GF in coach?
#121
Join Date: Dec 2006
Programs: Delta Diamond, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 349
My husband and I have had the upgrade issue come up before when we're traveling. On Delta, it is actually a bit more complicated to refuse an upgrade than to request one since its all automated now. I forgot to call ahead of time and tell them I didn't want an upgrade on a trip where my ticket was paid for and I used points for my husband. I didn't want to part with enough points to put him in first class so I thought that we'd both just sit by each other in coach... he's the only person I don't mind sitting that close to me! Well, I went to the Crown Room, and they said I'd already been upgraded. I offered the FC seat to my husband, who doesn't fly often, and he said he'd rather sit by me. I pressed him like, "you're sure, baby? really I wouldn't mind and you'd have fun... I sit up there all the time... you're totally welcome to take it..." and he insisted he'd rather sit by me. He's great! Anyway, we asked if I could have my old seat back and they gave it back to me. Then, at the gate, the agent was calling my name, and I approached, and she tried to hand me a different FC ticket... I laughed and explained what happened and that I wanted to sit by my husband, but again I gave my husband the opportunity to take it, and he refused. All the gate agents oohed and ahhed over what a sweet husband he was. They gave me my old seat back and called the next person up, who had heard the whole exchange and was thrilled to have the FC seat.
Its nice to be married to somebody who doesn't try to trade up and leave me behind at the first opportunity.
Its nice to be married to somebody who doesn't try to trade up and leave me behind at the first opportunity.
#122
Join Date: Aug 2005
Programs: UA*G(1K), PC Diamond Amb, Marriott Titanium, Accor Platinum
Posts: 4,671
Well, I went to the Crown Room, and they said I'd already been upgraded. I offered the FC seat to my husband, who doesn't fly often, and he said he'd rather sit by me. I pressed him like, "you're sure, baby? really I wouldn't mind and you'd have fun... I sit up there all the time... you're totally welcome to take it..." and he insisted he'd rather sit by me. He's great!
HTB.
#123
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2002
Programs: UALifetimePremierGold, Marriott LifetimeTitanium
Posts: 71,114
When I gave my sister an Int'l F Award & was traveling w/ her, I bought an E ticket & upgraded to C. I could have given her a C award so we could travel together or even given her an E award & let her ride in the back, but I wanted her to experience Int'l F as it was her first trip out of the country & Int'l F is certainly much better than domestic F. You do stuff like that for people you care about.
Giving a non FF (especially one you supposedly care about if you're living w/ them) the upgrade would have been the right thing to do - or split it, so he gets it one way & she gets it the other if he didn't want to 'suffer' E for 10 hours out of his entire lifetime.
Still say to the boyfriend.
Cheers.
#124
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: BWI
Programs: AA PLT and that's that!
Posts: 8,349
Well folks, she says he was already upgraded for their flight today and she believes she'll be riding in back again. She has read all your posts and agrees with the majority and I suggested she ask about switching halfway through the flight... Remember this is JFK to LAX now. I also said they should let the FA know so she might get some special treatment. She maintains he is not a selfish person and is selfish only about his upgrades. I am quoting her and this is not my relationship so it's not personally how I would handle or accept it. She is leaving soon for the airport so I told her to call me if he does relent in the end.
Sorry, that is selfish.
#125
Join Date: Dec 2006
Programs: Delta Diamond, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 349
I agree completely. It doesn't say very much about how he'll respond to other situations life presents in the future, if they have a future. He should have offered the upgrade to her, at the very least, even if he ended up taking it for himself if she declined... that would still have been better than just taking it.
#126
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Mar 2001
Posts: 55,189
I'm glad your friend is reading this. Tell her she deserves better than this guy!!
#128
Join Date: Nov 2005
Programs: VX elevate ,CO Gold,DL GM
Posts: 331
Well it's her fantasy world, not yours. She is shacking up with a guy who thinks about his own comfort first as we can see from his travel patterns when they go someplace together. Either she has low self esteem issues or she needs to move out and either get a place of her own or find a roomate. The guy is using her.
I'm glad your friend is reading this. Tell her she deserves better than this guy!!
I'm glad your friend is reading this. Tell her she deserves better than this guy!!
#129
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: PHL
Programs: US Gold, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 313
I'm surprised that nobody has mentioned the window vs aisle seat discussion from "The Wedding Singer". It's essentially the same thing - giving up the better seat to the GF, when she's never had the experience. If the OP's friend was as classy as Glenn was in that movie, he's not going to be around too long.
I still don't think we're getting the whole, unbiased story, though... I'd like to see the OP's friend and GF both post with their sides of the debate, so we can understand what's also influenced this decision...
#132
Join Date: Aug 2005
Programs: UA*G(1K), PC Diamond Amb, Marriott Titanium, Accor Platinum
Posts: 4,671
I've been thinking about this case once more.
What is so bad for the GF about this deal:
"I'll buy you a ticket, but when I get an upgrade I will take it."
The alternative could be:
"You buy your own ticket, and when I get upgraded I will give it to you."
HTB.
What is so bad for the GF about this deal:
"I'll buy you a ticket, but when I get an upgrade I will take it."
The alternative could be:
"You buy your own ticket, and when I get upgraded I will give it to you."
HTB.
#133
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Greater DC
Programs: UA plus
Posts: 12,943
According to the story posted in the OP, the exchange has nothing to do with who provided the ticket but the fact that the BF (in this case) was an FF'er and therefore deserved the upgrade.
#134
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: IAD, and sometimes OMNI/PR. Currently: not far from IAD, but home will always be SAN (not far from the "touch my junk and I'll have you arrested" Memorial TSA Check Point) even if I'm not there so much these days.
Programs: UA, CO, Calcifer Award for Mad Haiku Skillz
Posts: 5,076
The way he he handled the upgrade indicates that he thinks of himself before he thinks of her. Not a good sign. I wonder what would have happened if the situation were reversed? But most important is how she sees it. If she doesn't have a problem with it, then it's not a problem.
I wonder if he read O. Henry's "The Gift of the Magi" in junior high school . . .
I wonder if he read O. Henry's "The Gift of the Magi" in junior high school . . .
Last edited by youreadyfreddie; Aug 27, 2007 at 7:22 pm
#135
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: IAD, and sometimes OMNI/PR. Currently: not far from IAD, but home will always be SAN (not far from the "touch my junk and I'll have you arrested" Memorial TSA Check Point) even if I'm not there so much these days.
Programs: UA, CO, Calcifer Award for Mad Haiku Skillz
Posts: 5,076