Flying in different cabin than spouse
#16
Original Poster


Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 296
I have a feeling this is a double standard where people are OK with the wife leaving husband in Y, but not the other way around?
#18
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: CLE
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Since we are usually flying with our toddler in arms we have a rule that if we only get one upgrade the person who takes it also takes the toddler. It hasn't happened so far but I was really hoping he'd end up in F with her on the last trip. She has a think about trying to be under the F seats, never tries it in Y.
#19
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Join Date: Aug 2002
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FWIW - I've also done that w/ my sister. We didn't travel together very often (and her job didn't involve travel; mine had me on the road all the time w/ a pretty strong upgrade success %), but when we did I'd either try to get her upgraded along w/ me, or offer her the first seat & I took coach if only one upgrade was available. One year I gave her an int'l award ticket. She thought it was going to be in economy. I booked her int'l F, bought my ticket in E, & upgraded to C.
Cheers.
Last edited by SkiAdcock; Jan 25, 2016 at 12:48 pm
#20
Original Poster


Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 296
Since we are usually flying with our toddler in arms we have a rule that if we only get one upgrade the person who takes it also takes the toddler. It hasn't happened so far but I was really hoping he'd end up in F with her on the last trip. She has a think about trying to be under the F seats, never tries it in Y.
DH rarely flies, but last time he slept through a meal service and I swore I wasn't wasting stickers oon him again.
#21
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Join Date: Nov 2004
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Different cabins, is another issue. When booking awards I grab what's available and this can sometimes be a mix of INTL F and INTL J. In that case we split the difference and one flies in F each way.
#22
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Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,808
We are grown ups, and don't have to sit next to each other let alone in the same cabin. If one of us gets upgraded, we consider it a partial win.
#23
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If we manage to get only 1 upgrade, I give it to my wife. Our more common scenario is booking a mix of paid and award seats: that sometimes puts her in F and everyone else in Y as well.
No problems splitting up at security. I can often go through the Precheck line with our kids and most/all of the carryons, leaving my wife's process simpler than it would be otherwise.
No problems splitting up at security. I can often go through the Precheck line with our kids and most/all of the carryons, leaving my wife's process simpler than it would be otherwise.
#25
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Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 296
Me? Or another poster?
#26
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 41
My spouse is 6'3 and big (think ex-football player). The one time only one of us could be upgraded I gave it to him and he took it. Karma took care of the rest as I got upgraded at the last minute after he had already boarded. But I wouldn't have minded if I didn't, he is so uncomfortable in coach.
#27
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Central California
Programs: Former UA Premex, now dirt
Posts: 6,531
This last is me. I am 6'-5" and SO is 5'-6". It makes little sense to cram me into a Y seat when J is available. If I offered, she would refuse. I don't understand the posters who talk about divorce court over a seat upgrade.
#28

Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: ORD
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If You Have To Ask...
Advice is what we ask for when we already know the answer but wish we didn't. Erica Jong.
#29
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: France
Programs: AA, AF, DL
Posts: 4
He gets upgrade. I am short, he is tall. I'd rather sleep across the water on two or three coach seats when available. Similarly at biz dinner events we ask organizer for seats at different tables. If we wanted to sit next to and talk to each other we'd stay home.
#30
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Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
We do it from time to time. Definitely take one upgrade versus holding out for two and having both people in Y. Our relationship has survived 15 years that way and I'm sure there are many more years to come where this will be, by far, the smallest challenge we face.

