Transfer of coach ticket to first class
 

Hello all,

I have a question I was wondering if someone can help with. I apologize if this is in the wrong forum.

I am traveling with with a group of 5. Four of us booked first class tickets together and the 5th booked economy separately. We just found out one of the 4 in first class can't make the trip. Since the seat is non refundable, we'd like for the person in coach to be able to join us. Since I paid for the ticket, I think we should be able to keep it for our friend but my guess is once the person in first doesn't check in, his seat will go to someone with status.

Is there any way we can keep that 4th seat? Maybe the gate agent will be understanding or perhaps we can check the person in and board with that pass, allowing the coach seat to remain open. We are flying domestically in the US so the only time one needs to present ID is at TSA, not at the gate. If the flyer is checked in and "arrives" at the gate but never went through TSA, would that cause an issue or are the systems separate?

Any thoughts?

I appreciate the help.

I think you should call or email the airline and not wait on the gate agent. If they say there isn't anything they can do, then ask the gate agent.

You might be tempted to check in your friend who isn't attending, then letting your other friend clear security with his boarding pass, then use your other friends boarding pass to get the seat. You shouldn't do this, as I believe this is illegal. Additionally, your friend would not have a return boarding pass if they didn't arrive on the first flight.

Happy and Safe Travels

First of all, welcome to FlyerTalk? :) We're glad that you've found our little corner of the interwebs. No need to apologize - the volunteer moderators can help you get your thread to the more appropriate forum if necessary.


Welcome as well! :)

What IamBudman said is true.
One could theoretically check in both the nonflying passenger and the coach passenger to get a boarding pass and then just board as the FC passenger. I do not suggest doing this for legal reasons and that once the coach passenger no shows for the first segment the rest of the ticket will be canceled so they couldn't repeat the process to get home nor could they show up as the coach passenger and expect to be able to fly home as the whole ticket would have been canceled.

While you may have paid for that seat it "belongs" to the traveler and most tickets sold in the US, and much of the world, have restrictions against name changes. You may be able to get a credit in the name of the traveler of the amount you paid for the ticket minus a change fee. But that is also generally restricted to only be used by the named traveler.

If you really want the coach traveler to be in f with you call the airline and see if the person can upgrade.

Thank you
 

Thanks to all for the responses. I can understand why it would be a legal issue though I had thought perhaps that as long as the TSA was checking everyone who actually went on the flight it would be alright. The idea of "giving" someone your seat I guess is an old fashioned notion. I hadn't even considered the return ticket so thanks for pointing that out.

I'll give the airline a call though I'm not optimistic. One would think that buying both a first class seat and a coach seat would entitle one to the first class seat but I know it doesn't work that way.

I appreciate all the help.