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Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Flying first class can be worth the extra cost when the specific seat, service and flight time matter enough to you—and the cash or points premium fits your budget. There is no universal answer. A wider reclining seat on a domestic flight is not the same product as an international suite, and a cabin label alone cannot tell you what you will get.
What Reddit travelers said about ANA first class
The Reddit discussion behind this question is a January 2021 r/awardtravel thread about ANA. It considered a specific historical award choice: 85,000 United points for business class or 100,000 for first class. Those figures describe that thread’s context, not current ANA award pricing.
Commenters differed. Some favored first class when the additional points seemed relatively small and valued the separate seat, food, drinks and service. Others said business class was already excellent and questioned whether the difference justified spending more points. Their judgments also depended on the aircraft and how the award was booked. It is a handful of opinions about one airline and one redemption scenario—not a poll or a general verdict.
A later first-person account offers a counterpoint: an Upgraded Points review updated August 21, 2026 describes an ANA first-class experience the reviewer found disappointing relative to the extra points and cash, and says they would be more likely to choose business class in the future. One traveler’s account cannot predict your experience, but it illustrates why a premium cabin may not feel worth its incremental cost to everyone.
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What “first class” includes depends on the flight
First class is not a standardized product. The seat, meals, service, amenities and ground benefits vary by airline, aircraft, route and fare. Domestic first class may mean a wider reclining chair; an international premium cabin may offer a lie-flat bed or other amenities. Do not assume a domestic ticket includes the airline’s international first-class experience.
Before paying or redeeming points, check the exact aircraft and itinerary, then verify what that ticket includes. Compare the seat’s width, recline, privacy and sleeping setup, along with meals, drinks, lounge access, priority handling, baggage and check-in benefits. Ground benefits and eligibility can differ by route.
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Compare the full premium with the experience
Compare first class with business class or premium economy on the same itinerary, where available. On some long-haul routes, business class may already provide lie-flat seating; premium economy is generally a more modest step up. What matters is the actual product and price for your flight.
Use the total difference, not just the cabin name. For a cash booking, compare the full fares. For an award, account for the additional points as well as taxes and fees—and for what else you could do with those points. A points redemption can reduce the cash outlay, but it does not make the premium cost-free.
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| Published example | What the source reported | How to interpret it |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles–Paris | NerdWallet reported finding an economy fare of $1,180 and a first-class fare of $18,606 in its search. | An illustrative, volatile fare example on NerdWallet’s guide updated September 29, 2026—not a current quote or typical multiplier. |
| Houston–Frankfurt | NerdWallet reported a Lufthansa first-class example of $12,707 cash or 87,000 LifeMiles plus about $22 in taxes and fees. | An itinerary-specific example from the same guide, not a verified live fare or award price. |
These examples show why checking your own itinerary matters; they do not establish a general price threshold for first class. The right comparison is the actual fare or award available to you, against the experience you expect and the other uses you value for the money or points.
When the upgrade may make sense
- You will spend substantial time in the cabin. A longer flight gives you more time to value additional space, sleep or service, though it does not guarantee that the premium is worthwhile.
- The specific seat solves a real need. A bed, more room or privacy may matter if comfort or sleep is a priority. Confirm the aircraft configuration rather than relying on the cabin name.
- The incremental cost is acceptable to you. Consider whether the fare difference or points could serve a more valuable purpose elsewhere in your budget or travel plans.
- You know what is included. Meals, lounge access, baggage and priority services may affect the value, but check eligibility for your route and fare.
When business class or economy may be the better choice
- The flight is short or the seat difference is modest. You may have little time to use extra comfort or service, particularly if the product is only a wider reclining chair.
- Business class already meets your needs. If it offers the seat and services you care about, the incremental first-class experience may not justify the added price or points.
- The premium would displace something more valuable. A large cash difference or a substantial points increase can be hard to justify if you would rather keep those resources for another trip or priority.
- The benefits are unclear. If you cannot confirm the seat, aircraft or included services, do not assume the label promises a particular experience.
A practical way to decide
- Identify the exact product. Check the airline, route, aircraft and cabin details for the flight you would book.
- Compare alternatives on that itinerary. Look at business class and premium economy where offered, focusing on the seat and benefits you would actually use.
- Calculate the incremental cost. Compare the full cash fares, or the additional points together with taxes and fees.
- Weigh that cost against your priorities. Decide whether the extra comfort and service are more valuable to you than the money or points used for them.
- Verify availability before committing. Fares and award options change; historical examples and online discussions are not offers for your travel dates.
How much weight should Reddit’s answers carry?
Use the ANA thread as a source of traveler perspectives, not as evidence that first class is generally worth its premium. The discussion is dated and specific to an award comparison. Its mixed comments—and the later reviewer who preferred business class after a disappointing first-class flight—show that value depends on the particular cabin, trip, price and traveler.
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