I've had people offer to pay me (or rather the costs) to take various relatives on joy rides, including one guy who wanted me to take his dad on a birthday treat. I refuse becasue its not worth the hassle if it goes tits up. In the States however.......
Not necessarily in the states even
Recently the FAA succesfully revoked the licence and prosecuted someone who was asked by a friend to fly some people to a party. Said pilot was a CPL/IR. However, the way they looked at it he was offering his services, and his aircraft, as as an air carrier without part 135(?) approval.
So - be careful of the "In the states however................." thinking.