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Sis Got A Free Upgrade To First Class On Long Flight, Family Is Furious She Didn’t Give It To Bro
Who wouldn’t like to get a free upgrade to first class, especially during a long flight? Probably everyone would – or at least most of us. However, it’s very unlikely that everyone who wants it could get it. You need to be very lucky or be loyal to the airline – and if there’s a possibility, it may be your lucky day.
One Reddit user had a similar situation – as she was a frequent traveler with the airline and had the most status out of all the passengers, she was offered a free upgrade to first class. However, according to her family members, she should have passed on the upgrade to her brother.
More info: Reddit
RELATED:
Starting a family vacation with drama is not the best decision
Image credits: Pixabay (not the actual photo)
Woman shares that her whole family was going on vacation and since she and her brother live in the same part of the country, they were flying together
Image credits: Vinh Lâm (not the actual photo)
Now, after boarding, a flight attendant came to the woman saying that one first-class passenger didn’t show, so as she had the most status, she was offered the seat
Image credits: August de Richelieu (not the actual photo)
She added that her brother is 6’6” – so when they landed, he was mad and only after meeting the rest of the family members was she told that what she did was ‘awful’
Image credits: u/Abbyissostupid
She emphasized that her whole family is furious at her and scolding her for not giving her first-class upgrade to her brother
A couple days ago, one Reddit user took her story online seeking to hear community members’ opinions on whether she was in fact being a jerk as she was told by her family. She took the free first-class upgrade that the airline gave her on a 12-hour flight and didn’t give it to her 6‘6” brother. The post went viral, collecting over 12K upvotes and 2K comments.
The original poster (OP) starts her story by sharing that her whole family was planning on meeting in Hawaii. And while there are 6 of them, she and her brother live in the same part of the country, so they were traveling together. However, after the boarding, the flight attendant came to OP saying that there was an available seat in the first class and due to her frequent travels, she had the most status of all the passengers.
OP explained that she took it in a heartbeat and had a great flight. However, when they landed, she met her brother, who, importantly, is 6‘6” (~198cm) and was very mad. After finally meeting with the rest of the family, their mom told OP that what she did was ‘awful’ and she should have given her seat to her brother. Needless to say, the whole family is upset with the woman and calls her a jerk.
However, the community members had the woman’s back – “Your family is outrageous. Would the brother have offered OP the first class seat if it was reversed? Doubt it,” one user wrote. “He would have not gotten the seat either way. Had you tried to give it to him, the airline would have offered it to the next person with a high status,” another noted.
Image credits: Recal Media (not the actual photo)
In the comments, people online noted that OP’s brother is going to have quite a lot of perks by being tall, so he had no right to be a jerk about the seat. However, let’s look a little bit into how accurate it actually is that being tall brings quite a few perks in life.
Well, according to HubPages, height tends to correspond with confidence. If you are taller than normal, people will regard you as more confident, and hence take you more seriously. Another thing that, in fact, has been backed up by studies is that you can earn more money. A study conducted in Britain discovered that every inch of height over normal corresponded to an additional £789 in annual earnings.
Also, you are more likely to be successful and people are even more willing to help you. A study discovered that people are more likely to help taller persons than shorter people. Tall people are even more likely to get hired! Well, looks like it’s actually true – despite not being offered a first-class upgrade from his sister, he is going to have quite a lot of perks by being 6’6″!
Now, it’s no surprise that if you are really tall, it’s uncomfortable to fly. Luckily, AFAR listed a few tips on how you can make it at least a little bit easier – first of all, get a seat in the emergency exit row. Also, use the secret button on the aisle armrest. The button is intended for travelers with accessibility issues, but it can also provide a tall traveler extra room to stretch out in the aisle or shift their body during flight.
And finally, sometimes it’s worthwhile to invest in comfortable or economy-plus chairs and spend a little bit for premium seats, especially for longer flights.
So, what is your take on this story, dear readers? Do you think the sister was in fact being a jerk for not giving the seat upgrade to the brother? Or did she do nothing wrong? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Redditors backed up the woman in this situation and assured her she didn’t do anything wrong
What do you think ?
A S Mora 1 year ago
This family clearly has a favorite child, and a child from whom they expect sacrifices for the favorite. This woman will go no-contact and they'll all freak out because I'd bet my favorite pair of shoes they also rely on her for something they all refuse to learn how to do.
WindySwede 1 year ago
Or also "We have given you everything, how can you do this?!"
Load More Replies...
Jeevesssssss 1 year ago
I'm assuming you couldn't have swapped it anyway from the comments. If you could have swapped it, it would have been a nice gesture, and if I weren't disabled and had a 6'6 brother one I'd probably offer. The MINUTE it was assumed I'd just be giving it up though that would be it. It's not his right, it would be a thoughtful sacrifice of something you've earned (by having to spend money to sit in a flying tin can for hours on end).
Israel Martinez 1 year ago (edited)
[insert uproarious laughter emoji] ...
Load More Replies...
Pan dulce 1 year ago
Would the airline have allowed her to 'take the first class seat' only to give it to her brother (someone w/ no flight credit)? Not that it matters (because f**k that, the seat is hers) but it could have been a good defense to get the family off her case.
Jorge Gonzalez 1 year ago
I would have take the first flight back home and go no contact with the family. I cannot stand passive aggressive cowards and their enablers.
Joe Reaves 1 year ago
Even if they would have allowed her to give it to her brother, which they almost certainly wouldn't, he didn't ask. That's not expecting him to 'beg', that's expecting him to use his words like an adult (or any child over about 5).
Dragons Exist 1 year ago
Him asking for the seat and her refusing, and then him continually asking, is begging. Him not even asking isn't begging, it's expecting OP to give the seat to him without asking
Joey Jo Jo Shabadoo 1 year ago
I think the biggest a*****e here is the other sister. Why did she get involved at all, let alone bring the kids into it? She sounds awful
Guess Undheit 1 year ago
Being upset in the five minute conversation after landing is normal. Getting pi$$y and passive aggressive for a week is a display of emotional infantilism.
Emerald Gal28 1 year ago
It's a privilege not an entitlement,if they are all bitter about it and making the holiday awful, I'd just reimburse the flight ticket price to my father and go back Let them live with the guilt for making me end the holiday early
Lance Wong 1 year ago
NTA. To put it crazy, as said, the first class upgrade can not be transferred. I fly alot, both business and personal. All my business trips are paid by my employer. We went to a seminar with a few other coworkers. I was offered an upgrade and my boss had a freak. Saying he paid for my travel. He should get it. I agreed and told the flight attendance that was fine. We were told I was only being offered the upgrade because they needed the coach seat for a standby customer. And I may not save my upgrade for future flights or transfer the upgrade. Needless to say my coworkers and manager was quite unhappy. When we got back to home base, the animosity was too much and I quit. My points was a combination of business and personal. It wasn't separate. A free upgrade that was now or never, and couldn't be transferred? Sorry boss.
What does this button do? 1 year ago
the owner of our company put it best on the flight where I got upgraded and he was in the back of the bus... "I'd expect him to get the upgrades here and there - if he doesn't, it means he's not doing the job I'm paying him to do!"
Load More Replies...
Georgie Gal 1 year ago
I hope an update comes after OP shares this with her family. Or throws the facts at them. Shoot, I have a pinched nerve in my back that rarely acts up, but when it does I use a cane. Went to Disneyland with family and I had to use the cane by day two. And I usually refused to skip ahead in lines whenever I was asked because it's not like I'm completely disabled. I have a feeling if this family had the same issue, they'd all be demanding to jump in front of everyone. (P.S. I did accept the jump ahead a few times when the lines weren't all that long, but partly because a few of the other guests would tell me to go ahead. Hey, I'm nice, but who am I to refuse someone a good deed for the day? Lol)
Daggie_style 1 year ago
If the son was so damn precious, why didn't parents love him enough to get him first class. It says the dad sprung for the tickets. Just because they're family doesn't mean they're important. Ditch those C U Next Tuesdays
Tessana Nemenski 1 year ago
*facepalm* I hate how people who don't fly frequently/consistently are the ones that complain the most. (In this case the brother). Even if OP wanted to be nice, a majority of US airlines won't let you do this... even if you have the most loyalty on the flight. Why? Because us loyalty folks know how the system works. Flight attendants will not risk confirmation and /or complaints to upper management for upgrading out of order of loyalty rank let alone someone with no loyalty status
What does this button do? 1 year ago
besides, other than a few discount airlines, pretty much every major airline offers some sort of economy plus seating, which has significantly more legroom, for typically less than a hundred bucks above the base economy. Brother could have easily upgraded himself to economy plus on check in and paid the pittance it costs. If he's ever flown any time before, or ever read anything related to air travel, he'd have known you don't comfortably jacknife 6'6" into basic economy seating. Agreed on the complainers - the frequent fliers just roll with the punches and make a sarcastic post about it later (oh, the glamour of air travel, etc.). The infrequent fliers seem to expect air travel to be like it was in the 70s, right down to the smoking section. The older I get, the happier I'll be to trade in my status for the sofa.
Load More Replies...
Emerald Gal28 1 year ago
It's a privilege not an entitlement,if they are all bitter about it and making the holiday awful, I'd apologise to my father for ending the trip early ,just reimburse the flight amount. I'd leave them feeling bad for ruining the holidays over something like this then meet them less.If a family is this selfish then there's no need for them to be near you
The Starsong Princess 1 year ago
The seat could have gone to him if she switched after takeoff. But the expectation by her family that her first thought should be the comfort and convenience of her brother over her own is odd. I bet the family has a pattern of putting him first.
Laura Williams 1 year ago
Wow entitlement doesn't quite cover this. 1 they offered it to you not your brother. They could see he was tall. Did they offer for one of your family members to take your place. Nope it was how many points you and you alone had. 2 if he had been a grown up man he could have asked hey if we can can we trade. He didn't do that. 3 like every body has been saying he could have paid for a seat with more room or they could have. They knew how tall he was. Tell them to buy him a first class seat home. Nobody will step up. Yes he was uncomfortable boo hoo you're going to Hawaii grow up everyone. Honestly have the airline explain it if they are huffy still. And what the hell is the dig with your niece and nephew. They all need to grow up. Especially the sister with they only like to play with people who consider family. Read her go no contact except for dad tell him your happy for him. Seriously grow àss people acting like children. Hope sister sees this. I'm just as big a bìtch as she is.
Yu Pan 1 year ago (edited)
I feel differently on this one. If I'm traveling by myself, I'd take the first class. If I'm traveling with family, I'd offer it to my family (like my mother or my sister because seats would be more comfortable for them) and if that's not possible, someone else can take it. Hey, if I suffer, at least I'm suffering together with my family. Besides, if Op has status anyway, she can get upgrade the next time she travels by herself.
Lance Wong 1 year ago
It was an upgrade because of a cancelation. Not a coupon or gesture to be used on future flight. Nor can it be transferred.
Load More Replies... millac 1 year ago
She's going to end up family-less if she follows the redditer advice to blow everyone off. She should at minimum lie that it was non transferable. I don't think most people understand how absolutely gargantuanly tall 6'6" is and how it makes everything in life horribly inconvenient and quite often painful.
Craig Reynolds 1 year ago
If she didn't already know her brother is the "golden-child", she certainly knows now...
Clare Valentine 1 year ago
Maybe, if it were allowed by the airline, you could have swapped halfway, so that you both got a first class upgrade. Otherwise, I agree, NTA
Melissa anderson 1 year ago
Sounds like her family is jealous of her success, especially her brother. I’m guessing her brother is the golden child and his parents worship him like a god.
Natasha Clark 1 year ago
NTA!! Your brother is clearly the spoiled brat "golden child" & have that "only boy" card on standby. You'd be a fool to not go no contact with them to throw a temper tantrum like two year old over a damn seat.
Armando Gonzales 1 year ago
No, she was not being a jerk. Her family is full of A holes. I would Tell them to screw off and then leave
Reta Murphy 1 year ago
Tell us who the golden child is without telling us. And yes he is acting like a child. Your perks, f**k them. Also it sound like family measures love by the inches like my family did. Sister was 5'9" and was the favorite. I am 5'0" and was called a mistake, an oops and worked for my keep. Tell them to grow up and go LC to NC whatever you are comfortable with until they pull their heads out of their asses. Don't babysit, don't lend money, if you are paying something for them, quit. Hugs to you.
A S Mora 1 year ago
This family clearly has a favorite child, and a child from whom they expect sacrifices for the favorite. This woman will go no-contact and they'll all freak out because I'd bet my favorite pair of shoes they also rely on her for something they all refuse to learn how to do.
WindySwede 1 year ago
Or also "We have given you everything, how can you do this?!"
Load More Replies... Jeevesssssss 1 year ago
I'm assuming you couldn't have swapped it anyway from the comments. If you could have swapped it, it would have been a nice gesture, and if I weren't disabled and had a 6'6 brother one I'd probably offer. The MINUTE it was assumed I'd just be giving it up though that would be it. It's not his right, it would be a thoughtful sacrifice of something you've earned (by having to spend money to sit in a flying tin can for hours on end).
Israel Martinez 1 year ago (edited)
[insert uproarious laughter emoji] ...
Load More Replies... Pan dulce 1 year ago
Would the airline have allowed her to 'take the first class seat' only to give it to her brother (someone w/ no flight credit)? Not that it matters (because f**k that, the seat is hers) but it could have been a good defense to get the family off her case.
Jorge Gonzalez 1 year ago
I would have take the first flight back home and go no contact with the family. I cannot stand passive aggressive cowards and their enablers.
Joe Reaves 1 year ago
Even if they would have allowed her to give it to her brother, which they almost certainly wouldn't, he didn't ask. That's not expecting him to 'beg', that's expecting him to use his words like an adult (or any child over about 5).
Dragons Exist 1 year ago
Him asking for the seat and her refusing, and then him continually asking, is begging. Him not even asking isn't begging, it's expecting OP to give the seat to him without asking
Joey Jo Jo Shabadoo 1 year ago
I think the biggest a*****e here is the other sister. Why did she get involved at all, let alone bring the kids into it? She sounds awful
Guess Undheit 1 year ago
Being upset in the five minute conversation after landing is normal. Getting pi$$y and passive aggressive for a week is a display of emotional infantilism.
Emerald Gal28 1 year ago
It's a privilege not an entitlement,if they are all bitter about it and making the holiday awful, I'd just reimburse the flight ticket price to my father and go back Let them live with the guilt for making me end the holiday early
Lance Wong 1 year ago
NTA. To put it crazy, as said, the first class upgrade can not be transferred. I fly alot, both business and personal. All my business trips are paid by my employer. We went to a seminar with a few other coworkers. I was offered an upgrade and my boss had a freak. Saying he paid for my travel. He should get it. I agreed and told the flight attendance that was fine. We were told I was only being offered the upgrade because they needed the coach seat for a standby customer. And I may not save my upgrade for future flights or transfer the upgrade. Needless to say my coworkers and manager was quite unhappy. When we got back to home base, the animosity was too much and I quit. My points was a combination of business and personal. It wasn't separate. A free upgrade that was now or never, and couldn't be transferred? Sorry boss.
What does this button do? 1 year ago
the owner of our company put it best on the flight where I got upgraded and he was in the back of the bus... "I'd expect him to get the upgrades here and there - if he doesn't, it means he's not doing the job I'm paying him to do!"
Load More Replies... Georgie Gal 1 year ago
I hope an update comes after OP shares this with her family. Or throws the facts at them. Shoot, I have a pinched nerve in my back that rarely acts up, but when it does I use a cane. Went to Disneyland with family and I had to use the cane by day two. And I usually refused to skip ahead in lines whenever I was asked because it's not like I'm completely disabled. I have a feeling if this family had the same issue, they'd all be demanding to jump in front of everyone. (P.S. I did accept the jump ahead a few times when the lines weren't all that long, but partly because a few of the other guests would tell me to go ahead. Hey, I'm nice, but who am I to refuse someone a good deed for the day? Lol)
Daggie_style 1 year ago
If the son was so damn precious, why didn't parents love him enough to get him first class. It says the dad sprung for the tickets. Just because they're family doesn't mean they're important. Ditch those C U Next Tuesdays
Tessana Nemenski 1 year ago
*facepalm* I hate how people who don't fly frequently/consistently are the ones that complain the most. (In this case the brother). Even if OP wanted to be nice, a majority of US airlines won't let you do this... even if you have the most loyalty on the flight. Why? Because us loyalty folks know how the system works. Flight attendants will not risk confirmation and /or complaints to upper management for upgrading out of order of loyalty rank let alone someone with no loyalty status
What does this button do? 1 year ago
besides, other than a few discount airlines, pretty much every major airline offers some sort of economy plus seating, which has significantly more legroom, for typically less than a hundred bucks above the base economy. Brother could have easily upgraded himself to economy plus on check in and paid the pittance it costs. If he's ever flown any time before, or ever read anything related to air travel, he'd have known you don't comfortably jacknife 6'6" into basic economy seating. Agreed on the complainers - the frequent fliers just roll with the punches and make a sarcastic post about it later (oh, the glamour of air travel, etc.). The infrequent fliers seem to expect air travel to be like it was in the 70s, right down to the smoking section. The older I get, the happier I'll be to trade in my status for the sofa.
Load More Replies... Emerald Gal28 1 year ago
It's a privilege not an entitlement,if they are all bitter about it and making the holiday awful, I'd apologise to my father for ending the trip early ,just reimburse the flight amount. I'd leave them feeling bad for ruining the holidays over something like this then meet them less.If a family is this selfish then there's no need for them to be near you
The Starsong Princess 1 year ago
The seat could have gone to him if she switched after takeoff. But the expectation by her family that her first thought should be the comfort and convenience of her brother over her own is odd. I bet the family has a pattern of putting him first.
Laura Williams 1 year ago
Wow entitlement doesn't quite cover this. 1 they offered it to you not your brother. They could see he was tall. Did they offer for one of your family members to take your place. Nope it was how many points you and you alone had. 2 if he had been a grown up man he could have asked hey if we can can we trade. He didn't do that. 3 like every body has been saying he could have paid for a seat with more room or they could have. They knew how tall he was. Tell them to buy him a first class seat home. Nobody will step up. Yes he was uncomfortable boo hoo you're going to Hawaii grow up everyone. Honestly have the airline explain it if they are huffy still. And what the hell is the dig with your niece and nephew. They all need to grow up. Especially the sister with they only like to play with people who consider family. Read her go no contact except for dad tell him your happy for him. Seriously grow àss people acting like children. Hope sister sees this. I'm just as big a bìtch as she is.
Yu Pan 1 year ago (edited)
I feel differently on this one. If I'm traveling by myself, I'd take the first class. If I'm traveling with family, I'd offer it to my family (like my mother or my sister because seats would be more comfortable for them) and if that's not possible, someone else can take it. Hey, if I suffer, at least I'm suffering together with my family. Besides, if Op has status anyway, she can get upgrade the next time she travels by herself.
Lance Wong 1 year ago
It was an upgrade because of a cancelation. Not a coupon or gesture to be used on future flight. Nor can it be transferred.
Load More Replies... millac 1 year ago
She's going to end up family-less if she follows the redditer advice to blow everyone off. She should at minimum lie that it was non transferable. I don't think most people understand how absolutely gargantuanly tall 6'6" is and how it makes everything in life horribly inconvenient and quite often painful.
Craig Reynolds 1 year ago
If she didn't already know her brother is the "golden-child", she certainly knows now...
Clare Valentine 1 year ago
Maybe, if it were allowed by the airline, you could have swapped halfway, so that you both got a first class upgrade. Otherwise, I agree, NTA
Melissa anderson 1 year ago
Sounds like her family is jealous of her success, especially her brother. I’m guessing her brother is the golden child and his parents worship him like a god.
Natasha Clark 1 year ago
NTA!! Your brother is clearly the spoiled brat "golden child" & have that "only boy" card on standby. You'd be a fool to not go no contact with them to throw a temper tantrum like two year old over a damn seat.
Armando Gonzales 1 year ago
No, she was not being a jerk. Her family is full of A holes. I would Tell them to screw off and then leave
Reta Murphy 1 year ago
Tell us who the golden child is without telling us. And yes he is acting like a child. Your perks, f**k them. Also it sound like family measures love by the inches like my family did. Sister was 5'9" and was the favorite. I am 5'0" and was called a mistake, an oops and worked for my keep. Tell them to grow up and go LC to NC whatever you are comfortable with until they pull their heads out of their asses. Don't babysit, don't lend money, if you are paying something for them, quit. Hugs to you.
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