Who should be denied cheap flight set up?

[Wayda]

My younger brother is a pilot. For 5+ years I have been lucky enough to get access to very discounted cheap flights. Appreciate that. Has helped my child and I experience many things we simply would not be able to otherwise (single mum). My brother recently mentioned that I along with our other brother need to figure out who will keep the cheap flights. Pilot brother has 5 spots which he can divvy out. He has recently become serious with a girlfriend who he wants to give the discount to.

My brother (not the pilot) is on a far higher salary than me and does not have kids. Yes, he travels more than me but that is due to him having the time to do so. This brother also loaned my younger brother some money to live off whilst training so I think feels entitled to the discounts. He probably earns £80k. Anyway, when we met at the weekend he told me “you had a good run”! The cheek! Assuming I should give up my spot.

Parents witnessed this and did not say anything about their spots. If I were them I would try and help out a single mother. I know it may seem entitled but I’m more hurt by the lack of consideration.

AIBU?

Speaking as someone who also gets discounted staff travel, I agree, you have had a good run and it’s fair that someone else gets a chance. I only got two people on my staff travel and regularly switched people around. Nobody was ever anything other than thankful that they’d had a turn.

Yeah I went and checked then incase they had changed it haha

You do realise she still had to pay for accommodation, activities, and food while they're away right? If she normally goes away 4 times a year (for example) she would have to save up for 4 lots of accommodation, activities, and food. Now, say she saves up the same amount of money, but only goes away 2 times a year, she will have money to pay for flights. And/or if she goes to places where accommodation, activities and food are cheaper, she'll have more money to put towards flights.

I don't know why this concept is so difficult for you to understand. It is generally how people plan their holidays. You find a holiday that fits your budget or you save up until you have enough for the holiday you want.

But what if the sibling with money had been helping you out financially? Don't you think they would be entitled to at least the offer of cheap flights?

if you get one discount, your brother the other, then your parents and the girlfriend you will still get a discount, just not as much as before. but this is fairest really, even though you are annoyed by it.

I’d say if the sibling helped towards the fee it’s a genuine kind deal to offer that sibling a free perk you get. Same with parents if you had good parents with a loving family and you can give them a perk amazing.

but when you start having to rank people.

1, partner
2, person who helped fund it
3, parents
4, siblings/friends depending on relationship
5, extended family

Why do your brothers have to pay for your holidays just because you chose to have a child?

Graciously accept one slot for you; and relinquish the other to your brother.

That way everybody benefits from pilot brother’s generosity, and all you have to do is pay in full for your child.

YOUR child.

Yes, you’re a paragon, we all get that. You’d give away a perk you don’t have to someone else and judge anyone who would like to use it themselves.

The brother who helped him become a pilot in the first place gets chosen over the Lone Parent.

The fact OP needs two tickets out of the five for it to work means she should give in gracefully, as does the fact the brother gets more use from the tickets.

Sorry, OP, you got five years of cheap holidays but your time is up now.

Have you never picked up the fact that there may not have been any free tickets at all if older brother hadn't subsidised pilot brother's training?

im guessing the OP means spots that can use concessional travel so cheaper travel-my airline I can have 3 people on it and they can either travel with or without me whenever they like!

I can change who has the spots every 4 months!

I think the most fair thing is to rotate the discount. Your brother and his girlfriend haven't had the discount yet so it is reasonable for them to have a chance to enjoy it now. Perhaps ask your parents if they will consider giving you their discount? However I think your brother is correct in saying you had a good run.

Usually the ‘free’ flights given to friends and family are not entirely free. Taxes need to be paid. Plus hotels spending money etc. so either you’re not as bad off as you’re claiming or your not able to take advantage or the flights that often. Your brother might use it a lot. I think it’s his turn. Swap it again in a year.

It would make more sense to alternate with your parents.

I think you are unreasonable and your attitude is entitled. Just because you are a single parent, that doesnt mean you should automatically get the benefit.

Sounds like your brother massively supported other brother through his training. Also, who are you to decide what your brother can afford? Just because he has a good job, doesnt mean he should be penalised for this.

I do think the best way is 2 for parents, 1 for girlfriend and 1 each for you and brother. If this means you have to change the way you holiday to UK only/cheaper/not as often , then unfortunately that's the way it is.

Well if it’s like that for the OP too, then the brother and sister should rotate one of the spots / and or the parents.

Might mean the OP doesn’t get quite so many cheap flights a year but would have the chance for one or possibly even two really good holidays.

Either one of the parents or the brother let her have a second spot for the school holidays when she’s more likely to need to travel than them.

If your brother travels more then makes sense for him to take it. Assume you’re restricted to school holidays. How often are you going? There’s a lot of cheap flights out there anyway, maybe not as cheap but if you’re not going often it’s silly to take 2 spots. If you feel your brother has railroaded you argue back, ask for one each, and pay for your DD. Of course he’s still going to want to benefit from cheap flights no matter what he’s earning. If he’s supported your brother when he was training then I think it’s totally fair it goes to him over you.

Yes. I was assuming that Pilot B and Gf might like to go on hol twice a year, since it his his perk to be enjoyed by him! So she gets 2 free / cheap flights to go away with him.

In his shoes I wouldn’t be giving away perks to grabby family members if I could use them to go on a holiday and a city break with my partner!

So ask and offer this as a fair solution

The absolute cheek of you, you had a 5year run and good that your brother is limiting you. Seriously you are so entitled you really don't realise how lucky you were.

OP have you tried to claim universal credit?
OP have you claimed CMS?

You've had your turn. Let your brother have it for a bit.

@wordler

*Well if it’s like that for the OP too, then the brother and sister should rotate one of the spots / and or the parents.

Might mean the OP doesn’t get quite so many cheap flights a year but would have the chance for one or possibly even two really good holidays.*

Problem with that idea might be that some companies restrict how often you can switch your nominees.

The brother has been having the same cheap flights as the OP during this one period.

@Zanatdy

If you feel your brother has railroaded you argue back, ask for one each, and pay for your DD.

Been suggested previously, depending on the scheme it might be highly difficult or even impossible to have an adult traveling on a staff ticket of some sort accompanying a minor traveling on a different booking, or vice versa.