Why Parents Should Fly Business Class
Those who have been around here for a while have probably heard what I'm going to say before, but I think it is one of those things that is worth repeating every so often. I'm a very normal mom who will be at school pick-up this afternoon and then at Mommy and Me gymnastics tonight, but who spent the previous night flying in a lie-flat business class seat to get home from Hawaii. It's a bit of a dichotomy to be sure, but one that sort of makes sense when you dig into it a bit.
I'm clearly not some high powered executive, or Hollywood elite, or trust fund recipient, or anything remotely of the sort, but I've learned that splurging a bit more to lie flat and sleep on an overnight flight makes it possible for me to land and simply do life the next day. Big kudos to you if you can make that happen while sitting up in an economy airline seat and saving the extra money or miles, but that's just not me. I don't care if it is the smallest most cramped business class seat out there (and it probably was), as long as it goes flat, just hand me my pillow and blanket and I'll see you tomorrow.
I'll do a full review of the few minutes of the flight where I was conscious in another post, but after getting to partake in the final United 747 flight to Honolulu on Tuesday, spending one night in Hawaii, and squeezing as much as I could into my one day on the ground there, it was time to fly home back to my family and life here in Texas.
I was dead tired before I ever boarded the United 8:25 PM nonstop flight back to Houston last night, but no matter how tired I was going to be today, there was work to do and kids to take care of, so I needed to sleep on that plane as much as possible.
I know for some of us, it can make you feel guilty to book the lie-flat seat for yourself when you can cut corners and sit in the back, but finding a way to get the rest you need while traveling is a strategy that has worked well for me for years. In fact, that is the only way that I am able to squeeze family life and travel right next to each other. I could care less about the pre-departure drinks, wine and cheese courses, or ice cream sundaes or anything like that, in fact, I stayed awake long enough for dinner to come out last night just to try it and take a picture for the site, otherwise, I would have gone straight from 10,000 feet to sleep. Heck, my first time flying Lufthansa First, which is really quite fancy, I passed out before the caviar and champagne and don't regret that decision in the slightest.
For me, flying business or first class is not at all about enjoying the fancy stuff, it is just about finding a way to not waste a day or two being too tired to function. I suppose that is really why it was created in the first place, so that those folks traveling for business could get some rest on the plane and then hit the ground running to a very important meeting, but frankly, I think that getting home to my kids and functioning for them is pretty important, too.
When it is affordable via a decent price, an upgrade certificate, or using miles, I am Team Book Business Class when you think it will make the difference between functioning upon landing and being the next member of The Walking Dead. I also have to add, while this is a gender neutral recommendation, I will emphasize it again for moms since I almost always see a premium cabin full of men, but very rarely see anywhere near a representative sample of females. Mamas, if you have the miles, money, or upgrade certs, get yourself up front so you can get rest, too. It doesn't make you a spoiled monster or turn you into a Real Housewife of Wherever just by taking a spin or two in a lie-flat seat, it just makes you someone who knows how to be sure they get the rest they need in order to be there for others.
Stay tuned for more about the flight itself and my 24 hours of maximizing time in Hawaii...after I do a little more life here at home.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.