Curious how flyertalkers would handle the following situation:

You're travelling as part of a work group of 12 to Europe. All tickets are in coach but you have the miles to upgrade to business on a NW DC10 (sorry- can't change airline or plane type). If the rest of the group sits in coach (they either don't know or care about upgrading - go figure) would you be comfortable sitting up front while the rest sit in steerage? I'm afraid of alienating the rest of the group. Anyone been through this - how did you handle it and do you have any words of wisdom? Thanks!

Unless one of them happened to be my boss, or a client, I would have no regrets. I didn't build my status for nothing. I have always tried to upgrade my companions out of good faith, but that group would be too large. Other alternatives (for future use) would be if you know your boss or client is going as well, purposely try to book a separate flight so there is no perception problem. Hope that helps.

Booking the separate flight is what I've usually done. This sometimes is advisable even if boss or client isn't on the flight, just co-workers. Just because you work with them doesnt always mean they're the type(s) you want to socialize with..

Upgrading is almost certain to arouse resentment.

I would think twice about it.

It's just a flight, not a team project. Here's a better question: does that mean that you have to sit near/next to them on the flight?

If you don't feel obligated to sit near them, assuming you were doomed to coach, then . . . .

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Reading the posters' messages above and below, I'd prefer Option #1. My previous reply assumed that you had to fly on the same flight.

- Pat

[This message has been edited by Wiirachay (edited 04-25-2001).]

I'd play out one of these two scenarios:

1) As an earlier poster has suggested, take an alternative flight than the co-workers. 12 people from one company on one flight isn't good business, imo, particularly if you are the key people on the same project.

2) If you do fly the same flight, be very low key about your upgrade. If noticed, be off hand about how the airline did something nice for you because you had flown with them before - which happens to be the truth.

just for the peace of mind, i would try by any means to be on a different flight with co-workers... if on the same flight you were upgraded and they were not, you would feel guilty and uneasy all the way...

that is why i let hubby sit up front whenever this happens...

Are the 12 of you all sitting together? If so, I definitely wouldn't upgrade. It's probably more worth your while to sit with your team - if you upgrade, you become a "lone wolf". Not that this is a huge team-building activity, but the other 11 probably would form a subtle bond without you. Not to mention the fact that there will likely be 1 stranger sitting amidst them in what would have been your coach seat.

If the 12 of you are all scattered about the plane and you are not sitting next to a coworker, I would upgrade without hesitation. Even if a couple of them notice your seat assignment, everybody understands how these things work, and they shouldn't feel any resentment towards you for using your miles. Chances are good that they also collect miles and would use them for the same purpose if they had the chance.

If there was a single boss or client in your group, I might try to upgrade him/her as well. Might be a good career move.

I'd be a team player and sit in coach with my co-workers.

Or you could upgrade everyone.

The one time I was in that situation, I executed the upgrade behind scenes, got my boarding pass, and quietly took my seat. I don't think anyone even noticed that my seat was nicer than theirs.

Upgrade and not even bat an eye about doing it.

I was flying to Europe on NW last spring with a team of 5 other people. We were in coach. I decided at the last minute that I just couldn't handle it and upgraded. I felt very guilty about it and planned to sneak on to the plane. I knew it was bad karma. Guess what my punishment was? The other five ALL got operational upgrades. If I hadn't tried to sneak the upgrade in, I would have gotten it for free.

For a group that large, I would either upgrade one or two others with me, or sit in coach.

I did have a chance to fly first when two of my partners would be in coach. As they were on the committee to decide my income for 2001 I unobtrusively handed over my credit card and bought them upgrades to first class. I don't think they know to this day that I paid to get them the UG and they think I work some sort of secret magic with airlines. But that's too pricey for upgrading 11 people.

Since you are afraid of causing jealous resentment and unwanted gossip "behind" your back, stay in coach, and take an upgrade on your private trip another time.

An alternative is to explain to your co-workers how clever you have been to accumulate miles to upgrade, and they will probably all want to find out more from you.

If it's me, I don't think I would upgrade if I'm the only one from the group. Just think of all the juicy office gossip that you will miss sitting up front by yourself.

I would upgrade and feel not one bit of guilt. Seriously, what is there to feel guilty about.