I'm 21 mqms short of Gold for the year, and rather than a straight mileage run, I found a good deal on a ticket to go visit family the last week of December. I'm bringing my 7-year-old with me, paying cash for my ticket and using miles for her's. I know this means that we'll be on separate PNRs, but I'm wondering if anyone has some thoughts/experiences on the ramifications of buying basic vs. standard economy tickets for both of us. Here's how the prices breakdown: Dec. 23-25, CVG-TPA rt - cash, $189 basic/$259 main cabin; miles, 12,500 basic/17,500 main cabin.
I called in and booked the main cabin tickets for the extra cash and miles, because I wanted to make sure that we sit together and because the CSR that I spoke to explained that, because my daughter's over 6, we likely wouldn't be seated together. Still, we can't take advantage of being upgraded, because my daughter wouldn't be moved with me. And I could care less that we board earlier. I'm still within the 24hr window to cancel and buy the basic tickets, so, what would you do?