Bought cheap Hawaii tickets w/ UL points–only poor seats available to select
Feb 11, 2018, 7:41 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Plainsboro, NJ
Posts: 22
Bought cheap Hawaii tickets w/ UL points–only poor seats available to select
Bought three cheapie tickets on AA to Kona, Hawaii this August using UL points, and when I went to select seats, virtually all the coach seats were “unavailable” except the paid seats. There were just a few middle seats available. Is American holding back seat assignments of a lot of these seats? I can’t imagine those flights would be that full this far in advance (for instance, flight 229 DFW/KOA 8 Aug). Any suggestions? Thank you.
Last edited by JDiver; Feb 11, 2018 at 11:03 pm Reason: Redacted unnecessary color (like using all caps)
Feb 11, 2018, 7:57 pm
#2
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,313
Bought three cheapie tickets on AA to Kona, Hawaii this August using UL points, and when I went to select seats, virtually all the coach seats were “unavailable” except the paid seats. There were just a few middle seats available. Is American holding back seat assignments of a lot of these seats? I can’t imagine those flights would be that full this far in advance (for instance, flight 229 DFW/KOA 8 Aug). Any suggestions? Thank you.
AA Only Middle Seats Available Gimmick
you'll have access to other free seats under 24 hours from departure, but if you want to be sure and sit together or be sure you don't get a middle seat, they're coaxing you to pay
they save many aisle and window seats on every flight for elite level customers who get them free, or if any are left, you get them free. Or you buy them to be sure you get what you want.
One new thing starting soon is that Main Cabin Extra seats are supposed to get free booze, so there's that.
Last edited by JDiver; Feb 11, 2018 at 11:02 pm Reason: Redacted previously deleted color
Feb 11, 2018, 8:16 pm
#5
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Location: MSY; 2-time FT Fantasy Football Champ, now in recovery.
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Create a free account on ExpertFlyer. That will let you see the seat map, distinguishing between occupied seats, elite-only seats, and paid seats. On your flight, almost everything from row 29 forward is unoccupied. From 30-35, most of the aisle seats are premium-only, and the back 4 rows, the whole middle section is blocked (I'm assuming airport assignment for families with children).
The free account will also let you set a seat alert, so you'll get an email, for example, if any aisle or window opens up.
The free account will also let you set a seat alert, so you'll get an email, for example, if any aisle or window opens up.
Feb 11, 2018, 8:25 pm
#6
Join Date: May 2004
Location: DFW-In Plano & CDG-In the 11th
Programs: DL Diamond, AA revenue negative, Bonvoy Titanium +, Avis likes me
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Create a free account on ExpertFlyer. That will let you see the seat map, distinguishing between occupied seats, elite-only seats, and paid seats. On your flight, almost everything from row 29 forward is unoccupied. From 30-35, most of the aisle seats are premium-only, and the back 4 rows, the whole middle section is blocked (I'm assuming airport assignment for families with children).
The free account will also let you set a seat alert, so you'll get an email, for example, if any aisle or window opens up.
The free account will also let you set a seat alert, so you'll get an email, for example, if any aisle or window opens up.
Last edited by Dallas49er; Feb 11, 2018 at 8:41 pm
Feb 11, 2018, 8:40 pm
#7
Join Date: May 2004
Location: DFW-In Plano & CDG-In the 11th
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Posts: 3,209
OP-Please tell us what you were reasonably expecting when you "Bought three cheapie tickets on AA to Kona, Hawaii this August using UL points", to one of the toughest destinations in the AA system.
Feb 11, 2018, 9:10 pm
#8
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AA for some reason is usually the worst when it comes to blocking out aisle & window seats throughout the entire aircraft and middle seats toward the front of the cabin. Guess they're near bankruptcy again if they need that many people to pay for preferred/MCE seats...
Feb 11, 2018, 10:43 pm
#9
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: San Francisco
Programs: AA EXP; Marriott BonVoy Titanium Elite, Marriott LT Plat.
Posts: 1,717
You get to set up more alerts types/styles than the free account for starters. Further details here: https://www.expertflyer.com/frequent-flyer-programs
Feb 11, 2018, 11:00 pm
#10
Moderator: American AAdvantage
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Because the free trial is limited in features and only is for five days?
Now, back on topic.
The OP has no status, so is only offered the “non-Premium” seats. At least they’re not buying the OP Basic Economy Tickets.
Now, back on topic.
The OP has no status, so is only offered the “non-Premium” seats. At least they’re not buying the OP Basic Economy Tickets.
Feb 12, 2018, 6:00 am
#11
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,313
the hawaii bound OP can also do a free expert flyer account for a single seat alert only...
not a 5-Day trial
https://www.expertflyer.com/free-program
not a 5-Day trial
https://www.expertflyer.com/free-program
Feb 12, 2018, 6:22 am
#12
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: RDU
Posts: 2,264
This has less to do with an Expertflyer subscription, and more to do with the sheer number of seats AA is setting aside as 'premium' or paid seats. The seat map on AA.com tells the same story without a subscription. Red (MCE) and green/blue star (premium) seats cost extra. On this particular flight, there are over 130 of these available, and there are exactly 0 non-premium seats available for selection.
As an elite, I can actually see the good in this. With a lot of leisure travelers not wanting to pay for seats, logic says more 'decent' coach seats will be available to select.
As an elite, I can actually see the good in this. With a lot of leisure travelers not wanting to pay for seats, logic says more 'decent' coach seats will be available to select.
Feb 12, 2018, 7:08 am
#13
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AA does so because it can do so. This more than likely results in availability of better seats for elites and even non-elites willing to pay. Someone on a full flight is going to wind up in that middle seat in the row just before the lav. So, it's a zero-sum game.
Feb 12, 2018, 7:16 am
#14
Join Date: May 2004
Location: DFW-In Plano & CDG-In the 11th
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This has less to do with an Expertflyer subscription, and more to do with the sheer number of seats AA is setting aside as 'premium' or paid seats. The seat map on AA.com tells the same story without a subscription. Red (MCE) and green/blue star (premium) seats cost extra. On this particular flight, there are over 130 of these available, and there are exactly 0 non-premium seats available for selection.
As an elite, I can actually see the good in this. With a lot of leisure travelers not wanting to pay for seats, logic says more 'decent' coach seats will be available to select.
As an elite, I can actually see the good in this. With a lot of leisure travelers not wanting to pay for seats, logic says more 'decent' coach seats will be available to select.
OTOH-I sincerely hope OP has a wonderful time on Kona.
Feb 12, 2018, 10:34 am
#15
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As an elite (meaning I use the product (AAseats=buy tickets)), I too see the fabulous in this. I would hate to "pay-up" for a ticket, or a reward (which is almost always the case), only to find all the desirable seats had been taken by: some credit card churners, or some non-flyers with a big spend on thier AA Citi card, et al.
OTOH-I sincerely hope OP has a wonderful time on Kona.
OTOH-I sincerely hope OP has a wonderful time on Kona.