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!

But BC tickets are refundable (most of the time, that's the point of them) so I don't understand the issue ?

@Donewithitt reading your latest update, your DH is a very sensible chap!

If economy is good enough for your children, why is it not good enough for you? Or if you prefer - if economy isn't good enough for you, why is it acceptable for your children?

At 18, the OP likely didn't fly BC...flying is harder as you get older, I don't see a problem. Plenty of families do not even pay for their 18yr old dc to go on holiday...

Do you make your kids eat the bread that's going moudly whilst you start the fresh loaf? Do you give them the Tesco Basis shower gel whilst you use Molton Brown?

Yep, a paid for flight to Australia is the equivalent to mouldy bread 😆

I use a different shampoo/shower gel to my dc. I have coloured hair & my main requirement isn't how many bubbles I can make!

I don’t think they are unless you select that option and pay more. You might be able to move them but you would have to pay the increase in price to do so so you could end up paying thousands more.

I thought he was 18 not 8.

He's not a CHILD.

No. Within each seating class, there are fare classes. Just as fully flexible economy is cheaper than “no changes” economy, the same is true in business.

Immoral? How?

You've ignored all the posts saying that ofcourse go ahead and book!! It's perfectly reasonable that he flies economy and he ought to be greatful that you still pay his ticket at 18.
Next time omit that he's your DSS and just say DS and you wouldn't get the same feedback. Lot of people on MN see the wicked stepmother everywhere..🤣

I’d be buying the son an economy ticket anyway. They are a young adult , perfectly capable of travelling alone . They are being treated to a holiday to Oz all paid for - they don’t need a business class ticket as well.

Mumsnet hates step parents , so of course you should book him business class . Back in the real world … yeah don’t .

He is 18! He will survive a long haul flight in economy just like all the other 99% of teenagers in the world. Book premium economy and maybe you can bid for an upgrade closer to the time.
It’s more than generous that you pay for the whole holiday anyway.

If you and DH are in agreement then what the hell are you doing on mumsnet. Imagine the scenario if every post was along the lines of

My husband and I agreed that we should go to the cinema. Should we go to the cinema?

Wrt booking BC flights for an 18 yo kid, I think ye should if ye can afford it, as ye're flying BC. It's not so much the extra luxury & comfort, though that will make his flight better too of course, however for me, it's more the length of time sat on the flight going to very far away destinations, seated away from ye surrounded by strangers instead.

He's eighteen! That's gap year age. I'm sure he'll be fine 'surrounded by strangers".

He needs to decide today what he is doing. If he not decided you just book two business tickets. If he has confirmed today no later you book three business tickets.

Okay word Police. It was 5am and I couldn't sleep!

Gordon Ramsey, Kirstie Allsop and Robbie Williams have been SEEN doing it. Lilly Allen 'MENTIONED' it in an interview.

I don't think there is anything wrong with it.

How can whole families afford business class……? Blows my mind.

It wouldn’t sit right with me to travel business and have another family member in economy. If money were an issue, we would all go economy. However, the timing of booking appears to be a factor as DSS hasn’t yet decided if he’s going. I would give him a deadline to decide and then look at the costs to see what was feasible depending on if he’s going or not.

This is what I would do.

Fucking hell, no wonder so many young adults are so entitled emotionally immature these days. My parents did this when I was about 16 to the states and I was fine and I was in no way scarred.

This thread is a perfect example that people love to crucify stepmums on here.

Lots of people split families between economy and business. It’s quite normal if it’s something an older dc would not do and pay for themselves. This is a treat and it’s not a bad one! I’d just say to DS - is it ok with you? We did same with DD recently (not Australia) and she was more than happy with a free safari holiday! There’s no way I’d go to Aus not in business. I also would never go for 2 weeks!

This is the fair thing to do if that's the real reason you're not paying for BC for him.

We have always traveled in business (including DC’s) and use air miles and top up with cash. We are frequent (at least once a month) long haul travelers and travelling in comfort is a priority for us.

Amazing how the age of being a child constantly moves around on MN depending on context.

Imagine a post that said

“My dad and DSM have asked me whether I want to go to Australia with them. They are paying for the flights and accommodation. The problem is, they will only pay for an economy ticket for me, but they will be upgrading themselves to business class. I haven’t worked out yet whether I want to go at all, but as they won’t pay for me to sit in business, WIBU to tell them to shove it?”

What would the responses be.

Friends husband has v bad back issues and three offspring. Visit family in Australia quite often, the kids go economy .