Caution: Double Check you Exit Row Seating
Apr 4, 2008 | 11:07 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Atlantic Highlands, NJ (EWR)
Programs: CO Gold
Posts: 9
Caution: Double Check you Exit Row Seating
Hi All.
I recently booked EWR-STT for myself and my wife. At the time, the only seats together were in the non-reclining exit row (12DE on 737-700). I booked myself in these seats via the web site. Two days later, I logged on to see if any other seats had opened up. None had, but to my surprise, I was no longer holding the exit row seats! When I tried to reinsert myself, it didn't work.
I then had a fruisterating experience when I called Continental. The woman on the phone told me that only Platinums could reserve Exit Row Seats. I assured her that I ALWAYS to this with my Gold Status. She insisted that this was impossible and would not budge even as I provided her with current reservations in the system that contadict her statement. I simply hung up and called back and the next Agent was more than happy to reserve my seats without a problem.
After all this, regular reclining seats opened up for both legs of the trip and I was able to grab them.
I tell you all this because it would have been quite agitating if I had not been able to grab the two seats together before the plane filled up and we had to sit separately.
Happy Flying!
I recently booked EWR-STT for myself and my wife. At the time, the only seats together were in the non-reclining exit row (12DE on 737-700). I booked myself in these seats via the web site. Two days later, I logged on to see if any other seats had opened up. None had, but to my surprise, I was no longer holding the exit row seats! When I tried to reinsert myself, it didn't work.
I then had a fruisterating experience when I called Continental. The woman on the phone told me that only Platinums could reserve Exit Row Seats. I assured her that I ALWAYS to this with my Gold Status. She insisted that this was impossible and would not budge even as I provided her with current reservations in the system that contadict her statement. I simply hung up and called back and the next Agent was more than happy to reserve my seats without a problem.
After all this, regular reclining seats opened up for both legs of the trip and I was able to grab them.
I tell you all this because it would have been quite agitating if I had not been able to grab the two seats together before the plane filled up and we had to sit separately.
Happy Flying!
Apr 4, 2008 | 11:12 am
#2
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Atlanta, Ga
Programs: UA 1K, Priority Club Plat
Posts: 252
I believe the first agent was correct. The second agent just gave in because you were being a ....... never mind.
Apr 4, 2008 | 11:17 am
#3
Join Date: Feb 2008
Programs: CO GOLD, ICHOTELS PLATNIUM
Posts: 9
I thought any elite...
I have never had a problem getting an E-Row or premium seat online as a Silver or a Gold.
Apr 4, 2008 | 11:27 am
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Atlantic Highlands, NJ (EWR)
Programs: CO Gold
Posts: 9
Apr 4, 2008 | 11:33 am
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: PVD
Programs: Priority Club Plat
Posts: 12,312
Any elite can grab the premium seats, but only Gold/Plats can get the exit rows online. When calling, a silver may be able to get it if you find the "right" agent.
Apr 4, 2008 | 11:47 am
#6
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
Nope.
The bold part is not a benefit that exists for silvers.
As always, 100% accurate 
ps- I didn't lose my assigned exit seats for upcoming flights.
Originally Posted by emmurphy
I have never had a problem getting an E-Row or premium seat online as a Silver or a Gold.
Originally Posted by rkkwan
Any elite can grab the premium seats, but only Gold/Plats can get the exit rows online. When calling, a silver may be able to get it if you find the "right" agent.
ps- I didn't lose my assigned exit seats for upcoming flights.
Last edited by sbm12; Apr 4, 2008 at 11:54 am
Apr 4, 2008 | 1:09 pm
#7
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: MHT/BOS
Programs: Airline FF: UA 1K, DL, US, AA, NW,
Posts: 219
My 2 cents on Gold Elite - Exit row seat selection
As per SBM12, the gold/platinum privilege is available to select online exit row seating. I searched Continental.com for reference to this policy but could only find the following Sept. 15 '06 agency alert:
According to CO Insider below this policy was shortly rescinded (Nov '06) to allow Gold elites to book/change online the exit row seats. (Although there is no documentation on the Continental.com website to document/verify this fact - Maybe CO should add this to the Elite Status benefits page!.)
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showt...gold+selection
I just completed my first flight segments as Gold in March '08 and I was able to select exit row seats for my 752 flights. Although the crew rest seats 16D/E/F did not open up until T-48hrs so I couldn't snag 16D until that time (note: aisle 15 is none reclining exit and I wasn't interested in those seats for the 752). Anyway I had complete access online to select the exit row seats from the beginning of my reservations which was T-3weeks as a Gold.
Continental revises seat assignment policy.
Effective September 15, 2006, Continental Airlines will implement two policy changes in regards to seat assignments booked via Continental reservations or continental.com. The policy changes are:
Seat assignments will be provided to ticketed customers only.
Exit row seats will now be assigned in advance to ticketed Platinum Elite customers only.
However, Continental will continue to allow Travel Agency professionals to assign seats for all customers, regardless of ticket status, through their GDS or by calling the Executive Accounts Desk at 1-800-451-1000. Continental will also allow Travel Agents to call the Executive Accounts Desk to obtain exit row seats for any Elite level customer (Platinum, Gold and Silver).
Effective September 15, 2006, Continental Airlines will implement two policy changes in regards to seat assignments booked via Continental reservations or continental.com. The policy changes are:
Seat assignments will be provided to ticketed customers only.
Exit row seats will now be assigned in advance to ticketed Platinum Elite customers only.
However, Continental will continue to allow Travel Agency professionals to assign seats for all customers, regardless of ticket status, through their GDS or by calling the Executive Accounts Desk at 1-800-451-1000. Continental will also allow Travel Agents to call the Executive Accounts Desk to obtain exit row seats for any Elite level customer (Platinum, Gold and Silver).
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showt...gold+selection
Exit Rows - New Policy for Platinums and Golds
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Well, just when this topic was sinking to page three, we're going to stir things up once again. I'd first like to thank many of you for your feedback regarding our Exit Row pre-assignment policy. The feedback from our customers, especially here on FlyerTalk, is something we do take to heart. As I'm sure you've read in many of the posts from this thread, there were a lot of good suggestions as to how we might re-shape this policy. In turn, we modeled many of the suggested scenarios, and ultimately decided on a change that shouldn't dillute this benefit and won't be complicated.
Effective today, we've updated our Exit Row pre-assignment policy to include our OnePass Platinum and Gold Elite members, Northwest WorldPerks Platinum and Gold Elite members and to SkyTeam Elite Plus members from our other SkyTeam Partners. All remaining customers will still be able to assign Exit Rows at check-in, including online check-in at continental.com. Here are some important details to note:
1. It's not yet available online for some of you. Until we're able to change this logic at continental.com (which will likely be Q1 2007), all OnePass Gold Elites, WorldPerks Platinum and Gold Elites and other SkyTeam Plus members will need make these requests over the phone. In the mean time, only OnePass Platinums will have access to assigning exit rows in advance online.
2. We've just started to communicate this change. This updated policy is very new and is still very much in the process of being circulated internally. As with any time we change a policy, it sometimes takes a little time for it to fully circulate to our front line. Please be sensitive to this when calling in, especially over the next week.
Thank you again for your feedback. We really do appreciate it.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Well, just when this topic was sinking to page three, we're going to stir things up once again. I'd first like to thank many of you for your feedback regarding our Exit Row pre-assignment policy. The feedback from our customers, especially here on FlyerTalk, is something we do take to heart. As I'm sure you've read in many of the posts from this thread, there were a lot of good suggestions as to how we might re-shape this policy. In turn, we modeled many of the suggested scenarios, and ultimately decided on a change that shouldn't dillute this benefit and won't be complicated.
Effective today, we've updated our Exit Row pre-assignment policy to include our OnePass Platinum and Gold Elite members, Northwest WorldPerks Platinum and Gold Elite members and to SkyTeam Elite Plus members from our other SkyTeam Partners. All remaining customers will still be able to assign Exit Rows at check-in, including online check-in at continental.com. Here are some important details to note:
1. It's not yet available online for some of you. Until we're able to change this logic at continental.com (which will likely be Q1 2007), all OnePass Gold Elites, WorldPerks Platinum and Gold Elites and other SkyTeam Plus members will need make these requests over the phone. In the mean time, only OnePass Platinums will have access to assigning exit rows in advance online.
2. We've just started to communicate this change. This updated policy is very new and is still very much in the process of being circulated internally. As with any time we change a policy, it sometimes takes a little time for it to fully circulate to our front line. Please be sensitive to this when calling in, especially over the next week.
Thank you again for your feedback. We really do appreciate it.
I just completed my first flight segments as Gold in March '08 and I was able to select exit row seats for my 752 flights. Although the crew rest seats 16D/E/F did not open up until T-48hrs so I couldn't snag 16D until that time (note: aisle 15 is none reclining exit and I wasn't interested in those seats for the 752). Anyway I had complete access online to select the exit row seats from the beginning of my reservations which was T-3weeks as a Gold.
Last edited by hhmorgan; Apr 4, 2008 at 1:35 pm
Apr 4, 2008 | 3:57 pm
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Los Angeles, California
Programs: United LT-GS, AA LT-Plat, Hyatt LT-Globalist, Hilton LT-Diamond, Marriott LT-Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 15,830
Hi All.
I recently booked EWR-STT for myself and my wife. At the time, the only seats together were in the non-reclining exit row (12DE on 737-700). I booked myself in these seats via the web site. Two days later, I logged on to see if any other seats had opened up. None had, but to my surprise, I was no longer holding the exit row seats! When I tried to reinsert myself, it didn't work.
I then had a fruisterating experience when I called Continental. The woman on the phone told me that only Platinums could reserve Exit Row Seats. I assured her that I ALWAYS to this with my Gold Status. She insisted that this was impossible and would not budge even as I provided her with current reservations in the system that contadict her statement. I simply hung up and called back and the next Agent was more than happy to reserve my seats without a problem.
After all this, regular reclining seats opened up for both legs of the trip and I was able to grab them.
I tell you all this because it would have been quite agitating if I had not been able to grab the two seats together before the plane filled up and we had to sit separately.
Happy Flying!
I recently booked EWR-STT for myself and my wife. At the time, the only seats together were in the non-reclining exit row (12DE on 737-700). I booked myself in these seats via the web site. Two days later, I logged on to see if any other seats had opened up. None had, but to my surprise, I was no longer holding the exit row seats! When I tried to reinsert myself, it didn't work.
I then had a fruisterating experience when I called Continental. The woman on the phone told me that only Platinums could reserve Exit Row Seats. I assured her that I ALWAYS to this with my Gold Status. She insisted that this was impossible and would not budge even as I provided her with current reservations in the system that contadict her statement. I simply hung up and called back and the next Agent was more than happy to reserve my seats without a problem.
After all this, regular reclining seats opened up for both legs of the trip and I was able to grab them.
I tell you all this because it would have been quite agitating if I had not been able to grab the two seats together before the plane filled up and we had to sit separately.
Happy Flying!
Apr 4, 2008 | 4:26 pm
#9
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: ORD / DUB / LHR
Programs: UA 1K MM; BA Silver; Marriott Plat
Posts: 8,240
That is not correct, at least in my experience. I routinely book exit row seats on 752 and 772 flights to DUB / LGW, and I've never had to call.
Apr 4, 2008 | 4:29 pm
#10
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: CLE
Programs: CO Gold - 1MM, IC Plat, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,644
I have flown 2-3 Intl Trips in the past month with CO and have the same good expereince as star_world. I do not think the policy has changed. Just snagged one today in fact for EWR-MAN in 2 weeks.
Apr 4, 2008 | 10:31 pm
#11
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Central Florida
Programs: Bonvoy-Gold, HH-Gold, UA-Gold, *A-Gold, Hyatt-Discoverist
Posts: 2,046
- HF
Apr 5, 2008 | 2:53 am
#12
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Lincoln, NE (OMA or LNK)
Programs: UA, AA, DL, Starwood/Marriott, Hilton, IHG
Posts: 1,345
And I just thought that there were so many elites that the exit rows were already gone on the occasional CO booking. You would think that ST partners would try to be consistent on something like this. Another item on the right side of the balance sheet NW or CO. June DL trip I was able to call and get exit rows for myself and my non-elite companion as NW Silver.
Apr 5, 2008 | 10:24 am
#13
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Apr 5, 2008 | 10:25 am
#14
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Apr 6, 2008 | 1:56 am
#15
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Central Florida
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