FlyAO2

I did this with my parents a couple months ago. The reservation agent said they have to book it a certain way -- I'm not sure if that's really true thoguh

bennos

TSA doesn't care about the extra seat, but if you have more than one flight in the itinerary make sure the extra seat is checked in (get a boarding pass, which will probably require an agent) and boarded (GA usually just scans the BP) correctly, or the subsequent segments may be canceled.

Note for INTL this gets more complicated (for the agents, not for you) due to passport verification requirements.

flyerCO

You can book yourself for all DL metal reservations. Only need agent when adding partners.

MSPeconomist

I suspect that if two people are traveling together and the EXST is purchased, there's implicitly a right to have EXST assigned next to one of the passengers (otherwise it would be pointless to purchase the extra ticket if it becomes some random empty middle seat somewhere on the flight) but not necessarily between the two of them. If seat assignments are shuffled for any reason (such as aircraft type change) or no reason at all, the customers could lose their nice row of three seats.

OTOH, if someone buys an extra seat, they have property rights to all of that seat. It's not the same as two random strangers getting lucky and having a free seat between them, where the norm would be for them to share the extra space.

pmadden

Delta has an established process for booking multiple adjacent seats for the same passenger, and indicate that the passenger can get credited SkyMiles for both seats (if they reach out for manual handling). While I wouldn't expect this to also give you the additional MQM/MQS presumably it might count towards MQD? I've called and spoken with two reservations agents this morning who could not provide a definitive answer.

Anyone have experience with this?

(For context, I have an upcoming flight with 2 good friends on a 737 in First with a 2-2 configuration. We're arguing over who gets to sit together, and who gets stuck alone next to a stranger. I entirely jokingly suggested we just buy the 4th seat in our row so we could rotate seats mid-flight and everyone gets a chance to sit next to everyone - I know that sounds absolutely ridiculous but my friends thought it was a brilliant idea and want to try it, so here I am haha)

xliioper

See consolidated thread on topic -- Buying 2 coach seats for one person / EXST on Delta (Consolidated Threads)
Indications are they will award RDM credit for extra seat purchase, but not MQM/MQS/MQD credit towards status qualification.

pmadden

Thanks! You're a master-searcher - I wasn't able to dig up anything on the topic!

MSPeconomist

Just please don't set up a separate SkyMiles account for pEXSTmadden. DL doesn't like it when people do this, or get FF accounts for their musical instruments.

findark

For some reason this seems to be industry standard for EXTRASEAT - award miles but no status credit for the extra ticket.

kale73

Will they even sell you an unoccupied extra seat in First Class?

If so, cue the inevitable Flight Departed with Empty Seat in First; I Was #1 on Upgrade List thread.

MSPeconomist

I assume they would if some musician traveling with an instrument wanted to pay for FC.

"I lost my upgrade to a violin."

Another example might be a large service dog: "I lost my upgrade to a Great Dane."

flyerCO

All they care is "How will you be paying?"

jimrpa

So I can get my emotional support boa constrictor, Fluffy, her own domestic D1 seat the next time I have to go to LA? That’s such a relief!

Beckles

Delta wouldn't have you travel without your main squeeze.

Return2flight

Well done! 👏👏👏