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Older posts have been archived to: ARCHIVE: Main Cabin Extra / MCE in service; questions, eligibility (consolidated)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 6, 2015, 1:40 pm
#121
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 355
travel on award ticket, why does AA sell miles but not MCE seats?
I'm a little confused as to why AA is willing to see you extra miles when flying on an award ticket. On the other hand, they can't sell MCE seating for $$ on the same award ticket?
Apr 6, 2015, 2:05 pm
#123
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 355
seriously? they're still using a 1985-era IT system? the CEO or CIO didn't get a memo that it's already 2015? 
when I give my friends/relatives my award tickets, they can pay extra to UA for Economy Plus seats.
not so when I give them my award tickets on AA. Seems like a lot of lost pure profit to me.
when I give my friends/relatives my award tickets, they can pay extra to UA for Economy Plus seats.
not so when I give them my award tickets on AA. Seems like a lot of lost pure profit to me.
Apr 6, 2015, 2:23 pm
#124
Join Date: Oct 2005
Programs: BA GGL & GfL, AA LTP, Marriott (sigh) Ambassador, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3,238
just one of many where they are still deficient in maximizing revenue from awards--by which i mean the chance to lessen the outstanding miles liability on their sheets.
for instance, J seats go out empty LHR-JFK often but the day of, they show no saver availability--a great chance if i wanted to book that from a coach seat, but poor management up to departure is likely why. same on being able to dump more miles for a BA codeshare to eco +
for instance, J seats go out empty LHR-JFK often but the day of, they show no saver availability--a great chance if i wanted to book that from a coach seat, but poor management up to departure is likely why. same on being able to dump more miles for a BA codeshare to eco +
Apr 6, 2015, 2:53 pm
#126
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,624
Selling miles doesn't impact the fare
Apr 6, 2015, 3:29 pm
#127
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 355
if so, how can other airlines do it so easily?
or does the government only charge taxes on AA tickets?
Apr 6, 2015, 3:37 pm
#128
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2001
Programs: DL 1 million, AA 1 mil, HH lapsed Diamond, Marriott Plat
Posts: 28,190
Which airlines do you have in mind? DL handles extras (wifi, Comfort+, Mileage Boost) all as ancillary transactions, not part of fare. (Maybe AA's systems can't handle that.)
Apr 6, 2015, 5:07 pm
#129
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2001
Location: MSY; 2-time FT Fantasy Football Champ, now in recovery.
Programs: AA lifetime GLD; UA Silver; Marriott LTTE; IHG Plat,
Posts: 14,518
It was discussed here a few weeks ago, but there seems to be a bug with the AA app that lets even GLD pax on saver award tickets select certain MCE seats in advance, for free. It still works as of a few days ago, at least with the Android app.
Apr 24, 2015, 6:43 pm
#130
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: AAdvantage Citi Platinum
Posts: 5
Refund question [MCE cost refund if I gain status?]
I am a Citi AAdvantage Platinum card member. I booked my first flights on AA a week ago and bought Economy Plus seats, the trip is in September. I will easily meet the spending requirement ($3000 in 3 months) to qualify for the 50,000 miles. Once the 50,000 miles post to my account and I get instant free Advantage Platinum status, will I get a refund for the Economy Plus seats? Also, how do upgrades work? Will my credit card put me ahead of other Advantage Platinums or does it not help with upgrade priority?
Apr 24, 2015, 6:50 pm
#131
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: ORD
Programs: AA EXP, Hyatt Diamond, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold, Hertz PC
Posts: 449
I am a Citi AAdvantage Platinum card member. I booked my first flights on AA a week ago and bought Economy Plus seats, the trip is in September. I will easily meet the spending requirement ($3000 in 3 months) to qualify for the 50,000 miles. Once the 50,000 miles post to my account and I get instant free Advantage Platinum status, will I get a refund for the Economy Plus seats? Also, how do upgrades work? Will my credit card put me ahead of other Advantage Platinums or does it not help with upgrade priority?
Apr 24, 2015, 6:56 pm
#133
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: AAdvantage Citi Platinum
Posts: 5
As I said, not from the card itself, that does not grant platinum status, but from the 50,000 miles that will post to my account. I will meet the spend requirement and will then get 50,000 miles. Advantage platinum starts at 50,000 miles according to this link:
http://www.aa.com/i18n/AAdvantage/el...false&from=Nav
http://www.aa.com/i18n/AAdvantage/el...false&from=Nav
Apr 24, 2015, 6:58 pm
#135
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: AAdvantage Citi Platinum
Posts: 5
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