Here's What I'll Give Up on Vacation to Fly Business Class

My husband would rather wrangle triplet toddlers than fly with me. I believe I'm a pretty good travel companion, other than the whole "flying thing." I get bored and always feel cramped, even though I'm a relatively small person. While I can't even imagine what it's like for a taller or more athletic person, I know that being leaned on by a total stranger for hours makes me wish I could nap (or have sharper elbows).

All that to say, if a flight is scheduled to last for over four hours, our new rule is that we upgrade to business class. I dread it less, and my husband likes me more.

The price of comfort

How much it costs to fly business class instead of coach depends on a whole range of factors, including the airline in question, the date, and even the time of day. The cash we must come up with depends on how many travel reward points we've collected on The Platinum Card® from American Express or Barclays AAdvantage® Aviator® World Elite Mastercard®. Thanks to extensive use of these travel credit cards, we can typically whittle down the price of an upgrade by cashing in points. Still, we can count on spending hundreds of dollars more on our credit cards for the upgrade.

For us, sticking with a financial plan means making trade-offs. Here's what I'm happy to trade for a better flight experience.

1. An expensive outing

One of my closest friends loves nothing more than sitting on a beach all day, reading a good book. While that sounds peaceful, I'm pretty sure my husband and I would last less than an hour. We both like to be busy. On a trip to Puerto Rico last year, we went hiking, swam through a cave, and slid down a waterfall.

Before leaving home, we made a list of all the outdoor activities we thought we would enjoy. While the hike was at the top of our list, my husband also suggested we spend a day horseback riding and exploring. The problem was that it would cost a minimum of $300, which did not fit our budget. We already knew that most of our vacation was going to be spent outdoors, so it wasn't as though we would be cooped up somewhere if we didn't go riding.

Once we've made a list of what we would like to do, upgrading a flight normally means cutting at least one (if not more) expensive outings.

2. Fine dining

If you're a foodie, you may be traumatized by this (our grown children certainly are), but I will gladly cancel reservations at a fine dining establishment to afford a flight upgrade. We've had a number of great fine dining experiences throughout the years, but some of our best meals have been in family-owned restaurants or purchased from food truck windows. You just never know what you're going to find.

One of the first things we ask locals when we arrive somewhere new is which out-of-the-way joint they recommend, and it often pays off. There are few things worse than paying hundreds of dollars for a so-so meal. I'd much rather be surprised by how delicious the $20 meal we just consumed was. And if it wasn't delicious, we're only out $20.

Fine dining is definitely something I'm willing to trade for business class.

3. Souvenirs

We have been known to buy souvenirs when they're truly unique, but if we're in a tourist-friendly area, we normally see shop after shop of the same T-shirts, coffee mugs, hats, sunglasses, and other assorted tchotchkes. If I can find the exact same item in another stall or store, it's probably junk. The exception is hand-made art, especially when the artisan is there to explain their process.

I should add that we rarely, if ever, pay for a guided tour. If we really don't know what we're doing -- like hiking up an unfamiliar mountain -- we spring for a guide, but if we want a tour of city architecture, that's what Google is for.

We all have vacation activities that are important to us. When our kids and their spouses visit a new country, the first thing they do is make a list of all the fine dining establishments they want to visit -- and that makes them happy. What makes me happy is not fighting over elbow or leg room on the flight to my destination.