New aa.com Seat Selection Rules?
Oct 15, 2008, 12:24 pm
#1
In memoriam
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2001
Location: La Jolla, CA, USA
Posts: 765
New aa.com Seat Selection Rules?
I looked in "search" but didn't see anything. I just bought some tickets on aa.com for a trip in January, and when I went to select my seats (as a Lifetime Platinum), I was not allowed to choose an exit row seat. 
The chart has been reconfigured and there is a notation that you have to be flying with a B or Y fare to access the exit rows. There are also "preferred seats" blocked off as well.
I was out of the country most of September and this was the first time I booked a flight since getting back.
Has this been discussed here? What's the deal?
This ability to access the exit row has been a very significant factor is my blind allegiance to AA for countless years!
The chart has been reconfigured and there is a notation that you have to be flying with a B or Y fare to access the exit rows. There are also "preferred seats" blocked off as well. I was out of the country most of September and this was the first time I booked a flight since getting back.
Has this been discussed here? What's the deal?
This ability to access the exit row has been a very significant factor is my blind allegiance to AA for countless years!
Oct 15, 2008, 12:30 pm
#2
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: The World!!!
Programs: Some of them not all ...
Posts: 1,532
I bought two tickets from MEX-EZE yesterday and was able to secure exit row seats in all 4 flights (aircrafts). From the M80, 767-3 (DFW), 777-2 and 737-800 (MIA). No problem at all and I am only gold.
Oct 15, 2008, 12:32 pm
#3
Suspended
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Washington DC
Programs: Delta Diamond, United IK, AA LifPLT, Hyatt Globalist, IHG PLT AMB, SPG Gold, Marriott Gold, Hilton G
Posts: 1,169
I looked in "search" but didn't see anything. I just bought some tickets on aa.com for a trip in January, and when I went to select my seats (as a Lifetime Platinum), I was not allowed to choose an exit row seat. The chart has been reconfigured and there is a notation that you have to be flying with a B or Y fare to access the exit rows. There are also "preferred seats" blocked off as well.
I was out of the country most of September and this was the first time I booked a flight since getting back.
Has this been discussed here? What's the deal?
This ability to access the exit row has been a very significant factor is my blind allegiance to AA for countless years!
The chart has been reconfigured and there is a notation that you have to be flying with a B or Y fare to access the exit rows. There are also "preferred seats" blocked off as well. I was out of the country most of September and this was the first time I booked a flight since getting back.
Has this been discussed here? What's the deal?
This ability to access the exit row has been a very significant factor is my blind allegiance to AA for countless years!
FWIW, I never liked the fact AA allowed GLD and PLTs to reserve exit row seating in advance. I for one, would be happy if they did restrict this ability to EXPs and those paying full fare.
Oct 15, 2008, 12:35 pm
#4
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Programs: AA 1.5 MM Exec Plat, WN A-List, DL Silver, UA nonrev
Posts: 2,593
I don't know if Lifetime Gold or Lifetime Platinums are excluded, but the concept of "Preferred Seats" has been discussed here:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=876291
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showt...ighlight=seats
Safe travels
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=876291
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showt...ighlight=seats
Safe travels
Oct 15, 2008, 12:41 pm
#5
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: NYC/PSP
Programs: AA EXP, A3 Gold
Posts: 4,106
That's a pretty significant change if lifetime status no longer gives you access to preferred seating. That doesn't sound right though. But who knows.
To OP, are you sure those seats weren't just already occupied? The new map takes some getting used to.
To OP, are you sure those seats weren't just already occupied? The new map takes some getting used to.
Oct 15, 2008, 12:43 pm
#6
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: san jose,calif
Programs: AA explat,Adm Club,Priority Club, and all nonsense in my comic book mind.
Posts: 746
It would certainly be worth a call to try to get it straightened out. It sure doesnt make sense that you are not able to get preferred seating.
Oct 15, 2008, 12:44 pm
#7
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2008
Programs: AA/BA
Posts: 241
It would appear to all come down to the accuracy of this statement:
"...ured and there is a notation that you have to be flying with a B or Y fare to access the exit rows."
"...ured and there is a notation that you have to be flying with a B or Y fare to access the exit rows."
Oct 15, 2008, 12:46 pm
#8
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 885
When this happens to me, it is *always* because I purchased the ticket without being logged in or without my AAdvantage number attached. What you're describing is exactly what the seat map would look like if you didn't have elite status. If this is the case, it is easy to add the AAdvantage number.
That statement is accurate if you are not an elite member. Again, my guess is somehow the record is not reflecting the OP's status.
It would appear to all come down to the accuracy of this statement:
Oct 15, 2008, 12:49 pm
#9
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Portage County, Ohio
Programs: AA EXP, MM; UA 2P
Posts: 585
Preferred seats are available to AAdvantage Executive Platinum, AAdvantage Platinum, AAdvantage Gold, AAirpass members and all passengers holding tickets with a Y or B booking code.
OP: are you sure that this isn't a case of exit seats already being reserved on your flights?
Oct 15, 2008, 12:49 pm
#10
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2008
Programs: AA/BA
Posts: 241
When this happens to me, it is *always* because I purchased the ticket without being logged in or without my AAdvantage number attached. What you're describing is exactly what the seat map would look like if you didn't have elite status. If this is the case, it is easy to add the AAdvantage number.
That statement is accurate if you are not an elite member. Again, my guess is somehow the record is not reflecting the OP's status.
That statement is accurate if you are not an elite member. Again, my guess is somehow the record is not reflecting the OP's status.
Oct 15, 2008, 12:49 pm
#11
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 469
I just checked my upcoming reservations and am able to select any seat.
The notation on the seat map reads:
** Preferred seats are available to AAdvantage Executive Platinum, AAdvantage Platinum, AAdvantage Gold, AAirpass members and all passengers holding tickets with a Y or B booking code.
The notation on the seat map reads:
** Preferred seats are available to AAdvantage Executive Platinum, AAdvantage Platinum, AAdvantage Gold, AAirpass members and all passengers holding tickets with a Y or B booking code.
Oct 15, 2008, 1:16 pm
#12
In memoriam
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2001
Location: La Jolla, CA, USA
Posts: 765
When this happens to me, it is *always* because I purchased the ticket without being logged in or without my AAdvantage number attached. What you're describing is exactly what the seat map would look like if you didn't have elite status. If this is the case, it is easy to add the AAdvantage number.
That statement is accurate if you are not an elite member. Again, my guess is somehow the record is not reflecting the OP's status.
That statement is accurate if you are not an elite member. Again, my guess is somehow the record is not reflecting the OP's status.
Thank goodness for FT. I had held the flights yesterday, and I just clicked on "purchase" (on the "hold" e-mail). Somehow aa.com didn't know who I was, and that caused the problem. I just now went in and picked out the exit row seats with no difficulty.
Thanks for your help!
I can smile again.
Oct 15, 2008, 1:25 pm
#13
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: ORD
Programs: AA; Marriott; SPG; HH
Posts: 3,473
I just checked your suggestion, and you are absolutely right! MY BAD!!
Thank goodness for FT. I had held the flights yesterday, and I just clicked on "purchase" (on the "hold" e-mail). Somehow aa.com didn't know who I was, and that caused the problem. I just now went in and picked out the exit row seats with no difficulty.
Thanks for your help! I can smile again.
Thank goodness for FT. I had held the flights yesterday, and I just clicked on "purchase" (on the "hold" e-mail). Somehow aa.com didn't know who I was, and that caused the problem. I just now went in and picked out the exit row seats with no difficulty.
Thanks for your help!
I can smile again.
Oct 15, 2008, 3:42 pm
#14
Moderator: New York City and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2007
Programs: AA PLT, Natl EC
Posts: 10,855
I just checked your suggestion, and you are absolutely right! MY BAD!!
Thank goodness for FT. I had held the flights yesterday, and I just clicked on "purchase" (on the "hold" e-mail). Somehow aa.com didn't know who I was, and that caused the problem. I just now went in and picked out the exit row seats with no difficulty.
Thanks for your help! I can smile again.
Thank goodness for FT. I had held the flights yesterday, and I just clicked on "purchase" (on the "hold" e-mail). Somehow aa.com didn't know who I was, and that caused the problem. I just now went in and picked out the exit row seats with no difficulty.
Thanks for your help!
I can smile again. Would you mind updating the OP to indicate that this has been sorted out and that there is, in fact, no change? It'll save others some time.
Oct 15, 2008, 4:01 pm
#15
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: SAT
Programs: AA EXP BA Gold, TK Gold, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, AS 100K, QR PLT, SAS Gold, IHG Spire, AMR
Posts: 5,898