I fly first class and make my kids fly economy – here’s why

My boys’ first plane ride is so far back in their memory bank that they don’t remember it – or a time when heading to the airport wasn’t routine. When we travel as a foursome, my husband and I usually fly first or business class and seat our children in economy. But I promise, it’s not as terrible as it sounds.

If you have visions of a haughty and heartless Cruella de Vil-esque parent banishing a terrified tot to the rear of the plane while swilling champagne and fancy snacks up front, I can assure you that’s far from the reality. Here’s how we travel and why it works for our family.

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Parents in front, kids in back

My family’s decision to fly this way started with learning how best to leverage our preferred airline’s loyalty perks. I have elite status with Delta Air Lines, and work to make those benefits offset family travel costs. I get free upgrades and a certain number of companion certificates – a buy-one-get-one-free coupon for a flight, which means tremendous savings – each year.

I use my benefits strategically and am proud of how much money I save on airfares for family trips. I typically book one first-class seat and use a companion certificate to cover my husband’s airfare, while using miles earned from business travel and a co-branded airline credit card for my kids’ seats – in economy class. That’s four plane tickets for the price of one. Sure, I could use additional miles or pay cash to have my kids also sit in first class, but I don’t do that for several reasons.

My children are almost 13. They’re too short to get any real advantage from the extra legroom; the complimentary alcohol is wasted on them. They’ve been flying regularly since they were toddlers, but they were 10 the first time we split up the parents and the kids on a flight. We thoroughly explained the seating arrangements ahead of time. Besides one of them grumbling “that’s not fair” when he learnt that first class had more food options, they were unfazed. I refuse to feel guilty about enjoying more room to stretch out and a better snack than my kids on a flight I’m footing the bill for.