Travelling First Class

When is a first class ticket not a first class ticket? Apparently, when it’s bought using points. It doesn’t matter if it’s American Express points, Aeroplan points or any other. There seems to be a systematic discrimination against customers who redeem points. A case in point is the EuroStar – the high speed train between London and Paris. I purchased a first class return ticket on this train expecting to have a wonderful experience. I’ve travelled on trains in Europe many times and they’ve always been very interesting trips. One gets to see the scenery and have a comfortable and roomy seat. It’s a much more civilised way to travel than by airplane.

When we arrived at the departure lounge in London, we tried to enter the first class lounge using our “first class” tickets as proof of eligibility but were told that they were the “wrong kind of first class tickets”. “What!” I said in stunned amazement. Imagine that - a first class ticket that isn’t! But that was only the beginning. Upon boarding the “first class” coach on the train, we found that we were stuck in the last seat of the cabin. There was insufficient luggage space since some thoughtful American who had brought about 8 large pieces with her had taken most of the space just before we got there. She also talked loudly on her mobile all the way through France which was also very annoying.

Despite all that, I was still looking forward to an enjoyable trip. To my amazement, though, the seats were as bad as airline seats. They were close together, had insufficient legroom. The aisles were narrow and not conducive to stretching the legs. The food was no better than airline food. There wasn’t a dining car. And worst of all, I didn’t see anything the entire time we were travelling through France. There were whacking great banks on either side of the train that blocked out the view. While it was definitely more convenient than taking a plane, the whole experience left me wondering why I had bothered to travel first class. It just wasn’t worth it.

I mentioned that we had been seated in the very back of the coach in the train. Normally, this wouldn’t bother me except that it seems to be a pattern when one books using points. I’ve made seven trips in “Executive” class on Air Canada in the last few years using points and on every single occasion they’ve put me at the back of the section. This has got to be more than coincidence. Including the EuroStar seats, that’s nine straight times I’ve been at the back of the cabin. It has to be a systemic discrimination.

Of the seven Air Canada trips, only three were worth the extra cost. The other four were no better than travelling economy. The seats wouldn’t move back more than a few inches, they were covered in the same material as the economy seats, there wasn’t a great deal more legroom and one could certainly not lie back, stretch out and get some rest. I’m talking flights of 4 ½ hour here – not short haul. In fact, one of the short haul flights I was on, between Toronto and Ottawa, had the best executive class seating I’ve ever had! Now why do you suppose that is? Could it have anything to do with politicians using the flight? Edmonton doesn’t rate good executive class seating, apparently.

All in all, travelling first class has not been worth the price I've paid for it and the apparent discrimination against those using points, disgusts me.