Originally Posted by
fjord
What's the consensus on getting a better seat?
This is my first time using BE and foolishly checked in T-24h. Of course I got the close to the bathroom, no window, middle seat all the way in the back. Plan is to plead the gate agent as well as lounge for a non-middle seat but how to generally avoid this hell?
Unlike UA, AA doesn't take your seat preference in consideration.
Not on AA with BE. If you don't choose to pay for a seat you will play seat roulette. Chances are you'd have to speak with the GA when he/she came on duty but don't get your hopes up. Reports are sometimes GAs ask for payment to change a BE seat, sometimes not. However, with packed flights by T-1 more than likely all windows and aisles are gone. Possibly if someone is upgraded at the gate the GA might give you their original seat. But that's doubtful.
Does UA actually allow you seat preference on a BE fare? That would seem to defeat the purpose of a BE fare.