Usual seating issue
Jul 11, 2020, 8:36 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Shoreham By Sea
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 1,314
Usual seating issue
In early June we decided to jump on an itinerary over Easter for just over £1k each which had us routing SOF LHR CLT MCO, MSY PHL LHR SOF
There are 4 adults and 2 kids. The booking was made with AA but the PHL LHR leg is with BA in the A350 club suites. The issue begun as I made a typo on one of the kids names. I immediately called AA and it was sorted but it was sorted by them removing the child from our booking and creating a new booking and supposedly linking them. This worried me but I didn’t have a choice.
AA confirmed the booking was linked, explaining that it simply had to be otherwise it would flag as an unaccompanied minor.
Anyhow, onto seating. All of us, including the child were able to pick seats on all legs, including the BA CE legs (surprised) and the AA legs but of course, once we got to the PHL LHR leg, the child cannot choose a seat without paying over $100.
I called BA and they said there was nothing I could do as it was under airport control!
So I called BA and after initially being told it was an AA flight, I did indeed get them to understand it was BA metal with an AA flight number. First agent could not seat the child without the fee. So I hung up and called back.
Next agent was more helpful. On the previous call I should maybe have underscore I am gold and therefore asking for someone from another booking to sit with us is a benefit. I didn’t think of mentioning this as this was not the reason why it should have been done that way.
Anyhow, new agent understood the situation and processed it as a gold seating request. This was over 4 week ago and the seat has still not been selected.
Time is clearly on our side here and the 6 of us are the only with seats in the CW cabin, but how long should I leave it?
There are 4 adults and 2 kids. The booking was made with AA but the PHL LHR leg is with BA in the A350 club suites. The issue begun as I made a typo on one of the kids names. I immediately called AA and it was sorted but it was sorted by them removing the child from our booking and creating a new booking and supposedly linking them. This worried me but I didn’t have a choice.
AA confirmed the booking was linked, explaining that it simply had to be otherwise it would flag as an unaccompanied minor.
Anyhow, onto seating. All of us, including the child were able to pick seats on all legs, including the BA CE legs (surprised) and the AA legs but of course, once we got to the PHL LHR leg, the child cannot choose a seat without paying over $100.
I called BA and they said there was nothing I could do as it was under airport control!
So I called BA and after initially being told it was an AA flight, I did indeed get them to understand it was BA metal with an AA flight number. First agent could not seat the child without the fee. So I hung up and called back.
Next agent was more helpful. On the previous call I should maybe have underscore I am gold and therefore asking for someone from another booking to sit with us is a benefit. I didn’t think of mentioning this as this was not the reason why it should have been done that way.
Anyhow, new agent understood the situation and processed it as a gold seating request. This was over 4 week ago and the seat has still not been selected.
Time is clearly on our side here and the 6 of us are the only with seats in the CW cabin, but how long should I leave it?
Jul 11, 2020, 8:58 am
#2
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Krakow
Programs: BAEC Silver, Miles and More(FTL), IHG(Platinum), Accor, HHonors(Diamond), SPG, Hertz Five Star
Posts: 5,866
it seems the "complete my party team" has apparently been furloughed, so do not expect anything to happen there quickly.
as this is easter next year is probably best just to be patient till this team is back in place
as this is easter next year is probably best just to be patient till this team is back in place
Jul 11, 2020, 9:12 am
#3
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
An AA first-tier supervisor ought to be able to accomplish this for you, even on BA metal, in minutes. It is AA's ticket and under AA's control and thus an easy (simply requires explanation) task. Unlike BA, AA is not so stove-piped and thus it is simply a matter of reaching an agent with supervisory override authority for the BA seat fee.
To be clear, "linking" means absolutely nothing on AA tickets. It is simply a remark in the PNR notes which refers an agent who happens to look that there are more members of the traveling party than in the PNR. Your child simply will not be able to check in without an adult present, but that is generally the case anyway.
If by some chance, AA will not help, agree with above. This is an issue for next February and, by then, there either will be greater normalcy or the whole thing won't work,
To be clear, "linking" means absolutely nothing on AA tickets. It is simply a remark in the PNR notes which refers an agent who happens to look that there are more members of the traveling party than in the PNR. Your child simply will not be able to check in without an adult present, but that is generally the case anyway.
If by some chance, AA will not help, agree with above. This is an issue for next February and, by then, there either will be greater normalcy or the whole thing won't work,
Jul 11, 2020, 10:57 am
#4
Join Date: Oct 2009
Programs: All of them, UA-Plat, 1MM*G
Posts: 881
Unless the "typo" in the child's name was severe, reported experience suggests that it is best to leave the reservation alone. Agents are used to seeing fat finger mistakes in the airline's recording of passenger names. Not going to help you now, but general advice for the future.
Jul 12, 2020, 12:33 am
#7
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 2,657
In early June we decided to jump on an itinerary over Easter for just over £1k each which had us routing SOF LHR CLT MCO, MSY PHL LHR SOF
There are 4 adults and 2 kids. The booking was made with AA but the PHL LHR leg is with BA in the A350 club suites. The issue begun as I made a typo on one of the kids names. I immediately called AA and it was sorted but it was sorted by them removing the child from our booking and creating a new booking and supposedly linking them. This worried me but I didn’t have a choice.
AA confirmed the booking was linked, explaining that it simply had to be otherwise it would flag as an unaccompanied minor.
Anyhow, onto seating. All of us, including the child were able to pick seats on all legs, including the BA CE legs (surprised) and the AA legs but of course, once we got to the PHL LHR leg, the child cannot choose a seat without paying over $100.
I called BA and they said there was nothing I could do as it was under airport control!
So I called BA and after initially being told it was an AA flight, I did indeed get them to understand it was BA metal with an AA flight number. First agent could not seat the child without the fee. So I hung up and called back.
Next agent was more helpful. On the previous call I should maybe have underscore I am gold and therefore asking for someone from another booking to sit with us is a benefit. I didn’t think of mentioning this as this was not the reason why it should have been done that way.
Anyhow, new agent understood the situation and processed it as a gold seating request. This was over 4 week ago and the seat has still not been selected.
Time is clearly on our side here and the 6 of us are the only with seats in the CW cabin, but how long should I leave it?
There are 4 adults and 2 kids. The booking was made with AA but the PHL LHR leg is with BA in the A350 club suites. The issue begun as I made a typo on one of the kids names. I immediately called AA and it was sorted but it was sorted by them removing the child from our booking and creating a new booking and supposedly linking them. This worried me but I didn’t have a choice.
AA confirmed the booking was linked, explaining that it simply had to be otherwise it would flag as an unaccompanied minor.
Anyhow, onto seating. All of us, including the child were able to pick seats on all legs, including the BA CE legs (surprised) and the AA legs but of course, once we got to the PHL LHR leg, the child cannot choose a seat without paying over $100.
I called BA and they said there was nothing I could do as it was under airport control!
So I called BA and after initially being told it was an AA flight, I did indeed get them to understand it was BA metal with an AA flight number. First agent could not seat the child without the fee. So I hung up and called back.
Next agent was more helpful. On the previous call I should maybe have underscore I am gold and therefore asking for someone from another booking to sit with us is a benefit. I didn’t think of mentioning this as this was not the reason why it should have been done that way.
Anyhow, new agent understood the situation and processed it as a gold seating request. This was over 4 week ago and the seat has still not been selected.
Time is clearly on our side here and the 6 of us are the only with seats in the CW cabin, but how long should I leave it?
Jul 12, 2020, 3:18 am
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Shoreham By Sea
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 1,314
Unless the "typo" in the child's name was severe, reported experience suggests that it is best to leave the reservation alone. Agents are used to seeing fat finger mistakes in the airline's recording of passenger names. Not going to help you now, but general advice for the future.
Thanks for the other answers. I’ll be sure to give AA another try and if no joy, I’ll try again in February.
