The Dark Side of First Class – chasing first class may not be worth It

Is the allure of First Class blinding points and miles enthusiasts to the reality of its diminishing value? With shrinking award availability, frequent flyer program devaluations, and Business Class offering nearly the same experience, the value proposition of first class is more difficult to justify than ever. In this article, we’ll uncover the hidden downsides of flying first class and why it may no longer be worth the hype.  Welcome to the dark side of first class.

If you’re a points and miles enthusiast, think back to what first drew you into the hobby.  For many of you, I bet it wasn’t just about flying in comfort—it was about experiencing the exclusive luxuries of first class: gourmet dining, premium champagne, personalized service, and unparalleled space.  Industry-leading first-class products on Emirates, Etihad Airways, and Singapore Airlines have long been the pinnacle of aspirational redemptions, tempting travellers to burn their hard-earned points for a taste of the high life.

Emirates First Gamechanger, Cathay First Class, Singapore Airlines Suites, Emirates A380 First, Qatar First Class

With such luxurious-looking first-class seats, what could be bad about flying in them? On the surface, there is nothing sinister about them. Right?  Let’s go ahead and explore further.

Dark Side of First Class – Business Class is Almost As Good

Most travellers aim to get from point A to point B comfortably—with lie-flat beds, quality meals, lounge access, and priority services on the ground. Recognizing this, airlines have been heavily investing in Business Class, refining the experience to a level that rivals what first class offered a decade ago. Today, seats with doors, complimentary pyjamas, and on-demand dining are no longer exclusive to first class. Leading airline products like Qatar Airways Qsuites, Japan Airlines A350 Business Class, and ANA’s The Room have set a new standard, proving that business class can deliver luxury without the first class price tag.

Qatar Airways Qsuites and ANA The Room, source: qatarairways.com and ana.co.jp

I’ll ask a question: Would you pay double the price for first class when a business class can be just as good? Or would you go to the dark side with the mindset, “Just take my money and points! I will only sit in first class!”

Dark Side of First Class – The Psychological Effect

Constantly flying in first class can have negative psychological effects on the human mind and bring it over to the dark side. It can promote a sense of entitlement and decrease feelings of gratitude. Individuals with such large egos may even look down on economy-class passengers, using derogatory terms that create a psychological divide. Over time, this mindset can lower one’s tolerance for discomfort, not only during travel but also in everyday life.

Lineups at airports that first-class passengers avoid

For any seasoned first-class reader, has the excitement diminished over time? It has for me. This is known as hedonic adaptation, when what once felt luxurious starts feeling normal.  I’ve definitely experienced this, as my thrill of flying first class has dramatically diminished. To mitigate this, I’ve decided to have larger gaps between my first class flight.

Lufthansa First Class

Then there is FOMO (Fear of Missing Out), a very real phenomenon for those in the points and miles hobby. It can drive irrational decision-making and pull you into the dark side of first-class travel; it still happens to me today.  I mitigate this when booking flights by ensuring they are fully flexible so they can be cancelled anytime without penalty. After all, I do embrace the “book first, think later” philosophy.

Dark Side of First Class – Opportunity Cost

Let’s face it: Flying first class isn’t cheap; it costs more points and money. Instead of spending 200,000 points on a one-way first-class flight, you could book two round-trip business-class or multiple economy-class tickets. If your aim is to maximize the number of trips, spending a fortune on first class may not be ideal, especially when you analyze the poor points-to-value ratio.

High First Class Pricing

Business Class Flight Cost

Then there is the financial cost. Airlines like Emirates charge over USD 1400/passenger in taxes on some routes. Would this money not be better spent on experiences on the ground during your travels or perhaps put towards a loan or investment? Are your financial priorities in order?

Mortgage Payment or First Class? A person trying to make a decision whether to go to the dark side or not, source: AI generated

Finally, there’s the opportunity cost of time. Many first-class flights depart only from major global hubs like London, New York, and Tokyo, often requiring extra travel to get there. You might pass up a direct flight in favour of positioning to hub to fly first class. This adds both time and money to the trip. Let us also not forget that some folks may have to take an extra day off work.  A prime example is flying from Toronto to New York-JFK to catch JAL First Class to Tokyo rather than taking a direct Air Canada Business Class flight from Toronto to Tokyo. Is JAL First Class that much better? Okay, that was a rhetorical question.

Dark Side of First Class – Social Media, Limited Availability & Devaluations

In the social media-driven world of 2025, our feeds are overflowing with influencers flaunting their first-class flights, boasting about how little they paid and how incredible the experience was. This constant exposure inflates expectations, making First Class seem like the pinnacle of luxury. But when you finally experience it yourself, you might find it underwhelming—not because it’s bad, but because social media has set the bar impossibly high.

Then there’s the reality of pricing and availability. While influencers highlight jaw-droppingly low redemption rates, actually securing a First Class award seat at that price is far from easy. Airlines release limited seats at unpredictable times, making availability extremely scarce. To snag one, you often need maximum flexibility, which means planning your entire trip around the flight itself rather than the destination—a trade-off that might not always be worth it.

Air France La Premiere First Class

Newcomers to the points and miles hobby often work hard to accumulate enough points for their dream first-class award, only to face two harsh realities: no availability and devaluation. Airlines frequently adjust their loyalty programs, reducing the value of points and making redemptions more expensive. Devaluation is real, and it happens regularly.

Dark Side of First Class – Health Risks

Flying first class may seem like the pinnacle of comfort, but it still comes with certain health risks from overindulgence in rich foods and alcohol. First-class dining is designed to be indulgent, offering multi-course meals, champagnes, and fine wines. Excessive consumption of rich, high-sodium foods and alcohol can lead to dehydration, bloating, and increased heart rate. Stack this with the lack of sleep and lower atmospheric pressure; you could have the perfect recipe for disaster at 35,000 feet, making you feel unwell.

A traveller who feels ill after over indulging in drinks and food on first class, source: AI generated

It’s very easy to overlook these health risks because, after all, where else would you get to drink a bottle of Dom Perignon Rose (~ USD 470) or Salon champagne (~ USD 1300) for free?  Let’s also not forget the ~ USD 1500 of Hennessey Paradis that Emirates offers.

Rich, sweet, and sodium-laden dishes that can leave you feeling unwell at 35,000 feet.

And, lets not forget caviar, a luxury appetizer in first-class cabins, with Emirates offering unlimited servings. This high-cholesterol dish is not particularly healthy and can further exacerbate symptoms of dehydration and bloating.

Emirates First Class Unlimited Caviar offering

Lastly, first class encourages a more sedentary lifestyle due to the convenience of chauffeur services, VIP lounges, and minimal walking. Over time, the reduced physical activity, combined with high-calorie meals, can pose health risks, potentially leading to weight gain and metabolic issues.

When First Class Might Be Worth It

I have hopefully presented a compelling case to avoid first class. However, there still may be situations where it would be worth flying flying class:

Following these rules, I was still able to incorporate the following on the docket for 2025: Emirates First (twice), Singapore Suites and First, Eithad Apartment, JAL A350 First, Air France La Premiere, and the new Lufthansa A350 First Class.

Lufthansa First Class (A350), source: lufthansa.com

Summary

JAL’s Private First Class Check-In, Haneda Airport