Savannah James and her friend April McDaniel described how they handle different travel budgets during a conversation on the “Mental Wealth” podcast. McDaniel said she does not expect to fly first class simply because James does, and would rather choose the fare she can afford.
“If we're going on the same trip, I don't feel the need to be in first [class] because that's not in my budget,” McDaniel said.
James said her friends understand that traveling with her does not mean she will pay their expenses. She said there is no expectation that she take responsibility for them financially.
Their account prompted discussion online about whether a wealthier traveler should pay to upgrade friends so they can sit together. Responses cited in the Fox News Digital report differed: one commenter said no one is entitled to another person’s money, but added that someone with substantial wealth might choose to treat a close friend. Other commenters supported each traveler paying for the level of service they could afford, with one saying they did not want friends to pay for them.
Diane Gottsman, an etiquette expert and founder of the Protocol School of Texas, told Fox News Digital that friends can travel in different cabins if everyone is comfortable with the arrangement. She said the situation could be different if someone felt excluded or uneasy. Gottsman also said a person with more money is not obligated to pay for everyone else’s upgrade, and suggested that the travelers discuss and accept the arrangement.
Fox News Digital said it contacted James for comment but had not received a response at the time of publication. The report describes a discussion about personal expectations and travel expenses; it does not establish that the friends had a disagreement or that anyone requested an upgrade.
