Programs: UA Plat, AA EXP, SPG Platinum, Hyatt Plat, HH Gold, Former CO Presidential Plat (for a day!)
Posts: 200
No free seats available on almost full flight, what to do?
This is my first time (in a long time) flying on US, I'm a 1K on UA, so I figured I'd get the miles and *G status on a quick flight down from CVG to MSY.
I don't have a seat assignment on tonight's DCA to MSY portion of the trip (only options were to shell out the $25 extra for choice seats, and when i talked to an agent at the phone i was told that I'd be very likely assigned the seats when I checked in at CVG, so not to worry)... I was looking online today and noticed that there are no seats available anymore and when looking on ExpertFlyer the flight looks fully booked (only one seat shows unassigned in F).
What's my best option in this case? Will I be stranded in DCA? Is it better to ask for rebooking at the airport (am planning on getting there a couple of hours ealier anyways)?
If you haven't already, check in online at T-24. Even if you can't print the BP go ahead and get in line for a seat. You may be assigned one at the time of check-in. If not, then look at the schedule of flights from PHL & CLT for a backup plan.
I go to MSY a lot - US has a number of flights a day from CLT. I wouldn't worry much at all. Couple from PHL. Surprisingly 5 from DCA!
May also look into CVG-CLT-BTR as a backup-backup plan (it seems to always have a lot of seats), and take the 90m drive to New Orleans.
Programs: UA Plat, AA EXP, SPG Platinum, Hyatt Plat, HH Gold, Former CO Presidential Plat (for a day!)
Posts: 200
Quote:
Originally Posted by PittDoc
If you haven't already, check in online at T-24. Even if you can't print the BP go ahead and get in line for a seat. You may be assigned one at the time of check-in. If not, then look at the schedule of flights from PHL & CLT for a backup plan.
I go to MSY a lot - US has a number of flights a day from CLT. I wouldn't worry much at all. Couple from PHL. Surprisingly 5 from DCA!
May also look into CVG-CLT-BTR as a backup-backup plan (it seems to always have a lot of seats), and take the 90m drive to New Orleans.
Thanks PittDoc,
If they DO strand me in DCA, do you know if US would give me hotel/food vouchers?
You won't get stranded. This has happened to me multiple times on US and I always get a seat at checking T-24, usually towards the front without paying anything extra.
OTOH, I thought *G got free seat selections on US?
...If they DO strand me in DCA, do you know if US would give me hotel/food vouchers?
US is not known for their generosity with hotel/food vouchers
Assuming you cannot get on US3247 nonstop DCA-MSY this evening, they'd probably re-route you US1765/US3253 through CLT, arriving 2 hours later than planned.
Programs: UA Plat, AA EXP, SPG Platinum, Hyatt Plat, HH Gold, Former CO Presidential Plat (for a day!)
Posts: 200
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cargojon
You won't get stranded. This has happened to me multiple times on US and I always get a seat at checking T-24, usually towards the front without paying anything extra.
OTOH, I thought *G got free seat selections on US?
Cargojon,
I thought the same thing about free seat selections on US, but it seems that went away last year (as i was told by the agent).
On a positive note, i did take the prior advice and tried checking in and was actually given a seat towards the front.
Moderator: US Airways Dividend Miles, Travel Safety/Security
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: CHD/AZA/PHX
Programs: US CP, HHonors Diamond, Hertz 5*
Posts: 4,900
Quote:
Originally Posted by mdt76
Cargojon,
I thought the same thing about free seat selections on US, but it seems that went away last year (as i was told by the agent).
I believe a UA elite gets the same things on US that a US elite would get on UA.
After being in a full E- on a UA flight last year, with a nearly empty E+ section, I sent a message to UA. The UA CSR basically told me that was the policy. I then forwarded that message on to the US CP desk and told them that I didn't feel UA elites should get anything on US if UA wasn't doing anything for US elites.
Not sure if I had anything to do with it, but it certainly made me feel better.
Programs: UA Plat, AA EXP, SPG Platinum, Hyatt Plat, HH Gold, Former CO Presidential Plat (for a day!)
Posts: 200
Quote:
Originally Posted by aztimm
I believe a UA elite gets the same things on US that a US elite would get on UA.
After being in a full E- on a UA flight last year, with a nearly empty E+ section, I sent a message to UA. The UA CSR basically told me that was the policy. I then forwarded that message on to the US CP desk and told them that I didn't feel UA elites should get anything on US if UA wasn't doing anything for US elites.
Not sure if I had anything to do with it, but it certainly made me feel better.
Programs: AA Gold 1MM, A3 Blue (* Silver), MR/SPG/PC Gold, HH Diamond, Nat ExecElite
Posts: 28,647
If this happened, it would be an IDB situation - you're receive cash (or a check), not vouchers.
Glad to see that you got seats at T-24. IDB's are statistically rare overall, although it has happened to me twice while flying as a non-elite on Delta (out of about 40-50 lifetime segments). So you're right to look around at the alternatives when you're a non-elite and do not have a preassigned seat, but I wouldn't be overly worried about it.
I would think that a partner *G status might move you to the front of the non-elite pack when a GA is doing last-minute seat assignments but I don't know that for sure.
I've flown UA metal with my US *G number a few times. The biggest benefit you get there is the baggage allowance (3 x 70lbs.). A friendly counter agent may also put you in E+...I've had this happen a couple of times where I purposely did not select an E- seat online.
Location: Washington, D.C. & Westchester County, N.Y.
Programs: US CP, *A Gold, Intercontinental Plat. Elite, SPG Gold, Marriott Gold, Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 169
Quote:
Originally Posted by aztimm
After being in a full E- on a UA flight last year, with a nearly empty E+ section, I sent a message to UA.
I have had good luck asking the GA about E+, if I didn't pay in advance. Hit or miss of course, but never hurts to ask, especially if they have empty seats. Due to a full flight post Hurricane Sandy, they moved me from E- to E+ on an international flight. Wouldn't have happened if I didn't ask.
Again, you have nothing to lose if you are nice, and ask the question.
I believe a UA elite gets the same things on US that a US elite would get on UA.
After being in a full E- on a UA flight last year, with a nearly empty E+ section, I sent a message to UA. The UA CSR basically told me that was the policy. I then forwarded that message on to the US CP desk and told them that I didn't feel UA elites should get anything on US if UA wasn't doing anything for US elites.
Not sure if I had anything to do with it, but it certainly made me feel better.
I could be wrong, but I am a UA elite and I don't believe I get anything in the way of free premium seating on US. Whenever I fly US and try to change my seat assignment online, it says I have to pay a fee to move into certain E seats, and that I have to have US / DM status to go into an exit row.
Moderator: US Airways Dividend Miles, Travel Safety/Security
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: CHD/AZA/PHX
Programs: US CP, HHonors Diamond, Hertz 5*
Posts: 4,900
Quote:
Originally Posted by GoinSki
I have had good luck asking the GA about E+, if I didn't pay in advance. Hit or miss of course, but never hurts to ask, especially if they have empty seats. Due to a full flight post Hurricane Sandy, they moved me from E- to E+ on an international flight. Wouldn't have happened if I didn't ask.
Again, you have nothing to lose if you are nice, and ask the question.
I did ask, and was basically told to pound sand.
I started a thread over in the UA forum after it happened, and the response I got from the UA forum members is what prompted me to forward UA's response over to the US CP desk
Programs: AA Gold 1MM, A3 Blue (* Silver), MR/SPG/PC Gold, HH Diamond, Nat ExecElite
Posts: 28,647
I guess you could turn the question around: which of the major world alliance carriers do the best job of providing access to desirable economy seats to partner elites? Seems like most of them are similar to UA and US: their own elites get the seats and if you're lucky, an airport agent might be friendlier than the online system.
I flew JL as an AA elite recently - no preferred seating available to me (I was in the 2nd to last row). Someone once suggested that AC was better to Star elites but you had to phone the call center to get the seat assignments.
Programs: US (Silver, *A Silver), AA, Starbucks (Gold)
Posts: 2,218
Quote:
Originally Posted by pinniped
I guess you could turn the question around: which of the major world alliance carriers do the best job of providing access to desirable economy seats to partner elites? Seems like most of them are similar to UA and US: their own elites get the seats and if you're lucky, an airport agent might be friendlier than the online system.
I flew JL as an AA elite recently - no preferred seating available to me (I was in the 2nd to last row). Someone once suggested that AC was better to Star elites but you had to phone the call center to get the seat assignments.
Lufthansa Group airlines will frequently allow *G to select preferred seats normally reserved for SENs and HONs if you call... can't do it online
Programs: UA 1K,HHonors Diamond, PC Plat, SPG Plat, MR Platinum
Posts: 522
As a UA1K that flies US all too often they do not give any premium seating choices to *G.
In this case it's up to the OP how to handle as I can only think of one time not getting any seat assignment and I did when I check in.
For *G the work-around to get an exit row seat is to NOT check in until you get to the airport. If you check in at Kiosk and their are empty exit rows or premium seats you change your seating then to one and it's no charge. I typically do this and has worked about 90% of the time unless those seats are taken. Obviously a different scenario then OP's here but hope that helps.
If I were OP I'd prob hope for an IDB and check in same way at kiosk taking my chances waiting on the next flight with the cash in hand if IDB occurs.
If OP has a booked ticket and no seat assignment as mentioned he either gets on the flight or it's overbooked and becomes an IDB unless someone volunteers their seat for vouchers and they'll put him on another flight and pay the cash.
