Originally Posted by
VegasGambler
While there's is someone saying that you can choose MCE seats as a non-AA OWE, there's no data point of anyone who has actually done it (and one person, as an AS OWE who said that they were only able to choose standard seats).
Furthermore, the AS page on the matter specifically says that basic economy fares are not eligible (re: their members selecting MCE on AA).
I guess it's possible that it might work for some partner's OWE members but it seems unlikely that they are being treated better than AS OWEs (who even get F upgrades on Main Cabin fares)
While the AA page on Basic Economy only talks about free MCE seats for AAdvantage elites:
"Complimentary Preferred and Main Cabin Extra seat benefits based on AAdvantage® status"
the AA page on Main Cabin Extra indicates that AAdvantage elites, and elites from AS, AY, BA, IB, JL, and QR are all entitled to free MCE seats. There is no language on that page excluding Basic Economy fares from that benefit for the non-AA elites:
"Who gets complimentary Main Cabin Extra seats?
AAdvantage Executive Platinum®, AAdvantage Platinum Pro® and AAdvantage Platinum® members
oneworld® Sapphire and Emerald members with elite status on Alaska Airlines, British Airways, Iberia, Finnair, Qatar Airways or Japan Airlines
All listed members are allowed complimentary access for up to 8 traveling companions on the same reservation.
AAdvantage Gold® and oneworld® Ruby members*
Enjoy complimentary access within 24 hours of departure when seats are available.
*oneworld® Ruby members with elite status on Alaska Airlines, British Airways, Iberia, Finnair, Qatar Airways or Japan Airlines"
So maybe AS has it right, and AA needs to update the information on the MCE page. Or maybe AS has it wrong. Some additional data points would be helpful.