gbryan84

I am in the boat that if I am traveling with the S/O, friend, or family and there is a special occasion to where we should sit together I would deny the upgrade before it ever happened. IMO, I would rather see someone that is actually elite get the upgrade over another regular pax that flys once ever three years.

BearX220

Right, right and right again. Once or twice I have been standing in the jetway with a (non-elite) subordinate report, both of us exhausted and on our way to some hellish presentation we've been up all night working on... I've told him to switch ticket jackets with me so he can turn left at the door and get some rest for his efforts while I go back to Y and pretend to be him... nobody is the wiser, the colleague remembers it for a long time, and it's my perfect right.

MilesToGoBeforeISleep

i've done this several times with subordinates and nothing builds loyalty like this. This is not different than using an upgrade cert for someone else on UA for example. I earned it and I gave it out.

i've also switched out my paid FC seat with a someone in Y to sit with my family but check-in as F so that i would get the COS bonus

pptp

I see your point there but just think how much more special that upgrade would be, coming out of the blue, to an unsuspecting non-elite. It would be like winning a prize. For the elite it's just another battlefield to add to the list.

I'm assuming that all of the upgrades we're talking about here are free because if there were points or $ involved, the seat would definitely theirs to do with what they please.

vrbaba

What does that accomplish? Instead of sitting in F, he sits in a random chair in Y? The point is to sit next to the person in Y, and that person would probably choose the F seat over another random Y seat.

If I got upgraded or bought the F seat, another "elite" has no more right to that seat than "another regular pax". I am within my rights to trade it with whoever I want.

OPFlyer

You can choose to opt out of an upgrade before the EUA runs therefore keeping your original seat next to your companion.

vrbaba

Sure, but the point is he never had a seat next to the companion. Or if both were on the upgrade list and only one was cleared.

dornec

[COLOR="Blue"]I have given my seat to soldiers on 4 occasions over the past 2 years, mostly from IAH to SAN or SFO. I wait until the plane is loaded and then before the door is closed i quietly call FA and ask him/her to see if the soldier/sailor [in uniform] would like my seat in F. The FA's are always thrilled to help me out and thank me for being so kind to our service folks. The last time I did this, i ended up in row 22-23 and when I got back there, the section broke out in applause for me. 2 passengers boughts me drinks and several thanked me. It brought tears to my eyes and I felt so grateful that I was able in small way to thank our military for their service. These kids are shocked and are not quite sure what to do as they move up front. They all say "thank you Sir", and I get a lump in my throat every time. I imagine they don't even dream of being asked to sit up front. Who knows, one of those guys may end up in Iraq/Afg and never come home alive.

I would urge everyone who rides in the front of the bus on a regular basis [especially the Plat's who get in F a lot] to consider doing this on occasion when they see a uniform go by them onboard. It is a great feeling and even though you may end up in a middle seat in the back, what better way to share in a tiny sacrifice for our military.

gbryan84

I would consider the same dornec though have been lucky to get a companion upgrade for service men I have traveled with. If I know that F will be departing with empty seats I will also look for a parent w/ lap children or elderly people that may be more comfortable up front and try to get them on as a companion. I have gotten some strange looks especially from people that dont travel a lot and have even been told no as they probably think there is a catch. I love to see the faces of these people when they board and see somone else who took me up on the offer and we arnt even sitting together. This usually happens on early morning flights and those out of SMF.

dornec

I too have had a young service person tell the FA no, because they thoguht they would have to pay for something. One other time, the soldier said thanks but no as he was traveling with his family and didn't want them in the back alone. It really does give me a thrill when I can help a uniform get upgraded. I like the other suggestions as well, although coming out of Cle. and into IAH there usually aren't any open seats in F.

sushibear

If you "companion" is a stranger with a lap child, I hope they are sitting next to you.