UA changed my wife's E+ seat assignment
#46
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 350
It was on a 767-400ER. You know why I don't know what number exactly, the seat number changed on the e boarding pass! The only paper work she has is the original boarding pass that we got after we purchased it.
I am not looking for compensation over the seat selection as she had no problem moving to the new seat, but does it hurt to ask before you force something onto a customer? I guess airlines simply don't care and they can do whatever they want, apparently some people don't care either. If we are selfish for trying to be treated like a customer, so be it.
We purchased the E+ seat about 30 min before her connection flight, which was 8 hours before this flight. The flight still had the original seat number when she was having her meal before the flight, so it happened very close to departure.
I am not looking for compensation over the seat selection as she had no problem moving to the new seat, but does it hurt to ask before you force something onto a customer? I guess airlines simply don't care and they can do whatever they want, apparently some people don't care either. If we are selfish for trying to be treated like a customer, so be it.
We purchased the E+ seat about 30 min before her connection flight, which was 8 hours before this flight. The flight still had the original seat number when she was having her meal before the flight, so it happened very close to departure.
#48
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Houston
Programs: United 1K, Marriott Lifetime Platinum; Hyatt Diamond/GLOB
Posts: 738
At least once a month (probably once a week) I see someone else who realizes that they accidentally sat in the wrong row.
I know we all have different things that bother us, but if this is the worst thing that happens on your vacation, you are going to have a great vacation.
#50
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 14,884
Another time, boarded an RJ at DAY to IAD, and a guy comes on asking where 10 (or whatever row) E is. I politely explained to him that he was probably supposed to be on the Airbus boarding next door to ORD. Maybe a bit embarrassing, but these things happen. Honestly, if that's the worst thing that happens to me on a given travel day, it means its been a pretty good day.
I should mention that when you are done paying for a specific E+ seat. Once you are done paying for it, switch to one row forward and see if they will charge you again. If they do charge you again, doesn't it say you did indeed pay for a seat selection, not just an E+ upgrade.
Yes, there is some price differentiation, but even so, that doesn't change the CoC provisions noting that seat assignments aren't guaranteed.
Yes, and no. My understanding is she originally selected a window seat, then moved to an aisle seat in a different row a few hours prior to departure, then was involuntarily moved to the other window seat in the row she originally was in.
#52
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Washington, DC: IAD/DCA/BWI
Programs: MileagePlus, HiltonHonors, AAdvantage, Starwood Prefered Guest, Marriott Rewards
Posts: 173
Decades ago, I was returning from CLL to HNL via DFW after 2 semesters and 2 summer sessions of college at Texas A&M. Just after the second summer session ended I was hit by a pick-up truck and my left leg was close to being amputated. I boarded the DC-10 on crutches and discovered AA had duplicated seat assignments. My preferred first row bulkhead aisle seat was taken by a middle-aged woman who refused the relinquish her seat. I had a cast from my toe tips up to my thigh after my "Hoffman Device" was removed, and the pain was palpable. I could not believe this woman - or AA - and I found myself sitting elsewhere for the flight. It was not the end of the world, though I suffered discomfort. I moved on. No offense, but I suggest you and your wife do likewise, or provide additional details that would justify your outrage about being re-seated in a comparable UA Economy Plus seat.
Last edited by ClipperJon; Jul 22, 2017 at 11:14 pm Reason: Clarity
#53
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 350
Not sure if I am typing poorly or people are reading poorly. She had no problem moving, just ask and it's done in two seconds. Maybe it's too much to ask for a courtesy note nowadays.
And no, it was not a bulkhead seat, they just moved that seat to someone on standby. Simple as that, not asking for compensation, just more of wth happened and it was embarrassing for her (mistake that she didn't create thank you very much).
And no, it was not a bulkhead seat, they just moved that seat to someone on standby. Simple as that, not asking for compensation, just more of wth happened and it was embarrassing for her (mistake that she didn't create thank you very much).
#54
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Auckland
Programs: NZ Elite Partner/Silver (in own right), PR Classic, QF Bronze, UA Member, VA Red
Posts: 1,551
Yes, agreed but why was the seat changed after she had boarded. In Asia, the ground staff or cabin crew will approach a passenger seated to ask if it would be alright for them to relocate to accomodate a family (as an example) to sit together. There is a way to go about it without offending a passenger. 99% of the time, passengers will be accomodating and will switch seats. If you ask them nicely.
#55
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Eurozone
Programs: LH SEN, HH Gold
Posts: 3,002
Sorry, but you never pay for a particular seat, UA will tell you this, all airlines will tell you this. You pay for a certain type of seat. In this case they paid for an aisle E+ seat and that is what they got. Someone even posted the part about seats selection is not guaranteed.
Flyer #1 is already in her seat. Has a valid boarding pass for such. Another flyer (#2 if we must) approaches flyer #1 and says "hey, you're in my seat". Flyer #1 is understandably confused because they know they're in the seat they were assigned. A ruckus, a ballyhoo, a brouhaha ensues. One that could've been prevented 95% of the time. {T}he "Seat selection is not guaranteed!" which does nothing to address the poor implementation of (and subsequent justification of the failures of) a seat reservation system.
Not sure if I am typing poorly or people are reading poorly. She had no problem moving, just ask and it's done in two seconds. Maybe it's too much to ask for a courtesy note nowadays.
And no, it was not a bulkhead seat, they just moved that seat to someone on standby. Simple as that, not asking for compensation, just more of wth happened and it was embarrassing for her (mistake that she didn't create thank you very much).
And no, it was not a bulkhead seat, they just moved that seat to someone on standby. Simple as that, not asking for compensation, just more of wth happened and it was embarrassing for her (mistake that she didn't create thank you very much).
^
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Jul 23, 2017 at 2:29 am Reason: merging consecutive posts by same member;discuss the issue, not the poster(s)
#56
Suspended
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#57
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Canada, USA, Europe
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 31,452
Last week Lufthansa moved me from 7A to 5A, at boarding and without asking me first. I didn't make a big fuss or post on the internet (until now). I don't recall the seat being any different and I got to my destination at the same time as the person who eventually sat in 7A.
#58
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: OSL/IAH/ZRH (time, not preference)
Programs: UA1K, LH GM, AA EXP->GM
Posts: 38,265
I find that being treated like a convict deported for Early Australia by UA feels a lot less painful when you paid next to nothing for a K fare than if you get your upgrade rescinded on a full fare as a 1K MM ....
At least it was taken by the GA and not by an overzealous FA like in the DL_vs_Coulter saga.
One can of course always take pictures of the GA and the passenger that conquered the seat and probe social media .....
#59
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Austin, TX
Programs: CoUniHound 1K 1MM, AA EXP 2MM, DL Plat, Marriott Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 1,625
It never ceases to amaze me how people don't understand the frustrations caused when UA (or other airlines) treat passengers like cargo instead of people. Sure they don't HAVE to guarantee your seat. But it sure would have been the nice thing to do to at least ask first. Instead, airlines take the "shut up cargo and do as your told" attitude. And then when someone gripes about it, half the people here echo the same "be good cargo and don't complain" attitude. I doubt very many would feel the same if it was their parent or SO or child that was treated like a sack of potatoes.
Just because an airline can do something doesn't mean they should.
Just because an airline can do something doesn't mean they should.
#60
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Land of the parrots and parrotheads
Programs: Several dozen
Posts: 4,820
Meh - what's the big deal? It is not like you pay extra money to buy your seat. What the airline is selling you is smoke, a "Seating Suggestion," like the "Serving Suggestion" on a food box. And when you actually open that box, what is inside may look like the pretty picture on the front or it may look like the bloody remains of a passenger dragged off the plane.