I've got a BOS-SNN trip Oct. 19 and return SNN-BOS Oct. 24. Like others I booked this trip because of the seating possibilities and good fares.
My current seating assignment-4B has changed twice since ticketing, but has remained in the front cabin. But, now I realize the likelihood of having my seat changed to the back of the bus at some point.
Is AA going to hold my current seat assignment up for ransom at check-in? Pay additional $$ or we're going to put you in the back? Or, since it's being sold as a one-class fare is AA going to clear us all out to exit rows and beyond a couple of days before departure and restock the front cabin with $$ upgrades? Just curious.
AA sure knows how to take the fun out of my little plat requalifying run.
Q: What is the difference between
1). offering you a premium seat in order to get you to buy, then switching you to a steerage seat and offering to restore your premium seat for $150, and...
2. An illegal bait-and-switch?
Some will say that they say in their T & C that seat assignments aren't guaranteed. Past practice, however, creates a reasonable expectation that they won't do this. If they said in their terms and conditions that they had the right to make you strip naked and prance up and down the aisle singing nursery rhymes, would that mean that they could refuse to take you if you refused to strip and sing? I think not.
Location: West Hartford, CT USA via Stamford, CT; South Bend, IN; London, U.K. and Westchester County, NY
Programs: AA EXP 2 MM; Starwood PLT
Posts: 12,645
Quote:
Originally Posted by gemac
Q: What is the difference between
1). offering you a premium seat in order to get you to buy, then switching you to a steerage seat and offering to restore your premium seat for $150, and...
2. An illegal bait-and-switch?
Some will say that they say in their T & C that seat assignments aren't guaranteed. Past practice, however, creates a reasonable expectation that they won't do this. If they said in their terms and conditions that they had the right to make you strip naked and prance up and down the aisle singing nursery rhymes, would that mean that they could refuse to take you if you refused to strip and sing? I think not.
I think the T&C language about seat assignments not being guaranteed provides them with enough legal protection to avoid liability for bait and switch. That said, the fact that differences in seating are more profound in this instance may make for a stronger argument.
As for the prancing naked question, legally they probably could refuse to transport you if that were in their T&Cs. They are private businesses, after all.
I will be flying this route in December, and have a question that relates to the discussion. I’m flying on December 2 and doing an immediate turn-around on December 3, as part of a final MR that will re-qualify me as Platinum. It seems as though the problem with the seat assignment is originating in Shannon. When I check in for my flight in Boston on December 2, can I have the ticketing agent print a boarding pass for my returning flight at that time as well (as I will only be in Shannon for roughly 3.5 hours)?
If I can’t obtain a boarding pass in Boston for my return flight, what other options do I have?
• Can I go to the Aer Lingus Lounge once in Shannon and obtain a boarding pass there?
• Or, would I have to go through customs and immigration and re-check in at the ticketing counter?
As this is will be my first international MR, let alone an immediate turn-out, I’m curios as to what my options are.
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, UA 1K, Hyatt Diamond, enjoying the retired life
Posts: 18,080
My conversation with the contract gate agent at SNN was that this policy only impacted SNN-BOS. I had no problem riding up front last week BOS-SNN (though for reasons that I can't explain I was moved from 5A to 2F..but I was still up front). I'd be curious if anyone flying out of MAN has run across this also. Maybe it's just for flights originating in Europe on single class?
I e-mailed AA from Shannon and will let you know when I get a response. I had been checking my seat assignments about every week or two, so the change on the return flight only happened 2-3 weeks ahead. For those with flights later in the year, that might be the time frame to start checking those seats daily.
I spoke with two other flyers in the emergency exit row SNN-BOS that also seemed aware of this policy. One was an EXP who had booked just a day ahead, and was not allowed to have a seat up front. The other had deliberately booked the emergency exit row as he preferred sitting there (it was a pretty nice seat, with powerport for my TIVO To Go, plenty of legroom).
Again, I'm fine if this is the new policy, but don't have us find out about it when you check your reservation and find you've been moved from 5A to 23E. I was fortunate there were other seats to select from, but this may not always be the case. I would have been really frazzled if I actually had to fly in that middle seat. The last time I flew in a middle seat was probably 7-8 years ago when I volunteered to be bumped on UA, and middle seats were all that were left on the next flight. I don't think I've ever had a middle seat in over 350K with AA.
__________________ link to my travel photos new: Haleiwa, USS New York, Blue Angels in San Francisco
Programs: AA CK/EXP/3MM, BA Gold, PC Ambassador, HH Diamond, SPG Gold
Posts: 2,428
We're going to Eire for Xmas to see the outlaws and I booked this routing specifcally due to this elite perk. I am calling AA and having them make a note in my record- we'll see if this helps.
We're going to Eire for Xmas to see the outlaws and I booked this routing specifcally due to this elite perk. I am calling AA and having them make a note in my record- we'll see if this helps.
What note, "I will sue you if you kick me out of the front section" ?
Is this really worth doing or may this actually INcrease chances to get moved around ?
Programs: CO Plat, AA Plat, HH Gold, *W Gold, Hertz 5*
Posts: 10,141
Just wondering if AA sorts this issue out about at least publishing this policy, in terms of charging more for a better seat with the same service, why can't they extend something similar to exit row seating on ALL flights (domestic included?). Whether or not they would charge elites for exit row seating (obviously only ones that actually offer extra space) would certainly be up for much debate, but they could certainly charge something like $25-50 for the general public if those seats are open at the airport (after the elite who pre-booked gets upgraded...). Could be a nice cash generator, no? Do any other airlines do this?
We really need an answer as to what is going on here. Again, if AA wants to sell those flight as 2-class-- going forward-- that's their prerogative, god bless 'em.
BUT, what's been reported in this thread is, IMHO, completely unacceptable and sounds like a rogue operation or something else that completely stinks. At the VERY LEAST they should contact people in advance and advise them that their seats are being switched. If anyone acquires more info on this, please post it here.
I flew SNN to BOS about 6 weeks back and when I checked in I was still in my pre-assigned seat up front. The placards were out advertising the availability of upgrades as described and so I asked whether there were any open seats at the front (was hoping to trade a window for an aisle) and the answer was NO!
It may have been just the crew that I had but everything was serverd by hand to us from one attendent at the front. Same food, drinks etc etc but instead of being on the cart run it was at least a little nicer service.
As for paying extra for these seat or exit seats, I am Happy that my EXP status gets them for me, for nothing, if they want to drop that priveledge then I would prefer to be able to pay in advance and guarantee the exit row rather than play russian roulette at the airport.
I flew #211 yesterday (Oct. 1) and the seat I reserved (3F) was my seat for the flight. I did see the sign on the counter at Shannon offering upgrades to "Executive Economy" for 150 Euro.
I totally enjoyed the comfort of the flight and would re-book again in November, but obviously only if I can fly in the forward cabin.
I flew #211 yesterday (Oct. 1) and the seat I reserved (3F) was my seat for the flight. I did see the sign on the counter at Shannon offering upgrades to "Executive Economy" for 150 Euro.
I totally enjoyed the comfort of the flight and would re-book again in November, but obviously only if I can fly in the forward cabin.
Ah, "Executive Economy", a new name in the AA lexicon. I suppose something was needed to replace MRTC. Maybe its supposed to compete with E+ at UA.
I flew #211 yesterday (Oct. 1) and the seat I reserved (3F) was my seat for the flight. I did see the sign on the counter at Shannon offering upgrades to "Executive Economy" for 150 Euro.
I fully support the idea of AA making this a separate premium economy-type product if it will generate some extra revenue. Indeed, if AA will be running more 757s transatlantic I think this is a great idea, at least until they can determine whether to refit them with a proper J cabin (like CO). However, I concur that this should be available at the time of booking and/or guaranteed for certain fare classes--and the policy should be clear at time of booking. If I paid full Y and were in the back, and someone else on an L or N fare paid eur150 each way at check-in on a ticket that cost a fraction of mine I would be rather annoyed. Reserving the F section for AA elites was a nice gesture, but I would have no qualms about losing what is an extra and unpublished benefit in favor of paying passengers.
