Grandparents insist on taking my kids’ first class seats

[Anonymous]

My husband travels a lot and is separated from us for weeks at a time. His miles are hard earned and this would piss him off too. He probably would give my parents the seats but leave my kids in 1st class and he and I would sit in coach. Then he would complain the whole trip and never invite them again.

I'm on team husband.

[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.

Also agree. The emotional blackmail makes the trade a definite no, even if you would have otherwise give them the seats.

[Anonymous]

op, are you paying for their hotel or anything else?

[Anonymous]

If they are in their 70s and 80s, I would let them have first class seats. Maybe I wouldn’t be happy about it or their behavior but...they do have worse joints and they probably have to get up to go to the bathroom more.
But discuss amongst the 4 of you. Is anyone willing to give up their seat? Could be OP, DH, teen 1, teen 2, combinations of these.

Whoever has the greatest need for first class, let them have it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

Yeah. My mom assumes that because DH travels for business all the time and has enough FF miles to travel to the moon and back that first class are a snap for us to acquire at minimal cost. At the same time, my older son is really ok giving up his first class seat to a grandparent. Having this be an extended family trip is really worthwhile. My younger daughter…well…clearly she has been spoiled by DH as Daddy’s little girl and is not so wanting to fly anything but first class. I kinda want her to fly to Athens in coach just to remind her of what normal is for most people.

[Anonymous]

you should have bought their tickets too.

[Anonymous]

What's the plan to switch seats? Will the airline switch the names on the seats or do you just plan on everyone not sitting in their assigned seat during boarding?

[Anonymous]

Look, the bottom line is that as soon as the parents said they wanted to come along you should have said “great! We have first class seats for the kids. Just buy the cheapest seats you can on our flight and the kids can sit there and you can take their seats.” Why didn’t that occur to you? What’s wrong with you?

[Anonymous]

Wow. You are teaching your kids to be spoiled brats. Old people need first class more than kids or teenagers do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

Yeah. My mom assumes that because DH travels for business all the time and has enough FF miles to travel to the moon and back that first class are a snap for us to acquire at minimal cost. At the same time, my older son is really ok giving up his first class seat to a grandparent. Having this be an extended family trip is really worthwhile. My younger daughter…well…clearly she has been spoiled by DH as Daddy’s little girl and is not so wanting to fly anything but first class. I kinda want her to fly to Athens in coach just to remind her of what normal is for most people.

This is where you sound more like a troll than an actual parent dealing with this.

[Anonymous]

The lesson here is an easy one - do not go on trips with extended family. Ever.

[Anonymous]

Were your parents willing to pay for first class tickets and only coach was available, or were they only willing to pay for coach and they found out afterwards that your kids were flying first class? If it’s the former, let them offer your kids market value for the seats and your kids can decide whether or not to take it. If it’s the latter, then they’re sleazy. Your DH doesn’t owe them the fruits of his labor. Traveling for business isn’t easy and he earned those frequent flyer miles.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My husband travels a lot and is separated from us for weeks at a time. His miles are hard earned and this would piss him off too. He probably would give my parents the seats but leave my kids in 1st class and he and I would sit in coach. Then he would complain the whole trip and never invite them again.

I'm on team husband.

Sounds like you have a great family life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

Yeah. My mom assumes that because DH travels for business all the time and has enough FF miles to travel to the moon and back that first class are a snap for us to acquire at minimal cost. At the same time, my older son is really ok giving up his first class seat to a grandparent. Having this be an extended family trip is really worthwhile. My younger daughter…well…clearly she has been spoiled by DH as Daddy’s little girl and is not so wanting to fly anything but first class. I kinda want her to fly to Athens in coach just to remind her of what normal is for most people.

I changed my mind; you should let your parents have the first-class tickets. I can't believe your daughter won't fly anything but coach. This spoiled attitude trumps your parents' bad behavior. I say this as someone who routinely flies first with my family.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
op, are you paying for their hotel or anything else?

Yes. We are paying for all pre- and post-cruise hotel nights for everyone in Athens. DH is covering everything with free night certificates and hotel points. Airfare is trickier b/c United seems super stingy with upgrades and FF mile options to IAD-ATH, especially since we had already “purchased” 4 seats round trip.