Oct 27, 2012, 8:24 pm
Last edit by: Prospero
Main Cabin Extra ("MCE") Enhanced Legroom in Coach
Eligibility, costs, refunds, what happens if bumped from MCE, etc.
Link to MCE page on aa.com
AA announced enhancements to MCE:
“Enhanced bin access” (bins over MCE seats placarded for MCE use only; Flight Attendants will not be required to enforce this placarding as police).
*Overhead bin space availability varies by aircraft
“Complimentary beer, wine and spirits.”
**Free alcohol is available on flights with full drink service
On aa.com, FAQ on MCE: Link
All listed members are allowed complimentary access for up to 8 traveling companions on the same reservation.
*For travel ticketed in booking code Y on or after August 30, 2017, you'll no longer get complimentary Main Cabin Extra or Preferred seats. This includes AAnytime awards booked in Main Cabin.
On a related note, and with a dedicated thread: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...solidated.html and
Link to AA Preferred Seats FlyerTalk thread
Older posts have been archived to: ARCHIVE: Main Cabin Extra / MCE in service; questions, eligibility (consolidated)
Now that individual threads exist for each aircraft type, specific questions and comments regarding each aircraft should be posted in the relevant threads.
Examples:
Eligibility, costs, refunds, what happens if bumped from MCE, etc.
Link to MCE page on aa.com
aa.com: ... With Main Cabin Extra you get a seat towards the front of the Main Cabin with up to six inches of additional legroom to stretch out and relax. You also receive Group 5 boarding which gives you plenty of time to get on the plane, stow your luggage and get settled with prices starting at $20.
Beer, wine and spirits are on us; plus free Biscoff cookies or mini pretzels and soft drinks. Additional food or drinks may be available for free or to buy, depending on your route.**
Beer, wine and spirits are on us; plus free Biscoff cookies or mini pretzels and soft drinks. Additional food or drinks may be available for free or to buy, depending on your route.**
“Enhanced bin access” (bins over MCE seats placarded for MCE use only; Flight Attendants will not be required to enforce this placarding as police).
*Overhead bin space availability varies by aircraft
“Complimentary beer, wine and spirits.”
**Free alcohol is available on flights with full drink service
On aa.com, FAQ on MCE: Link
Who gets complimentary Main Cabin Extra seats?
- AAdvantage® Executive Platinum, Platinum Pro and Platinum members
- oneworld® SapphireSM and oneworld® EmeraldSM members
Customers who purchase a full-fare Main Cabin ticket*
- oneworld® SapphireSM and oneworld® EmeraldSM members
All listed members are allowed complimentary access for up to 8 traveling companions on the same reservation.
AAdvantage Gold and oneworld® RubySM members
- Enjoy complimentary access within 24 hours of departure when seats are available
Other restrictions
Basic Economy fare tickets aren't eligible for complimentary/discounted access to Main Cabin Extra seats.*For travel ticketed in booking code Y on or after August 30, 2017, you'll no longer get complimentary Main Cabin Extra or Preferred seats. This includes AAnytime awards booked in Main Cabin.
Link to AA Preferred Seats FlyerTalk thread
Q: Can I purchase the new seat product if I am traveling on an AAdvantage MileSAAver Award ticket or Business Extra PlanAAhead ticket?
A: Yes, Main Cabin Extra is available for purchase when traveling on a Business Extra Plan AAhead ticket. Main Cabin Extra can be purchased by travelers on an AAdvantage MileSAAver Award and by travelers on an AAdvantage AAnytime Award. This is for travelers without status. Ability to purchase on the SAAver award and requirement to pay on an AAnytime award are recent changes.
A: Yes, Main Cabin Extra is available for purchase when traveling on a Business Extra Plan AAhead ticket. Main Cabin Extra can be purchased by travelers on an AAdvantage MileSAAver Award and by travelers on an AAdvantage AAnytime Award. This is for travelers without status. Ability to purchase on the SAAver award and requirement to pay on an AAnytime award are recent changes.
Now that individual threads exist for each aircraft type, specific questions and comments regarding each aircraft should be posted in the relevant threads.
Examples:
- A321T: MCE Rows 11-16. Best Economy / MCE seat on AA transcon Airbus A321 / A321T / 32B (consolidated)
- 737: MCE rows 8-13 (row 7 removed). Best MCE / Main Cabin Extra seats on the 738 / 737-800 (consolidated)
- 777-300ER / 77W: MCE rows 16-19. Best 77W / 777-300ER Economy Class / Main Cabin Extra / MCE seat (consolidated)
Main Cabin Extra / MCE questions, eligibility, etc. (consolidated)
Apr 24, 2015, 7:59 pm
#136
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: SJC/VCE
Programs: AA PLT (2.9+ MM), HH GLD, Hyatt Diamond, SPG PLT
Posts: 10,161
Just a guess here - but I think the OP is confused about AAdvantage Platinum status which usually requires 50,000 flown miles, not merely "earned" miles - such as one gets from a credit card bonus.
Apr 24, 2015, 8:16 pm
#137
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
According to this link, platinum status starts at 50,000 miles. As I said, I will meet the minimum spending requirement and will therefore get 50,000 miles
http://www.aa.com/i18n/AAdvantage/el...false&from=Nav
http://www.aa.com/i18n/AAdvantage/el...false&from=Nav
You need 50,000 Elite Qualifying ("butt in airplane seat") Miles for Platinum status. Check the thread: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...d-threads.html
AA doesn't offer Economy Plus, which on most airlines is a fourth class of service; AA offers Main Cabin Extra, which are economy seats with greater seat pitch and normal economy service.
See http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...solidated.html
We’ll move this to the AA (pre-consolidation) forum, as AA and US currently operate separate fleets with many different rules.
/Moderator
Last edited by JDiver; Apr 24, 2015 at 8:23 pm
Apr 25, 2015, 11:03 pm
#138
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: AAdvantage Citi Platinum
Posts: 5
WOW, I did not realize there was a difference, 50,000 miles should be 50,000 miles regardless of how they are earned. This is a very deceptive practice on the part of AA, US and Citi Bank. This card is worthless, I should have gotten one from United or Delta instead, I did American because I live in San Angelo so they are really my only choice. 
They should be ashamed.
They should be ashamed.
Apr 26, 2015, 6:07 am
#140
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Kitchener, ON, Canada
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 1,266
WOW, I did not realize there was a difference, 50,000 miles should be 50,000 miles regardless of how they are earned. This is a very deceptive practice on the part of AA, US and Citi Bank. This card is worthless, I should have gotten one from United or Delta instead, I did American because I live in San Angelo so they are really my only choice. They should be ashamed.
They should be ashamed.Sorry.
That being said - I have a similar question. I was demoted to Gold this year after a flat business year. I'm already at 35,000 miles this year, and will hit 50k by summer. I'm booking a trip right now for October, and I'd like MCE. If I pay for the seat now, and then get the ability to select it for free via my status before the flight, is there any refund opportunity?
Apr 26, 2015, 7:16 am
#141
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: SJC/VCE
Programs: AA PLT (2.9+ MM), HH GLD, Hyatt Diamond, SPG PLT
Posts: 10,161
WOW, I did not realize there was a difference, 50,000 miles should be 50,000 miles regardless of how they are earned. This is a very deceptive practice on the part of AA, US and Citi Bank. This card is worthless, I should have gotten one from United or Delta instead, I did American because I live in San Angelo so they are really my only choice. They should be ashamed.
They should be ashamed.Last edited by bdemaria; Apr 26, 2015 at 7:23 am
Apr 26, 2015, 7:23 am
#142
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: SJC/VCE
Programs: AA PLT (2.9+ MM), HH GLD, Hyatt Diamond, SPG PLT
Posts: 10,161
That being said - I have a similar question. I was demoted to Gold this year after a flat business year. I'm already at 35,000 miles this year, and will hit 50k by summer. I'm booking a trip right now for October, and I'd like MCE. If I pay for the seat now, and then get the ability to select it for free via my status before the flight, is there any refund opportunity?
#1) what is the route/time (e.g., daytime mid con v. TATL overnight)
#2) what is the price of the MCE
#3) how full is MCE right now
Apr 26, 2015, 8:31 am
#143
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
WOW, I did not realize there was a difference, 50,000 miles should be 50,000 miles regardless of how they are earned. This is a very deceptive practice on the part of AA, US and Citi Bank. This card is worthless, I should have gotten one from United or Delta instead, I did American because I live in San Angelo so they are really my only choice. They should be ashamed.
They should be ashamed.American Airlines clearly and consistently makes the entire thing quite clear - see http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...d-threads.html here and Elite Status on aa.com.
Though it sounds harsh to say it, IMO your failure to research status on AA and perform due diligence is no reason to blame the airline. I really wish you had stopped by here before you made an unduly hasty (and incorrect) decision. The Spanish "Dichos" "put your shoes on before you jump" comes to mind.
Your shortcut to Platinum status is to engage in the Platinum Challenge; you can earn it by flying as few as 6,667 (or as many as 20,000) miles; that's an extremely good deal. And now you'll have 50,000 AAdvantage miles - you can fly to Europe for as few as 20,000 miles one way, or fly in Business one way for 50,000 miles, on AA/US or partners such as 9W, AB, AY, IB, TN, etc. (You're not likely to find one way business travel for less than $1,800.)
You made a mistake; you can make the best of it, or be upset and blame the providers (though there's plenty of deserving blame for airlines and banks, this is not that time).
Apr 26, 2015, 11:00 am
#144
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 1999
Posts: 24,153
WOW, I did not realize there was a difference, 50,000 miles should be 50,000 miles regardless of how they are earned. This is a very deceptive practice on the part of AA, US and Citi Bank. This card is worthless, I should have gotten one from United or Delta instead, I did American because I live in San Angelo so they are really my only choice. They should be ashamed.
They should be ashamed.
May 7, 2015, 7:24 pm
#145
Suspended
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,273
Plat With Two Separate Booking - MCE?
Hi,
I'm traveling with two kids on one RLN. We are of course in MCE. Wife is traveling on same flight but on different RLN.
Is it possible to get her into MCE as well? What's the best way? Twitter, Call, Email, Something else?
Thanks!
I'm traveling with two kids on one RLN. We are of course in MCE. Wife is traveling on same flight but on different RLN.
Is it possible to get her into MCE as well? What's the best way? Twitter, Call, Email, Something else?
Thanks!
May 7, 2015, 8:25 pm
#148
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: JFK > LGA >> EWR
Programs: AA EXP 1.2mm, Kimpton IC, Starwood Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,180
