the LHR Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse offer a product which is as good and in some cases better than many First Class lounge offerings.

 

[oz_mark]

The presence of First certainly does give some us something to aspire to, and a points redemption is likely the only way I'll ever get there :shock:

 

[amaroo]

I am interested to know is it the fact a lounge is a First Class lounge or is it the facilities on offer that is attractive? Like I previously posted, some J lounges such as the LHR Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse offer a product which is as good and in some cases better than many First Class lounge offerings.

I've been to a few F lounges - all OW. For me, I like the difference they offer compared with J or the standard offer - this starts from the entrance & remains until you exit.

However, not all F lounges are created equal and many in the OW system are pathetic & fail reaching the minimal mark required to be declared a decent lounge let alone a F lounge.....I suppose all airlines struggle with the same thing!

In the decent, A grade lounges, I like - separate entrance, striking calming & inviting environment, limited numbers, excellent & accommodating staff, spa, fab drinks list, fine dining restaurant offer, presentation & menu.....last but not least the status. Yes, I'm as superficial as the next passenger.

FWIW, when it came to selecting a FF program - I had no idea or aspiration that First would have anything to do with me - I just selected the airline that I flew with on my first big trip!

Can you believe that in under 3 weeks I'll be entering the grand CCR in LHR, with my two kids, wife & mum - dead set, I can hardly believe it:!: