Tips on Getting in to First Class

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When you talk about first class, do you really mean first or do you mean business?

If your husband really gets paid to fly first, why not just fork out the money to buy two business seats, then negotiate with his company to pay the difference (compared to a first class ticket). Jesus...

No kidding. This is so obvious I couldn't bring myself to respond.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When you talk about first class, do you really mean first or do you mean business?

If your husband really gets paid to fly first, why not just fork out the money to buy two business seats, then negotiate with his company to pay the difference (compared to a first class ticket). Jesus...

No kidding. This is so obvious I couldn't bring myself to respond.

Yeah, domestic on United is usually only "business/first". It is bigger seats and better service, but not worth using point for IMO.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When you talk about first class, do you really mean first or do you mean business?

If your husband really gets paid to fly first, why not just fork out the money to buy two business seats, then negotiate with his company to pay the difference (compared to a first class ticket). Jesus...

No kidding. This is so obvious I couldn't bring myself to respond.

Yeah, domestic on United is usually only "business/first". It is bigger seats and better service, but not worth using point for IMO.

Yes, and domestic on United is probably a 737 or Airbus 320, both are single aisle airplanes with limited business/first seats.

[Anonymous]

First class on domestic isn't worth it. On United, it's just different bathroom.

Go coach and give your DH the baby.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for the responses already. Much appreciated. I have always cringed with children on flights myself and still do, but if there isn't a no child rule, I'll totally be THAT PERSON if it makes my kid more comfortable to have more space in a pod than in coach. Their comfort is my #1 concern. I'm not overly concerned about their behavior since all of their other flights they have been quiet and they are pretty calm and laid back. They are wiggly now and are large. I'd always take them for a walk if they got loud.

If we can't get me in first, I probably will just let my husband be on baby duty!

If you're allowed. I feel like pilots are keeping the seatbelt sign on for longer and longer these days. Maybe fears of litigious passengers if the plane hits turbulence while the sign is off and someone bonks their head. My last 3.5 hour flight to Houston there was about a half hour with the sign off, although admittedly it was a very bumpy flight. Definitely give the baby to the parent in first because in economy you end up trapped by the drink/food cart even when you are allowed to walk around.

Former airline pilot here - lots of times we just forget about it. As a regular passenger now, I've flown transpac flights where the seatbelt sign is on the entire time. No one actually expects you to stay in your seat for 12 hours.

I knew it! I just got off a nine hour flight and the seatbelt light was on for 4 hours. I figuref the pilot forgot.

[Anonymous]

I was a little sympathetic at first assuming this was a long haul to Asia or something, but for a domestic flight, not even worth it, babies dont care about legroom? I recommend buying a coach seat and bringing a car seat. My kids always did pretty well on the plane in their car seats because they were used to sitting in them and more likely to take a nap in them. Bring some Elmo videos on your tablet, a few new small toys and some extra special snacks. Run him around before the flight and hope for a nap.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When you talk about first class, do you really mean first or do you mean business?

If your husband really gets paid to fly first, why not just fork out the money to buy two business seats, then negotiate with his company to pay the difference (compared to a first class ticket). Jesus...

No kidding. This is so obvious I couldn't bring myself to respond.

Yeah, domestic on United is usually only "business/first". It is bigger seats and better service, but not worth using point for IMO.

Yes, and domestic on United is probably a 737 or Airbus 320, both are single aisle airplanes with limited business/first seats.

OP here. We booked the flight and the plane is a 777 with a true first class...My husband did check with his employer (who books all travel for them) and no matter the price they will only get a ticket for the employee. They do not have a travel stipend that they can be paid if they choose to not take advantage of the option of flying first class. It is just a perk for having to travel constantly and be away from home for a month. I'd love to pay for a higher class ticket but it is not in our budget. I wouldn't be going if we didn't have the points to pay for the ticket. The coach ticket is about $1000. Im so surprised my original question got so misconstrued. I wasn't trying to scam any system, thought I was special or any of the other things that were said or implied. I really was just asking, just in case, someone had an example of where they had success with getting an upgrade.

Thanks to those who took the time to share your helpful thoughts.

[Anonymous]

It's Thanksgiving so I'll nicely point out that the thread took a nose dive when you went all "oh, yeah, I'll totally be THAT MOM when it comes to my baby snowflake's comfort."

[Anonymous]

Thank you for taking it easy on me, PP. I guess when I said:

I'll totally be THAT PERSON if it makes my kid more comfortable to have more space in a pod than in coach.

It was taken the wrong way or I just don't see it as bad. I was referencing that I didn't mind bringing my child in to first class if it meant that he would be more comfortable since he had more room and couks sit with both parents. I said that in light of the fact that some posters said that kids don't belong in anything but coach.

I don't think my child is a special snowflake or better than any other person. I'd say the same thing about my elderly mother. I'm willing for strangers to not like me for the few hours our paths cross in life (when I'm not breaking any rules etc) if it makes a loved one more comfortable. I'd never be that person if there was an actual rule about it (i.e. children not allowed in first class). As I think I mentioned earlier, I am a big Amtrak rider and love these quiet car but as soon as I had a baby I gave that up because they shouldn't be in there since they can't obey the rules of the car.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would never let my child fly without giving her a seat and strapping her in. I don't understand why people take this chance with their kids.

I worked for the FAA in a former life, and you are so wrong about this it's completely laughable. I bet you drive your child all over the place (probably forward facing) without having a clue that it's incredibly more dangerous than flying as a lap infant.

[Anonymous]

You still have to pay for the lap child fee if you purchase your ticket using points, and it's 10% of the FULL ticket price on United. I looked into it once and the fee for my infant in first class would cost more than purchasing two tickets for us in coach.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thank you for taking it easy on me, PP. I guess when I said:

I'll totally be THAT PERSON if it makes my kid more comfortable to have more space in a pod than in coach.

It was taken the wrong way or I just don't see it as bad. I was referencing that I didn't mind bringing my child in to first class if it meant that he would be more comfortable since he had more room and couks sit with both parents. I said that in light of the fact that some posters said that kids don't belong in anything but coach.

I don't think my child is a special snowflake or better than any other person. I'd say the same thing about my elderly mother. I'm willing for strangers to not like me for the few hours our paths cross in life (when I'm not breaking any rules etc) if it makes a loved one more comfortable. I'd never be that person if there was an actual rule about it (i.e. children not allowed in first class). As I think I mentioned earlier, I am a big Amtrak rider and love these quiet car but as soon as I had a baby I gave that up because they shouldn't be in there since they can't obey the rules of the car.

We fly United alot and I don't get what domestic flight could possibly be $1000 for coach. Unless it's Hawaii on 1 month or less notice and over the Holiday season...Of course you gave up the quiet car-the conductors would have found you another seat.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thank you for taking it easy on me, PP. I guess when I said:

I'll totally be THAT PERSON if it makes my kid more comfortable to have more space in a pod than in coach.

It was taken the wrong way or I just don't see it as bad. I was referencing that I didn't mind bringing my child in to first class if it meant that he would be more comfortable since he had more room and couks sit with both parents. I said that in light of the fact that some posters said that kids don't belong in anything but coach.

I don't think my child is a special snowflake or better than any other person. I'd say the same thing about my elderly mother. I'm willing for strangers to not like me for the few hours our paths cross in life (when I'm not breaking any rules etc) if it makes a loved one more comfortable. I'd never be that person if there was an actual rule about it (i.e. children not allowed in first class). As I think I mentioned earlier, I am a big Amtrak rider and love these quiet car but as soon as I had a baby I gave that up because they shouldn't be in there since they can't obey the rules of the car.

We fly United alot and I don't get what domestic flight could possibly be $1000 for coach. Unless it's Hawaii on 1 month or less notice and over the Holiday season...Of course you gave up the quiet car-the conductors would have found you another seat.

Yeah seriously. OP talks about "giving up" the quiet car like it's some noble sacrifice she chooses to do. Um no, if you or your child is not quiet - you get kicked out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thank you for taking it easy on me, PP. I guess when I said:

I'll totally be THAT PERSON if it makes my kid more comfortable to have more space in a pod than in coach.

It was taken the wrong way or I just don't see it as bad. I was referencing that I didn't mind bringing my child in to first class if it meant that he would be more comfortable since he had more room and couks sit with both parents. I said that in light of the fact that some posters said that kids don't belong in anything but coach.

I don't think my child is a special snowflake or better than any other person. I'd say the same thing about my elderly mother. I'm willing for strangers to not like me for the few hours our paths cross in life (when I'm not breaking any rules etc) if it makes a loved one more comfortable. I'd never be that person if there was an actual rule about it (i.e. children not allowed in first class). As I think I mentioned earlier, I am a big Amtrak rider and love these quiet car but as soon as I had a baby I gave that up because they shouldn't be in there since they can't obey the rules of the car.

We fly United alot and I don't get what domestic flight could possibly be $1000 for coach. Unless it's Hawaii on 1 month or less notice and over the Holiday season...Of course you gave up the quiet car-the conductors would have found you another seat.

I think she did say it was Hawaii. Or maybe that was another thread.

Also, to the other PP, I've never paid a "lap child fee" or even heard of it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thank you for taking it easy on me, PP. I guess when I said:

I'll totally be THAT PERSON if it makes my kid more comfortable to have more space in a pod than in coach.

It was taken the wrong way or I just don't see it as bad. I was referencing that I didn't mind bringing my child in to first class if it meant that he would be more comfortable since he had more room and couks sit with both parents. I said that in light of the fact that some posters said that kids don't belong in anything but coach.

I don't think my child is a special snowflake or better than any other person. I'd say the same thing about my elderly mother. I'm willing for strangers to not like me for the few hours our paths cross in life (when I'm not breaking any rules etc) if it makes a loved one more comfortable. I'd never be that person if there was an actual rule about it (i.e. children not allowed in first class). As I think I mentioned earlier, I am a big Amtrak rider and love these quiet car but as soon as I had a baby I gave that up because they shouldn't be in there since they can't obey the rules of the car.

Yeah, but another way to say this is "I'll make multiple strangers uncomfortable if it makes my baby more comfortable" or, actually, since an infant can't tell what class they're sitting in, "I'll make multiple strangers uncomfortable if it makes it easier for me to keep my baby happy." So, you can see why some people might object to that.