to feel a bit shit that they're making me fly alone?

[SF25]

My mum, dad, sister, brother, niece and I are all going to New York for Christmas (can't wait, have never been before!) I admit that they are in much better jobs than me and do have more money. They're all deciding to fly First, I admit, I'm extremely jealous. There is no way in hell could I afford to pay the extra few thousand pounds!! I have tried asking my mum if they could maybe fly with me and they say that I should have saved throughout the year (mainly my brother and sister) but I just don't have enough to save!! Especially just so I can fly first (as lovely as it looks). It means I do the whole airport faff on my own, as they go to a separate bit. It's not that I can't fly alone, but it feels a bit shit. Especially as DC are with their dad this Christmas. BTW, we were all flying economy (which is when they gave me a price and I said I'd love to come) then they upgraded.

Feel a bit crap tbh.

[ChilliMum]

I think it's truly rotten of them. I can't imagine taking a group trip and leaving someone to fend for themselves.
I posted though to say don't let it ruin your trip. One of my favourite things is travelling alone. I think it makes you so much more aware of the experience and you have time to savour the little things. By the time you have pottered around the shops at duty free and had a coffee you will be boarding. Then you can read your book or watch a movie or just snooze and enjoy the peace.
I always travel these days with the kids and I look at lone travellers with envy

[oldlaundbooth]

That's really not on.

[SloeGinandTonic]

Are they in 1st or Club?

If it is club then you use a different long but the principal is the same.

You won't be able to book a spa treatment but the last time I flew 1st with BA I couldn't get one anyway (and they are rubbish compared to Virgin)

[honeylulu]

Totally shit of them. Can you politely ask to be first on the list for a free upgrade. I airways ask, vair vair politely if I'm travelling alone. It has worked (admittedly only once but if the plane is overbooked in economy they will be looking to bump passengers - some lucky ones get bumped to first class. Dressing smart and talking "posh" helps, apparently.)

[SF25]

Like I say, the point is, you would be with your partner... Then your brothers family. Not just your whole family (including my mum and dad, etc.) and had agreed it.

[SloeGinandTonic]

Make sure that your bookings are linked as well. With BA there is a chance that they will upgrade you.

[SloeGinandTonic]

You will be away from them for about 10 minutes maximum whilst you go through screening.

[Coffeegivemecoffee]

I don't think it's mean/nasty etc. They can afford it so that's what they are doing.

I went on a hen do earlier this year, I was the only one in economy everyone else was in first class I couldn't afford it. I absolutely do not resent my friend for spending there money on first class, one of them offered to pay for me to go first class but I refused.

[SF25]

Thank you Sloe

[SloeGinandTonic]

Read flyer talk

www.flyertalk.com/forum/british-airways-executive-club-446/

There will be a thread about guesting people into lounges etc. If not just art a thread and ask. They are lovely chaps and chapesses (must mostly chaps) over there.

[SloeGinandTonic]

Are they in 1st or club?

[SloeGinandTonic]

I fly BA 1st a bit. I wouldn't waste my money on 1st to New York as the flight is too short.

[TheInimitableMrsFanshawe]

I think it's mean, but how are you planning to fund your expenses while you're away if you haven't saved? New York is not a cheap city, although it is possible to do things on a budget. I don't suppose your family is going to want to be bargain hunting for restaurants while you're there, drinks are expensive, admissions etc.

[OlivesTree]

BA won't let you use the lounge if you aren't flying with them. Close family member works for them and has just confirmed this.

I think that is really mean of your family. It isn't as though it is a few hundred pounds more either it's a huuuuuge leap in price. I've been trying to think of ways you can
make the situation better for yourself- just remember to 'raid the larder' every time you go to the loo. Sorry, best I could come up with.

[OlivesTree]

Agree with poster above, if you are hoping for an upgrade dress smart- definitely not jeans. It's annoying as everyone else in first/club will be in them but they won't upgrade anyone in them.

[MatildaTheCat]

Flying first class is ridiculously expensive and cannot be justified for the ordinary paying punter unless you are super wealthy.almost everyone is doing on work expenses or air miles. Business is pretty rubbish other than the seat. The BA lounge I was in a couple of weeks ago was so overcrowded and filthy we would, without doubt, been more comfortable in Pret.

Sit and relax in economy and enjoy a couple of movies. It's only about seven hours. I wouldn't fall out with your family, they've been a bit off if they just assumed you'd want to spend so much more on a few hours in the sky but not worth falling out over.

Oh, and I couldn't get my first choice of food either there or home. And the films weren't working so business was a pricey sort of pleasure.

Are they really in first class? Premium is worth paying more for IMO but only on long flights.

[SF25]

I have spending money, from gifts for Christmas and my birthday has just been so saved then too, but they think you should save like £10000 and have that in the bank for the holiday, so that's why they just upgraded. Like I say, if they hadn't booked the holiday with economy, so I would come, I wouldn't have an issue, or if I was with a partner etc. of I feel it was a group of friends. It's the fact it's my whole imidate fanily

[SloeGinandTonic]

BA won't let you use the lounge if you aren't flying with them. Close family member works for them and has just confirmed this.

Yes they will. I regularly guest total strangers into the lounge.

[Nicknameofawesome]

Hopefully if you all booked flights together and then they all separately upgraded BA will see it and bump you up.

I think it's pretty shitty tbh. If there are 4 of them and they all have enough cash to pay the insane difference I would have thought they could all pay an extra quarter again to take you with them.

Don't let them spoil it for you. New York is beautiful and although there are many expensive places there you can also find some amazing sights for free.

The Staten Island ferry takes you across near the Statue of Liberty for free (although going to the island isn't as expensive as I expected) the museums are amazing and Central Park is beautiful.

If it all gets too much just walk away and enjoy the beautiful city.

[SloeGinandTonic]

They can guest if they are flying 1st class.

www.flyertalk.com/forum/british-airways-executive-club/1447371-ba-lounge-access-guidelines.html


BA guesting details

Guesting privileges qualified by class of travel
With regard to oneworld lounges, the guesting rules are relatively straight forward.

Travelling first class
The ticket holder may invite one guest into a oneworld first class or business class lounge. Both the first class ticket holder and guest must be travelling on a oneworld operated and marketed flight, though not necessarily on the same flight or same carrier.

Travelling business class
No guests

[bloodyteenagers]

What utter shits your family are.
To have a discussions and decide to all fly together, then upgrade last minute.
It doesn't matter if they afford it, so what. It's not what was originally agreed.

I would be seeing if there was anyway to cancel without loosing too much and using the cash for something else. I would let them know as well it was done because obviously I wasn't really expected to go along. Hence changing the goal posts at the last minute.

[FizzySweeties]

I flew to the Caribbean (so the same distance essentially) on economy. The seats were still more spacious than the usual flights to Spain for example, I didn't feel cramped. Still managed a comfy nap. I know it's not the point but economy isn't necessarily as bad as all that if that's what happens.

It is sad that they could leave you out of the group situation like that but just put on your big girl pants, enjoy yourself in duty free and take a load of reading and listening material for the flight. And have a great trip!

[SloeGinandTonic]

if they are actually in club and so can't guest go on flyer talk and there is a thread where you can ask someone to guest you in. People with BA status can guest even if travelling in club or economy. BA lounges are very layered by travel class and status.

If they are in club and can't guest you then you may well find someone on flyer talk who will guest to into either the concorde room or the 1st class lounge.

[deste]

We are going to Vancouver in January with my son and his fiancé. They are going first class, we are going economy. We could go first class but I don't think it's worth the difference in price. You are going on holiday and once you get to the other side you will all be in the same boat. You will all be on the same flight and you can go and see them. You will probably sleep through most of the flight anyway. I would just go up and check in with the rest of them.

[GreenPetal94]

It's a waste of money to fly first class. You are the one who is flying the best way, its only a few hours. Take a good book and try not to let it bother you at all. I hope the rest of the holiday is fun, it sounds great.