Korean Air Skypass - Whom to request seat assignment, HA or KE?

I booked a KE ticket on Hawaiian airline code share. Operating carrier is KE. I am trying to assign the seat.

- Hawaiian airline said I have to call KE. unable to assign seats HA website.
- Korean airline checked my reservation, it can not be modified by KE. I even talked to CSR's supervisor but same answer. unable to assign seat in KE website.

I got a impression that both KE and HA tell me it is not their ticket. In this case, whose ticket is this? KE? Additionally, I don't think I can resolve this issue by calling CSRs. Is there better contact points in KE or HA?

I booked a KE ticket on Hawaiian airline code share. Operating carrier is KE. I am trying to assign the seat.

- Hawaiian airline said I have to call KE. unable to assign seats HA website.
- Korean airline checked my reservation, it can not be modified by KE. I even talked to CSR's supervisor but same answer. unable to assign seat in KE website.

I got a impression that both KE and HA tell me it is not their ticket. In this case, whose ticket is this? KE? Additionally, I don't think I can resolve this issue by calling CSRs. Is there better contact points in KE or HA?

You didn't say if this was an award ticket or a paid ticket. That could be the issue.

First FT rule of calling an airline (for anything): if you don't get the answer you're looking for, CALL BACK. If you get the same answer after three or four tries, then it's probably the right one.

Look at your ticket number (not the PNR) and see what three numbers it starts with. That is the airline the ticket is booked on. Determine if this is a HA ticket (most likely) or a KE ticket.

If it's a paid HA ticket, HA should be able to assign the seat since it's a codeshare. You may not be able to do this online and you'll have to call. Also let them know if you have any status. This opens up better seats.

If it's an award ticket with HA miles on KE metal, KE has to assign the seat. If you have trouble with phone CSRs, try their online chat. It seems to work. Note: even after they assign a seat, it won't show in your HA record.

My example: I have an award flight on KE and my ticket starts with 006 so it's a Delta ticket even thought it may be on KE metal. Delta can't assign the seat. I called KE, gave them my ticket number, told them my status which they verified with my Skymiles #, and they assigned me a seat. Hung up, called back, and verified my seat assignment with a different agent.

Good luck and hope this helps.

Thank you Crackerpup.
It is a paid HA ticket on KE metal. You are right. but HA could not able to assign seat because KE does not permit this. KE refused to assign seat. HA could not assign seat but helped me to send a request form to KE. I am not sure KE would honor it. I was frustrated that KE still does not implemented a tool regarding seat assignment. KE CSRs unable to locate alphanumeric confirmation code though I can look up numeric one in KE website.

Try calling KE with the ticket number (numbers only, not the alpha-numeric PNR) and ask about a seat assignment. They should be able to look it up by the ticket number (14 or so numbers).

Or go to their website and initiate an online chat.

Are you traveling coach or business? Is the flight international or domestic?

If coach and domestic, that may be the seat assignment issue.

It is an ICN-HNL coach ticket. KE CSRs/Reservation call center manager all refused to assign seats. Somehow it was resolved after bluffing KE into filing a claim via Korea fair trade commission. KE will refuse to assign HA code share flight. HA can not help.

It is an ICN-HNL coach ticket. KE CSRs/Reservation call center manager all refused to assign seats. Somehow it was resolved after bluffing KE into filing a claim via Korea fair trade commission. KE will refuse to assign HA code share flight. HA can not help.

CAN'T assign seats is one thing; means it's beyond their control physically or due to written policies.
REFUSING to do so is another; means they have the ability and simple refuse to act.

Make sure your words are accurate.

I can't really decipher the rest of you post. You say it's resolved (you have seats?) then later you say KE won't assign HA code share flight (you don't seats?).

Whoever you're talking to doesn't seem like they want or can help you. So you should elevate this to someone else.

Go to each website and click on their "contact us" section and briefly explain;
Tell them that you need to get assigned seats on your KE (flight #XX on this date), then ask if they can help you. Don't go into the story yet.

If they say no or that there's a problem, ask why not or what is the problem with the ticket. Allow them to answer. Ask what are your options as next steps? Let them know you've been trying multiple times and people are pushing you back and forth between the two airlines you don't think you've received good service or correct info from the start.

Here's what I did (you) so far to work with the system in place:
Bought the ticket from HA (where?when?) and asked them (who? names?)to assign seats. Said they couldn't since they were on codeshare flight with KE metal. HA said to work with KE. (Who said this?)

So I contacted KE and the agent and her supervisor (again, who?) refused to assign your seats. They can see the reservation in system using the PNR, but they can't and won't provide a seat assignment. (Who and why not?)

And the reason your contacting HA AND KE is to find out who has the authority to assign you a seat on you flight. You've given momey to HA and you'll be a customer of KE. Surely someon would like do what's right and provide some great customer service?!

Througout all of this, be calm, polite, factual, no guessing, no persoanl attacks, and stay on point for what you want. At the end of the day, you just want seat assignments. You can write a longer letter when you get home to both airliens AND SKYTEAM and detail the misinformation, undefined code-share policies, and poor customer service upui receoved.

Great advice. I followed your suggestions by the way. Thank you again. and my words(refuse, couldn't) are correct. I got my seat assignment after sending a letter to KE with very specific statement regarding fair competition in Korea. Therefore it was done by KE. A phone call came with an apology. I don't think others will get seats in similar situation if they are not ready for filing FC claims against KE. This is just an unpublished KE seating policy. You will have a hard time to get seat assignment on KE metal as a code share. You can't use Internet seat assignment. Some are blocked for premium customers and assignment at airport so CSRs can't assign seats since only blocked seats are left. Unfortunately I was end up with middle seat(in Y and J) many times with these issues. I learned people would get seat assignment(blocked seat) if they know someone in KE. That put me in a middle seat in especially J. YMMV but my data points are now more than six. This one is worst.

Great job! :D

Glad you got this resolved and I know it wasn't easy. Hope my feedback/posts helped in some small way. You're right; they don't make it easy and good that you kept politely pushing for what you needed.

Safe travels! ;)

Although I am a Million Miler with KE, the exclusive MM hotline agent cannot assign me bulkhead or emergency exit seat in E until the day of departure, so I understand the frustration. But I think you will enjoy KE aircraft and food, which is much better product compared to HA. Enjoy your trip.