United Premium Economy vs Economy

[mrtupperware]

Hey all

Im contemplating between UA PE or econ with emergency exit seat addition.

I am KF Gold and don't particularly care for food on the plane. I hate lining up and waiting, but the PE ticket is about $2k USD more than economy.

My question is UA PE worth the extra $2k? or just suck it up and spend the extra money on a nice hotel in LA?

 

[Mattg]

If you don't care about the onboard food, already have Star Alliance Gold (which gets you priority etc. at the airport) and would get an exit row in economy, the main benefit of Premium Plus is a wider seat.

Is that worth $2,000? I think you know the answer

 

[MELso]

Flying to LA from where? And what are NZ prices like (if you're wanting *A status recognised)?

 

[mrtupperware]

Flying from Sydney, tbh id rather go UA than NZ - prefer the direct flight

 

[MELso]

Fair enough.

I don't think that, with the premiums being charged these days, Premium Economy is worth it. I flew NZ's Premium Economy (with UA and Virgin America codeshares) to the east coast of the US in 2016 for $2.8k return (hence why I asked about NZ), which was about a $1k premium. For $500 each way, it was worth the upgrade for the increased space and better seating configuration (while the percentage increase was still relatively high, the dollar amount was low).

Today though, Premium Economy on the flight I have coming up to FL at the end of the year runs to about twice the price of economy, or $3k in absolute terms. Yes, UA and others try to coax you to upgrade by making Y an ever more awful and hateful experience, but the $1500 I save each way goes a long way towards memorable holiday experiences (including a good slap up dinner or two to make up for UA's dreadful Y catering). A leg rest, wider seat and slightly nicer food is not worth that sort of money for me (and nor, I suspect, you).

 

[mrtupperware]

Yes agree, it works out to be $2k USD = thats an upgrade from basic Marriott to WeHo Edition for the week... much better option