Swapping First Class Seat with a Stranger?
Jul 25, 2011, 9:24 pm
#16
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,034
Just don't say anything and no one will be the wiser. (Tell the tradee to act natural and keep quiet or else they might lose the seat.)
Not saying I approve or disapprove, just that you were awarded some leverage that you can utilize to get the seat next to your companion.
Not saying I approve or disapprove, just that you were awarded some leverage that you can utilize to get the seat next to your companion.
Jul 25, 2011, 9:42 pm
#17
In Memoriam
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Easton, CT, USA
Programs: ua prem exec, Former hilton diamond
Posts: 31,801
I've seen it and I've done it in the past.
In the past it has caused some fairly heated discussions as to who the seat belongs to, etc, but every time I've done it there has never been an issue.
Of course, I don't stand up at the gate and yell out "Anybody want my First Class seat so I can sit in coach" either.
In the past it has caused some fairly heated discussions as to who the seat belongs to, etc, but every time I've done it there has never been an issue.
Of course, I don't stand up at the gate and yell out "Anybody want my First Class seat so I can sit in coach" either.
Jul 25, 2011, 10:01 pm
#18
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: San Francisco, CA
Programs: UA Plat, Copa Pres. Plat, Hyatt Diamond, Hilton Diamond, SPG LT Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 769
First time I ever flew first class was in a situation like this. Woman asked if I would mind switching seats with her husband up at the front, I said no problem.
I think dinner was rack of lamb that day
I think dinner was rack of lamb that day
Jul 26, 2011, 3:21 am
#19
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: LAX
Programs: United Two Million Miler; United 1K, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Bonvoy Platinum
Posts: 568
Perhaps you should look at it a different way. The seat belongs to the airline. They are offering it to you as an elite and if you cannot use it, they would prefer to offer it to the next elite. You have possession of the seat and certainly can give it to whomever you choose, but this does violate the spirit of the gift.
I had an analogous situation earlier this year when a business associate offered me 2 lakers basketball tickets he couldn't use. I ended up not being able to go to the game and I called my friend so he could give them to someone else. I certainly could have given them to several of my friends or relatives or even sold them but I did not feel that was right.
So obviously people can give their upgrade to some stranger, but it is certainly not the right thing to do. If I saw this happening, and especially if I was #1 on the upgrade list, I would point this out to the staff and complain.
I had an analogous situation earlier this year when a business associate offered me 2 lakers basketball tickets he couldn't use. I ended up not being able to go to the game and I called my friend so he could give them to someone else. I certainly could have given them to several of my friends or relatives or even sold them but I did not feel that was right.
So obviously people can give their upgrade to some stranger, but it is certainly not the right thing to do. If I saw this happening, and especially if I was #1 on the upgrade list, I would point this out to the staff and complain.
Jul 26, 2011, 6:01 am
#20
FlyerTalk Evangelist, Ambassador: World of Hyatt
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: NJ
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Fairmont Lifetime Plat, UA Silver, dirt elsewhere
Posts: 46,919
More than 50% of the time I give my F upgrade to my husband, particularly if we're traveling on a late flight and he's worked all day. We just go to our separate seats and no one has ever said a word.
Why should another elite get that seat over him or even a stranger?
Why should another elite get that seat over him or even a stranger?
Jul 26, 2011, 6:23 am
#21
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
If it me and my wife one of us keeps the seat. It is always her choice who gets it. :-:
Jul 26, 2011, 8:25 am
#22
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 690
Yes, sitting in first without them is nearly always a losing proposition unless they made the choice.
Jul 26, 2011, 9:26 am
#23
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: NYC and SFO
Programs: UA 1MM (former 1K, Delta Platinum))
Posts: 1,244
Jul 26, 2011, 9:36 am
#24
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Jersey Shore/YYZ
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond, Hertz PC
Posts: 12,521
Someone asked me the other day on DEN-HNL. I accepted.
If it me and my wife one of us keeps the seat. It is always her choice who gets it. :-:
If it me and my wife one of us keeps the seat. It is always her choice who gets it. :-:
Though it seems you made the move halfway through? Surprised that someone didn't ask you during boarding.
Jul 26, 2011, 10:01 am
#25
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Houston
Programs: CO Silver
Posts: 79
Someone asked me the other day on DEN-HNL. I accepted.
Jul 26, 2011, 10:09 am
#26
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 690
How do you go about it when the girl says she doesn't want your upgrade but probably does or wants you to give it up and sit with her (despite saying she doesn't want that)?
Jul 26, 2011, 11:03 am
#27
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: WAS
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Gold, IHG Silver, Hilton Silver, Hertz PC, National Exec Elite, Avis PC
Posts: 1,290
Perhaps you should look at it a different way. The seat belongs to the airline. They are offering it to you as an elite and if you cannot use it, they would prefer to offer it to the next elite. You have possession of the seat and certainly can give it to whomever you choose, but this does violate the spirit of the gift.
Jul 26, 2011, 11:08 am
#28
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 690
The only problem is that once you are upgraded, your Y seat next to your spouse has already been taken. In cases where it is still open, I ask to be moved back. If that seat happens to be in the bulkhead or exit row, the odds are that the person who takes your seat has status.
How do those of you who oppose this feel about trading with your siginficant other so they can sit in first and you sit in their coach seat?
Jul 26, 2011, 11:43 am
#29
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: WAS
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Gold, IHG Silver, Hilton Silver, Hertz PC, National Exec Elite, Avis PC
Posts: 1,290
My Silver significant other will never take my F seat, though I offer every time. We travel enough for our respective jobs that it is more important to sit together than ride in F, which we both get to with some frequency when traveling on our own.
Jul 26, 2011, 3:25 pm
#30
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2001
Location: SoFla (formerly NYC Metro)
Programs: DL PM, UA Prem1K, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Platinum, IHG Platinum
Posts: 25,694
Generally, if one is asking someone to do one a favor by switching seats, one should offer the more favorable seat, methinks. People have a real sense of entitlement.
O/H