Grandparents insist on taking my kids’ first class seats

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Who in their right mind invites their parents on a trip?

+1

OP said "A few months ago they decided to join us." I don't know, maybe they really just did decide to tag along. If that's the case it almost sounds like a shakedown?

[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?

Your parents are overgrown spoiled brats. Go on the trip with your kids and have fun.

[Anonymous]

In matters between in-laws and spouse I always choose spouse unless there is some kind of clear right or wrong in the matter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Wrong.

[Anonymous]

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

You are impressively wrong.

[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.

This.

[Anonymous]

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

Oh, please. No one “needs” first class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Tell your parents to upgrade their tickets to premium economy, and then the kids can sit in those. Those seats may not lie flat, but they’re bigger and more comfortable than regular economy.

This. And they need to cover any fees to have the tickets switched into their name, for all involved tickets.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kids would have offered to give up their seats on their own.

Things people say who have never been in the position.

Well, I was in a similar position, but no kids. DH and I gave up our seats.

Not the same at all. I'd give up my seats for my parents. I would not give up my kids seats.

Then that’s why OP and DH should do. Kids and grandparents in first class, DH and OP in coach.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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

No, the lesson is don’t raise your kids to be ingrates.

You can keep repeating this, but it won’t make you any less wrong. The ingrates here are the entitled, childish, spoiled brat parents.

[Anonymous]

I hope this is one of the busiest threads and Jeff decides to do a recap of it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Who in their right mind invites their parents on a trip?

+1

OP said "A few months ago they decided to join us." I don't know, maybe they really just did decide to tag along. If that's the case it almost sounds like a shakedown?

OP said “ We invited my parents a few months ago and they decided to join us.”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Who in their right mind invites their parents on a trip?

+1

OP said "A few months ago they decided to join us." I don't know, maybe they really just did decide to tag along. If that's the case it almost sounds like a shakedown?

OP said “ We invited my parents a few months ago and they decided to join us.”

Oops sorry.

[Anonymous]

My parents would never ask. I’m sorry they put you and the kids on the spot like this.

[Anonymous]

My kids would have offered the seats without being asked.

But I also think it is rude to book kids in business class in the first place.