flatfeet

To celebrate my husband's 40th birthday, I'm taking him to China to hike the Great Wall, etc. We have full-fare business class tickets from NYC to Beijing (NYC to ORD leg 1st class). Since he'll be in the air on his birthday, thinking about splurging and paying extra to upgrade to first class.
What are the differences between first and business on UA transpacific flight?
We have flown AA to Tokyo first class and it was nice. How does UA biz and 1st compare to that?
How likely are we to upgrade from biz to 1st given our biz tickets are full fare unrestricted?
Thanks!

Gardyloo

I would ask your question on the United forum at www.flyertalk.com. Full fare biz is a lot of shekels and the airline ought to do something nice to thank you.

One thing's certain - you ought to join the UA frequent flyer program immediately if you haven't already. This trip alone ought to qualify you for elite status, which in turn means things like being able to use lounges in future overseas travel, obviously free tickets or easier upgrades, and (IMO very) importantly, now that UA is the last domestic carrier to offer any seats in coach with decent legroom (through their Economy Plus configurations) elite status in the UA program means you can automatically select those seats rather than getting squished in the back on future, less luxurious, travel.

I also would mention that at the price point you're paying, for the same money (actually possibly less) you could purchase two round-the-world tickets in business class - which on many United domestic flights puts you in FC anyway because they just have economy (and E+) and First on those flights. So you could go, conceivably, NY-China-Singapore-Paris-London-NY, or some permutation, earn more miles, and <i>really</i> knock his socks off. Yours too. And enough possible savings to pay for Tour d'Argent in the bargain. See the Star Alliance (UA, Singapore, many other airlines) board also at flyertalk.com.

rkkwan

When are you going? CO is starting EWR-PEK non-stop June 15. CO's BusinessFirst product is significantly better than UA's business, but still cheaper than most first class. And I'd think they will have some specials, at least in the form of bonus miles, to promote the new route.

flatfeet

Thanks for the replies, great info from both.

The timing is April so can't wait for CO in June, but definitely worth knowing for future reference. Wow honestly never even entertained the idea of around-the-world travel, can't do it in the near future given our limited vacation days, but boy that would be the life! Just curious how does one get around-the-world biz class tickets cheaper than what a NYC-PEK roundtrip as Gardyloo suggested?

And anyone else with more UA 1st vs. biz class info going to china? Many thanks!

bajaflash

We have flown United First Class LAX to SYD. First class has seats that make up into flat beds (not slanted). In business class the seats recline for sleeping but not flat. If you are on their 747's and are in business class request the seats in the upper area. That is a more private area with better service. Try for the exit rows, however some are reserved for sky marshals.

Gardyloo

I don't know what you're paying (and don't need to) but on Star Alliance (UAL et al) a round-the-world business class ticket that allows 29,000 miles of travel (which makes US-Asia-Europe-US fairly easy, Oz, Africa or S. America more difficult) is currently (approx.) US$6,900 if purchased in the USA, US$5,400 if purchased in China, US$5,220 if purchased in Sweden... the price depends on where you buy the tickets <i>and</i> start and end the trip, so if you live in the US you'd need to fly to one of those places in order to fork over the old credit card and head to the airport. But as you can see the savings may justify it.

You use any of the airlines in the alliance that go where you want to go; the tickets are good for a year. If you change dates or flights from X to Y there's no charge, if you change the basic itinerary it's $100 or so for the paperwork. You earn miles same as always. (Note the coach versions of these tickets are obviously much cheaper but the mileage accrual rules are less generous on some airlines.)

BTW the same deal, but all in First Class is $8,900 if bought in the US, $6,760 in Thailand, etc.

Not cheap, for sure, but compared to point-to-point premium travel they can be good deals.

BTW, flatfeet, routing yourselves JFK-ORD-PEK-FRA-JFK, using UAL and Lufthansa, or JFK-SFO-PEK (UA)- Singapore-Frankfurt-JFK (all on Singapore Airlines - highest rated business and first class in the world) wouldn't take all that long, and you might enjoy a break en route - remember traveling west is easier (on most) people than east, due to time changes going more in your favor.

See www.star-alliance.com - look under &quot;airpasses&quot; at RTW and &quot;Circle Pacific&quot; fares, both of which might be of interest.

rkkwan

I agree with Gardyloo says, but if you just want to fly to PEK the short way, directly, think about the business class on some of the better airlines. Like I said, CO has a nice BusinessFirst product, and you can fly them non-stop EWR-NRT, and connect to PEK via one of the airlines.

Or Japan Airlines, which have nice shell-type flat seats on their JFK-NRT business class. Or ANA... Business fares in April can be have for about $4,500, compared to close to $10,000 for a first class seat, UA or otherwise.

flatfeet

WOW!

It is amazine how mcuh information many of you have and how much help I've recieved from this website in planning my trips (and ideas for future ones!!). Thanks.

BTW, rkkwan, Japan is on top of my list for next trip (have never been) so the non-stop sure is giving me extra motivation!

wally34949

As long as the seat is a flat bed, I would be happy. I can't sleep on my back and I need a flat bed so I can sleep on my side. If they have a flat bed in business, then I would not upgrade.