Buying a First Class Seat Changed My Perspective on Money

I always thought this purchase was a waste of money.

Photo by JMarc Sire

For years, I believed buying a first-class ticket was one of the most pointless ways to spend money. Why pay thousands of dollars for a seat that gets you to the exact same place, at the exact same time, as an economy ticket?

I told myself that if I ever had an extra $2,000 or even $10,000, I’d rather put it toward a better vacation, maybe luxury hotels, fine dining, or more experiences rather than waste it on a few hours of extra legroom or a seat that reclines.

That belief lasted until the day I unexpectedly found myself sitting in first class.

It happened by chance. The airline had extra first-class seats available, and for just $200, I was offered an upgrade. It seemed like an easy yes. I wasn’t expecting much (maybe a bit more space and a better meal), but what I experienced completely changed the way I think about money.

The rich think about money differently.

Many people see money as something to save and protect, especially when they don’t have much and are trying to grow their wealth.

For me, someone who comes from a middle-class background and has grown over the years, money is precious because it has helped me get out of a somewhat lesser living condition to be someone more flexible.

However, for wealthy people, money is simply a tool to enhance their lives. There comes a point where you have so much money that you would never sacrifice your comfort, even if it means paying more. They are not thinking about the final cost; they think about what their time is worth.

Another thing I didn’t understand until I had the experience of being in first class is that it’s not about luxury; it’s about making the experience as comfortable and stress-free as possible.

I hate traveling because of everything that it entails to get to my destination. For me, it is extremely tedious to have to go through thousands of checkpoints, wait in a desperate line, sit for hours in one place without moving much, and if you get the window seat, try not to stand up too much so as not to bother the person…