Hot Take: First Class Should NOT Be Bookable On Points & Miles Without Status

Intro

Before you disagree, hear me out. For starters, I am talking about International First Class, not Domestic First...

The other week, I happened to be flying to Songkran when I came across some people in the lounge mentioning that they were using points. As it would turn out, those are the same passengers who eventually got drunk, disturbed the cabin, and got cut off. It got me thinking, imagine paying for a 15,000 Lufthansa First Class flight, and something like this were to happen.

My Opinion

As someone who uses 1-2 million points per year, and sometimes flies First Class using them, this is even difficult for me to say. Heck, I can't afford full fare first-class tickets, so I would be cut out for the most part. However, I truly believe that the booking process for First Class should follow the La Premiere model, where you can only book a First Class seat if you hold platinum or higher on FlyingBlue.

Yes, as someone who flies First Class on points, this would sting, but it makes sense.

Imagine this for a minute: a businessman is taking a redeye from Newark to Frankfurt in Lufthansa First Class, and gets onboard to see a family of 4 with two screaming toddlers for half of the flight. Now, to be fair, this doesn't always happen. However, I would expect that those traveling with infants who have status have usually taken their young children onboard before, and it is not their first flight...

Alternatively, the same could apply as on my United Business Class flight, where you are woken up in the middle of a redeye by drunk people gathering in the galley. First Class is there for a reason in my eyes, and standards should be adhered to.

My Concept For First Class Awards

With that being said, here is what I think (what do I know) booking First Class awards should entail, as well as keeping the first-class ambiance:

• Passengers may only book a First Class award for those who are family members and must hold the highest status in terms of alliance. Examples: Skyteam Elite Plus, Star Alliance Gold, and Oneworld Emerald.

• Non-Revs would not be allowed to sit in First Class unless the flight is sold out in all other cabins

• Operational upgrades would still be allowed if* the cabin beneath is oversold

• Cash upgrades at check-in would be available, but priced higher

Look, do I ever think this would realistically happen? Nope. However, in my eyes, those looking to splurge on the exponential costs for First Class should be honored without thinking they are in for a flight filled with "influencers" or "crying toddlers".

Final Thoughts

Maybe I am in the wrong here, but I was thinking about it today, and realized that I think all airlines should follow suit for First Class award bookings. The jump between First Class and Private is quite substantial, so having a cabin that is only filled with people who are frequent flyers might create more demand, knowing that you are 99% of the time going to have a peaceful sleep. I am curious, though, what do you think?