My partner and I are flying SFO-HKG-BKK this weekend with a couple friends. We're flying CX, and I'm Executive Platinum on AA.

My friends are the type of people who will encourage me to try and weasel all of us into the First Class check-in lines, lounges, and so on -- but I have no interest in doing this, and can't imagine Cathay will be that receptive either.

Should we be lowbrow martyrs and "keep it real" with our friends or enjoy the benefits of easy check-in and the lounges in HKG?

I'm torn. Part of me says it's a jerk move to live large while my friends suffer, and part says "you flew a gazillion miles to get the benefits, now you should enjoy them."

What would you do?

[This message has been edited by snorkmaster (edited 06-26-2003).]