An Amusing Story

This guy was intimidated flying first class. I guess I didn’t know what to expect the first time I flew up front, either. But you get used to it very quickly.

Once upon a time I used to walk back through the first class cabin to get to coach and I couldn’t imagine that I’d fly up front. I also didn’t understand how anyone could pay the prices the First Class commanded. I didn’t know that it was possible to use frequent flyer miles to get up there. I didn’t know about upgrade coupons. I didn’t even know that there were frequent flyer awards for first class. Mileage earning meant saving up 25,000 points for a domestic ticket, right?

Now I’ve learned the error of my ways and I pretty much always fly up front. And I share some of the things I’ve learned with others on this website. But I still remember that first shrimp dish placed in front of me. And the free drinks. And not wanting to get off that jumbo jet and give up my incredible lumbar support. And I’m afraid to fly coach.

About Gary Leff

Gary Leff is one of the foremost experts in the field of miles, points, and frequent business travel - a topic he has covered since 2002. Co-founder of frequent flyer community InsideFlyer.com, emcee of the Freddie Awards, and named one of the "World's Top Travel Experts" by Conde' Nast Traveler (2010-Present) Gary has been a guest on most major news media, profiled in several top print publications, and published broadly on the topic of consumer loyalty. More About Gary »

More articles by Gary Leff »