To upgrade the kids too?

[Jessforless]

Long story short, I suffer from terrible claustrophobia and last week had a panic attack on a plane and the very lovely cabin crew put me in the jump seat for most of the remaining flight. This has led to me saying I’m done, I don’t see myself flying again. (I am having therapy for this.)

We have a holiday long haul booked for next year and I’m already panicking about it. Obviously I might be ‘better’ by then, I hope so. Other than that my DH said he would upgrade me to business with points and I’ll have more room and no one reclining in my face. (This and the combined trolley beside me caused the panic attack)

This is so lovely and I do appreciate it but I wouldn’t want to fly by myself, and thought actually, what a lovely treat for the kids, maybe as a one off, let’s go halves and all upgrade. (2 DC, and they have always wanted to do it.)

DH is saying no, they don’t need it, it’s a waste of money (points wouldn’t cover it all, would need about 2/3k more I think for all.)

AIBU - I should just fly by myself… (if we do it)

YANBU - yes it’s a one off and will be a great treat and memory for them.

Look he's offering to have the kids there and back, just agree and accept that this is not the time to add 3k to a holiday

I was definitely confusing bulkhead seats with exit row… though I think someone with a baby who needs the carrycot would take precedence. I might email and explore this option. I don’t need to recline, as long as someone doesn’t recline into me I think it might be okay.

Is the upgrade actually available?
It is airline dependent but for BA unless you have a gold voucher there has to be a reward seat available.

Yeah, it’s available.

Well, for me. I don’t actually know about the others…

Just seen it is BA. There has to be a business reward on the plane- and they are like hens teeth on most routes these days

https://www.headforpoints.com/2022/12/29/how-does-upgrade-using-avios-work/comment-page-1/#comments

Plus you can only upgrade 1 cabin with BA- so assume that you are already in world traveller plus (premium economy)

You could go to the doctors and explain - they might be willing to prescribe something for the flight.

Maybe he’s confused, he spoke to customer service and they said they could split me from the party and then we could use points / pay for an upgrade. That’s as much info as I have though - and then him estimating what we would have to pay in the difference if we all did it. Is it not just like buying a more expensive seat?

Children can’t sit in an emergency exit seat (over the wing) they can absolutely sit in the bulkhead seats in the centre of the plane. We always booked these seats on long haul when our kids were young. Much easier than having mum or dad in/front or behind the rest of the family, and no seats in front. In fact there’s usually sky cots on the bulkhead for families traveling with young babies.
Hope you manage to resolve this and have a fantastic trip.

The article explains it all. Unless he has a GUF 1 or a GUF2. Then you can upgrade certain revenue seats and you don't need reward availability.

Agree with this. I was looking at booking a last minute break today with a view to leaving tomorrow. My 12 year old looked horrified st the thought of flying Jet2 for 5 hours despite the alternative being stuck in rainy England for the next 5 days

Valium or beta blockers. And do the business class yourself

Absolutely don't take the kids in business class! Other passengers will not want your kids in their quiet upgraded seats!!

Would you not be okay in front row of premium economy with only one person (you know) beside you?

I had similar in economy on overnight last month, felt sick and being hemmed in by window next to partner then stranger freaked me out. So I stood by the toilet area for 2-3 hours. Fun! But I am not sure I'd feel much better in fancier seats. But sitting in a seat for 2 with partner only helps. More private if I am feeling unwell.

Maybe watch YouTube videos of ba business and premium economy-non stop Dan is good -to see if the configuration suits you.

Come on... that's a little unfair! As somebody who regularly has her children fly business class and always gets compliments about how they've behaved, I think your comment is unfair. Not all kids are a nuisance. I've endured a fair few BC and FC flights with rowdy middle aged men and giggling girls which were far more irritating than kids.

Accept the upgrade and get some medication/hypnotherapy first. The kids can sit like pretzels in the back of the plane. Honestly it would be wasted on them ….

Mine are similar ages and have always been fine (the max we would ever fly economy is up to around 5 hours).

@JustGotToKeepOnKeepingOn they are 10 and 13 and beautifully behaved. I would have no worries at all about them impacting anyone else’s experience.

You in business the rest in cattle class or all in business. It's not a waste - they'll appreciate it! I don't understand why people don't think kids deserve the same treatment as adults.
Whenever I've had the chance to fly business my kids are there too. We are all flying premium economy to the US in December - I could have used the points to just upgrade me to business and kept them in economy but wouldn't dream of it.

Deff go on your own!