To not pay for DSS to travel Business Class?

[Donewithitt]

Looking at booking flights UK to Australia for DH and I. We weren’t sure if DSS (18) would want to come as it’s to see family. Mentioned it to DSS and he’s keen to come, and might stay for longer. We are only going for 2 weeks due to work commitments. We are ready to book now, DSS hasn’t worked out what he wants to do yet. AIBU to book DH and I business class flights now while they are still reasonably priced then DSS can travel in economy once he knows what he wants to do. Also we won’t be paying for his travel forever so want him to realise that!

I would never travel business class and leave DC’s in economy. As a family we all travel in business. DT’s are now in their mid 20’s.
Would you treat him like this if it was your DS and not your DSS?

Seems pretty mean to me to have him travel in a separate class if youre all booking. That said, I would only do it if he is able to decide now. He needs to make up his mind for certain.

I think that would be quite cheeky to travel business class and expect your Step son to go economy.

What does DH think/expect?

Does DSS have form for dropping out of things?

Yabu

Give him the choice, commit now and you pay for business class or if he waits then it will be economy if prices have gone up.

It reads like you’re deliberately trying to exclude him. As usual for a step child post.

Yanbu at all.

If he could commit now, would you pay Business? Offer to contribute whatever the current Business Class fare is. He can have Economy fully paid for or pay the difference depending upon what prices are when he is able to commit

I’d just tell him he needs to decide because you’re about to book and you might not be able to afford to get him a business seat if the price goes up later.

I'm shocked at the responses. I can't imagine being able to travel business class but surely, paying for an adult child to travel to Australia... they should be grateful for any ticket.
If he can't commit now, tell him what the deal is and he can choose.

Can you allocate the cost of an economy ticket then if he wants he can upgrade to business or not and pay for it himself ?

This.
No need to pay more if prices go up later, but I’d be prepared to pay the same for him as for you and DH.

This.

Totally fine for him to fly economy, we’ve flown business and the kids flown economy once they are teens. It’s quite normal to do that,

I'm surprised at these responses to be honest. I'm a travel agent and have booked quite a few holidays for families with grown up children, where the parents have flown business and the kids have flown economy. These kids are adults getting a free holiday (often staying in very luxurious places) - I'd be amazed if they felt hard done by!

Not something i’d do, we would all travel the same class.

At 18, he is an adult. You don’t need to fund anything. That would be the case if he was your biological son too.

It is very generous that you are offering to pay for anything.

Just tell him he can come business with you if he’s definite about going now but business maybe too expensive if booked later so may need to be in economy. Choice is his.

I’m shocked by the comments on here saying you should pay for business class for your DSS! To Australia that’s going to be a difference of a couple of thousand pounds at least between economy & business surely? I mean, if you are very wealthy then go for it. We are pretty well off and sometimes travel in different classes than the children. Sometimes we are all in business, sometimes all in economy. One child doesn’t care. One child occasionally complains (and gets a gentle reminder of how lucky they are to be going somewhere on holiday however they get there!)

I'm sure I've read this exact post before.

We are ready to book now, DSS hasn’t worked out what he wants to do yet.

It looks like you have asked him what he wants to do and would pay for a business class ticket if he commits now but he's not made his mind up. Why would you wait for him to make up his mind and then pay for three, more expensive, business class tickets? Book your tickets now and offer him the price of an economy ticket if he decides he wants to come at a later date.

Not normal for our family - we travel together in business.

How old are your kids?