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Older posts have been archived to: ARCHIVE: Main Cabin Extra / MCE in service; questions, eligibility (consolidated)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)
#61
Moderator: American AAdvantage, Signatures
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: London, England
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond Ambassador, National Exec, AA EXP Emeritus
Posts: 9,747
So I booked and paid for Main Cabin Extra on my flight to and from DFW-FLL. Going there no problem got the extra leg room and loved it. Coming back I get to my row and go to sit down and guess what; no extra leg room. Matter of fact the seats were so close together that I had trouble putting my carryon in front of the seat before me. I turned around and noticed that the people behind me had extra leg room and I asked them if they paid extra for those seats. They said no and then I saw that they were in the emergency exit rows. I then asked the FA what happened to the Main Cabin Extra seats and she says that this aircraft doesn't have any. So my question is why did they sell me those seats for an extra $37.89? I am assuming that they changed aircraft but I asked the FA if this was an older plane and she said no. I thought all of the new planes had the MCE on them so was pretty surprised. Regardless, I was told to fax in a refund request as they can't do refunds over the phone. The only saving grace about this situation was that there was no one in the middle seat. Has this happened to any other people and if so how long did it take to get a refund?
Please note the announcement at the top of the consolidated thread which is titled PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING: NEW AMERICAN / AA and US Pre-Merger FORUM STRUCTURE. With all of the changes about, it is important to know where to post, and reading that thread before posting (as the title suggests ) will help get you in the right place.
~Moderator
#62
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: BTR/MSY
Programs: AA EXP, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott LTP, Hilton Gold
Posts: 1,257
So I booked and paid for Main Cabin Extra on my flight to and from DFW-FLL. Going there no problem got the extra leg room and loved it. Coming back I get to my row and go to sit down and guess what; no extra leg room. Matter of fact the seats were so close together that I had trouble putting my carryon in front of the seat before me. I turned around and noticed that the people behind me had extra leg room and I asked them if they paid extra for those seats. They said no and then I saw that they were in the emergency exit rows. I then asked the FA what happened to the Main Cabin Extra seats and she says that this aircraft doesn't have any. So my question is why did they sell me those seats for an extra $37.89? I am assuming that they changed aircraft but I asked the FA if this was an older plane and she said no. I thought all of the new planes had the MCE on them so was pretty surprised. Regardless, I was told to fax in a refund request as they can't do refunds over the phone. The only saving grace about this situation was that there was no one in the middle seat. Has this happened to any other people and if so how long did it take to get a refund?
#63
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: San Francisco, CA
Programs: AA (PPro/3MM/Admirals Club), AS, UA, Marriott (Gold), HHonors (Gold), Accor (Plat)
Posts: 2,602
I would avoid 16B/E, 17B/E and all of row 7 for a little while.
FYI - The old (pmAA as we say here) American's web site has an Our Fleet page, but it is horribly out of date. I am not sure very many aircraft have accurate seat maps on that page these days.
#65
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: JFK > LGA >> EWR
Programs: AA EXP 1.2mm, Kimpton IC, Starwood Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,180
#67
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Sacramento, CA
Programs: AA Exec Plat, Hyatt,Marriott,BA,AS
Posts: 4,419
I tried doing a search but with no results. I have bought a fully refundable ticket for my daughter and purchased some "preferred" and some "MCE" seats. In looking at the term and conditions, am I to believe that if I cancel this reservation that the surcharges for the preferred and MCE seats are non-refundable?
#68
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond, IHG Platinum
Posts: 3,650
I'm interested in MCE on multiple upcoming segments on MD-80. But the seat selection page all look like this:
The AA MCE page says "nearly all of our planes offer Main Cabin Extra seating, including... MD-80". Am I just unlucky to be on the not-part-of-nearly-all ones? It's not even showing any MCE for purchase, so it looks like there is indeed no MCE on these flights.
The AA MCE page says "nearly all of our planes offer Main Cabin Extra seating, including... MD-80". Am I just unlucky to be on the not-part-of-nearly-all ones? It's not even showing any MCE for purchase, so it looks like there is indeed no MCE on these flights.
#69
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2001
Location: LAX; AA EXP, MM; HH Gold
Posts: 31,789
Looks like it's simply sold out.
#71
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: CUR
Posts: 2,170
I'm interested in MCE on multiple upcoming segments on MD-80. But the seat selection page all look like this:
The AA MCE page says "nearly all of our planes offer Main Cabin Extra seating, including... MD-80". Am I just unlucky to be on the not-part-of-nearly-all ones? It's not even showing any MCE for purchase, so it looks like there is indeed no MCE on these flights.
The AA MCE page says "nearly all of our planes offer Main Cabin Extra seating, including... MD-80". Am I just unlucky to be on the not-part-of-nearly-all ones? It's not even showing any MCE for purchase, so it looks like there is indeed no MCE on these flights.
Regarding your question: All MD80s have MCE. In your case however, it seems that all the MCE (and most of the regular) seats that are available to non-status members are already occupied. You can try to getting an MCE seat at the airport.
#72
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2012
Location: MCO
Programs: AA, B6, DL, EK, EY, QR, SQ, UA, Amex Plat, Marriott Tit, HHonors Gold
Posts: 12,809
#73
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond, IHG Platinum
Posts: 3,650
One of them booked via AA, the other BA. Neither shows any MCE or preferred seat avai.
Yes, both are award tickets.
The BA-issued booking does have my AS#, for which I reached 75K status yesterday. Not surprised if it's too soon for the system to recognize the status, but it is on the reservation now.
Are there MCE seats blocked off for elites only?
Yes, both are award tickets.
The BA-issued booking does have my AS#, for which I reached 75K status yesterday. Not surprised if it's too soon for the system to recognize the status, but it is on the reservation now.
Originally Posted by Djokison
In your case however, it seems that all the MCE (and most of the regular) seats that are available to non-status members are already occupied.
Last edited by italdesign; Nov 22, 2014 at 2:33 pm
#74
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2001
Programs: DL 1 million, AA 1 mil, HH lapsed Diamond, Marriott Plat
Posts: 28,190
#75
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: CUR
Posts: 2,170
As has been mentioned, the fact that these are award tickets is very relevant, as preferred and MCE seats can not be purchased on award tickets.
If you're entitled to free MCE (Oneworld Sapphire and Emerald members), they can be chosen. As an MVP Gold or 75K you should be entitled to MCE for free as well. I would suggest calling AA to have this done.
Last edited by Djokison; Nov 22, 2014 at 3:10 pm