"One day, I was sipping coffee and stretching my legs in Amtrak's business class. Two days later, I was touching knees with strangers and cleaning red wine off my pants in coach. On a recent trip from New Jersey to Boston, I booked business class on the way there and coach on the way back. The price gap was hard to ignore - $226 vs. $80, a $146 difference for the same five-hour ride on Amtrak's Northeast Regional."
"It felt like a splurge, but I had just paid about that much to upgrade a recent flight from basic economy to economy, so I assumed it was standard for a travel upgrade. Still, I was skeptical. The seats looked the same, with the same tray tables, recline, and similar legroom. But I soon realized that the difference wasn't the furniture; it was the experience. And under the right conditions, business class just might be worth it."
A single trip compared one-way business class versus return coach on Amtrak's Northeast Regional between New Jersey and Boston. Business class offered smoother boarding, more peace, and greater privacy, while coach felt crowded and less comfortable socially despite similar seats and legroom. The business fare cost $226 versus $80 in coach, a $146 premium for the same five-hour ride. The business experience included coffee and space to stretch; coach involved close seating, accidental contact with other passengers, and a spilled drink. The price premium can be justified when comfort, quiet, and boarding ease matter.
Read at Business Insider
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