After securing a prime seat with extra legroom, I was approached by a couple who claimed they’d accidentally booked separate seats and demanded I switch with them. The woman, exuding entitlement, insisted she couldn’t be separated from her husband, and he urged me to be “reasonable.” Despite my frustration, I handed over my seat to avoid a scene, letting them believe they’d won. But as I settled into their seat in row 12, a flight attendant who had seen everything informed me they’d actually tricked me—they both had seats in row 12.

Instead of reacting immediately, I explained the situation to the chief purser, who listened attentively and offered me a choice: return to my original seat or receive airline miles worth three upgrades. I chose the miles, savoring the irony as the purser confronted the couple. They were informed of the violation and warned of an investigation that could lead to a no-fly listing. Watching their smugness turn to humiliation, I walked off the plane, satisfied that sometimes the best revenge is letting people see the consequences of their actions unfold.