How To Convince My Parents To Let Me Skip Flight?

[kdmgeology]

Hi, so I’m visiting my bf in August and he lives halfway across the country and is planning to drive back to where I live/college is. He wants me to go with. The problem is that I already booked a non-refundable, non-cancelable return flight which my parents paid for and I’ve talked to airlines, etc. but there is nothing I can do. I feel bad for wasting my parents money, but I really want to go back with my bf and (my mom included) am worried about him driving that far. Any ideas on how to convince my parents to let me drive back instead? They’re pretty serious about money, so I thought about asking to reimburse them for the flight or offer to pay for my future flight(s) myself. Thanks in advance!

[dannyk13]

Might I ask how old you are?

[kdmgeology]

@dannyk13 I am twenty.

[NeedToKnowPlease]

It's worth sitting down and having this conversation with your parents. They might respect the fact that you're aware they might be upset about this decision. If you're still able to return home safely (By flight or boyfriends car) it won't make too much difference to them.

The issue would be if this boy didn't end up driving you home and you became stranded! Then they would be angry that they had a flight for you but you chose an alternative option.

[calmck]

You could fly out to him and then drive back. I assume you are in the US. From what I can remember they are pretty strict about adhering to speed limits on thruways. Where are you driving to and from

[dannyk13]

Good advice from Need To Know.

[kdmgeology]

@NeedToKnowPlease @calmck It would be from Oregon to Minnesota. I’ve been with the guy for over a year and a half and am staying with his family so I’m not too worried about being stranded there because he wants to have his car at college. And I am flying out to Oregon, but am hoping to drive back with him rather than take my return flight. He is a very experienced driver and often drives long distances but we also hoping to make a bit of road trip out of it.

[bednobs]

that is a long way. Personally i would pay for him to get a flight with me

[NeedToKnowPlease]

kdmgeology, you need to talk to your parents. I wouldn't worry about the safety of driving but instead worry about the route you would take, where you would stop off over night (if needed) and how long the road trip would take.

It would be ideal to drive back together but it may be more comfortable for you to fly whilst he drives solo.

[kdmgeology]

Thanks. My parents are not opposed to driving back with him, nor am I, just that I already have a flight booked. My mom actually encouraged me to see if my flight could be canceled because she’d rather have me to drive back with him, so the main issue is the flight is non-refundable and non-cancelable. So it’s basically a matter of money.

[NeedToKnowPlease]

Either way you will be returning home. It's no money loss unless your boyfriend wants some petrol money or if you have to pay for a motel.

It might be reassuring to have a flight option on stand by.

If your parents are happy and you'd rather drive back with your boyfriend then don't worry about the flight.