Getting Premium Economy seats for an Oversees Flight in August 2020

[IngaB]

Husband and I always fly Economy Basic (lowest class) when we travel. This means no seat selection, pay for checked-in bags, no trip cancellation, no changes etc. We also pay for part of the trip using credit card travel points.

This time around, it will be different.

We are flying from Toronto, Canada to Riga, Latvia in August and our 3-year old child is traveling with us. The whole trip will be about 12-14 hours with 1 stop somewhere in Europe, depending on the airline used.

So, for the sake of convenience, flexibility, seat selection and extra space - we are considering flying Premium Economy.

I have a couple of questions for fellow Mustashians:

1. How is it like to fly Premium Economy from North America to Europe?

2. Is the extra cost worth it?

3. How do I get Premium Economy tickets at the lowest additional cost? (right now, based on Expedia search, the difference between Economy and Premium Economy is $500-$800 per person, which is a bit too costly for me). Would it be cheaper if I book economy now and upgrade to Premium Economy at check-in on the day of the trip? Are there any other good strategies?

4. Do you have any overall tips for travelling with a 3-year old over a 12-14 flight time?

Thank you for your advice.

IngaB

[RetiredAt63]

I flew Premium Economy (Air Canada) to Auckland from Ottawa.  The seats are a bit larger, there is a bit more leg room, and the food is better.   Oh, and the toilets are closer - might be handy with a 3 year old!  Check the days - the days I booked the Premium Economy was less expensive than other days' Economy. 

A friend flies Economy, but chooses one of the seats that are only 2 seats in a row at the very back.  They also tend to have a bit more room.

[RFAAOATB]

If your kid is the type to behave better with one parent than with both parents, buy two premium or business seats for the kid and one parent  and one Economy seat for the other parent.  Trade off as needed.  Sometimes I was lucky and my daughter would sleep most of the flight, other times I have to get her movies working.  If you don’t trust the usefulness of on flight entertainment, preload your kid’s tablet as much as possible.  Ensure you have USB power at your seat or bring extra power packs as needed.

[IngaB]

Thank you, RetiredAt63 and RFAAOATB for your advice.

[Prairie Gal]

I flew from Calgary to Paris last year (9 hours each way) in Premium Economy, and it is definitely worth it, imho. You can't always get an upgrade at 24 hour check in, depends if there are seats available. WestJet has a new thing where you can place an upgrade "bid" when you buy your ticket. Not sure how successful it is, or if other airlines do this.

I use Google Flights to research flights. You can click on a "Date grid" or "Price graph" to see the prices on different days. Sometimes just altering your plans by a day or two can make a big difference. You can also choose Premium Economy to see those prices.

Also, price out two one way tickets as opposed to a return ticket. Occasionally it is cheaper.

[reeshau]

I have been flying Premium Economy with United between Dublin and Newark since they started service with it (on a Dreamliner) last summer.  It's worth it to me, hands down--But I am 6'8".  Economy Comfort for me was probably like economy for most people.  Exit row was OK, at least my knees weren't crushed Eastbound (the overnight leg) but the seat cushions sucked.  (more than normal)  Business is mostly a waste for me, as I am too big to "lie flat," so those bed pods are just narrow seats, but with no neighbors and the bathrooms probably available.

You can definitely get cheaper premium seats, but you will have to shop around.  And probably economy seats are just as much cheaper on that flight, too--so there will always be a difference on any given flight.
 They are cheaper to buy as upgrades when yuou check in, but now the complimentary upgrades for elite flyers are into premium economy instead of business, so going that route you have to think mid-week, when there will be fewer business travellers.

[Bendigirl]

I think it’s worth it.
Early boarding, better food, bathrooms tend to be provided specifically for you section, more room, more recline....
After working and saving and now retired, we spend more for air travel, comfort is key for us. 
Check prices daily, they change! 
Book as far ahead as possible, gone are the days of last minute sell offs.
Later upgrading and the bidding system are expensive.
Now we book any flight over 7 hours business class if we can. 

[Villanelle]

Go instead for economy comfort.  Generally much, much cheaper than $500.  Get a bulkhead row for your family (assuming the plan is configured as a 3/3.)  Downside is that all bags, even the small personal items, must go in overhead bins for take off (but the flight attendants will make sure there is space for them) because there is no seat in front of you under which to stow them.  And tray tables are in the arm rests, which makes the seats every so slightly tighter, which could be an issue of any of you is very large.  But you will have more leg room, and no one reclining into your area.  You also get seat assignments at purchase (you choose your seats) and generally somewhat earlier boarding (though with a young child you can likely pre-board anyway).