Grandparents insist on taking my kids’ first class seats

[Anonymous]

Going on a family vacation + cruise later this summer to Greek Isles. Originally booked for myself, DH, and our two kids (16 and 14). We invited my parents a few months ago and they decided to join us. Our family booked 4 first class seats IAD-ATH using FF miles on United (DH is Global Services on United and got a good deal) and my parents ended up booking 2 coach seats in cash many months later (no status). Well, yesterday my parents decided they wouldn’t go on the trip unless they flew first class and that our kids don’t need to fly first class and we should allow them to switch. My dad even offered to give each of my kids $50 to move from first to coach so that they could have lie flat seating transatlantic.

DH is super annoyed. My parents are being real jerks about this and how kids don’t need first class and my dad’s back aches so he totally needs first class. What do I do?

[Anonymous]

Sixteen and fourteen year olds are fine in coach.

I'd definitely put my parents in first class so they are more comfortable.

[Anonymous]

Wow, this is a tough one. I'm usually one who is a "give my parents what the want" camp, but the emotional blackmail of not going if they don't have first class is BS. Also, would they have paid for first if you weren't in it? They just want your miles (which, people know miles aren't free right? They are earned with money).

I'd say, leave your kids to make the choice, but I would say let your kids have them.

[Anonymous]

Wow. You didn't offer them the first class seats at no extra cost to them? You're lucky they're offering your kids $50 each. Your kids don't need to fly first class. Your parents are right. How old are they?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Going on a family vacation + cruise later this summer to Greek Isles. Originally booked for myself, DH, and our two kids (16 and 14). We invited my parents a few months ago and they decided to join us. Our family booked 4 first class seats IAD-ATH using FF miles on United (DH is Global Services on United and got a good deal) and my parents ended up booking 2 coach seats in cash many months later (no status). Well, yesterday my parents decided they wouldn’t go on the trip unless they flew first class and that our kids don’t need to fly first class and we should allow them to switch. My dad even offered to give each of my kids $50 to move from first to coach so that they could have lie flat seating transatlantic.

DH is super annoyed. My parents are being real jerks about this and how kids don’t need first class and my dad’s back aches so he totally needs first class. What do I do?

The grandparents are correct, the kids should give them the first class seats.

[Anonymous]

If there is a true medical need then I would give it to them. If it a just a preference I would likely still give it to them but I would remember it when considering inviting them again.

[Anonymous]

Tell your ingrate kids that they’re giving their seats to their grandparents. Full stop.

[Anonymous]

Agree that you should be giving the first class seats to your parents, but it also rude for them to demand it.

[Anonymous]

Your parents are selfish entitled jerks. Normally I'd offer to trade the seats, but the way they're going about it makes me never want to vacation with them again.

Honestly I'd call their bluff and say so be it.

[Anonymous]

Kids go in coach, but your cheapskate dad should up the offer to $100/kid. Reminds me of Clark Griswald’s cheap father in NLCV.

[Anonymous]

Zoomers need to give the Boomers their seats.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Your parents are selfish entitled jerks. Normally I'd offer to trade the seats, but the way they're going about it makes me never want to vacation with them again.

Honestly I'd call their bluff and say so be it.

Agree

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Tell your ingrate kids that they’re giving their seats to their grandparents. Full stop.

You might want to look into hiring a reading tutor to help with your obvious difficulties with comprehension. Good luck to you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Agree that you should be giving the first class seats to your parents, but it also rude for them to demand it.

+ 1000

This would be the last trip I invite them on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your parents are selfish entitled jerks. Normally I'd offer to trade the seats, but the way they're going about it makes me never want to vacation with them again.

Honestly I'd call their bluff and say so be it.

Agree

+1