alphaod

I have an issue. I had make a last minute change to my booking and I had to move my flight to tonight. AA reservations told me there is only one seat left and it's in First Class, so it's a full fare ticket. Not very happy about this.

Imagine I'm looking at the seat map right now and it's shows half the cabin is empty! So are they basically expecting a full flight, so they've given half the First Class cabin to op-ups and then selling me a full fare ticket?

arollins

It has been repeated numerous times that seat map is not a true indicator of how many seats are available. Numerous people buy tickets and dont select a seat due to not having status, or not willing to pay for them. Without knowing flight #, not much can be said, however, I dont find it surprising that a last minute purchase on a same day flight would be a premium/full fare ticket. Good luck and safe travels.

bdemaria

It would really be useful if you supplied specific flight information but one observation/clarification:

The pax moving to the front cabin arent "op ups" They are elites who have requested upgrades according to their status and those upgrades are in the process of clearing. They haven't been assigned seats yet but AA knows that of say 4 of the 5 empty seats in F will be occupied by elites. They usually hold back 1 or 2 seats for last minute purchasers - such as yourself - and in the event you buy the ticket, 1 less person will clear from the pending upgrade list.

If the flight is leaving in less than 4 hours, you can see the upgrade list yourself on the AA app.

Exec_Plat

what flight/cities? when is you actual confirmed flight?

Is this the outbound (first) leg of a RT? or return leg?

alphaod

Originally booked 04/15 outbound with return 04/19, I-fare class.

AA18 SFOJFK outbound of a RT. Return AA177.

Change to outbound today and returning Friday, same flights except outbound only available in F.


And I sort of stuck the Elite upgrades in same category as op-ups...

alphaod

And I forgot to mention, AA18 is at 10:45 pm and I already bought the ticket because I must fly out tonight, hence my disappointment in seeing a half empty seat map.

Madison Guy

Well, at this time, AA18 STILL has 1 F seat for sale (you DID reticket and buy it?) but seatmap show 4 still unassigned in F, 1 in J and 2 in Econ with 2 more blocked. Oversell looks quite possible to me....

msv777

Agreed... EF shows F1 J0 Y1 at this time....

Cheers.

Exec_Plat

1. flight looks sold out. F1. J is sold out, Y is sold out.

There are cheap fares published, but no seats on that plane.

2. Did you look at SFO-LAX-JFK? There is some A space, which means if there was any M-up, K-up etc space earlier in the day, you could have bought a coach with an upgrade at $600 one way

3. If it makes you feel better, the open seat map is simply an artifact of 'paid seats'...many coach flyers just wait to be assigned at the airport.

4. Open seats in F on the map mean nothing- someone got an upgrade but hasnt got a seat. or they KNOW they WILL upgrade someone, to ensure Y isnt oversold, so they have open seats. (or J, all these things roll up from an oversold Y)

When a flight is as full as AA18 is- likely oversold- they will sell an F seat knowing that they will have to ask for a volunteer to accommodate you. Why should they sell it for cheap?

Would you rather buy a full YA2AA at $2500 or a Y at $7500? or a 'full F' that is probably only 3500? (FA2AA?)

sukn

Y Oversold by 5
J - 1
F - 1

BStrauss3

Once again the seat map proves irrelevant to the actual available-to-sell for the flight.

AA-Flyer-SAN

Hmmm, I'm seeing something a little different (contrary to EF).
AA18 (04/14/2015)

(Confirmed)
F 4/10
J 20/20
Y 64/72

And I show Y fares available for purchase:

bdemaria

The OP was flying on the 13th.

AA-Flyer-SAN

Whoooooops

cmd320

I've actually noticed MCO-DFW often has only refundable fares, even when flights are relatively empty. I've been trying to understand this but can't seem to figure it out. It's made me just start booking UA F/DL F as both are offered cheaper than AA Y.