I recently had the privilege of flying first class whereby I had experienced over a 31 hours combined of first class experience. I booked these flights early in 2014 before United’s devaluation and was able to originally snag this route:
From Hong Kong to Bangkok to Frankfurt to Newark with the last leg as business class on a United flight. The flights were:
TG601 which was a Boeing 747-400 departing HKG at 12:45 PM arriving 2:25 PM in BKK
TG920 which was an Airbus A380-800 departing BKK at 11:40 PM arriving at 5:30 PM in FRA
UA51 which was a Boeing 767 departing 11:05 AM arriving at 2:20 PM in EWR.
About 2 weeks before leaving Hong Kong I checked for availability and saw that Lufthansa flight LH402 had business class available leaving at 1:30 PM and was the old business class seat. So I did not change my flight as the United would have been a fully lie flat business class which I would not have minded.
Two days before leaving Hong Kong I checked availability again and I saw there was now first class availability on the same flight. At that point, I immediately called United to change my ticket to have the final itinerary as:
TG601 which was a Boeing 747-400 departing HKG at 12:45 PM arriving 2:25 PM in BKK
TG920 which was an Airbus A380-800 departing BKK at 11:40 PM arriving at 5:30 PM in FRA
LH402 which was a Boeing 747-400 departing 1:30 PM arriving at 4:10 PM in EWR
It cost me an extra $100 because of the change fee and no additional taxes or extra miles were assessed.
The Experience:
I took a taxi from the Hyatt Regency in Tsim Sha Tsui and arrived in HKG at around 9:20 AM. I can’t even begin on where to start with the conversation with the taxi driver. It was unique to say the least. When the fare total came up, it was HKD$250 and I only had a HKD$1000 bill. Apparently, there’s a LOT problems with the $1000 bill because of counterfeits and the driver would not accept it. I was traveling alone and the driver told me to go into the airport and get change as he held onto my luggage. I was incredibly worried that I was going to be scammed and he drives away with my luggage which was worth more than the fare. Fortunately for me, he was still there.
I checked in my luggage and get into the First Class lounge at 9:45 AM and that’s where I start the counter for first class experience.
The lounge was OK, quiet, decent amounts of food and drink to choose from. I did not take any pictures of the lounge. They did have 1 lazy boy type massaging chair that I did not use. Bathroom inside the lounge was small and had a shower.
To Bangkok:
The flight was nice and short, the flight attendant that was taking care of first class asked me what I was doing in Bangkok and I told her I was connecting to go to Frankfurt. She tried to convince me to leave the airport with her and hang out and switch my flight for the following day so we could be on the same flight again. I’m not sure if that was part of her bubbly personality or not, but it was definitely different from every one else.
Thai Airways First Class Lounge:
The food was delicious and the staff was incredibly nice and accommodating. There was one young lady that was just amazing, just a sweetheart. I was in the lounge for an insane amount of time that I requested the staff to watch my belongings so I could take a stroll around the airport where I found and picked up some multi flavored Kit Kats
I shared the Kit Kats with the staff in the lounge and they were even nicer afterwards.
To Frankfurt:
The flight to Frankfurt was uneventful. Service was very nice and the first class had 12 seats with 11 occupied. Many of the passengers appeared to be regulars on the flight with about 3 of them leaving their amenity kits behind on the plane.
Lufthansa First Class Terminal:
Upon reaching the terminal, I was escorted by a Lufthansa employee to the customs area where she directed me to the business class lounge in the Z section of Terminal 1. After walking in there, I inquired about the first class lounge. When I arrived at the first class lounge in the A section, I was advised for the full service car transfer I should go to the lounge in the B section.
The lounge had some great food and drinks available. Having access to the shower was great where they were able to provide a toothbrush and razor.
It was too early for me to drink, but the whiskey list was quite comprehensive.
They even had a cigar lounge!
To Newark:
I was whisked away in a Mercedes Benz S350 to an waiting Boeing 747.
The flight itself was very uneventful, the attendants on the flight were very nice. Not much else to report on, although I think the person who sat across from me was in the same situation as I was, excited to be in First Class on Lufthansa.
Final Thoughts:
While the amenities were very nice all around and the people extremely friendly and helpful, and maybe it is my humble beginnings, but I did not think it was worth it. Yes, I said it – First class is not worth it. Like Dia mentioned in her post about Vendoming and Joe about the Fear Of Missing Out you need to know what’s best for your needs and not worry about what other people are doing in the miles and points arena.
I’m not saying don’t experience First Class if you have the opportunity. As a leisure traveler who does not have too many vacation days, it wasn’t worth it for me. I can see the flip side of those that travel a large amount and need some of the amenities that come with it. Or the fact that you may have a lot of money (or miles) to burn and want the services provided. I would rather have spent another day in Hong Kong and eat at Tim Ho Wan
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