Dec 6, 2015, 10:45 am
Last edit by: JDiver
American Airlines Preferred Seats
(Not Main Cabin Extra)
(Not Main Cabin Extra)
Link to page on aa.com
Link Link to Main Cabin Extra thread on FT
Standard legroom in a more favorable location
In the Main Cabin on American Airlines flights, Preferred seats are available to purchase when you book, during check-in or anytime in between.
Preferred seats are complimentary for:
- AAdvantage elite status members**
- oneworld Sapphire, oneworld Emerald and oneworld Ruby members
- Customers who purchase a full-fare Main Cabin ticket
**Includes Alaska Airlines MVP® Gold and MVP® Gold 75K customers and up to eight traveling companions on the same reservation.
American Airlines Preferred seats (master thread)
May 18, 2015, 11:42 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 161
American Airlines Preferred seats (master thread)
I'm AA Gold, new this year. I have what I am coming to believe is a jinxed itinerary that is a BA ticket and has 2 legs that are US flight numbers on AA metal.
One of the problems with the ticket is that they keep moving our seats. This is the second time that they have moved our seats to seats that are 15 rows apart. Last time I fixed it online without a problem. This time I can no longer select seats any preferred seats (all are listed as unavailable, not even that I can pay a fee to purchase). MCE are all blocked as well, can't even pay for them. Flight is not full, and about a week ago the majority of these seats were empty (and the flight is still 2 months away).
I tried calling thinking that someone should be able to fix it, but all they said (after hanging up on me the first time) is that there are seats but the system says that I'm not eligible and they have no idea why, but that is the way it is. They could try to select seats for me, but will need to charge me $25 to do it. I was clearly eligible a couple of weeks ago because the seats we are in are preferred (even if they aren't the ones I selected).
Any ideas of why this is happening or how to change it? I'd like to have at least the option of selecting MCE if there are any left when we check in and I wonder what else the system says I'm not eligible for that I just haven't figured out yet.
One of the problems with the ticket is that they keep moving our seats. This is the second time that they have moved our seats to seats that are 15 rows apart. Last time I fixed it online without a problem. This time I can no longer select seats any preferred seats (all are listed as unavailable, not even that I can pay a fee to purchase). MCE are all blocked as well, can't even pay for them. Flight is not full, and about a week ago the majority of these seats were empty (and the flight is still 2 months away).
I tried calling thinking that someone should be able to fix it, but all they said (after hanging up on me the first time) is that there are seats but the system says that I'm not eligible and they have no idea why, but that is the way it is. They could try to select seats for me, but will need to charge me $25 to do it. I was clearly eligible a couple of weeks ago because the seats we are in are preferred (even if they aren't the ones I selected).
Any ideas of why this is happening or how to change it? I'd like to have at least the option of selecting MCE if there are any left when we check in and I wonder what else the system says I'm not eligible for that I just haven't figured out yet.
Last edited by JDiver; Dec 6, 2015 at 10:42 am Reason: Restore original post title
May 19, 2015, 9:48 am
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: South Florida
Programs: AA LTG (EXP), Hilton Silver (Dia), Marriott LTP (PP), SPG LTG (P) > MPG LTPP
Posts: 11,329
I'm AA Gold, new this year. I have what I am coming to believe is a jinxed itinerary that is a BA ticket and has 2 legs that are US flight numbers on AA metal.
One of the problems with the ticket is that they keep moving our seats. This is the second time that they have moved our seats to seats that are 15 rows apart. Last time I fixed it online without a problem. This time I can no longer select seats any preferred seats (all are listed as unavailable, not even that I can pay a fee to purchase). MCE are all blocked as well, can't even pay for them. Flight is not full, and about a week ago the majority of these seats were empty (and the flight is still 2 months away).
I tried calling thinking that someone should be able to fix it, but all they said (after hanging up on me the first time) is that there are seats but the system says that I'm not eligible and they have no idea why, but that is the way it is. They could try to select seats for me, but will need to charge me $25 to do it. I was clearly eligible a couple of weeks ago because the seats we are in are preferred (even if they aren't the ones I selected).
Any ideas of why this is happening or how to change it? I'd like to have at least the option of selecting MCE if there are any left when we check in and I wonder what else the system says I'm not eligible for that I just haven't figured out yet.
One of the problems with the ticket is that they keep moving our seats. This is the second time that they have moved our seats to seats that are 15 rows apart. Last time I fixed it online without a problem. This time I can no longer select seats any preferred seats (all are listed as unavailable, not even that I can pay a fee to purchase). MCE are all blocked as well, can't even pay for them. Flight is not full, and about a week ago the majority of these seats were empty (and the flight is still 2 months away).
I tried calling thinking that someone should be able to fix it, but all they said (after hanging up on me the first time) is that there are seats but the system says that I'm not eligible and they have no idea why, but that is the way it is. They could try to select seats for me, but will need to charge me $25 to do it. I was clearly eligible a couple of weeks ago because the seats we are in are preferred (even if they aren't the ones I selected).
Any ideas of why this is happening or how to change it? I'd like to have at least the option of selecting MCE if there are any left when we check in and I wonder what else the system says I'm not eligible for that I just haven't figured out yet.
As for the agents, understand being Gold only gets you closer to the front of the phone queues for a regular agent. Many of them are not familiar with the program rules and may not know if a charge is waived or not. If you find someone that is unwilling/unable to look into what is happening, escalate to a supervisor. Or you might try calling WebServices to see if they can figure out why the system is saying you are ineligible for MCE seats.
May 19, 2015, 10:00 am
#4
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
The only way you'll probably get these seats is by calling - you can try web services / tech support or regular customer services and hope you get someone more willing to understand the issue. You should be able to get seats (though not in MCE without paying, unless you're fortunate enough some are stll available at T-24).
I'm guessing the codeshare is getting in the way. Both airlines have recommended avoiding codeshares on each other's metal, and this kind of thing reinforces their recommendations.
I'm guessing the codeshare is getting in the way. Both airlines have recommended avoiding codeshares on each other's metal, and this kind of thing reinforces their recommendations.
May 19, 2015, 3:30 pm
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 161
That makes me feel better! They have been doing some weird things to this reservation, and did work on the ticket yesterday so I thought that might have caused it. Maybe that means it will fix itself?
I also can't access the reservation online with US since yesterday, so can't do anything there at the moment.
I also can't access the reservation online with US since yesterday, so can't do anything there at the moment.
May 19, 2015, 10:51 pm
#8
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: 대한민국 (South Korea) - ex-PVG (上海)
Programs: UA MM / LT Gold (LT UC), DL SM, AA PLT (AC), OZ, KE; GE and Korean SES (like GE); Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,995
As FTwatcher said: last year was the end for AA Gold getting MCE seats in advance (unless one pays). You can get Preferred Seats. Don't know why they keep changing your seats.
May 20, 2015, 9:15 am
#9
Join Date: Sep 2008
Programs: American AAdvantage
Posts: 1,045
Is there an exception if the PNR includes an international segment? On my flight to GPS, I was allowed to book exit row seats for the DFW-MIA flights (Booking Code N).
May 20, 2015, 1:40 pm
#10
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: US
Programs: AAdvantage
Posts: 1,753
May 21, 2015, 2:38 pm
#12
Join Date: May 2003
Programs: AA (1MM), Marriott (LT Gold)
Posts: 1,766
Not all exit row seats are considered MCE. Twice in the last two months, I've selected exit row seating in advance for all segments of flights historically operated by US Airways (via Phoenix), and I'm only an AA 1M Gold member.
May 21, 2015, 2:45 pm
#13
Join Date: Sep 2008
Programs: American AAdvantage
Posts: 1,045
May 21, 2015, 10:11 pm
#14
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: PHX
Programs: AA Peon Gold
Posts: 2,915
The seat maps clearly show them as MCE.
May 22, 2015, 1:06 pm
#15
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: US
Programs: AAdvantage
Posts: 1,753
Also I've noticed when booked in T with Avios the fare basis on the ticket starts with P and the system gives Priority AAccess to non-status flyers. Maybe that has something to do with it?