Last edit by: Always Flyin
7/2/2018 update (either the link or this method may die at any point):
Here's the steps for those booked Asiana flight using UA (or other) miles.
For all award trips, "Find my trip" doesn't work.
Select "Check-in" and fill the information. But not through the check-in button at the bottom of the first page. Go through "BOOK" at the top bar and then click "check-in". https://flyasiana.com/I/US/EN/CheckIn.do#none
You must have the ASIANA record locator number, which is available on the United site for your reservation.
It won't allow check-in because your travel date is too far away. But it lets us to select seats !!
Remember: between 72 and 48 hours before each flight, all good seats (front Y) are open.
======
Note: Seat selection now available at time of booking, before payment.Online Advance Seat Reservation
Here's the steps for those booked Asiana flight using UA (or other) miles.
For all award trips, "Find my trip" doesn't work.
Select "Check-in" and fill the information. But not through the check-in button at the bottom of the first page. Go through "BOOK" at the top bar and then click "check-in". https://flyasiana.com/I/US/EN/CheckIn.do#none
You must have the ASIANA record locator number, which is available on the United site for your reservation.
It won't allow check-in because your travel date is too far away. But it lets us to select seats !!
Remember: between 72 and 48 hours before each flight, all good seats (front Y) are open.
======
Note: Seat selection now available at time of booking, before payment.
Online Advance Seat Reservation
Go to Reservations > Click on My Reservations > Login or Continue as Guest > Find or Enter Reservation Number > Click on Advance Seat Reservation located near the bottom of View Reservation Info screen
Asiana Seat Selection
#421
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: EDKA, STR, ZRH
Programs: LH SEN, A3*G, IHG plat, DB Comfort, SPG gold
Posts: 964
A data point to add to the "reserving seats when it's not possible do do so online" from me - I had booked an A3 award (through the A3 website) KIX-ICN-HKG in business for 2 people, and were unable to assign seats myself after logging into the OZ website. After looking the flights up on ExpertFlyer, I saw that the relatively small C cabin on both flights (operated by A330) had already started to fill up, so I decided to call the reservation hotline in Frankfurt.
Actually, this proved to be a slightly weird experience - after someone picked up, I expected them to answer in either english or german, but instead I was greeted by some completely unintelligible chatter in a foreign language (korean?) which I suspect wasn't even directed at me, because it sounded quite distorted. I suspected a problem with the phone line and just called out "Hello?". After that, the agend replied me in accent-free german "Guten Tag, was kann ich für Sie tun?". This already felt a bit strange, and while she clearly knew what she was doing (much unlike the agent at LH's FTL hotline that I had called shortly before this to reserve seats for another flight), but all her answers etc. were pretty curt and not really friendly. Basically, after asking her if I was right with her in order to reserve seats, she asked for the booking code and then "ok, and for whom would that be?" (instead of asking "what's the name of the passenger?"), and that continued through the entire call (which was actually quite short). She also didn't really ask me where I wanted to sit, just told me that she could assign 2HK on both flights and after I agreed, she just said "ok, it's in the system now" without even asking whether there was anything else she could do. The entire call felt pretty much like I was disturbing her at whatever she was currently doing.
Hence, if you need to call this particular hotline, don't expect to be treated particularly friendly, but at least they seem to be quite efficient (not sure whether other hotlines or even other agents working the Frankfurt hotline wouldn't provide a nicer experience).
Actually, there's also something I noticed about the seatmap effect discussed between sol95 and ExpertFlyer - EF had actually shown seats 2HK as "blocked" for both segments (along with the entire row 1 which are obviously bassinet seats), however, those were the seats I later got from the hotline. However, this might not even be a bug, as those seats might be blocked as priority seats, and I have my *G number on the reservation (which might also be the reason why the hotline agent more or less insisted on assigning those seats to me). We should probaby check back whether those seats still display as "blocked" or whether they are now just "occupied". Flights would be OZ113 KIX-ICN on 13th of June 2018 and OZ745 ICN-HKG on the same day.
Actually, this proved to be a slightly weird experience - after someone picked up, I expected them to answer in either english or german, but instead I was greeted by some completely unintelligible chatter in a foreign language (korean?) which I suspect wasn't even directed at me, because it sounded quite distorted. I suspected a problem with the phone line and just called out "Hello?". After that, the agend replied me in accent-free german "Guten Tag, was kann ich für Sie tun?". This already felt a bit strange, and while she clearly knew what she was doing (much unlike the agent at LH's FTL hotline that I had called shortly before this to reserve seats for another flight), but all her answers etc. were pretty curt and not really friendly. Basically, after asking her if I was right with her in order to reserve seats, she asked for the booking code and then "ok, and for whom would that be?" (instead of asking "what's the name of the passenger?"), and that continued through the entire call (which was actually quite short). She also didn't really ask me where I wanted to sit, just told me that she could assign 2HK on both flights and after I agreed, she just said "ok, it's in the system now" without even asking whether there was anything else she could do. The entire call felt pretty much like I was disturbing her at whatever she was currently doing.
Hence, if you need to call this particular hotline, don't expect to be treated particularly friendly, but at least they seem to be quite efficient (not sure whether other hotlines or even other agents working the Frankfurt hotline wouldn't provide a nicer experience).
Actually, there's also something I noticed about the seatmap effect discussed between sol95 and ExpertFlyer - EF had actually shown seats 2HK as "blocked" for both segments (along with the entire row 1 which are obviously bassinet seats), however, those were the seats I later got from the hotline. However, this might not even be a bug, as those seats might be blocked as priority seats, and I have my *G number on the reservation (which might also be the reason why the hotline agent more or less insisted on assigning those seats to me). We should probaby check back whether those seats still display as "blocked" or whether they are now just "occupied". Flights would be OZ113 KIX-ICN on 13th of June 2018 and OZ745 ICN-HKG on the same day.
#422
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Seoul
Programs: OZ Diamond, UA, AF
Posts: 510
I decided to call the reservation hotline in Frankfurt.
Actually, this proved to be a slightly weird experience - after someone picked up, I expected them to answer in either english or german, but instead I was greeted by some completely unintelligible chatter in a foreign language (korean?) which I suspect wasn't even directed at me, because it sounded quite distorted. I suspected a problem with the phone line and just called out "Hello?". After that, the agend replied me in accent-free german "Guten Tag, was kann ich für Sie tun?". This already felt a bit strange, and while she clearly knew what she was doing (much unlike the agent at LH's FTL hotline that I had called shortly before this to reserve seats for another flight), but all her answers etc. were pretty curt and not really friendly. Basically, after asking her if I was right with her in order to reserve seats, she asked for the booking code and then "ok, and for whom would that be?" (instead of asking "what's the name of the passenger?"), and that continued through the entire call (which was actually quite short). She also didn't really ask me where I wanted to sit, just told me that she could assign 2HK on both flights and after I agreed, she just said "ok, it's in the system now" without even asking whether there was anything else she could do. The entire call felt pretty much like I was disturbing her at whatever she was currently doing.
Hence, if you need to call this particular hotline, don't expect to be treated particularly friendly, but at least they seem to be quite efficient (not sure whether other hotlines or even other agents working the Frankfurt hotline wouldn't provide a nicer experience).
Actually, this proved to be a slightly weird experience - after someone picked up, I expected them to answer in either english or german, but instead I was greeted by some completely unintelligible chatter in a foreign language (korean?) which I suspect wasn't even directed at me, because it sounded quite distorted. I suspected a problem with the phone line and just called out "Hello?". After that, the agend replied me in accent-free german "Guten Tag, was kann ich für Sie tun?". This already felt a bit strange, and while she clearly knew what she was doing (much unlike the agent at LH's FTL hotline that I had called shortly before this to reserve seats for another flight), but all her answers etc. were pretty curt and not really friendly. Basically, after asking her if I was right with her in order to reserve seats, she asked for the booking code and then "ok, and for whom would that be?" (instead of asking "what's the name of the passenger?"), and that continued through the entire call (which was actually quite short). She also didn't really ask me where I wanted to sit, just told me that she could assign 2HK on both flights and after I agreed, she just said "ok, it's in the system now" without even asking whether there was anything else she could do. The entire call felt pretty much like I was disturbing her at whatever she was currently doing.
Hence, if you need to call this particular hotline, don't expect to be treated particularly friendly, but at least they seem to be quite efficient (not sure whether other hotlines or even other agents working the Frankfurt hotline wouldn't provide a nicer experience).
The check-in staff in FRA, on the other hand is wonderfully nice and competent - at least the actual Asiana staff, the FRA airport staff is hit and miss. They know my by now and always make sure I get a nice seat and help me solve any issues in a friendly and efficient way.
#423
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: SFO/SJC/OAK
Programs: OZ Diamond (*G), KQ Asante Gold (ST+), Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,511
I have mostly had weird experiences calling the FRA hotline as well. They do first start with Korean when they pick up "아름다운 사람들 아시아나항공. 무엇을 도와드릴까요?..." (Their Korean slogan about wonderful people, Asiana airlines, followed by how can I help you). You usually get the desk at the airport actually, since the FRA office is tiny. They have German-Koreans fielding the phone. I didn't experience anyone particularly unfriendly (though I have low expectations whenever doing anything service related in Servicewüste Germany), but they have a poor track record of getting things solved for me. They were better than the Seoul office at adding Rail & Fly to my tickets, but for most other requests about booking, they said they either didn't have the rights or ability to do anything and pointed me either to the Seoul office or sometimes even to a travel agency in Frankfurt.
The check-in staff in FRA, on the other hand is wonderfully nice and competent - at least the actual Asiana staff, the FRA airport staff is hit and miss. They know my by now and always make sure I get a nice seat and help me solve any issues in a friendly and efficient way.
The check-in staff in FRA, on the other hand is wonderfully nice and competent - at least the actual Asiana staff, the FRA airport staff is hit and miss. They know my by now and always make sure I get a nice seat and help me solve any issues in a friendly and efficient way.
#425
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: UA 1K, HH Diamond, Hertz Presidents Circle, Marriott Gold, Avis PC, National EE
Posts: 145
I have an award ticket booked through UA with flights on OZ and TG (SFO-ICN, ICN-BKK) and I couldn’t select my seats on the OZ website. Absolutely terrible design and site IMO, however I was able to log onto the TG website and select seats for both legs (which I was able to confirm on the OZ site and UA too).
So try using the TG site if you have any travel with them. It’s much easier to use albeit with a few random error messages that don’t seem to have any effect on seat selection.
So try using the TG site if you have any travel with them. It’s much easier to use albeit with a few random error messages that don’t seem to have any effect on seat selection.
#426
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 184
I have an award ticket booked through UA with flights on OZ and TG (SFO-ICN, ICN-BKK) and I couldn’t select my seats on the OZ website. Absolutely terrible design and site IMO, however I was able to log onto the TG website and select seats for both legs (which I was able to confirm on the OZ site and UA too).
So try using the TG site if you have any travel with them. It’s much easier to use albeit with a few random error messages that don’t seem to have any effect on seat selection.
So try using the TG site if you have any travel with them. It’s much easier to use albeit with a few random error messages that don’t seem to have any effect on seat selection.
#427
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: UA 1K, HH Diamond, Hertz Presidents Circle, Marriott Gold, Avis PC, National EE
Posts: 145
So this might be an obvious question, and I am not insulting your intelligence at all, but did you have an option to view the main deck seating? On the 747 flight that I am on, it has two sections for seating, one says upper deck and one says main deck and when you click on them it shows you the seat maps for those sections.
#428
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 184
So this might be an obvious question, and I am not insulting your intelligence at all, but did you have an option to view the main deck seating? On the 747 flight that I am on, it has two sections for seating, one says upper deck and one says main deck and when you click on them it shows you the seat maps for those sections.
#429
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: OZ Diamond *A Gold / Delta Gold
Posts: 775
Booked UA award Business for ICN - LAX on the A388 later this year. Found the Asiana record locator and can pull my reservation on their site, but as mentioned by others, I can't pick our seats on the site or on the app. Was wondering what the better seats are on the Business section? Middle 16 and 17 were suggested by a friend. 17EF were unavailable when I called, so I got us on 16EF. I don't mind sitting that close together, but maybe after 2 weeks traveling through Japan and Seoul we might be ready for a little space. :P
Availability is not too bad according to their site when I pretend to buy a ticket, but even though it showed 16EF available, the agent on the phone said they weren't available.
Availability is not too bad according to their site when I pretend to buy a ticket, but even though it showed 16EF available, the agent on the phone said they weren't available.
There is someone at Asiana in Korea taking care of my wife and she always get seats for us in front rows (8/9 A or 8/9K) for the international flights on the A380.
Those seats are always blocked when searching from the website and if you call, most likely you're told they're not available too.
#430
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: San Diego, CA
Programs: DL Diamond, IHG Platinum, Marriott Platinum Elite
Posts: 204
A lot of the seats are blocked by their system until a couple of days before the flight. After that, they can put requests to the desk in the departure airport for some special assignment.
There is someone at Asiana in Korea taking care of my wife and she always get seats for us in front rows (8/9 A or 8/9K) for the international flights on the A380.
Those seats are always blocked when searching from the website and if you call, most likely you're told they're not available too.
There is someone at Asiana in Korea taking care of my wife and she always get seats for us in front rows (8/9 A or 8/9K) for the international flights on the A380.
Those seats are always blocked when searching from the website and if you call, most likely you're told they're not available too.
#431
Join Date: May 2012
Location: SYD
Programs: OZ Platinum LifeTime; DL PM; QF Gold; VA Gold; HH Diamond; IHG Diamond
Posts: 1,128
A lot of the seats are blocked by their system until a couple of days before the flight. After that, they can put requests to the desk in the departure airport for some special assignment.
There is someone at Asiana in Korea taking care of my wife and she always get seats for us in front rows (8/9 A or 8/9K) for the international flights on the A380.
Those seats are always blocked when searching from the website and if you call, most likely you're told they're not available too.
There is someone at Asiana in Korea taking care of my wife and she always get seats for us in front rows (8/9 A or 8/9K) for the international flights on the A380.
Those seats are always blocked when searching from the website and if you call, most likely you're told they're not available too.
#432
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: OZ Diamond *A Gold / Delta Gold
Posts: 775
I know I know but when your wife wants 8A/K, you have to go to 9A/K. The "survival" of the couple depends on it .
#433
Join Date: May 2012
Location: SYD
Programs: OZ Platinum LifeTime; DL PM; QF Gold; VA Gold; HH Diamond; IHG Diamond
Posts: 1,128
#434
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: East Coast, USA
Posts: 1,032
Not sure if this has been mentioned above but you can apparently select OZ seats on LH.com.
I have an upcoming LAX-FRA-ICN (United award) ticket and I was able to select my FRA-ICN OZ seat on LH.com. LH and OZ have the same PNR.
No idea if you can do without an LH flight on the ticket but it's certainly worth trying.
I have an upcoming LAX-FRA-ICN (United award) ticket and I was able to select my FRA-ICN OZ seat on LH.com. LH and OZ have the same PNR.
No idea if you can do without an LH flight on the ticket but it's certainly worth trying.
#435
Join Date: Jul 2017
Programs: Aeroplan
Posts: 3
Just to add another data point: I have an upcoming Aeroplan reward reservation and I was once able to select seats on the OZ leg of the trip but then was not allowed to modify it in any way once they were selected. Then to confuse things even further there was an equipment change and I got new seats auto-assigned. Luckily they're the seats I would have chosen myself because I still can't select seats through the OZ mobile or desktop site, or the app. However:
My booking has flights on NH, OZ, TK, LX, and AC. I just tried my PNR on the LH website and it seems to be letting me reserve seats on the OZ leg and on 2 of my 5 TK legs. Weirdly it is showing the seats I was assigned by OZ and letting me choose others but it's not showing the seats I selected for my TK legs on the TK site. (Although It is showing those seats as occupied.)
So it seems you don't always need an LH leg, but perhaps the LX flights are effectively the same thing? Although if that were the case I'd expect to be able to select my LX seats which I can't…
So it seems you don't always need an LH leg, but perhaps the LX flights are effectively the same thing? Although if that were the case I'd expect to be able to select my LX seats which I can't…