Which friend to upgrade?
 

I have an US transcon trip coming up (~5hrs) and have been upgraded (CO-EUA).

I'm traveling with 2 friends, not best friends or anything, just friends. We're meeting up with some others at the destination.

We've already worked out the luggage thing so I didn't have to choose someone there.

But as plat, I have the option to upgrade a companion. My luck on companion upgrades has been slim (like 1 of 8) so I doubt it'll go through anyway.

I won't be returning with them due to a different itinerary so I can't do one there and one back. And they know about the companion upgrade thing since I did it for a mutual friend once and it worked.

I asked another FT friend about it and he said just to not bother with it. But it seems like it would be a nice thing to do if it worked.

So how would you choose?

Have them draw a straw/flip a coin for it. Honestly, might just be the easiest thing. They'll understand and it'll still seem as a generous gesture. The person who gets upgraded should maybe get you and the person stuck in coach a beer upon arrival. That's how I'd handle it.

Go halfsies. One friend gets the 1st half of the flight, the other gets the second. Each of them gets a taste of 1st, neither one is upset at the other (or you) for being left out.

This is of course assuming an FA doesn't object to people switching seats mid-flight. But I've done

This is unconventional, but a great idea.. load up on food and drinks, back of the bus you go, up front the other guy goes, load up on food and drinks.. and keep rotating.LOL:D

This is the easiest and most fair way to go

Don't do it. Most FAs won't (and IMHO, shouldn't) allow it. Switching like that also disrupts other passengers in 1st.

I agree with the idea of having them decide via a coin toss or some other method. As long as you don't have a preference, you might as well let them sort it out.

HUH? So I'm in 3A and one friend is in 3B and the other friend is in 27D. Friends switch seats midway through the flight. It's the same as someone getting up going to the bathroom and coming back. Except the coming back part is done by a different person. How in the world does that inconvenience you? Why would you even care?

I did issue the caveat that this would have to be approved by the FA. Worst case he/she says no, flip a coin on the spot as to who gets the seat. Problem solved.

When I've seen it done in the past, the person from the back typically comes up, then all three people stand around in the aisle talking about the switch, when they might come back up, etc. Really annoying. It is a pre-agreed switch, say at the 50% mark in time of the flight and the switch is done quietly, not so bad then. But IMHO, switching is just not kosher

Thanks for the input. I was thinking about just flipping a coin or something.

The halfway change during the flight sounds nice but I don't think I'll get away with it. The last thing I want to do is get yelled at by the FA.

In any case, CO may make this easy on me as there's 1 seat left. Haha.

Here is what I suggest:

First, flip a coin to see who gets in the seat first.

When you are all seated on the plane, you and #1 upgraded, and #2 in coach, have a quiet word with a flight attendant. Explain your situation.

If the FA agrees, then midway through the flight, #1 and #2 switch. Do it quietly and discreetly. Agree on a midpoint time, so all are prepared. Make sure that both #1 and #2 know which seat to take when they make the switch.

#2 in Coach might want to alert their seatmate, so the seatmate doesn't wonder why one got up and another came back and sat down.

Finally, consider carefully how #1 and #2 will handle all carry on luggage. Make sure each knows exactly what to pick up and carry out of the plane. You wouldn't want #1 to leave #2's laptop bag behind just because he didn't know to pick it up and take it.

Agreed. Just have them flip for it, arm wrestle, call shotgun or whatever before the flight and be done with it.

Switching is disruptive...you'll still have to sort out which one gets the PDB, which one gets the meal, which one gets the snack, etc.....

If you are travelling together, you should travel together. Even if it means you forego your upgrade.

I agree with this one. This is the classy way to go about it.

simple..... pit them against each other and whoever pleases you the most shall get the upgrade.

Agreed. This is the right way to go about it.