I asked an airline for a free birthday cake for my son – everyone’s saying the same thing & there’s a twist
A MUM who asked an airline to treat her son to a free birthday cake has been teased online after she revealed a major detail about him.
The anonymous woman’s request was blasted as “ridiculous” online after she shared her complaints about the customer service with other parents.
She explained she was flying abroad with her son and the “only date” they managed to book flights for clashed with his birthday.
To make sure they still celebrated despite their hectic travel plans, the mum contacted the airline to see what they could rustle up.
She got in touch to see if they could “do something a little special for him”, raising the idea of a birthday cake or even a free upgrade.
But the woman claims she received a response saying such treats were only reserved for business and first-class plane passengers.
She moaned: “They said I could buy a cake from them to give him but that they wouldn’t offer anything to celebrate.
“Am I the only person that thinks this is so bloody tight?
“I’m not asking for a huge cake or champagne, just the gesture of something given to my son on his birthday as a surprise.”
However, there was a bizarre twist to her protests about the lack of hospitality she claims the airline showed to her son on his special day.
It turns out her child is turning 21 years old on his upcoming birthday, rather than still being in single digits as many expected.
The mum also explained she was escorting him on a flight to his new job, instead of heading on a family trip as people presumed.
Social media users stood firmly in agreement that the mum’s request was unreasonable.
One said: “The person being tight is the mother, expecting an airline to buy your kid’s cake is ridiculous!”
Another joked: “I’m only surprised she didn’t describe him as 252 months old!”
A third wrote: “For those of us who work or have worked in public facing jobs such as customer service for an airline, people like the poster are what gives us a laugh in the staff room.”
A fourth added: “He might be having a birthday but guess who is not letting him grow up.
“She should let him fly to his new job alone, a card and a small present could have been tucked into his suitcase when she packed it for him.”
Other parents shared their experiences of receiving airline treats – but reminded the mum she “can’t expect things for free.”
One said: “We’ve never asked for or expected freebies when flying, but have many times been given extra little treats.
“Plus we’ve amazingly been upgraded three times on long-haul flights.
“Don’t have a sense of entitlement and you won’t be disappointed.”
Another recalled: “When my daughter turned three during the flight we never asked for anything but a steward took a shine to her and went to Business class and brought her a little pudding back from there for her without us asking which was nice.
“I don’t think you can expect things for free but if it happens it’s a bonus.”