born sleepy

Is this something new? I booked a trip on US, two segments are on Eagle CRJ200 (ugh, I know), and going to aa.com to select seats, they want $34 to sit in the exit row (yes I am signed in).

WAT? Or is this code-share hijinks?

I know everyone has to pay for US "preferred" seats (which aren't) but I've always been able to pick an exit row for nothing.

badjuju

You should not be charged at all. If I were you, I'll go on US to book the flight. For some reason, US flights sold on their site sometimes come out cheaper than on AA. Also, if you're platinum and book a flight on a plane with first, booking on US may be able to upgrade you. If you book that flight on AA, you will become ineligible for the upgrade.

Thumper

Until the merger is complete, even as an EXP, you have to pay for the "best" seats in coach on USAir operated flights.

If available at the gate, I can get moved, but that is last minute.

dtremit

At the very least, go to the US site to pick the seats.

dtremit

Not exactly. US has two sets of seats blocked -- Preferred seats, which are free to elites, and Choice seats, which cost money for everyone. Typically the Preferred seats are better than the Choice seats, though YMMV.

That being said, no elite should ever be charged for exit row seats, even if they are Choice seats:

"AAdvantage elite members will still get exit row seats free of charge."(from http://www.usairways.com/en-US/trave...oiceseats.html)

windhund

As dtremit said, the Choice seats cost extra for everyone (even EXP/and former US CP) and the Preferred seats are free for elites. The exit rows have always been Preferred from what I've seen (and I've booked many flights recently).

CPRich

This is on the US website. OP, did you book an AA ticket on a US codeshare - that's what I read as the problem. I'm guessing it's that same as not being able to upgrade codeshare flights in advance of check-in.

asdf098

I've had the misfortune of flying on US CRJ200's twice a week almost every week this year. My first few flights on them I chose exit row seats and found no additional seat pitch whatsoever... I'm 6'3" and found it nearly impossible to open a laptop to get any work done or to reach under the seat in front to get something out of your bag. Also 8A/F don't have an armrest.

For what it's worth, my favourite seats are by far 1C and 1D. The lack of a seat in front is helpful, but even better is the fact you can get out of there as soon as possible...

To address OP's question directly: I've never seen Exit Rows coded as "Choice Seats" (which are the paid seats even for elites) so I'm not sure why you're seeing it that way... the only thing I can think of is codeshare issues.

IggySD

Unfortunately I believe that's a feature of the CR2 and not US specific. UA and AA are the same. The only benefit to the exit row is that the seat in front doesn't recline.

flg8rmatt

I've booked a number of AA tickets with codeshare US flights and have always been able to select exit rows for free.

krlcomm

Incorrect... There is an extra 1/8th of an inch of extra seat pitch in row 8, lol...

saunders111

So do people here expect that this will be the way it is on USAA going forward? Will Plats and EXPs have to pay for some "Choice" coach seats from now on? I buy a lot of last minute tickets, and this would be a serious problem for me if it is the new standard. What does your crystal ball have to say?

Thanks,
saunders111

jhartvu

Seems unlikely, but it's total speculation I've pulled out of my bum. It seems as if AA could have already started charging for such seats if they wanted to, and they haven't. I've never understood why anyone would pay for "Choice" seats anyway, since there's no real advantage to sitting in them (other than proximity to the front door).

saunders111

Well, if the choice is 32E or $49 for 8C, that's a tough decision that I don't really want to have to make as a an AA elite. I can pay $49 and make that choice on any major.

Thanks,
saunders111

JDiver

As of October, with "One system. One code." AA policies will prevail.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...d-end-oct.html