I am going on the tour Yosemite and California in May. I was wondering as it is self check in with United airlines and we have to check in on the morning due to group booking would everyone be sat in the same area? I was also wondering as I have never done a long haul flight is it worth upgrading you seats for more comfort. Any input on this from any experienced traveller would be much appreciated.

Ali

We cannot guarantee whether you will be sitting together on the plane or not I am afraid. This is totally down to the airlines processes and whether some of your fellow travellers have upgraded their seats.

I can't really say whether or not a flight upgrade is for you as it is down to personal preference ... although who wouldn't like more room to relax on a long plane journey?

Kindest regards,

Monty

Regarding upgrading on long haul flights, as Monty says who wouldn't like more leg room etc, but can I say, I have travelled as far as Australia, Kenya, USA! And even New Zealand and I have only travelled in the cheap seats and it has been fine..I did enquire about upgrading when I went to NZ and the price was horrendous, I would rather spend my money whilst away...but it's up to you, ask JY to find out the price and then make your own mind up.

Any questions just ask.

Cindy

Hi

I am going on the tour Yosemite and California in May. I was wondering as it is self check in with United airlines and we have to check in on the morning due to group booking would everyone be sat in the same area? I was also wondering as I have never done a long haul flight is it worth upgrading you seats for more comfort. Any input on this from any experienced traveller would be much appreciated.

Ali

Ali,

I would certainly find out the cost of upgrading. Look at the United web site and you'll see what you get.

Then it comes down to whether you feel this additional cost can be afforded.

A word of warning. Once you upgrade you'll never want to travel Economy on long haul ever again!

Mansel

Last overnight flight I did from USA I upgraded to business. Pricey, but so worth being able to sleep! If you can afford it go for it :)

I'm all for upgrading on the long-haul flights and agree with you it is certainly worth it.  Does anyone know if JY can get a better price for the upgrade than if you shop around yourself, in fact side question, if JY has booked the flight on your behalf can you arrange any upgrade yourself without going through JY?  Thanks.

I agree that once you get used to Business you're spoiled for life!

I have not upgraded on my travels and this is not through want of trying.  Unfortunately, the prices quoted have been as much as, if not more, than the holiday!  I would rather spend the money on another holiday.

As others say, it's entirely up to you.

Regards

Sylvia

,

again thats other people's choice

all the best

Dave

Sorry if this is a silly question but would an upgrade move me to to Business Class or to Economy Plus - or is there a choice at different prices?  I can't see anything in the brochure explaining this.  

I'm looking at the Mekong River Cruise for 2017 or 2018 (depending on finances!) but can't bear the thought of a 12 hour+ flight so I would have to upgrade but wouldn't want to pay £500 or whatever just for a few inches more leg room in Economy Plus.  Is there a rough guide to upgrade costs or is it a case of asking on the day?

I'm new to all this, I've only ever flown to the Balearics before so please forgive my ignorance!

Rose

On the main flights Singapore Airlines offer:

Premium Economy  http://www.singaporeair.com/en_UK/gb/flying-withus/cabins/premium-economy-class/  

and Business Class http://www.singaporeair.com/en_UK/gb/flying-withus/cabins/business-class/new-business-class/  

as well as First Class and some suites on some flights.

Kind regards,

Elisa

Hi Rose

I know JY have provided a general reply to your query, but I thought I would give you the benefit of my experience.  

I have never been able to upgrade on a JY holiday as the prices quoted have always been silly money.  I think your mention of £500 will be well below what you would be asked to pay.  For my first trip to New Zealand in 2010 the quote was £2/3K return.  For Alaska this year I was quoted £5K for a return and £4K for a single.  Both prices were as much as the holiday cost itself.  There are deals  to be had, but I do not know how to achieve them.  

I am travelling to the USA later this year with another company where the upgrade cost is £845 return.

Regards

Sylvia

Thanks Elisa, is there anywhere that gives an indication (even only a rough one) of the cost of an upgrade to Premium or Business on the flights to Seam Reap, I can't see anything Singapore Airlines website - but may not be looking in the right place!

I know it changes from day to day but a ballpark figure of what the extra would be if I booked today for next September would help.  I will not be booking today and I would not hold you to any example you give but I have no idea of whether we're talking £100s or £1000s.

Many thanks

Rose

Hi Rose,

We'd expect Premium Economy to be £1500+ and Business £2500+ supplements, return, but it’s impossible to be precise without contacting the airline.

Kind regards,

Elisa

Regards

Caroline

I am presently looking at India where the PE upgrade quoted by the tour operator is approx £650 and £2200 Bus.  If I booked the flight myself PE would be £400 and Bus £1300 more!  Bit of a difference, something wrong somewhere!  Also as someone else said there is a big difference between airlines, BA vs. Virgin to Delhi for example.

Sometimes you can get an upgrade at the airport for much less if there are any seats left.  I remember someone getting one from Sri Lanka to London for $600 Business.

I vowed after returning from Viet/Camb Xmas 2014 I would never travel ecomomy again.  Squashed up on a Malaysian A380 was not pleasant!  So far I have kept my promise to myself - I upgraded to EconPlus on a United flight Belfast-Newark for £100 each way (booked it myself) and of course that rip off Singapore Airlines one.

Luckily I have only a few more longhaul on my wish list so will stick with the old economy for Europe.

I read in a newspaper the other day that Bus and First Class fares had reduced dramatically due to lower fuel prices but sometimes I wonder!

D.

How it has worked for me is that you make a provisional booking for a particular holiday, JY charge you £100 initially - but the booking is conditional on getting the required upgrade at a reasonable cost (to me).  It usually takes up to a week before JY come back to you with the cost of the upgrade options you have requested (I sometimes asked for quotes for both premium and business class, one way (if a particular leg looks a bit more onerous etc).   But usually if I haven't heard back after 4/5 days I might phone up to see if they have the costs/find out when I can expect them. 

When the quotes come back, I then decide what I want to do - in my case I've always found that there is some option that is acceptable - and at this point I book the holiday and the full deposit is taken. 

I know sometimes, for some people,  the airlines have quoted ridiculous upgrade costs - and obviously if this happened on any holiday I was planning on booking I would decline (and JY would refund the £100).

I am off to Burma at the end of October, have booked business class for the return flight Heathrow to KL (ie the longest flights on the trip)  - but the rest of the flights are in standard class.  I'm going to Cuba in February, but for this trip only upgraded to Business class for the return trip (the overnight flight), including the outbound flight was a stupid price.

Hope this helps a bit.

Regards

Katy