Upgrade etiquette question
#16
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: DEN
Programs: UA 1MM, Delta Plat
Posts: 11,224
Originally Posted by FTraveler
I returned to my seat in F and my new seat opponent was like a kid playing with the seat controls for the remainder of the flight.
I'm 6'3", and take the upgrade whenever I can for anything over 2 hours. I have the reverse problem. On our commutes to China, the upgrades always cleared for myself, Mrs. Redbeard and little Miss Redbeard. At 11 years old, she has 4 RT transpacs all in biz. Spoiled girl...
#18




Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: London, England.
Programs: BA
Posts: 8,777
This has happened to me a few times, generally where a business colleague or customer buys their ticket first, but by the time I go for mine only Business Class is left. So it's not an upgrade, but I have actually paid for it.
However every time we have sat together, by me requesting a downgrade. I always start by phrasing it "can we sit together please" in case they can go upinstead, but it's never worked out.
It just seems to me bad etiquette. If you went out to a restaurant together and were told "well one of you can sit in the nicer restaurant for no extra charge", would you .... ?
it may be a UK/US cultural difference though
However every time we have sat together, by me requesting a downgrade. I always start by phrasing it "can we sit together please" in case they can go upinstead, but it's never worked out.
It just seems to me bad etiquette. If you went out to a restaurant together and were told "well one of you can sit in the nicer restaurant for no extra charge", would you .... ?
it may be a UK/US cultural difference though
#19
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: DEN
Posts: 1,962
Originally Posted by WHBM
It just seems to me bad etiquette. If you went out to a restaurant together and were told "well one of you can sit in the nicer restaurant for no extra charge", would you .... ?
I should probably add that in the travel I've done for my current company (2-3 people travelling), none of us have ever actually been seated next to each other, so there's no expectation of either working together during the flight or of just being chummy.
Also, because I use a wheelchair, I usually pre-board (without co-workers, none of their business how I get on the plane) and deplane last.

