Tricking Co.com seat assignment tool
#16
Join Date: Jan 2007
Programs: UA MP
Posts: 193
i remember tricking the website when i was a NW elite, and the CO site didn't recognize NW elite status yet. (i posted my method, too, so you should be able to find it with search..) once i got the seat, it stuck, because the main CO res system recognized my status.. it never worked for exits, tho -- it would change the selection on the web page to show me in the exit seat, but hitting continue or selecting the next flight would return an error that the seat couldn't be assigned. (the fact that i couldn't get a seat i wasn't entitled to made me feel alright about posting the method..)
edit: i just tried a dummy booking, and was able to grab 5F on a 737 without any status at all, using the same method i posted here in 2002. i didn't buy the ticket, so i have no idea if it would stick long term, but i got through the seatmap, and checked expertflyer, which showed the seat occupied.
edit: i just tried a dummy booking, and was able to grab 5F on a 737 without any status at all, using the same method i posted here in 2002. i didn't buy the ticket, so i have no idea if it would stick long term, but i got through the seatmap, and checked expertflyer, which showed the seat occupied.
#17
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 716
I wouldn't recommend that anyone try to cheat the system. I've alerted CO and as far as I know they'll be working on a fix. I'm just a lowly OnePass member and I plan on keeping those Elite seats clear for the people who earned them!
#18
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: AUS
Programs: DL Gold
Posts: 290
I also highly doubt that the seatmap page totally relies on JavaScript. If the linked thread is the exploit the OP of this thread is talking about, I would be quite surprised (and disappointed in CO's software developers). It worked in the linked thread because the user *should* have been able to select that seat by business rules; the page just didn't recognize that he was elite because he was a NW elite. (i.e., it was a bug workaround, not an exploit, per se)
#19
Join Date: Jan 2007
Programs: UA MP
Posts: 193
This would not work. If you recall on the seat map page, the first class cabin is a separate seat map. If you are purchasing a coach ticket, you will only see coach seats. Selecting 1F via javascript would not work.
I also highly doubt that the seatmap page totally relies on JavaScript. If the linked thread is the exploit the OP of this thread is talking about, I would be quite surprised (and disappointed in CO's software developers). It worked in the linked thread because the user *should* have been able to select that seat by business rules; the page just didn't recognize that he was elite because he was a NW elite. (i.e., it was a bug workaround, not an exploit, per se)
I also highly doubt that the seatmap page totally relies on JavaScript. If the linked thread is the exploit the OP of this thread is talking about, I would be quite surprised (and disappointed in CO's software developers). It worked in the linked thread because the user *should* have been able to select that seat by business rules; the page just didn't recognize that he was elite because he was a NW elite. (i.e., it was a bug workaround, not an exploit, per se)
#20
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: PDX
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Plat
Posts: 11,500
I also highly doubt that the seatmap page totally relies on JavaScript. If the linked thread is the exploit the OP of this thread is talking about, I would be quite surprised (and disappointed in CO's software developers). It worked in the linked thread because the user *should* have been able to select that seat by business rules; the page just didn't recognize that he was elite because he was a NW elite. (i.e., it was a bug workaround, not an exploit, per se)
#21
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: NYC
Programs: UA, Delta, SPG, MAR
Posts: 206
not sure if this is the same issue. i was making a reservation for me and my wife 3 days ago. i was using a certificate so i had to book separately. she is gold elite and i assumed i would have to call the elite line to get her in the emergency exit seat next to me, but when i tried to select 14F (738) for her it worked just fine. i was logged into her non plat OP account. i am wondering if the restriction is not working at this time....
#22
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,613
const3, not the same issue at all - in fact, not even a bug. Golds are supposed to be able to select exit seating. (As are Plats; just not Silvers or non-elites.)
#24
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: NRT / HND
Programs: AA EXP, NH Plat, Former UA 1K
Posts: 5,666
All of those seats become available to anyone and everyone at the 24 hour online check in mark anyway. I guess that wouldn't apply if the route actually had enough elites pre-selecting seats but I wasn't seeing that happening... even now I'm not gold and still manage to snag an exit row at the 24 hour mark nearly every time.
#25
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Cleveland, OH
Programs: UA-GS 1MM), Hertz Pres Circle, Starriott Titanium)
Posts: 1,966
All of those seats become available to anyone and everyone at the 24 hour online check in mark anyway. I guess that wouldn't apply if the route actually had enough elites pre-selecting seats but I wasn't seeing that happening... even now I'm not gold and still manage to snag an exit row at the 24 hour mark nearly every time.
What I usually do now is try to put myself in the last open row in the "elite" seating area. So I still have a place to plug in my laptop, but hopefully when the computer fills in the stragglers from the front, I won't have anyone next to me.
#26
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Potomac Falls, VA
Programs: AA Plat 2MM, MR Gold, Avis Pref
Posts: 41,109
I hope you have a different method than I do; I'll be some PO'd if you screw up my method
#27
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: UA nothing (former multi-year CO Platinum), AA 1M Gold, HH Diamond, National Executive
Posts: 449
This is Really Bad....
I have a reservation for a travelling companion who is non-elite. I was planning to call and get them moved to the exit row with me, which I have done many times. The PNR was booked separate from mine. I was able to go to the CO website, log out of my account, access the travelling companion's PNR without being logged into any frequent flyer account, and change her seats to exit row aisle. This is for a flight over a month from now. A slight change was required in the javascript vs. what has been posted, but it is not hard to figure out.
Given how long it will likely take CO to fix this, maybe the moderators should delete this thread....
Given how long it will likely take CO to fix this, maybe the moderators should delete this thread....
#28
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: NRT / HND
Programs: AA EXP, NH Plat, Former UA 1K
Posts: 5,666
Likely because United is the only domesic airline that has actually created a premiun product worth protecting. UA has had E+ for some time now, I'm really surprised no one else has copied it yet. I would think CO would be the perfect one to try this.
#29
Join Date: Jan 2005
Programs: Amex Centurion
Posts: 95
I hope CO Insider or someone else from Continental is on this. As an EWR- based Gold, elite seating is one of the few benefits I get any more (since upgrades are virtually nonexistent for me).
#30
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: BOS
Programs: riding the lifetime status. DL MM / AA MM
Posts: 2,968
Originally Posted by TrojanHorse
I hope you have a different method than I do; I'll be some PO'd if you screw up my method
you've got an extra bonus on the CO board -- they really do see what's said here, and as a result, you'll get closer to having a truly fair system over time. i've posted numerous times on the AA board about a specific method of bypassing the upgrade list, and i doubt anyone at AA has seen any of it.... (and, fwiw, my initial post detailing a specific method of grabbing CO elite seats has been on this board for nearly five years. don't worry, this thread will be off the front page soon enough....)