Grandparents insist on taking my kids’ first class seats

[Anonymous]

Americans are so weird.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My Dh and I are also United global services so can usually get upgrades. We are in the same boat in that our boys don’t care and our girls are way too used to business. That said, United has gotten pretty strict about switching seats. They don’t allow you to switch cabins after boarding. I also think you may have an issue at the gate given they check your passport and boarding pass. I don’t think at this point you can just call and switch names.
I would have given an upgrade to my parents if available but getting 6 in business for summer to Europe is tough. People don’t understand that there are limited upgrades available per flight. They also take a ton of miles. I just upgraded us on a flight this summer and it was 100,000 miles/seat one way and 80,000 the other. That’s a crazy amount of needed travel to earn that many points.

I’d rather not fly than fly United.

Never been an issue. You just tell them I want my parents to sit here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

Why in the world is it rude to book kids in business? We’re global services so almost always upgrade. I’ve never seen badly behaved kids in business but I could go on and on with stories about drunken adults, one vomited on me, one was caught going through my bag when I was in the bathroom, etc. Another time someone had a cat that pooped everywhere in its bag and then got out, dragging cat poop all over the cabin.

All the more reason for OP and DH to be in coach. Why would you want to be around degenerates?

[Anonymous]

I’m guessing the flight crew isn’t going to let this happen.

[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.

Plus your family shouldn't have to be separated on a family vacation they are trading along on. With kids separated you won't be able to relax as easily either. I wouldn't be able to sleep nor being able to keep an eye on them. This will impact you too not just the kids. Call their bluff!

Seriously? The “kids” are 14 and 16.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

They are teens. Totally ridiculous statement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As usual OP buried the lede. The real issue is that her dad is a jerk so she shouldn’t have invited them at all. But otherwise one should absolutely give the first class seats to the elderly. And it’s not emotional blackmail to say we’ve reconsidered and we just don’t think we should go on a flight that long without lay down seats. That’s actually pretty dangerous for the elderly because of the blood clot issue. I’m 50 (with kids younger than OP!). and it’s starting to make me nervous

Complete and utter BS. You do realize elderly people fly coach ALL THE TIME and live to tell about it.

If it was that important to them they need to pay up for their own seats.

Totally agree, but as a pulmonary embolism survivor, I wanted to add that the key to avoiding blood clots for people of every age is to get up and walk around on any trip, via plane, car or other of extended duration.

[Anonymous]

If it was that important to him, why didn't he book first class tickets?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My Dh and I are also United global services so can usually get upgrades. We are in the same boat in that our boys don’t care and our girls are way too used to business. That said, United has gotten pretty strict about switching seats. They don’t allow you to switch cabins after boarding. I also think you may have an issue at the gate given they check your passport and boarding pass. I don’t think at this point you can just call and switch names.
I would have given an upgrade to my parents if available but getting 6 in business for summer to Europe is tough. People don’t understand that there are limited upgrades available per flight. They also take a ton of miles. I just upgraded us on a flight this summer and it was 100,000 miles/seat one way and 80,000 the other. That’s a crazy amount of needed travel to earn that many points.

This!!! The idea of getting all these business tickets for one family on a summer trip to Europe is insane.

[Anonymous]

They should have planned ahead. Isn’t that what we said to parents of young children who ask to switch seats…..

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s economy, not cargo. The grandparents will survive. If they truly *needed* business class, they would have paid for it. They’re freeloaders. And I bet they are not 85.

Right? It's not that the OP is dining first class on the titanic and sending her parents to steerage. And come ON people, it's what - a 6 hour flight?

9 hours in the air to Athens. 10 on the return. Remember you have to fly all the way across Europe- it's quite a bit further than anywhere in western Europe.

We never go direct - always through AMS or Heathrow.

Again, I think OP and DH should give their seats - if anyone does. But, I don't think I would

Is this meant to be a flex? Because it’s not, quite the opposite.

No, it was meant to convey that we have not flown direct. Then another poster explained there is now a direct flight, which is good news for folks who like to visit Greece.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My Dh and I are also United global services so can usually get upgrades. We are in the same boat in that our boys don’t care and our girls are way too used to business. That said, United has gotten pretty strict about switching seats. They don’t allow you to switch cabins after boarding. I also think you may have an issue at the gate given they check your passport and boarding pass. I don’t think at this point you can just call and switch names.
I would have given an upgrade to my parents if available but getting 6 in business for summer to Europe is tough. People don’t understand that there are limited upgrades available per flight. They also take a ton of miles. I just upgraded us on a flight this summer and it was 100,000 miles/seat one way and 80,000 the other. That’s a crazy amount of needed travel to earn that many points.

I’d rather not fly than fly United.

Pretty foolish rule if you live in the DC area. There are a good number of destinations which are only served nonstop by United because of their hub at Dulles. No airline is good enough to justify having to connect and add significant time and risk (unless savings s good amount of money). And United is upgrading their fleet significantly. Internationally they have very competitive seats in business and premium economy, and a pretty good economy product overall, with in seat power, screens at every seat, and average legroom.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m guessing the flight crew isn’t going to let this happen.

The flight crew doesn’t care if people agree to switch seats! Don’t be ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Americans are so weird.

+1

[Anonymous]

The grandparents should have discussed this switcheroo idea with OP before booking coach tickets. That they already bought their coach seats then decided to press for a switchup for business class seats with OP is manipulative - they are preying on guilt and obligation.
I guess I'd give them the seat and promise my family that I'd never ever invite them on a trip again.