Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
I am a retired American Airlines flight attendant. As numerous others have politely tried to tell you, it’s not gonna happen unless you buy first class tickets. And it won’t be a surprise the day of the flight at the airport, either. You check in for your flight 24 hours in advance. So they will find out on their phone, sitting in Starbucks.
My advice is if you really want to them to experience first class, is to just buy the tickets. It will be more than another $300 a ticket, though. And in my experience, first class, like most luxury experiences, is wasted on the young. YMMV.
Especially on a US-Caribbean flight. What equipment is typically used? If it's what I've taken in the past it's really like any other domestic flight. They'd get 80% of the same experience in premium economy.
On an intercontinental flight (especially Trans-Pacific) I totally see the value of paying for J-class (or using miles to upgrade) as you have a different seating and cabin experience that allows you to rest. But to the Caribbean? Have 2 extra drinks on the plane and the flight will be over before you notice you're cramped.
Onto the practical side, you'll likely be asked for their permission to modify their booking, and secondly, if they're young, they're probably using the app, which will update and show them what class or seat allocation they have so there's little chance of it being kept a secret.
And 'pleading your case' as a zero status infrequent flier will be shot down with rapid scorn that it deserves.
On an even more practical side, domestic first on any of the US airlines is in itself contemptible, it is neither something to aspire to, hope for, or be particularly thankful for and should be treated with the passive indifference which it deserves.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
