Summary of the Key Points
This article uses the author's personal experience as a thread to recount an “unprofitable” upgrade experience, while also sharing the author's travel choices, consumption philosophy, and the service characteristics of smaller airlines. The main theme is to highlight the charging strategies of smaller airlines through the sense of disappointment associated with the upgrade, as well as the author's pragmatic attitude towards consumption—instead of pursuing a superficial sense of “class,” the author values the actual quality of service and personal needs.
I. The “Pseudo-Advantages” of Upgrades: A Consumption Trap That Seems Profitable
The author had to pay an extra 240 yuan for excess baggage and was advised by the staff to upgrade (for 340 yuan, which became 328 yuan after a discount). It seemed like for an additional 88 yuan, they could get a “Super Economy” seat. However, the so-called “Super Economy” seat was just a few rows further forward (from 38K to 32K). This seat did not come with a free dinner, and there was no substantial difference from a regular Economy seat.
This practice is actually a revenue-generating tactic by smaller airlines: they make you feel like you are getting a privilege for a small fee, but the actual service does not improve. Essentially, the baggage fee is just converted into a higher “seat fee.” For passengers, it seems like they are choosing a “higher-level” service, but in reality, they are just paying more for a psychological sense of superiority—after all, 328 yuan is nearly 40% more expensive than 240 yuan, yet they do not receive the corresponding value.
II. The Survival Logic of Smaller Airlines: Cost Control Behind Their “Frugal” Services
The author mentions smaller airlines like Spring Airlines and Jiu Yuan, which “do not even provide water and keep selling snacks and souvenirs.” This is not just being “stingy”; it is a survival strategy. Larger airlines (such as China Airlines and East China Airlines) have sufficient passenger traffic and funds to offer free meals and baggage allowances to maintain their brand image. However, smaller airlines, with their smaller scale, fewer routes, and lower profits, have to cut costs by eliminating free services and adding extra fees. For example, not providing free water saves on procurement and delivery costs, and selling snacks and souvenirs generates additional revenue. Flight attendants also constantly promote products to meet their performance targets, as these “minor” earnings are crucial for their income.
III. A Pragmatic Consumption Philosophy: Not Being Held Captive by a Sense of “Class”
The author’s consumption choices are very practical:
- Preferring High-Speed Rail: 80% of their trips are by high-speed rail because they can work on the train (the signal is poor on planes, making it impossible to work), and most of their business is in the north, where high-speed rail is more convenient.
- Seat Selection: 95% of the time, they take the second-class seat on high-speed rail; they only take first-class or business class when there are no tickets available or when family members buy them, as there is no real difference in comfort for working.
- Accommodation: They have stayed in everything from cheap hotels to luxury hotels and find there is “no substantial difference”—as long as they can rest, it works for them.
The core of this philosophy is to prioritize needs: not spending extra money on “face” or “class labels,” but only on services that are truly necessary. For most people, this is a rational approach to consumption. For example, when flying, if the purpose is just to get to the destination, a regular Economy seat is sufficient; there is no need to pay extra for a “front-row” seat or superficial privileges.
IV. The Economic Comparison Between High-Speed Rail and Air Travel
The author uses a 8:2 ratio for high-speed rail to air travel to illustrate the cost-effectiveness of each mode:
- Advantages of High-Speed Rail: High punctuality (rare delays), the ability to work on the train (stable signal), and wide coverage, especially in northern cities.
- Disadvantages of Air Travel: Long waiting times, frequent delays, and the inability to work efficiently during the flight (unless a premium seat is purchased, which is more expensive).
For people who need to work frequently, the efficiency of time on high-speed rail is much higher. Even if high-speed rail is a bit slower, the time saved on the journey can be used for work, effectively “making up for the cost.”
V. The Lesson of “Irrational” Consumption: Small Mistakes Can Add Up to Costs
The author mentions an incident where they spent 227 yuan on a taxi because they went to the wrong airport, which is a typical example of irrational spending—not due to a real need, but due to carelessness. Although the amount is not large, it highlights that small mistakes in consumption can add up to extra costs. For example, not checking the airport correctly when booking a flight (Tianfu vs. Shuangliu) or miscalculating travel times leading to a missed flight can result in extra expenses.
For most people, avoiding such costs requires being more careful when making decisions, such as confirming the airport and double-checking the travel itinerary before departure. These extra steps may seem troublesome, but they can save unnecessary expenses.
Conclusion
Although this article is based on personal experience, it reveals many economic principles: the charging strategies of smaller airlines, the need for careful “value judgments” in consumption, and the cost-effective choices between different modes of transportation. The core message is to distinguish between “needs” and “wants” when consuming, and not to pay for superficial privileges or class labels. Instead, focus on the actual value of services, as money should be spent where it will have the greatest impact.