I was on a flight today listening to a conversation between a FA and some other Continental folks sitting around me in the Exit Row seats. The conversation was about a memo indicating that Directv is free for those who are sitting in those rows. They can swipe the same credit card that purchased the seat to receive free directv. I've been fortunate to be upgraded to first on every trip this year except this one...and so I'm wondering if this is only for those who paid for the seat...or includes gold/platinum who were able to pick the exit row at ticketing? Anyone have any suggestions where I can find this out? I used the search option to find it on this forum and nothing came up.

Completely anecdotal, but I've had it happen twice where I've swiped my card in the exit row ('upgraded' seat, not charged) for DTV, and haven't been charged. My best guess is that this is part of the premium - I'd be curious to see if it's the same in bulkhead - and wonder why CAL wouldn't use this to sell the premium seat.

I wonder if free TV applies to Elites sitting in the exit row?

I was an elite in an exit row earlier this month and was charged. $4 instead of $6 because I used my CO CC, but yes, I was charged.

ETA: This thread should have a question mark.

just did ORD-IAH this week on the 738. entire exit row to myself, but paid the $4. I do lke the idea though of not being charged if we're paying extra for the "premium" seat.

Yep just checked my OP Chase card and can confirm that I did in deed pay $4 to watch the Jets lose from my exit row seat on Sunday during my IAH-LGA flight.

Thank god I was in Austria when the Ravens lost... Don't think I would have been able to handle another game where the Ravens falls apart and blows everything away in the 4Q

They need someone who knows how to finish the game

I was seated in one of the premium rows earlier this month (right behind first class -- complimentary with CO *G) and the FA came over and told all six of us that the Direct TV was free. She told us that we needed to swipe a CC to activate the system but that it would not be charged. I, along with the woman in the middle seat, took advantage of this nice offer.

Now, two weeks later, I am waiting for a response from CO customer service since my credit card was charged. I'm glad to see that other people have heard of this though, since I was afraid that perhaps my story of only one FA might not be believed by the folks answering requests.

In short, I have heard this firsthand (for any premium row) but was charged anyway. Once I get a response from Continental I'll post it here.

If you purchase an ELR seat, the DTV is free.

Apparently some FA's misunderstood the memo that came out.

Wow, when was that announced?! Unreal, another reason for people to purchase ELR in advance, locking out last minute elite bookers from the seats.

Glad you said it, not me. Had I said that, people would be snapping back at me while lauding CO for adding value to its ELR offering.

How do the FA's give it to ELR purchasers for free? Is it automatic - someone in the front programs those seats during boarding?

I doubt there is a networked link to do it automatically.

Imagine that, they would prefer to sell it than give it away.
As was alluded to, you simply swipe the credit card used to purchase the ticket.

Of course they would. But what value are they putting on their Elite customers' experience? Elites generally represent repeat and total higher revenue than one-time customers, no?

The processing is autmatic. In order to get DTV for free, purchasers of the ELR seats have to use the same credit card for DTV as for the ELR purchase. This is fairly new, and only for those who purchase the ELR seats. Elite members who are seated in ELR seats must pay for DTV.