AC8 HKG-YVR blocked seats roll 19-24 77WHD
 

My friend and I (E25k) booked FLEX fare on AC8 and have access to row 19-24. My mom (no status), however on a separate reservation, with FLEX fare, does not. Does anyone know if the rolls will be release at check in (T-24)? Is there a way to pay and select a seat for her? I just wanted to secure 19J for her. Thank you.

Our seat selection screens:
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...64fc0fa437.png

My friend and I
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...43da15a5b7.png

My mom

If it's your mom, then I would phone in and simply ask to have her moved next to you. Air Canada has a cleverly confusing mix of three special seat types in economy .... Preferred, Premium, and Priority. Only the first two types require an additional fee, but the seat you're looking at is neither of those, it's "just" Priority. The Priority seats are simply saved for people with status (so that last minute purchases don't force frequent flyers to always sit at the back of the plane). Thus, if you call in they should be able to move your mom next to you, and only the normal seat selection fees should apply (depending on your mom's fare type; zero in many cases, some dollars in others ). As your mom has a Flex fare, which includes seat selection, it should be free to move her.

The seats are not any different than the rest of the HD seats (ie.awful), and yes what is leftover is opened up at checkin, and anyone can move there.

I'd probably book her an aisle or window somewhere else. In case 19J is occupied, the person would love to swap for a non-middle.

That section is reserved for Altitude, and Y/B pax.

However, as an altitude member, you can ask to override and book a companion travelling with you in that section, but you have to call. Standard fees apply though.

Do you mean standard fees, or fees associated with Standard? Since the OP talks about Flex, I guess it's not that Standard, but simply standard. So egu. :p

to the OP, as per others here, I've also been able to call in (as a status Altitude member) to get a non-status traveling companion to sit with me in the front of Y.

Rolls???

On a similar subject I have a flex fare booked on YLW-YYZ on AC Rouge. There are no preferred/exit row seats available which I should have access to as SE. I called the concierge and she confirmed that but also said that there are some seats being held and will be released for airport control. I hope these are not preferred seats as I would hate to be stuck in my current seat on a Rouge flight while AC hangs onto preferred seats.

I'm sure the OP meant "rows". Or an airplane with a Rows Royce engine. :p

Right guys, I meant row. Thanks for pointing it out.

I did call the AC Hong Kong number (coz I'm in HK), the agent told me that those rows are blocked and there is nothing he could do about it. He told me to check in early and see if those seat can be selected.

I'll call the Canadian number tonight and report back. Thanks everyone for the insight.

Update:
So I just called the E25k number, the agent exact wording is: Unless she has an altitude status, she would not be able to select those seat, even on Flex fare.
I asked if I can pay a fee to select 19J and he said no.
He linked our booking references together and that's all he could do for us for now. Hopefully no one would select a middle seat 19J.

I thought about that too and the closest "J" seat is 27J, the closest window/aisle seat is at the back on the plane (row 50 to 60). So I decided 25F middle for her for now, at least it's closer.

Hang up call again. There's a seat override they can do specifically for your situation.

Agreed.

"Hello, I'm an E25K, I'm seated in 19K, and I'd like to move my mom so that she can sit next to me please"

But that B77WHD uses GE instead...:confused:

I could be wrong - is it possible that the agents won't override because of OP's low level status?