Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be the only one to upgrade on a group trip?

128 replies

Checkenberger · 08/02/2026 22:24

I have a group trip abroad in the plan stages with close family.
My best friend works for the same airline we are planning on booking with and has me on her staff travel plan.
I can therefore get a first class ticket for about £200 return
Would I be a horrible person to leave the rest of my family behind in steerage to enjoy a 3 course meal plus 2 lighter ones, full bar, lay down bed etc? Would i be any less a cunt to do it just one way 🤔 or should the trip just begin at the airport and stay together the whole time?

OP posts:
Original poster
Checkenberger · 08/02/2026 23:50

pinklemonade9 · 08/02/2026 23:36

I work for same company & that would only get you a standby ticket so what if the flight goes full and you don't get on or you do get on the flight but don't get the upgrade and end up sitting in economy anyway but maybe not next to them

That is part of my dilemma.
She is on an old contract and I have never been knocked back before, she has an older number or something which she said takes priority, not sure how much difference that makes in reality but it's always been spot on. It's not the only flight going to that destination that day and the group wants the earliest one so I even thought that if I don't get on it, I'll get on a later one haha. She has me spoilt

OP posts:
pinklemonade9 · 08/02/2026 23:36

I work for same company & that would only get you a standby ticket so what if the flight goes full and you don't get on or you do get on the flight but don't get the upgrade and end up sitting in economy anyway but maybe not next to them

BitOutOfPractice · 08/02/2026 23:32

Eviangeica · 08/02/2026 22:51

That’s quite rude. The poster only asked a question.

@TheBroonOneAndTheWhiteOne business class and first class have seats that lie flat to sleep. Edited to add not sure if you’re joking or not but there’s no need for rudeness from the OP.

Edited
Show quote history

@Eviangeica you’re nice to assume that @TheBroonOneAndTheWhiteOne was asking an innocent question about business travel. In fact they were just being pa and facetious about @Checkenberger‘s use of “lay down” instead of “lie flat” in an attempt to make themselves look and feel clever and superior. Sadly for them they achieved the opposite effect.

MmMmMmMm3 · 08/02/2026 23:24

Check what plane you will get. Initially I said you should take it but seeing that it is virgin makes me question my answer. Virgin is known for having some very poor offerings in their upper class and if you will end up with one of their terrible ‘coffin’ seats, I would save the agro and join everyone else in economy.

ImmortalJillyCooper · 08/02/2026 23:24

As it’s actually far cheaper for you to so this then clearly you should. It’s really a no brainer and your travelling companions are clearly old enough to understand this.

Allswellthatendswelll · 08/02/2026 23:19

I'd just tell a white lie (if it's even a lie) about how your friend got you a good discount on this travel plan and gloss over the first class element!

I wouldn't begrudge you at all!

Original poster
Checkenberger · 08/02/2026 23:14

MmMmMmMm3 · 08/02/2026 23:07

I would book it and tell everyone you have done so as at taxes only it’s cheaper than paying for an economy ticket. I would try and gloss over the fact it’s also in first class. Out of interest who would you be flying with?

Edited
Show quote history

Me, my sister, all of our children aged from 17-27, 6 together so 8 people in all

OP posts:
SemiSober · 08/02/2026 23:10

Enrichetta · 08/02/2026 23:04

Get it and offer it to the oldest/least mobile/most health challenged family member…?

That wasn’t the question lol

Original poster
Checkenberger · 08/02/2026 23:10

Wreckinball · 08/02/2026 22:48

Think they were being ironic

My sister is the oldest but would never dream of leaving anybody behind that's the problem 😕 I am probably the least mobile
I have quoted this comment in error, sorry
It's with Virgin

OP posts:
MmMmMmMm3 · 08/02/2026 23:07

Checkenberger · 08/02/2026 22:37

It is my sister who regularly travels first class for work and usually upgrades to premium when with her husband for the alcohol but it's not that kind of holiday.
The others are our children in their late teens early twenties 🤣
I'd love to upgrade with sister only but cannot. I also would have to book my ticket separately, I'm loath to pay 3x the price to book with them to sit with them. If I book with my friend, it's taxes only and automatic top tier ticket

I would book it and tell everyone you have done so as at taxes only it’s cheaper than paying for an economy ticket. I would try and gloss over the fact it’s also in first class. Out of interest who would you be flying with?

Enrichetta · 08/02/2026 23:04

Get it and offer it to the oldest/least mobile/most health challenged family member…?

BlackCat14 · 08/02/2026 22:58

I’d do it! When I’ve been away with family before (6-10 of us) we never end up sat together anyway, all dotted all over the plane, or maybe in twos and threes. I think this is perfectly fine, you go for it!

Freya1542 · 08/02/2026 22:53

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Oof!

@TheBroonOneAndTheWhiteOne

just in case you ever want to lie-flat 😉

Eviangeica · 08/02/2026 22:51

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

That’s quite rude. The poster only asked a question.

@TheBroonOneAndTheWhiteOne business class and first class have seats that lie flat to sleep. Edited to add not sure if you’re joking or not but there’s no need for rudeness from the OP.

Wreckinball · 08/02/2026 22:48

Think they were being ironic

Checkenberger · 08/02/2026 22:42

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

TheBroonOneAndTheWhiteOne · 08/02/2026 22:39

I've never heard of a "lay down bed"

Original poster
Checkenberger · 08/02/2026 22:37

It is my sister who regularly travels first class for work and usually upgrades to premium when with her husband for the alcohol but it's not that kind of holiday.
The others are our children in their late teens early twenties 🤣
I'd love to upgrade with sister only but cannot. I also would have to book my ticket separately, I'm loath to pay 3x the price to book with them to sit with them. If I book with my friend, it's taxes only and automatic top tier ticket

OP posts:
pizzaHeart · 08/02/2026 22:34

are there any medical reason for you to do this?
If not I wouldn’t, unless it’s a very specific group situation like your two cousins with partners and you on your own.

gototogo · 08/02/2026 22:31

Depends on who I was travelling with, my DD’s I’d upgrade because they would be fine with it, my parents i would but let mum have my seat friends, no way

Iwilladmit · 08/02/2026 22:30

Just do it. You cannot upgrade them for the same deal but why should miss it. They shouldnt want you to!

Hankunamatata · 08/02/2026 22:30

Depends who you are with and makeover sure they are aware of your plans

NewYearNewMee · 08/02/2026 22:30

Unless anyone you’re directly responsible for will be there (e.g young kids) then no! YWBU to leave little Johnny back with his grandparents and swan off if you had a DC 😂 otherwise go for it!

We’ve travelled with family in a different class, they didn’t want to pay to upgrade and we don’t travel in economy - we all got to the same place at the same time. We wouldn’t have been speaking to them on the flight anyway by the time we’d eaten, napped and watched a film!

FunnyOrca · 08/02/2026 22:29

Do it on the return flight. People will be glad of the space by then!

MakeYourOwnSunshine · 08/02/2026 22:29

You'd be a twat to do this on a family trip IMO. Either everyone flies in first class or nobody does.