Seat will be assigned at airport!? should I be scared?
Feb 21, 2017, 1:43 pm
#16
Join Date: Jan 2015
Programs: delta dm
Posts: 1,677
Way too much thought going into this situation ....no matter your seat assignment just get on the plane do a dwykia and sit in what ever aisle seat you want and tell not ask the person to sit in your middle seat and pretend you dont know english. Problem solved. 
Last edited by dzflyer; Feb 21, 2017 at 3:08 pm
Feb 21, 2017, 1:51 pm
#17
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Seattle
Programs: AAdvantage Plat+, FoundersCard, Amex Plat, TR Diamond, Marriott Gold, Wyndham Dia, HH Gold, Hertz 5*
Posts: 785
excellent plan!!!
Feb 21, 2017, 4:44 pm
#18
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Northern Calif./Eastern Ida.
Programs: Amethyst Premier Plutonium Medallion
Posts: 20,640
It's still showing all of those 12 seats available that I would have to pay for, plus one middle comfort+ seat I can't (& wouldn't) pay for, but now (12 hours before departure) there is ONE free seat I can select: 15E. I'm inclined to not choose that since (a) I might have better luck calling if I don't have a seat at all and (b) I'm way more interested in not having a middle seat than getting closer to the front of the plane.
i would continue to check for better seats to open on the map until you check in. i agree w/ the strategy of not taking 15E...it's already a middle seat, so you're not going to do any worse than that by waiting, and are likely to do better.
if you still haven't gotten a seat when you go to check in, the risk is you'll be auto-assigned a middle and it will be tough to get an agent to move you out of it for free. if you aren't assigned a middle automatically, i would very kindly plead your case at the SC or with the GA, but be prepared to end up in that same middle seat. you can also wait for them to just assign you a seat at the gate, in which case you may end up in a premium/C+ seat for free if that is what is left.
if it were me, i would keep watching the seat map and try to grab something as it opens...and if it doesn't, either decide if you will suck it up and potentially fly in a middle, or pay up to an available premium seat.
Feb 21, 2017, 7:41 pm
#19
Join Date: Sep 2012
Programs: DL DM
Posts: 764
Are you flying on an E fare?
I have no status but often take the gamble with E fares. While you're supposed to be able to select a seat at check-in, often they are assigned at the gate. Attempts to get one assigned at the SC or by another gate agent are often unsuccessful (they say they can only be assigned at the gate when the agent "opens" for the flight).
I have gotten bumped into C+ before, but this happens much less now since changes to Medallion C+ upgrades. I have had about 50% luck getting an Exit row (without having to pay) with seat assignments at the gate, since that's often all that's left. Either that, or the last row in coach!
Worst case if you get IDB'd is you'll get some good $$!
I have no status but often take the gamble with E fares. While you're supposed to be able to select a seat at check-in, often they are assigned at the gate. Attempts to get one assigned at the SC or by another gate agent are often unsuccessful (they say they can only be assigned at the gate when the agent "opens" for the flight).
I have gotten bumped into C+ before, but this happens much less now since changes to Medallion C+ upgrades. I have had about 50% luck getting an Exit row (without having to pay) with seat assignments at the gate, since that's often all that's left. Either that, or the last row in coach!
Worst case if you get IDB'd is you'll get some good $$!
Feb 21, 2017, 8:35 pm
#20
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: ATL
Programs: Delta PlM, 1M
Posts: 6,363
You are actually better off with no seat than a bad seat.
When the GA starts the process, the upgrades will most always come out of good seats making those seats available for assigning.
The non assigned pax on a full flight will therefor tend to end up in decent, not bad, seats. While selecting a back middle in advance will get you a back middle.
True that lack of a seat increased the IDB odds. But I have never even seen one of those, so would not be worried.
When the GA starts the process, the upgrades will most always come out of good seats making those seats available for assigning.
The non assigned pax on a full flight will therefor tend to end up in decent, not bad, seats. While selecting a back middle in advance will get you a back middle.
True that lack of a seat increased the IDB odds. But I have never even seen one of those, so would not be worried.