Originally Posted by
idriveuride
I am pretty sure there is a mention at the Kiosks when you check in about the "FREE" PTV for exit rows and bulkhead seating. All I know is that I have used this from LGA-IAH-SEA, SEA-EWR, ORD-PBI, IAH-SFO, etc. and although you need to swipe your card to activate, I have never been charged. I did get charged on the two flights I was not in the exit or bulkhead.
I believe that if you use a CO-branded credit card to swipe, then you are not charged. But that doesn't mean that PTV is "free for exit rows and bulkheads" because it wasn't when I sat there; I don't have a CO card. I was definitely charged the $6.
It's rather silly that they can't give this for free to those seats, because the people who sit there are either elites or paid extra. Clearly the system can support free seats, because F gets it. And if it's a matter of how to activate otherwise, do what VX does: the FAs have a plastic card they can swipe.