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Older posts have been archived to: ARCHIVE: Main Cabin Extra / MCE in service; questions, eligibility (consolidated)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)
May 8, 2015, 2:15 pm
#152
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: SAN
Programs: AA Platinum, Bonvoy Gold, DL Gold
Posts: 1,200
Can be easily done on phone or in-person, cannot be done online.
Note that other PLT benefits such as same day standby, checked bags, etc, will not be applied to the separate PNR.
Note that other PLT benefits such as same day standby, checked bags, etc, will not be applied to the separate PNR.
May 12, 2015, 2:55 pm
#153
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond, IHG Platinum
Posts: 3,722
I'm pretty sure this is a clueless agent at work, but just to confirm...
Mom is trying to get MCE on an AA-issued award ticket. She is using AS 75K credential. For some reason the website doesn't let her assign the seat. It lets her select it but then comes back with an error saying it's not available. She tweeted AA, who replied as follows:
"award seats are not eligible for Main Cabin Extra or Preferred Seating. Sorry for any disappointment."
This contradicts my experience. I've recently gotten MCE on AA.com as either AS 75K or OWS, all on award tickets. So, is this a new policy, or did we run into a Clueless Agent (TM)?
Mom is trying to get MCE on an AA-issued award ticket. She is using AS 75K credential. For some reason the website doesn't let her assign the seat. It lets her select it but then comes back with an error saying it's not available. She tweeted AA, who replied as follows:
"award seats are not eligible for Main Cabin Extra or Preferred Seating. Sorry for any disappointment."
This contradicts my experience. I've recently gotten MCE on AA.com as either AS 75K or OWS, all on award tickets. So, is this a new policy, or did we run into a Clueless Agent (TM)?
May 12, 2015, 6:38 pm
#154
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: home = LAX
Posts: 25,934
I'm pretty sure this is a clueless agent at work, but just to confirm...
Mom is trying to get MCE on an AA-issued award ticket. She is using AS 75K credential. For some reason the website doesn't let her assign the seat. It lets her select it but then comes back with an error saying it's not available. She tweeted AA, who replied as follows:
"award seats are not eligible for Main Cabin Extra or Preferred Seating. Sorry for any disappointment."
This contradicts my experience. I've recently gotten MCE on AA.com as either AS 75K or OWS, all on award tickets. So, is this a new policy, or did we run into a Clueless Agent (TM)?
Mom is trying to get MCE on an AA-issued award ticket. She is using AS 75K credential. For some reason the website doesn't let her assign the seat. It lets her select it but then comes back with an error saying it's not available. She tweeted AA, who replied as follows:
"award seats are not eligible for Main Cabin Extra or Preferred Seating. Sorry for any disappointment."
This contradicts my experience. I've recently gotten MCE on AA.com as either AS 75K or OWS, all on award tickets. So, is this a new policy, or did we run into a Clueless Agent (TM)?
https://www.aa.com/i18n/urls/mainCabinExtra.jsp
it says:
AAdvantage® Executive Platinum, AAdvantage® Platinum members and their oneworld® equivalents, as well as customers who purchase a full-fare Main Cabin ticket receive complimentary access to Main Cabin Extra seats.
No mention of AS status.There's a single-asterisk footnote still that includes AS status:
*AAdvantage Executive Platinum, AAdvantage Platinum, oneworld Sapphire and Emerald members. Alaska Airlines MVP® Gold and MVP® Gold 75K customers and up to 8 traveling companions on the same reservation.
But if you search that page for "*" (a single asterisk), you'll find there's no text that references that footnote! 
Meanwhile, are you sure you got MCE on award flights in cases where they didn't know your OW Sapphire status, and only knew your AS status? It's clear that OWS gives you MCE, but it's less clear whether AS 75k does or not.
Last edited by sdsearch; May 12, 2015 at 6:51 pm
May 12, 2015, 8:36 pm
#155
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond, IHG Platinum
Posts: 3,722
AA.com is inconclusive. At:
https://www.aa.com/i18n/urls/mainCabinExtra.jsp
it says:
There's a single-asterisk footnote still that includes AS status:
https://www.aa.com/i18n/urls/mainCabinExtra.jsp
it says:
AAdvantage® Executive Platinum, AAdvantage® Platinum members and their oneworld® equivalents, as well as customers who purchase a full-fare Main Cabin ticket receive complimentary access to Main Cabin Extra seats.
No mention of AS status.There's a single-asterisk footnote still that includes AS status:
*AAdvantage Executive Platinum, AAdvantage Platinum, oneworld Sapphire and Emerald members. Alaska Airlines MVP® Gold and MVP® Gold 75K customers and up to 8 traveling companions on the same reservation.
But if you search that page for "*" (a single asterisk), you'll find there's no text that references that footnote!
Meanwhile, are you sure you got MCE on award flights in cases where they didn't know your OW Sapphire status, and only knew your AS status?
May 13, 2015, 7:44 am
#156
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond, IHG Platinum
Posts: 3,722
OK, I figured out the problem. The seat I was trying to select is designated as "for elites and full fare customers only". I guess 75K isn't in that category, while OWS is. Selected another MCE seat just fine.
May 21, 2015, 11:23 pm
#157
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: SPG Lifetime Plat, Hyatt Diamond, Hilton Gold:AA Plat, Now retired but previous NWA PLAT 2 Million +, United 1K plus etc etc
Posts: 541
I dropped to Gold this year. I know on a Milesaver award ticket that a Gold can't choose or pay for a MCE seat. But what about at checkin if those seats are still available, does it let me choose or pay for a Milesaver then or still block me out all together for them? Thanks
May 22, 2015, 8:02 am
#158
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
I dropped to Gold this year. I know on a Milesaver award ticket that a Gold can't choose or pay for a MCE seat. But what about at checkin if those seats are still available, does it let me choose or pay for a Milesaver then or still block me out all together for them? Thanks
May 22, 2015, 1:23 pm
#159
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
Programs: AA EXP/MM, DL GM, UA Platinum, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 33,857
I dropped to Gold this year. I know on a Milesaver award ticket that a Gold can't choose or pay for a MCE seat. But what about at checkin if those seats are still available, does it let me choose or pay for a Milesaver then or still block me out all together for them? Thanks
May 24, 2015, 6:55 pm
#160
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: 2.18 miles east of 23R at MAN
Posts: 1,042
MCE sold at gate after check in closes
I've come back to AA after a seven year absence and flew AA210 JFK-MAN on 23 May with my other half.
Right up to 45 minutes before scheduled departure we were in 29HJ and would have been charged $65 each for 20HJ.
Asked a gate agent about moving to 20HJ and was told that I'd have to wait to see if anyone with PLT or EXP wanted them first, fair enough, but after check in closed, I assumed that any available seats came under gate control and could be allocated on a first come, first served basis (in the same cabin, that is) but I was told in that 45 minute window the seats still were chargeable at $65 each. I left it and kept my original seats.
As we boarded, 20HJ was still empty as the doors were about to close and two passengers already boarded were moved to 20HJ by an FA. Don't know if they had status or not, but assume they didn't pay.
What's the usual deal for allocating seats at gate after check in closes and there are no more elites to take those seats? Are they still chargeable and who has the power to move passengers already boarded?
Right up to 45 minutes before scheduled departure we were in 29HJ and would have been charged $65 each for 20HJ.
Asked a gate agent about moving to 20HJ and was told that I'd have to wait to see if anyone with PLT or EXP wanted them first, fair enough, but after check in closed, I assumed that any available seats came under gate control and could be allocated on a first come, first served basis (in the same cabin, that is) but I was told in that 45 minute window the seats still were chargeable at $65 each. I left it and kept my original seats.
As we boarded, 20HJ was still empty as the doors were about to close and two passengers already boarded were moved to 20HJ by an FA. Don't know if they had status or not, but assume they didn't pay.
What's the usual deal for allocating seats at gate after check in closes and there are no more elites to take those seats? Are they still chargeable and who has the power to move passengers already boarded?
May 24, 2015, 7:40 pm
#162
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: 2.18 miles east of 23R at MAN
Posts: 1,042
MCE appears to be available to all at T-24 hours but non-elites like me appears to be chargeable right up until check in closes, and then still chargeable at gate between T-45 minutes and scheduled departure time. I've created a separate thread with questions on this.
May 24, 2015, 7:52 pm
#163
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: PHL / NYC / PSA-BLQ
Programs: AA PPRO, Marriott/Hilton Gold, AMX-Plat, Global Entry
Posts: 3,110
You were lucky you didn't get them. Yes, they are exit row but the leg room sucks and they have limited/no recline. They are the booby prizes of exit row.
May 24, 2015, 8:12 pm
#164
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: LAX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM
Posts: 2,080
May 25, 2015, 9:23 am
#165
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: 2.18 miles east of 23R at MAN
Posts: 1,042
We would've been happy with 20HJ - not bothered about recline, just extra legroom for a 6'2" other half and the TV screen would've been OK for the in flight "entertainment"! I should've just selected them for $65 each.
FWIW the upgrade fee from our discount economy O tickets to business would've been $410 each.
FWIW the upgrade fee from our discount economy O tickets to business would've been $410 each.