Preferred Seats for Premier Gold on other *A airlines
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Stockholm
Programs: UA*G
Posts: 5
Preferred Seats for Premier Gold on other *A airlines
Hi there,
my first post, I hope I follow the rules properly
For Premier Gold customers one of the nicer benefits when flying with United is the complimentary Economy Plus seat. A couple of weeks ago I flew with Air Canada from SFO via YVR to Asia and back. Interestingly I was able to choose Air Canada's preferred seats during the online check-in on all 4 flights at no additional costs.
Apparently at least during check-in, United Premier Gold members have access to these preferred seats on Air Canada (there does not seem to be any official documentation of that on Air Canada's website though).
Which brings me to the question whether you know of other airlines (within Star Alliance) that also offer complementary seats equivalent to Economy Plus seating to UA Gold members?
With the 1 March changes my interest in flying with other airlines than UA has increased, but at the same time I do not want to make compromises in regards to the seating space.
my first post, I hope I follow the rules properly
For Premier Gold customers one of the nicer benefits when flying with United is the complimentary Economy Plus seat. A couple of weeks ago I flew with Air Canada from SFO via YVR to Asia and back. Interestingly I was able to choose Air Canada's preferred seats during the online check-in on all 4 flights at no additional costs.
Apparently at least during check-in, United Premier Gold members have access to these preferred seats on Air Canada (there does not seem to be any official documentation of that on Air Canada's website though).
Which brings me to the question whether you know of other airlines (within Star Alliance) that also offer complementary seats equivalent to Economy Plus seating to UA Gold members?
With the 1 March changes my interest in flying with other airlines than UA has increased, but at the same time I do not want to make compromises in regards to the seating space.
#2
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: BOS
Programs: Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott/SPG/Hilton Gold, PreCheck + Clear
Posts: 2,306
For Premier Gold customers one of the nicer benefits when flying with United is the complimentary Economy Plus seat. A couple of weeks ago I flew with Air Canada from SFO via YVR to Asia and back. Interestingly I was able to choose Air Canada's preferred seats during the online check-in on all 4 flights at no additional costs.
Apparently at least during check-in, United Premier Gold members have access to these preferred seats on Air Canada (there does not seem to be any official documentation of that on Air Canada's website though).
Apparently at least during check-in, United Premier Gold members have access to these preferred seats on Air Canada (there does not seem to be any official documentation of that on Air Canada's website though).
Is it possible it was merely a glitch? Did you see any confirmation during the seat selection process of the fee being waived due to your *A status?
#3
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
Programs: DREAD Gold; UA 1.035MM; Bonvoy Au-197; PCC Elite+; CCC Elite+; MSC C-12; CWC Au-197; WoH Dis
Posts: 52,110
#4
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: BOS
Programs: Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott/SPG/Hilton Gold, PreCheck + Clear
Posts: 2,306
I'll be damned -- so you're saying this unofficial policy extends not only to check-in, but is possible at any time after booking? Meaning as a *A Gold I didn't have to pay for our bulkhead seats?
And here I was so delighted that I'd been able to snag them at all!
And here I was so delighted that I'd been able to snag them at all!
#5
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
Programs: DREAD Gold; UA 1.035MM; Bonvoy Au-197; PCC Elite+; CCC Elite+; MSC C-12; CWC Au-197; WoH Dis
Posts: 52,110
#6
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: BOS
Programs: Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott/SPG/Hilton Gold, PreCheck + Clear
Posts: 2,306
Was there anything unusual about your reservation, e.g. was it particularly short, or the flight empty? Obviously this isn't a published benefit, but I'm trying to discern if I should call AC back and politely ask for my money back because I'm *G.
#7
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
Programs: DREAD Gold; UA 1.035MM; Bonvoy Au-197; PCC Elite+; CCC Elite+; MSC C-12; CWC Au-197; WoH Dis
Posts: 52,110
#8
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: SYD+TYO+GFK
Programs: UA 1K, QF Plat, VA Gold, IHG Spire Ambassador, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold, Coles FlyBuys
Posts: 2,800
I can relay a data point about Air New Zealand, short-haul anyway. As a UA 1K/*G, I am always able to access premium "frequent flyer" seats on NZ, at the time of booking. For example, I just bought four tickets SYD-CHC-WLG-SYD via Chase Ultimate Rewards, which doesn't let you enter an OAL FF number.
I selected seats and we were way in the back, past the exits. After I rang NZ to get my FF number added, all four of us (one *G and three *S) were able to move into the seats at the front of the plane online, which have additional legroom (as they are sometimes sold as "Works Deluxe", a quasi-premium economy fare which includes free entertainment, meals, and a blocked middle seat).
I've had success doing this when on the same PNR as non-status pax as well.
I selected seats and we were way in the back, past the exits. After I rang NZ to get my FF number added, all four of us (one *G and three *S) were able to move into the seats at the front of the plane online, which have additional legroom (as they are sometimes sold as "Works Deluxe", a quasi-premium economy fare which includes free entertainment, meals, and a blocked middle seat).
I've had success doing this when on the same PNR as non-status pax as well.
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Stockholm
Programs: UA*G
Posts: 5
Thanks @TrayflowInUK!
@ Eric Westby
It could have been a glitch, although 2 weeks went by between the different flights and check-ins. And I did not see any note about waived fees during the seat selection. It worked exactly like when selecting complementary Economy Plus on United - without any indication of fees.
@ Eric Westby
It could have been a glitch, although 2 weeks went by between the different flights and check-ins. And I did not see any note about waived fees during the seat selection. It worked exactly like when selecting complementary Economy Plus on United - without any indication of fees.
#11
Formerly known as tireman77
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 5,345
To my knowledge, AC preferred seats are not available to other *G members free of charge. If one has a 'Latitude' (full fare) booking they are complimentary. Otherwise other *G members must pay.
The same rule applies to UA. As an AC *G, I cannot get E+ without paying. I've even asked nicely to the people at the UC a few hours before the flight and was turned down.
ANZ, to my knowledge is the exception. On their wide-body aircraft with PY, on Trans-Tasman flights, the Premium Economy seats are not sold as a separate cabin, and are available at no extra charge to *G.
The same rule applies to UA. As an AC *G, I cannot get E+ without paying. I've even asked nicely to the people at the UC a few hours before the flight and was turned down.
ANZ, to my knowledge is the exception. On their wide-body aircraft with PY, on Trans-Tasman flights, the Premium Economy seats are not sold as a separate cabin, and are available at no extra charge to *G.
#12
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: YYZ
Programs: United 1K, AC 50K, Hyatt Globalist, Marriot Platinum
Posts: 684
I believe that AC used to allow *G access to preferred seats but discontinued that a couple of years ago. Perhaps some phone agents either don't know the new rules or are just being nice.
#13
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: BOS
Programs: Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott/SPG/Hilton Gold, PreCheck + Clear
Posts: 2,306
He also made clear that I wasn't supposed to have been able to buy the preferred seats at $72 a pop, but that as a favor, he wouldn't rescind our seating assignments. How magnanimous!
So to sum up, no deal, at least in my case.
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Stockholm
Programs: UA*G
Posts: 5
Very odd. Then it must have been a glitch. It was definitely not a full-fare - the contrary: about 550 USD for open jaw SFO-YVR-HKG and ICN-YVR-SFO, booked on Cheapoair.
(unfortunately I did not save the tickets and travel documents)
Edit: Took a screenshot from the MilePagePlus acitivity overview (ignore the Asiana flight) http://imgur.com/1Vf6959
Not sure if these fare classes help in any way though to figure out what happened.
(unfortunately I did not save the tickets and travel documents)
Edit: Took a screenshot from the MilePagePlus acitivity overview (ignore the Asiana flight) http://imgur.com/1Vf6959
Not sure if these fare classes help in any way though to figure out what happened.
#15
Formerly known as tireman77
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 5,345
Preferred seating (seats with more pitch, some bulkheads and exit rows) are a new feature at AC. They have recently installed a few rows on their single aisle fleet and made a new category.
These must be paid for. Only AC's top elites get them for free. Their mid tier elites get them included on higher priced tickets in North America, and get a discounted rate for North America (AC's own *G equivalent doesn't even get them included in long haul).
These must be paid for. Only AC's top elites get them for free. Their mid tier elites get them included on higher priced tickets in North America, and get a discounted rate for North America (AC's own *G equivalent doesn't even get them included in long haul).