What We’re Reading: Are Upgrades Really Worth It?

Here are the stories that distracted us from the important things on our to-do lists this week. Get the scoop on expensive sandwiches, a garish B&B, the value of an upgrade, and more.

Is This the Most Embarrassing B&B in Britain?

If the point of your trip to London is to delight in corgies wearing Union Jack-scarves and other banal British stereotypes, consider a stay at Her Majesty’s Sleepover, a B&B that features more than 10,000 pieces of royal memorabilia and, of course, a resident corgi. The Daily Mail reports that monarchy-obsessed London resident Margaret Tyler has opened up her home, which is filled with a horrifying collection of royal tchotchkes, to guests. Expect to sleep on a giant British flag, bump into life-size William and Kate mannequins, and draw the contempt of any locals who find out where you are staying.

The True Costs of a Round-the-World Trip

SmarterTravel contributing editor Ed Perkins is currently in the throes of a round-the-world trip. (Read about his adventures here.) So naturally, we’ve been dreaming about taking our own global getaway. But what about the costs? BootsnAll recently published a helpful guide to round-the-world-trip expenses. Depending on your point of view, such an endeavor could be surprisingly cheaper than you had expected—or the opposite. Either way, you’ll get a better idea of whether or not your wallet can handle a multi-national sojourn.

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The World’s Most Expensive Sandwich

Hotels.com just released an infographic that depicts the world’s most expensive club sandwiches, reports The Huffington Post. The most costly club can be bought in the City of Light for about $33. Suddenly, grabbing lunch at a McDonalds in Paris doesn’t feel so tacky.  

Is Business Class Worth It?

Seth Kugel, The New York Times‘ Frugal Traveler, isn’t the first person you’d expect to see in business class. But Kugel was offered an upgrade on an American flight from Los Angeles to New York, so the normally frills-free flyer had the chance to experience business class for the first time. Kugel describes warm cookies, Champagne, and endless legroom, but, in the end, he’s not certain the experience would have been worth the extra $1,400 (the difference between a regular ticket and a business-class one) if he had needed to pay for his upgraded seat. And Kugel doesn’t say whether he thinks a business-class upgrade bought with miles is a better option than a free flight.

What’s your opinion: Would you rather trade your miles for a free flight or an upgrade?