What is the difference between via economy and escape?

What is the difference between via rail escape and economy?

Escape: Think Ryanair of the rails. Non-refundable. Like marriage in the 17th century. Good luck getting out of it.

Economy: Slightly more forgiving. Partial refund, but they’ll still nibble a chunk of your cash. Like a ravenous squirrel with your trail mix. Exchangeable, with more fees, of course. Because why not?

Economy Plus: The baller class of train travel. Fully refundable. Like a benevolent sugar daddy. Treat yourself, darling. You deserve it.

• Escape: Non-refundable, non-exchangeable. Cheapest, but inflexibility incarnate. For the commitment-phobic, choose wisely.
• Economy: Partially refundable, exchangeable (fees apply). Middle ground. The tofu of train fares.
• Economy Plus: Fully refundable, exchangeable (fees may apply, check fine print!). Flexibility costs, but sometimes peace of mind is worth the pretty penny. My grandma Betty always says, “You get what you pay for.” Wise woman.

Oh, and I forgot. Via Rail, bless their hearts, changes these rules faster than I change my socks. Check their website. Seriously. Don’t come crying to me if you’re stuck with a non-refundable Escape fare to Moose Jaw when you meant to go to Montreal. Just saying. My cousin, bless his heart, did that once.

How is economy seats in VIA Rail?

Cramped. Sufficient legroom, mostly.

Clean. Usually.

Amenities? Power outlets. Spotty Wi-Fi. 2024.

Expect basic travel. Not fancy. Functional. Price reflects this.

• Legroom: Adequate for average height. Expect less if tall. My 6’2″ friend complained.
• Cleanliness: Generally good. Older cars, dirtier. Check reviews before booking.
• Wi-Fi: Inconsistent. Prepare for offline entertainment. My trip in July was a nightmare.
• Power: Outlets available. Don’t rely on them for heavy usage. My laptop battery died.
• Overall: Budget-friendly. But don’t anticipate luxury.

Can you sleep in economy on via rail?

Night. Staring at the ceiling. Train sounds echo in my head. Didn’t sleep well. Economy on Via Rail. Not really sleeping. More like dozing. Body aches. Neck stiff.

The wilderness part, yeah. Saw it flash by. Dark. Remember the swaying. Back and forth. Like a cradle. Except…not comforting. Not a cradle. Just a train seat.

• Limited recline. Barely tilted back. Like they didn’t want you to sleep.
• Purchased a blanket. Five dollars. Thin. Scratchy. Worthless.
• No pillow. Used my backpack. Left a mark on my cheek. Still there.

Woke up every hour. Cold. The lights. People moving. Annoying. Regret taking the train. Should’ve flown. More expensive. But…sleep. Sleep is priceless. Toronto to Montreal. Felt longer. Much longer. Next time…plane. Definitely.

What do you get with Economy Plus on VIA?

VIA Rail Economy Plus: More space. That’s it.

• Extra legroom. Obvious.
• Wider seats. Slightly better.
• Still economy. Don’t kid yourself.

My last trip, 2023, Economy Plus was tolerable. Not luxurious. Adequate. Think of it as paying for slightly less misery.

The difference is marginal. Worth it? Depends on your budget and tolerance for cramped quarters. I found the marginal improvement justified the price. A few extra inches make a difference on a long haul. You get what you pay for. Remember that.

Key takeaway: It’s better than regular economy. Not a first-class experience.

Economy Plus, objectively: Superior to regular economy. Subjectively? Your mileage may vary. I’ve sat in both. I prefer Plus.

Is economy plus better than economy?

Economy Plus: Is it worth the extra cash? Let’s dissect this. It’s essentially a slightly better economy seat, right? More legroom is the main draw. On domestic flights, that’s often the only difference. Think of it this way: a marginal upgrade, not a transformative one. The airline’s marketing often obscures this. They make it sound like a whole different ballgame!

Legroom is king: That extra space can make a world of difference on longer flights. Seriously, the difference between cramped and comfortably seated is massive for taller individuals like myself (I’m 6’2″). For shorter people, it’s less of a factor.

The food situation: It’s usually the same sad, airline meal. Don’t expect gourmet delights in Economy Plus. This is where the marketing hype really falls flat. They might offer a slightly better selection of snacks in some cases, but that’s about it.

My experience? I opted for Economy Plus on a cross-country flight last year (Southwest, I think). The legroom was noticeably better, a genuine benefit for me. That extra comfort was worth the price premium I think. But then again, I value my comfort!

Here’s a summary for clarity:

• Pros of Economy Plus: Improved legroom (significant for taller people), potentially slightly better snack selection.
• Cons of Economy Plus: Often overpriced for what it offers, no significant improvement in food or service.

Consider your flight length and your height. If you’re tall and flying for several hours, the added legroom justifies the cost. If it’s a short flight or you’re of average height, it’s probably not worth it. Simple as that. Remember airlines thrive on clever marketing. Don’t fall for it.

Are economy plus seats worth it?

Legroom, not width. Economy Plus offers more legroom. Pay for comfort if you need it.

• Taller individuals benefit most.

• Width is another matter.

First class for width? Perhaps. Or two seats. Weight restrictions exist, you know.

• Consider business class.

• Or, secure two economy seats. It’s simple math.

I saw Mrs. Henderson struggle last Tuesday. Shoulder room at 30,000 feet. It’s a thing. Space is relative, isn’t it?

• Think before you book.

• Prioritize comfort, or don’t. It’s your money.

My thoughts? Who cares?

Is premium economy good for sleeping?

Premium economy sleep? It’s like comparing a slightly less cramped sardine can to a regular sardine can. Better, sure, but still a sardine can.

Legroom: Think of it as the difference between being able to cross your legs like a dignified yogi and just… barely managing to not kick the guy in front of you.

Recline: Yeah, you might get another inch or two. It’s like winning the lottery… a lottery where the prize is a marginally less painful neck crick. My cousin Dave swore he slept like a baby, but Dave also sleeps like a baby on a pile of rusty nails. So, you know.

Customizable features? Don’t get your hopes up. Think tiny pillows the size of my chihuahua, and a blanket thinner than my patience on a Monday morning. I’m talking a blanket my cat could probably use as a chew toy.

Overall? It’s a gamble. Spend your hard-earned cash on a bigger, more comfy airline seat, or stick with economy and save your money for something slightly less awful, like, I don’t know, a lifetime supply of ibuprofen?

In short: Don’t expect a five-star hotel experience. Expect… something slightly less awful than economy. Unless you’re Dave, then, who knows?

Is it worth upgrading from economy to premium economy?

Ugh, flying. Premium economy? Is it worth it? My last flight, economy was brutal. My knees were practically in my chin. Seriously, felt like a sardine. That tiny space. The food? Don’t even get me started.

So, premium economy. More legroom, that’s a huge plus. I’m 6’2”, so that’s non-negotiable for me. Better food too, right? I’m hoping for actual, edible food, not that airplane mush. My friend, Sarah, said the wine was better in premium economy last year, even on United.

But the price! That’s a killer. I’m on a budget. Should I sacrifice comfort or my bank account? It’s a tough choice.

My thoughts:

• Legroom: Essential for tall people like me. Economy is torture.
• Food: Economy food is appalling.
• Cost: Premium economy is expensive. A significant jump. This is the biggest factor.
• Luggage: Premium economy usually allows for more checked bags. Important if I’m going on a long trip.

Maybe I’ll look for deals. Southwest doesn’t have premium economy but their fares are cheaper, but also, their seats are crammed. This is such a headache. 2024 is going to be a tough year for travel expenses. I really need a better way to decide this. I need to check prices now, comparing different airlines for similar routes.