ashill

Sounds like the OP lives in the Philly area and routinely makes this choice for domestic flights, so I assume they know all that. And New Jersey Transit via Trenton (perhaps with a SEPTA connection) could also make sense depending on where they're coming from.

IADCAflyer

Regardless of method (Uber X, Amtrak, SEPTA, NJTA, next door neighbor, covered wagon and mules)....$2200 in savings. Take it. Unless $2200 doesn't mean that much to you. But since you asked the question, my bet is that it does....

ty97

I don't travel with children, but that's a significant amount of money difference and I'd definitely take the UA flight.

ijgordon

Not gonna help.

ETA, well, what do you know, they have one flight from PHL to EWR, which is the only UA gateway that serves Portugal. But I think OP wants to fly nonstop.

tin369

Actually, from DE and can use the wilmington Amtrak station, just haven't looked at pricing as I have always thought, driving will be less stressful with kids.

To update, I am also considering TAP airline and going from EWR to Porto (non stop) as from an itinerary perspective it makes most sense and then go to lisbon.
I will be asking about TAP airline in the TAP airline thread, if anyone has experience, please feel free to reply here.

Edit: just checked the Amtrak prices and its $350 one way for 4 persons ( too expensive)

tin369

So I signed up for a status challenge and my platinum status ends on the 14th.

When I go to purchase a ticket now. The MCE seats shown $0 cost to upgrade. But the dates when I flying, I will be out of status. Will they charge me at the airport? Or the card on the file? Or do they honor then status when booked?

anyone know a definitive answer to this?

CMTinPHL

I believe the MCE seat assignments should ‘stick’ based on your Plat status when you booked. But any changes to equipment, schedule change to a new flight, etc. means you probably will lose the assignments. Cross your fingers and hope for the best.

dkc192

In addition to this, to answer the first part of your question, if your MCE seat assignments stick after your status expires, AA will not retroactively charge you for them.

tin369

I did call them after making this post and the rep said they will charge me at the airport if I am out of status. Also to note this is for an international flight and will be traveling with kids and when I go through the check out steps tickets me select seats for all 4 of us under my account with $0 fees for the seats for all four of us.

should I just book it?

have you experienced this? Or anyone who has been in this situation?

JJeffrey

An AA reservations rep isn't going to have a clue about the real world application of this and was just giving you the company line about having to pay for MCE if you don't have status.

There have been tons of data points posted here over the years. As everyone has noted above, assuming no schedule/equipment changes that cause seats to get shuffled around, you and your whole party will keep your MCE seats and will not be charged at check-in.

IADCAflyer

If you make a change, the res system will likely try to make you pay. Plenty of people have status on February 28 for tickets that are flown on or after March 1. They don't make them pay.....Res agent is not correct.

CMTinPHL

Yes. See JJeffrey’s post above… As long as there are no changes, etc., your MCE seat selection should remain after your status has expired, and the gate agents, etc. will not try to collect for it.

mydogsarebad

Had this scenario a few times over the last few years, either myself or my wife. We were fine on a couple of trips with no changes but one last minute equipment change put our family all over the cabin towards the rear.

tin369

Thank you, your username suggest you are PHL or surrounding area, I replied to JJeffrey, if you could look at that and have any input would appreciate it.

BTW - why is AA so expensive out of Philly?
​​​​
Thank you for confirming and sharing that there are plenty of data points to back this up. Here is the background. PHL - LIS for spring break but as always prices out of Philly is very expensive, so I looked at EWR and united is decently priced at $850 pp plus if I add their version of the seat upgrade to have more leg room ( economy plus seating, I believe) I will have to pay $180 per ticket which brings the ticket prices to $1030, vs AA from Philly is $1400 but I can get the MCE seats for free.

I am asking into consideration the convince of PHL, parking, toll etc to get to EWR and trying to weight against the AA prices and flying out of PHL. Everything said, flying out of PHL would cost me $1000 more fro 4 tickets. I don't know if prices will drop, since its for end of March, but if does that's another opportunity to reduce the price a bit.

Has anyone experienced flying out of PHL to Lisbon and how was the MCE seats and overall experience.

Side note: does AA allow those inflatable foot rest for kids?

JJeffrey

It's really a personal decision on how much you value your time, money, and the convenience of a nonstop versus saving money going from EWR.

And PHL-LIS in MCE will be no different than any other AA transatlantic flight in economy class. Same economy seat and service, just with slightly more legroom. You will receive a hot meal and 2-3 drink services shortly after takeoff, nap for 3 hours, then a small breakfast shortly before landing.