Frustrating Seat Selections
Mar 14, 2018, 2:34 pm
#16
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Mar 14, 2018, 3:05 pm
#17
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2015
Programs: Marriott Platinum Elite; Hilton Diamond
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Wish I could. Southwest isn't going to Hawaii (yet).
If your biggest goal is to sit together, then pay for seats together at booking, and then watch your booking like a hawk for any changes that shift those seat assignments (schedule changes, plane changes, etc). If you wait until check in, you may not have any options that are all together, even if paying for a seat assignment at that point.
Also, lesson learned. I should always look to see what seats are still available before purchasing the flight. I'll prob end up paying to get MCE seats this trip as those are the only ones left.
Last edited by flyou10; Mar 14, 2018 at 3:27 pm
Mar 14, 2018, 3:06 pm
#18
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 3,698
If purchased far enough in advance, I have never seen a flight not have window and aisle seats available. But, yes, after a certain point, depending on the time period and the market, it is possible to not have any seats showing, not even middle, if you do not have status. ALWAYS look at the seat maps before booking, as it might just be useful to do Basic Economy if you are willing to forgo the baggage issues, as you might already not have a seating choice
Also agree with your general advice to check the seat map BEFORE paying for full economy. If you can't pick a reasonable seat anyway and can deal with the baggage limitation (or the fare difference is smaller than what you'd pay for the bag), Basic Economy may be a better option in some cases.
Mar 14, 2018, 3:25 pm
#19
Moderator: New York City and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2007
Programs: AA PLT, Natl EC
Posts: 10,855
Basic Economy Fare?
I haven't flown on AA for a while. Is this normal for them? I bought rt tickets to OGG for my family of 4 ("main cabin" class). AA never once have shown a seat available for selection that wasn't associated with a fee. They said that you can wait until check-in if you don't want to pay for your seats. So now that I have checked in they have assigned us seats. One of the legs we aren't even together. I was under the impression that at check-in they opened a lot of seats up for selection? The leg that we got split up, the solo person is in 21G. You can't even move seats around it. It is showing to move to the left or right you have to pay because it is a "preferred seat" at $77 per seat. Not once since booking through now checking in has there been a seat available that didn't come with a fee. ($28 for the short 1 hr flight & $77 for the long 9hr flight).
If I got seats for our family together the cheapest way possible it would be an extra $840. $210 per person. This is absurd. I didn't know they have gone this far into forcing you to pay for a seat.
Does Delta & United do this point too?
If I got seats for our family together the cheapest way possible it would be an extra $840. $210 per person. This is absurd. I didn't know they have gone this far into forcing you to pay for a seat.
Does Delta & United do this point too?
https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/...ic-economy.jsp
You can always ask at the gate, or if you have some aisles and windows (but not all middles), ask people (nicely) to trade onboard.
Mar 14, 2018, 3:30 pm
#20
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2015
Programs: Marriott Platinum Elite; Hilton Diamond
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OP, was your fare in Basic Economy (B fare class)? If so, your seats get automatically assigned at check-in and it sounds like you are not permitted to choose seats (I don't have first-hand experience, though, as I avoid this fare class). If you wanted the ability to choose from the available seats (in advance or when more open up at T-24h), then you would need to purchase a regular "Main Cabin" fare.
Mar 14, 2018, 4:01 pm
#21
Moderator: New York City and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2007
Programs: AA PLT, Natl EC
Posts: 10,855
No it was main cabin fare. It was purchased 4 months ago. OKC-DFW-OGG-DFW-OKC. There weren't ever any "free" seats to be selected at the time of booking (or since then, I've checked weekly). Then when I checked in and saw we got all sorts of split up there still isn't anything available unless we pay.
You're in the weird "V4" configuration that is not shown on SeatGuru, with MCE in rows 13-15, and a hard bulkhead at row 17: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/29031694-post9.html
Mar 14, 2018, 7:15 pm
#22
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: PHX, SEA
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Posts: 4,422
Curious, how much is AA charging for MCE on that route? It looks like it's a long flight, 7 hours or so. I'd want it for the legroom!
Mar 14, 2018, 9:00 pm
#23
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Mundelein, Il
Programs: Executive Platinum
Posts: 482
I know the DFW to OGG is a popular route, but am I the only that is surprised that four months out there was not a single no extra charge seat available for selection? Not even on middle seat? That is not want I usually see although it does not impact me.
OP, enjoy your time in Maui with your family.
OP, enjoy your time in Maui with your family.
Last edited by jagoffee; Mar 14, 2018 at 9:06 pm
Mar 14, 2018, 9:22 pm
#25
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: LAX/BUR, RDU
Programs: DL SM, AAdvantage, SPG
Posts: 1,360
3 to 4 of the last few rows in the middle section should be blocked, and will remain so until the airport (or gate). I would definitely ask to get put there.
I know these may be undesirable seats, but I have been thankful for airlines that do this in the case of IRROPs or just not having any other seating choice.
Mar 15, 2018, 8:09 am
#26
Join Date: Aug 2012
Programs: AA PLT, SPG Gold
Posts: 2,405
There's one gate agent at OKC who's literally the most worthless human being alive. I wish I remembered his name. Don't ask him! Every time he checks me in, I have to remind him to priority tag our bags, also have to remind him that F passengers are allowed overweight bags. Dude needs to learn how to do his job. Also flat out refused to help us change seat assignments several times. Anyone else would be ok.
Mar 15, 2018, 9:35 am
#27
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There's one gate agent at OKC who's literally the most worthless human being alive. I wish I remembered his name. Don't ask him! Every time he checks me in, I have to remind him to priority tag our bags, also have to remind him that F passengers are allowed overweight bags. Dude needs to learn how to do his job. Also flat out refused to help us change seat assignments several times. Anyone else would be ok.
What does he say when you ask him for a different seat?
Mar 15, 2018, 12:32 pm
#28
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: The FT AA forum, until it no longer wants me.
Programs: CK or bust
Posts: 1,913
I haven't flown on AA for a while. Is this normal for them? I bought rt tickets to OGG for my family of 4 ("main cabin" class). AA never once have shown a seat available for selection that wasn't associated with a fee. They said that you can wait until check-in if you don't want to pay for your seats. So now that I have checked in they have assigned us seats. One of the legs we aren't even together. I was under the impression that at check-in they opened a lot of seats up for selection? The leg that we got split up, the solo person is in 21G. You can't even move seats around it. It is showing to move to the left or right you have to pay because it is a "preferred seat" at $77 per seat. Not once since booking through now checking in has there been a seat available that didn't come with a fee. ($28 for the short 1 hr flight & $77 for the long 9hr flight).
If I got seats for our family together the cheapest way possible it would be an extra $840. $210 per person. This is absurd. I didn't know they have gone this far into forcing you to pay for a seat.
Does Delta & United do this point too?
If I got seats for our family together the cheapest way possible it would be an extra $840. $210 per person. This is absurd. I didn't know they have gone this far into forcing you to pay for a seat.
Does Delta & United do this point too?
Mar 15, 2018, 12:39 pm
#29
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2010
Programs: AA
Posts: 14,735
I know the DFW to OGG is a popular route, but am I the only that is surprised that four months out there was not a single no extra charge seat available for selection? Not even on middle seat? That is not want I usually see although it does not impact me.
OP, enjoy your time in Maui with your family.
OP, enjoy your time in Maui with your family.
Mar 15, 2018, 1:36 pm
#30
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: The FT AA forum, until it no longer wants me.
Programs: CK or bust
Posts: 1,913
When traveling with the in-laws, buy basic economy and it's a winning triple play:
1). The in-laws perceive you as thrifty/a FT genius for getting such a great deal on the airfare
2). Not being able to select seats together is the perfect excuse not to
3). The trip can only last as long as the number of clothes that can fit in a bag under the seat in front of you
Despite initial appearances, the travel industry occasionally gets a bad reputation for trying to do something right.
1). The in-laws perceive you as thrifty/a FT genius for getting such a great deal on the airfare
2). Not being able to select seats together is the perfect excuse not to
3). The trip can only last as long as the number of clothes that can fit in a bag under the seat in front of you
Despite initial appearances, the travel industry occasionally gets a bad reputation for trying to do something right.
Last edited by enpremiere; Mar 15, 2018 at 1:43 pm