FA permitting a "self upgrade" to MCE/exit row after boarding door closes
Nov 3, 2015, 11:48 am
#31
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Technically speaking it is -not- allowed for a non-eligible economy passenger to help themselves to a MCE seat.
While FA's can (and maybe even, should) enforce it, not surprising to hear that almost no one has ever seen one do so-- can't really blame 'em when you see the answers in this thread
Nov 3, 2015, 11:49 am
#32
Join Date: Feb 2008
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Neither of these are true. MCE seats are complimentary only for EXP and PLT members, as well as GLD within 24 hours of departure. The only time these seats are issued on a complimentary basis to other customers who have not paid to sit there is when no other Y seats exist.
FA should have requested a credit card from the individual who switched seats upon that individual doing so.
FA should have requested a credit card from the individual who switched seats upon that individual doing so.
There is no protection for MCE, exit row, preferred etc.
You pay in advance for the certainty of getting one of those seats, not the right to preventing others from occupying adjacent empty seats...
Nov 3, 2015, 12:30 pm
#33
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Also full-fare Y:
Main Cabin Extra seats are complimentary* for:
AAdvantage® Executive Platinum
AAdvantage Platinum members
oneworld® Sapphire and oneworld Emerald members
Customers who purchase a full-fare Main Cabin ticket.
http://www.aa.com/i18n/urls/seats.jsp
"Full-fare" includes AAnytime awards.
Main Cabin Extra seats are complimentary* for:
AAdvantage® Executive Platinum
AAdvantage Platinum members
oneworld® Sapphire and oneworld Emerald members
Customers who purchase a full-fare Main Cabin ticket.
http://www.aa.com/i18n/urls/seats.jsp
"Full-fare" includes AAnytime awards.
Nov 3, 2015, 12:43 pm
#34
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Once the door is closed, it is entirely within the remit of the cabin crew to allow a passenger to occupy any unsold seat seat in their ticketed cabin.
There is no protection for MCE, exit row, preferred etc.
You pay in advance for the certainty of getting one of those seats, not the right to preventing others from occupying adjacent empty seats...
There is no protection for MCE, exit row, preferred etc.
You pay in advance for the certainty of getting one of those seats, not the right to preventing others from occupying adjacent empty seats...
Nov 3, 2015, 1:45 pm
#35
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Nov 3, 2015, 1:55 pm
#36
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I was on LAX-LHR a few months ago, waitlisted fro a SWU. Flight was not very full but waitlist to upgrade was long. Went to AC agent to check on upgrade, she said it wasn't going to happen, but offered to move me next to an empty seat and blocked the seat for me. Now, I realize, that seat didn't have a sign on it that indicated it was blocked for VickiSoCal, but unless the flight filled and they needed to sell that seat, shouldn't I have a reasonable expectation it remain empty?
Nov 3, 2015, 2:05 pm
#37
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I was on LAX-LHR a few months ago, waitlisted fro a SWU. Flight was not very full but waitlist to upgrade was long. Went to AC agent to check on upgrade, she said it wasn't going to happen, but offered to move me next to an empty seat and blocked the seat for me. Now, I realize, that seat didn't have a sign on it that indicated it was blocked for VickiSoCal, but unless the flight filled and they needed to sell that seat, shouldn't I have a reasonable expectation it remain empty?
Why do you ask?
Nov 3, 2015, 2:09 pm
#38
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I'm not sure the FA would have that information. Plus an awful lot of people seem to think it is a free for all once the doors close.
Last edited by VickiSoCal; Nov 3, 2015 at 2:21 pm
Nov 3, 2015, 2:13 pm
#39
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That said, I'd have hoped that a blocked seat would show up on the manifest?
Nov 3, 2015, 2:22 pm
#40
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I haven't witnessed the free for all that you mention, and I have no reason to disbelieve you, but I don't have a problem with someone in a middle seat changing to a better seat in the same cabin.
Nov 3, 2015, 2:44 pm
#41
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As others have said, UA does not allow free self-moves into E+, and many FAs enforce this. Of course, I doubt UA's policy is for the benefit of the seatmate (if that's what the OP is getting at for AA) but rather to protect their own revenue stream.
Nov 3, 2015, 3:11 pm
#42
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Nov 3, 2015, 3:16 pm
#43
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Nov 3, 2015, 3:45 pm
#44
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MCE seats are open for GA seat assignment free of charge. The money you pay is certainly to guarantee that you have the selected seat. A non status flyer will buy a ticket, see that there are only middle seats available and decides not to get one, in the hopes that once at the gate, something better might open up.
Neither of these are true. MCE seats are complimentary only for EXP and PLT members, as well as GLD within 24 hours of departure. The only time these seats are issued on a complimentary basis to other customers who have not paid to sit there is when no other Y seats exist.
FA should have requested a credit card from the individual who switched seats upon that individual doing so.
FA should have requested a credit card from the individual who switched seats upon that individual doing so.
In the interest of full disclosure, I once self-upgraded on a lightly-loaded flight. i was in 15A but moved up to 8A where the two adjacent seats were empty and I could put the armrests up. I did ask the FA beforehand and showed my Gold card to indicate that I would have gotten the seat for free anyway.
Nov 3, 2015, 4:17 pm
#45
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There's only one way to assure a clear adjacent seat - pay for it. Status, placing items on the seat, sucking in a lot of air like a blowfish, etc. do not include the right to a clear adjacent seat.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...xtra-seat.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...xtra-seat.html