stuart101

In a couple of weeks time I am taking someone on a trip where unbeknown to her we are travelling in FIRST.

I have already told her that I get various perks as a frequent flyer but if we use the FIRST check in and CCR what do you all think of my chances of getting her to the door of the Aircraft before she realises?

I don't think that a low seat number will attract too much suspicion, last time i took her on this trip we were in CW on a 767 so she may just be expecting that again.

I really love throwing surprises like this, I have managed to pull off this sort of thing once before but in CW after I had convinced my traveling companion that I was slumming it on Y because of her!

Justonemore

I don't think it would be difficult if she doesn't know about about the ground service. Can you check in on-line and print BP? if not, i can't recall ever having F mentioned by the check in agent. Perhaps try checking in at a CW desk.

Then the other risk you face is her reading the boarding pass as it says your cabin of travel on it - but you could just look after the BPs and quickly give it to her as you go through fast track - chances of her knowing where to look/noticing are hopefully not high.

And then the CCR - again if she isn't aware of the product, it could just be a great lounge that you have access too as a frequent flyer.

the good thing about all this is that if at any point she realises she'll love it and it won't 'ruin the surprise' as it will be a surprise in itself. - Be prepared for public displays of affection though!

twincheeks

I tried that some years ago but then realized that the pleasure in ones first First, comes from the whole experience. Using First check-in, going through the "magic door" into the CCR, and sitting drinking extremely good wine whilst people watching. Maybe even the odd celebrity or two.

Then being welcomed and escorted to the seat and being looked after by a WW crew.

Just tell her when you get to the airport and enjoy.

stewaran

, If you use any checkin other than F, they are likely to tell you that as you are travelling F can use the F check-in.

after that I think you should be OK

Can I help you

I wouldn't risk it, why not just wait until you get to First check in and tell her then, she can then enjoy the experience as a First customer and get excited while in the CCR having a glass of champagne, lunch or Spa treatment.

paul4040

I would tell her at the airport as you rock up at F check in. Sometimes it's the looking forward to the flight that's actually the sweet part.

Justonemore

I agree - i think this is the easiest and nicest approach for her. Also, it means you don't have to spend your time trying to 'hide' things. plus this way she'ss understand why you've arrived at the airport 5h early!

get her a spa treatment booked and enjoy the champagne - have a great trip

T8191

Only that T5 Security will add a small dampener to proceedings!

However, stuart101, it's a lovely thought on your part. Do tell us how it went.

windowontheAside

I guess I'm either a killjoy or control freak (or both!) but isn't a lot of the pleasure of a first F tied up in the anticipation?

I'd certainly spill the beans at the airport so she can enjoy the whole thing, but do consider you may be depriving her of a fair amount of excitement building up to the day.

DorsetKnob

Particularly if they are not a regular it's easy done... 3 examples...

... I got my son to the door of Concorde before he realised thats what he was travelling on (OK he was only 6 at the time)..

...my wife & her son got on the plane to Orlando before realising we were in club...I turned left on boarding they disappeared to the right...

...my wife was even sitting in her 1st class seat to Oz..when she said this is a nice seat looks bigger than the Club seat we had to Orlando...we'd used CCR & 1st class check-in.

Justonemore

Brilliant - "the champagne tastes a lot nicer than it did on the way to Orlando"

Sixth Freedom

I agree. Arrival at the airport would be a great time to announce it.

For example, "we are travelling in first class ...[pause]... so let's go and use the special check-in area"

Ldnn1

What's the risk? I doubt she's gonna kick off when she finds out!

I think if you can pass off the CCR, spa etc. as Gold benefits, which is very easy to do with someone who's not a regular, then there's no reason not to try to keep the surprise until you board.

As others have said the hiccup will be staff mentioning it, esp. at check-in, but you can try and work around that. Give it a go and let us know how it goes.

DorsetKnob

To be fair I've not actually noticed they ever mention class you are travelling in. In my example for Concorde, while we were at the check in desk the check-in girl even whispherd "Does he know?" pointing to my son, which was a nice touch, realising that sort of thing is often a surprise.

UKtravelbear

Surely you need to tell her at home so she can change into her taffeta ball gown?