A fellow flyer claims to be lifetime EXP (consolidated)
Nov 18, 2008, 1:52 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Waltham, MA
Programs: AA EXP, Hilton Gold, Priority Club Platinum
Posts: 9
A fellow flyer claims to be lifetime EXP (consolidated)
Original post title: A very special row mate
Two weeks ago, DFW-BOS, I was unable to my EXP upgrade, mainly due to standing by for an earlier flight. I got an exit row window, which isn't the end of the world, by any means. The GA actually asked "window or middle" when I asked about the exit row. That made me smile a little.
So, as I settled in to my seat, a gentleman sat in the aisle seat, and started arranging his stuff. I played my usual "I hope the middle seat stays open" game, mentally encouraging all boarding passengers to avoid that seat. (Similar to the Jedi mind trick.) Door closes, and no one! Little victory. So, I point to the empty seat, and say to my row mate "I don't see that very often these days." He looks at me a little oddly, and I continue to explain "An empty seat."
He gives me a very conspiratorial look, and says "I can explain why it's empty in a minute." Then leaves and goes to find a place for his coat (yes, after door closes, for those of you playing along at home). When he gets back he leans over to me and says "I'm lifetime Executive Platinum, and when they can't upgrade me, they always block the seat next to me to make it up to me."
Given what seems to be the prevailing sentiment, that there is no lifetime EXP and no seat blocking, I was very surprised by this statement. Seems like a pretty sweet deal to me.
I was way too tired to play the DYKWIA game with him, and he looked VERY sure of what he said, so I left it at that. Thought folks might find it at least a little interesting. Comments?
Disclaimers for the inevitable responses:
1. I heard him correctly.
2. I neither endorse nor reject his statement.
3. I was really, really tired.
Two weeks ago, DFW-BOS, I was unable to my EXP upgrade, mainly due to standing by for an earlier flight. I got an exit row window, which isn't the end of the world, by any means. The GA actually asked "window or middle" when I asked about the exit row. That made me smile a little.
So, as I settled in to my seat, a gentleman sat in the aisle seat, and started arranging his stuff. I played my usual "I hope the middle seat stays open" game, mentally encouraging all boarding passengers to avoid that seat. (Similar to the Jedi mind trick.) Door closes, and no one! Little victory. So, I point to the empty seat, and say to my row mate "I don't see that very often these days." He looks at me a little oddly, and I continue to explain "An empty seat."
He gives me a very conspiratorial look, and says "I can explain why it's empty in a minute." Then leaves and goes to find a place for his coat (yes, after door closes, for those of you playing along at home). When he gets back he leans over to me and says "I'm lifetime Executive Platinum, and when they can't upgrade me, they always block the seat next to me to make it up to me."
Given what seems to be the prevailing sentiment, that there is no lifetime EXP and no seat blocking, I was very surprised by this statement. Seems like a pretty sweet deal to me.
I was way too tired to play the DYKWIA game with him, and he looked VERY sure of what he said, so I left it at that. Thought folks might find it at least a little interesting. Comments?
Disclaimers for the inevitable responses:
1. I heard him correctly.
2. I neither endorse nor reject his statement.
3. I was really, really tired.
Last edited by JDiver; Mar 25, 2009 at 9:42 am Reason: edit in original post title
Nov 18, 2008, 1:58 pm
#2
Join Date: Sep 2006
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Even as an EXP I've had a seat blocked next to me.
Nov 18, 2008, 2:02 pm
#3
Join Date: Oct 2008
Programs: UA 1K, AA Plat, SPG Platinum, National Executive
Posts: 1,970
So I assume the other exit rows also had empty middle seats?
Nov 18, 2008, 2:02 pm
#4
Join Date: May 2004
Location: DFW-In Plano & CDG-In the 11th
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Nov 18, 2008, 2:02 pm
#5
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Posts: 13,913
I have no heard of lifetime EXP and IMHO AA would never leave a Y seat go unsold if it could for anyone. Mr. EXP for life should spend sometime on MIA and Caribbean flights, he would soon change his tune.
Nov 18, 2008, 2:08 pm
#6
Join Date: Mar 2006
Programs: AAPlat, Delta Gold, HH Gold, Amex,Marriott, CO
Posts: 245
I as a lowly Platinum have had the middle seat blocked on a number of occassions, mostly transcon, including last week
I was told by the desk agent and the AAngels a few times that the middle seat was blocked because of my status.
I thought the only good perk was pre-boarding!
I was told by the desk agent and the AAngels a few times that the middle seat was blocked because of my status.
I thought the only good perk was pre-boarding!
Nov 18, 2008, 2:13 pm
#7
Join Date: May 2004
Location: DFW-In Plano & CDG-In the 11th
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Nov 18, 2008, 2:14 pm
#8
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: SJC (AA PLT 2MM - Marriott LTT - Avis Preferred)
Posts: 2,030
More inclined to believe he's a MM'er EXP as opposed to a LT EXP. In any case, seat-blocking is one of those "unwritten" perks that's done when the agents are in a mood to giving it to EXP's 
Nov 18, 2008, 2:19 pm
#9
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: BOS
Programs: Free Agent! B6 Mosaic, AA 5MM LT Plat (EXP gone), SPG LT Plat, WN APlus, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 325
1 MM gets you lifetime Gold, 2 MM gets you lifetime Plat, nothing beyond that AFAIK.
Nov 18, 2008, 2:21 pm
#10
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: SNA, LAX
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 1,293
LOL. I play that too and have limited success. As for Lifetime EXP - dont know if they have a status formally given to very high mileage travellers but I am sure there are perks that are given to some travellers - celebrities etc - get which 'regular' EXP's do not.
Last edited by riteshraja; Nov 18, 2008 at 2:21 pm Reason: sp
Nov 18, 2008, 2:25 pm
#11
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Back before the days of typical 80%-90%+ load factors UA would block off middle seats in the E+ section of the plane, unless needed for those relatively few packed flights. But with today's load factor and airline mentality of cramming in as many as possible (at whatever fare) the "blocking" of middle seats becomes rare. I don't think that AA per se does to the benefit of anybody.
Nov 18, 2008, 2:51 pm
#12
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If the GA asked you Window or Middle, that suggests it's not really blocked.
Nov 18, 2008, 3:13 pm
#13
Join Date: Sep 2001
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Nov 18, 2008, 3:14 pm
#14
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Nov 18, 2008, 3:29 pm
#15
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: SBP
Programs: AA Executive Platinium 1.55MM AVIS Preferred Hertz Gold Marriott Platinum
Posts: 235
In the 1990s (and early 2000s?) on AA it was a published feature that seats next to elites were blocked. Back then I was Plat and my wife was Gold. We would often pick the Window and Asile seat and get the one in the middle empty.