Q: We love to visit Asia and Europe, but hate the sardine-can seats in tourist class. We’re getting too old for that kind of torture. What do we have to pay to get flights that offer at least seats that go back flat so we can sleep during those eight to 12 hours in the air? HLL, Corpus Christi TX

A: The cheapest way is if you have enough frequent flyer points. You may be able to use them to get upgraded from tourist to more snooze-friendly seats.

If you really need comfort, and are willing to spend some of your kids’ inheritance, you’ll have to be willing to put out the extra dough for comfy snooze seats. Sometimes lots of extra dough. For instance, for a recent ticket from New York to London, the economy price was from $850 to $1,140.

Reasonable, if you don’t mind being stuffed shoulder to shoulder for ten hours. If you want more comfy seats, open your wallet. Business class on the same flight was $4,300, and first class with champagne, gourmet meals and semi-private comfy sleeping was $6,700. However, those prices fluctuate, and if you do your homework, you often can get cheaper upgraded seats. Before buying tickets for an overseas flight, check all airlines going to your destination. The cost will depend on day of the week, time of (red eye) flights, special price and package deals, season, airline competition and many other factors.