Dec 10, 2015, 9:45 am
Last edit by: Prospero
Booking an extra seat on for POS (Persons Of Size) or other reasons
American Airlines sells adjacent seats for various reasons; the most common one is for persons of size who can't comfortably occupy a single "Main Cabin" (Economy) seat, though others might consider purchasing an extra seat for comfort or to protect items of exceptionally high value. This seat was referred to by AA as "XTRASEAT" or “EXST”, and this JOHN BROWN
EXST BROWN
is how it will reflect in some documentation. There is no discount for the second seat, which must be purchased in advance; walk up purchases of extra seats will incur full "walk up" fares, if available.
As these can not be booked online, calling will work best; no telephone service charge will be made.
The extra seat does not earn Elite Qualifying or Redeemable miles or earn extra baggage allowances, etc. EQ instruments can only be earned by the individual person occupying a seat on AA (not an empty seat, a "proxy passenger" or animal or inanimate object). In the example above, EXST BROWN will have no AAdvantage earnings.
Other reasons for purchasing extra seats would be for allowed musical instruments, objects of high value such as art works, or materials for human transplantation.
American Airlines sells adjacent seats for various reasons; the most common one is for persons of size who can't comfortably occupy a single "Main Cabin" (Economy) seat, though others might consider purchasing an extra seat for comfort or to protect items of exceptionally high value. This seat was referred to by AA as "XTRASEAT" or “EXST”, and this JOHN BROWN
EXST BROWN
is how it will reflect in some documentation. There is no discount for the second seat, which must be purchased in advance; walk up purchases of extra seats will incur full "walk up" fares, if available.
As these can not be booked online, calling will work best; no telephone service charge will be made.
The extra seat does not earn Elite Qualifying or Redeemable miles or earn extra baggage allowances, etc. EQ instruments can only be earned by the individual person occupying a seat on AA (not an empty seat, a "proxy passenger" or animal or inanimate object). In the example above, EXST BROWN will have no AAdvantage earnings.
Extra space during travel Link
For the safety and comfort of all customers, if a customer’s body extends more than 1 inch beyond the outermost edge of the armrest and a seat belt extension is needed, another seat is required. We encourage customers to address all seating needs when booking.
For the safety and comfort of all customers, if a customer’s body extends more than 1 inch beyond the outermost edge of the armrest and a seat belt extension is needed, another seat is required. We encourage customers to address all seating needs when booking.
- When you call to book, Reservations will make sure you get 2 adjacent seats at the same rate.
- If you didn’t book an extra seat in advance, ask an airport agent to find out if 2 adjacent seats are available.
- You may be offered a seat in a higher class of service that may provide more space; in this case, you’ll be responsible for the fare difference.
- If accommodations can’t be made on your original flight, you can buy seats on a different flight at the same price as your original seats.
Booking two seats / extra seat for person or object (EXST, XTRASEAT)
Oct 28, 2016, 11:14 pm
#151
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: SFO
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 5,270
I don't think this is a phantom booking, or theft, because if i'm not upgraded, i would indeed spend the miles to keep the seat next to me. Only wouldn't need it if I were upgraded (and i guess once award tickets are upgradable for EXPs, could do the extra seat thing and bring along an empty seat in first, for that true private jet experience).
Dec 31, 2016, 2:59 pm
#152
Join Date: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,044
I did this a few times several years ago where work paid for my seat in coach and I bought (being totally open with the agent helping me) the seat next to me using miles to get myself a little extra space on some long flights.
Is that no longer possible?
If so, that's quite a bummer. In part, because typically I only care about or want the extra seat on the long overnight leg within a multi-leg itinerary.
Last edited by BlatheringPenguin; Dec 31, 2016 at 3:07 pm Reason: additional comment
Dec 31, 2016, 4:29 pm
#153
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: San Antonio
Programs: DL DM, Former AA EXP now AY Plat, AC 75K, NW Plat, Former CO Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 27,052
I agree it's not quite as black-and-white as some are suggesting. In a parallel example, if you paid cash for a refundable Y ticket plus an empty adjacent seat on the same PNR (which is 100% permitted), and eventually got an upgrade, could you refund the second seat? Is there company policy on this? Seems like it must happen on occasion with passengers of size.
Dec 31, 2016, 7:44 pm
#154
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 27,239
I don't see any (moral) problem with booking a refundable ticket (award or paid) as an extra seat and then refunding if the original seat upgrade clears.
I also can't imagine that an XTRASEAT has to be in the same PNR. What does AA do when a passenger requiring an extra seat (due to size) calls up to add that on to an existing booking?
And what does AA say when that pax says he needs an extra coach seat but only if his upgrade doesn't clear? They'll probably sell him a refundable ticket. And actually, FWIW, I believe Southwest's policy is to sell the extra seat at the same price as the original ticket, and refund the cost if the plane does not go out full.
I also can't imagine that an XTRASEAT has to be in the same PNR. What does AA do when a passenger requiring an extra seat (due to size) calls up to add that on to an existing booking?
And what does AA say when that pax says he needs an extra coach seat but only if his upgrade doesn't clear? They'll probably sell him a refundable ticket. And actually, FWIW, I believe Southwest's policy is to sell the extra seat at the same price as the original ticket, and refund the cost if the plane does not go out full.
Dec 31, 2016, 9:18 pm
#156
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,624
https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/...jsp#extraspace
Jan 1, 2017, 10:54 am
#157
Join Date: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,044
I don't see any (moral) problem with booking a refundable ticket (award or paid) as an extra seat and then refunding if the original seat upgrade clears.
I also can't imagine that an XTRASEAT has to be in the same PNR. What does AA do when a passenger requiring an extra seat (due to size) calls up to add that on to an existing booking?
And what does AA say when that pax says he needs an extra coach seat but only if his upgrade doesn't clear? They'll probably sell him a refundable ticket. And actually, FWIW, I believe Southwest's policy is to sell the extra seat at the same price as the original ticket, and refund the cost if the plane does not go out full.
I also can't imagine that an XTRASEAT has to be in the same PNR. What does AA do when a passenger requiring an extra seat (due to size) calls up to add that on to an existing booking?
And what does AA say when that pax says he needs an extra coach seat but only if his upgrade doesn't clear? They'll probably sell him a refundable ticket. And actually, FWIW, I believe Southwest's policy is to sell the extra seat at the same price as the original ticket, and refund the cost if the plane does not go out full.
However, it seems the rules possibly changed at some point as the agents I've talked to recently have said they are only able to offer rebooking my original ticket entirely and paying for the XTRASEAT to be on the same PNR (so no combining mileage award for XTRASEAT with paid coach for person.).
Would like to figure out if this is really a rule change, or if I need to refer the agent to some specific policy to clear things up and get a mileage XTRASEAT....
Jan 1, 2017, 12:15 pm
#158
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 27,239
However, it seems the rules possibly changed at some point as the agents I've talked to recently have said they are only able to offer rebooking my original ticket entirely and paying for the XTRASEAT to be on the same PNR (so no combining mileage award for XTRASEAT with paid coach for person.).
Would like to figure out if this is really a rule change, or if I need to refer the agent to some specific policy to clear things up and get a mileage XTRASEAT....
Would like to figure out if this is really a rule change, or if I need to refer the agent to some specific policy to clear things up and get a mileage XTRASEAT....
Jan 31, 2017, 9:08 am
#161
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: JFK
Programs: AA EXP/CK 2M+
Posts: 540
Passengers of size/what is the criteria for second seat?
I had always thought that for a passenger of size (POS) the test as to when they intrude unacceptably into other space is when the armrest cannot be lowered. However, looking at the AA website today, I see a different rule:
. (link
Again that seems inconsistent with how I understood, and also intrusive in a coach seat if the neighbor can encroach up to 1" into the neighboring seat especially when the published seat width is 18".
Is anyone able to confirm if the website is a new policy or if I just had it wrong? And does the FA manual say anything different than the website?
For the safety and comfort of all customers, if a customer’s body extends more than 1 inch beyond the outermost edge of the armrest and a seat belt extension is needed, another seat is required.
Again that seems inconsistent with how I understood, and also intrusive in a coach seat if the neighbor can encroach up to 1" into the neighboring seat especially when the published seat width is 18".
Is anyone able to confirm if the website is a new policy or if I just had it wrong? And does the FA manual say anything different than the website?
Jan 31, 2017, 9:19 am
#162
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: FIND ME ON TWITTER FOR THE LATEST
Posts: 27,730
I don't think that language on AA.com is new, other than that, I personally can't tell what you're actually asking-- it seems to depend on your understanding vs. something else, can't really tell.
Here's a thread with some discussion, etc:
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/amer...-xtraseat.html
Here's a thread with some discussion, etc:
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/amer...-xtraseat.html
Feb 1, 2017, 6:36 pm
#164
Join Date: Mar 2016
Programs: Southwest RR, DL SkyMiles, AAdvantage
Posts: 130
I don't see any (moral) problem with booking a refundable ticket (award or paid) as an extra seat and then refunding if the original seat upgrade clears.
I also can't imagine that an XTRASEAT has to be in the same PNR. What does AA do when a passenger requiring an extra seat (due to size) calls up to add that on to an existing booking?
And what does AA say when that pax says he needs an extra coach seat but only if his upgrade doesn't clear? They'll probably sell him a refundable ticket. And actually, FWIW, I believe Southwest's policy is to sell the extra seat at the same price as the original ticket, and refund the cost if the plane does not go out full.
I also can't imagine that an XTRASEAT has to be in the same PNR. What does AA do when a passenger requiring an extra seat (due to size) calls up to add that on to an existing booking?
And what does AA say when that pax says he needs an extra coach seat but only if his upgrade doesn't clear? They'll probably sell him a refundable ticket. And actually, FWIW, I believe Southwest's policy is to sell the extra seat at the same price as the original ticket, and refund the cost if the plane does not go out full.
So you pay for it and then you get your money back?!? Why wouldn't everyone do that?