Help! China Airlines Won't Let Me Pick Seats
Jul 1, 2016, 9:44 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 9
Help! China Airlines Won't Let Me Pick Seats
Hello,
I am a newbie on this forum and was hoping to get some advice or recommendations on my issue.
I have booked 3 China airline tickets for Myself, my 5 year old daughter and teenage daughter to go to Thailand this November through Expedia. My wife will already be there visiting family. I got a really great deal on these tickets as I booked way in advance. The issue I am having is with being able to pick seats. I called China Airlines directly to pick seating together, but they informed me that my special fare (cheap) tickets do not allow me to pick seating. I explained that I am travelling with my two young daughters and is crucial that I get seated together. They tell me that the only thing I can do is purchase what is called "Family Couch Seating" for $300 each flight. So, that means from SFO to Taipei is $300 and from Taipei to BKK is another $300 and the same for returning flight which equals to $1,200 dollars I would have to pay. This is rediculiously high price to pay. I thought they would understand that by me travelling with two young daughters they would have some common sense, but got nothing. Does anyone have any suggestions or ides on how I can approach this issue with China Airlines? Thanks in advance
I am a newbie on this forum and was hoping to get some advice or recommendations on my issue.
I have booked 3 China airline tickets for Myself, my 5 year old daughter and teenage daughter to go to Thailand this November through Expedia. My wife will already be there visiting family. I got a really great deal on these tickets as I booked way in advance. The issue I am having is with being able to pick seats. I called China Airlines directly to pick seating together, but they informed me that my special fare (cheap) tickets do not allow me to pick seating. I explained that I am travelling with my two young daughters and is crucial that I get seated together. They tell me that the only thing I can do is purchase what is called "Family Couch Seating" for $300 each flight. So, that means from SFO to Taipei is $300 and from Taipei to BKK is another $300 and the same for returning flight which equals to $1,200 dollars I would have to pay. This is rediculiously high price to pay. I thought they would understand that by me travelling with two young daughters they would have some common sense, but got nothing. Does anyone have any suggestions or ides on how I can approach this issue with China Airlines? Thanks in advance
Jul 1, 2016, 9:50 am
#2
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Welcome to FT, caragon!
I am moving your post to "Other Asian, Australian, and South Pacific Airlines" forum which covers topics relating to China Airlines.
NewbieRunner
Co-moderator, CommunityBuzz
I am moving your post to "Other Asian, Australian, and South Pacific Airlines" forum which covers topics relating to China Airlines.
NewbieRunner
Co-moderator, CommunityBuzz
Jul 1, 2016, 10:54 am
#3
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So, you chose the cheapest fare, which excludes certain benefits, and now you would like advice on how to obtain those benefits anyway, without paying more, just because you are traveling with your children?
If my circumstances required advance seat selection, my common sense would tell me to buy a fare that allows seat selection.
I don't know how it works specifically on China Airlines, but I imagine those who bought your type of fare will be given seat assignments at the gate. If you get to the gate early you could try to request seats together at that time and see if they can accommodate the request.
Also if I am reading their web site correctly it seems like the regular price to upgrade to Family Couch for 1 adult and 2 children should be $200, not $300, and there may be a promo price in effect for $120? But I think they would only have family couch on the SFO-TPE flight.
https://calec.china-airlines.com/FC_...y=us&locale=en
BTW you don't necessarily have to book Family Couch, just buy up to the next fare class that does provide advance seat selection.
If none of this is acceptable and you bought the tickets within the last 24 hours you should still be able to cancel entirely for a full refund per US DOT rules, see "Free Reservation Cancellation Within 24 Hours of Ticket Purchase" here:
https://www.china-airlines.com/au/en...ice-commitment
If my circumstances required advance seat selection, my common sense would tell me to buy a fare that allows seat selection.
I don't know how it works specifically on China Airlines, but I imagine those who bought your type of fare will be given seat assignments at the gate. If you get to the gate early you could try to request seats together at that time and see if they can accommodate the request.
Also if I am reading their web site correctly it seems like the regular price to upgrade to Family Couch for 1 adult and 2 children should be $200, not $300, and there may be a promo price in effect for $120? But I think they would only have family couch on the SFO-TPE flight.
https://calec.china-airlines.com/FC_...y=us&locale=en
BTW you don't necessarily have to book Family Couch, just buy up to the next fare class that does provide advance seat selection.
If none of this is acceptable and you bought the tickets within the last 24 hours you should still be able to cancel entirely for a full refund per US DOT rules, see "Free Reservation Cancellation Within 24 Hours of Ticket Purchase" here:
https://www.china-airlines.com/au/en...ice-commitment
Jul 1, 2016, 11:14 am
#4
Join Date: Oct 2012
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Posts: 1,866
Hello Caragon
This is quite a common issue. Actually a few things you should know.
Yes firstly the China airlines staff are quite correct in that super cheap tickets don't allow seat selection in Economy.
Also I noticed you said you will be flying in November. China Airlines does not do seat selection more than 90 days ahead. So while the staff member was correct she/he did not mention that to you as well. So even if you bought a business class ticket you would not be able to seat select until early September at the earliest.
There are 2 options I see here.
Wait until check-in and get there early, it would be good to also ring the office 3-4 days before hand and admit your ticket it is not possible to seat select beforehand but to ask can let their agents to know this issue. If checking in early agents will have the ability to move around if needed especially single travelers wont be too much trouble. Even checking in late they will make sure 2 of you are sitting together with your youngest member being accompanied.
Anyway that's why I suggest going to arrive 30 mins before check in opens. You will be surprised many people don't bother doing seat selections, plus November is not a particularly busy time so while not impossible the flight is almost certain not to be completely full.
If your still concerned greatly and cant sleep then Sky Couch is the only way to go. It will guarantee all are together as it is done with 3 seats together which can convert into a short bed. Good length for children but too short for adults to really lay down, though you can put your back to the window and stretch out that way. Hence the word couch.
Note that Sky Couch will only be on your USA- Taiwan flight. Taiwan to Thailand is not stable though I do believe the early morning flight is the B747 most of the time. Also its only a 3hr flight which is short haul.
I am sure it will work out fine.
Hope you know that B777 (US-Taiwan) configs are quite tight. New plane but still.
This is quite a common issue. Actually a few things you should know.
Yes firstly the China airlines staff are quite correct in that super cheap tickets don't allow seat selection in Economy.
Also I noticed you said you will be flying in November. China Airlines does not do seat selection more than 90 days ahead. So while the staff member was correct she/he did not mention that to you as well. So even if you bought a business class ticket you would not be able to seat select until early September at the earliest.
There are 2 options I see here.
Wait until check-in and get there early, it would be good to also ring the office 3-4 days before hand and admit your ticket it is not possible to seat select beforehand but to ask can let their agents to know this issue. If checking in early agents will have the ability to move around if needed especially single travelers wont be too much trouble. Even checking in late they will make sure 2 of you are sitting together with your youngest member being accompanied.
Anyway that's why I suggest going to arrive 30 mins before check in opens. You will be surprised many people don't bother doing seat selections, plus November is not a particularly busy time so while not impossible the flight is almost certain not to be completely full.
If your still concerned greatly and cant sleep then Sky Couch is the only way to go. It will guarantee all are together as it is done with 3 seats together which can convert into a short bed. Good length for children but too short for adults to really lay down, though you can put your back to the window and stretch out that way. Hence the word couch.
Note that Sky Couch will only be on your USA- Taiwan flight. Taiwan to Thailand is not stable though I do believe the early morning flight is the B747 most of the time. Also its only a 3hr flight which is short haul.
I am sure it will work out fine.
Hope you know that B777 (US-Taiwan) configs are quite tight. New plane but still.
Jul 1, 2016, 11:35 am
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 9
So, you chose the cheapest fare, which excludes certain benefits, and now you would like advice on how to obtain those benefits anyway, without paying more, just because you are traveling with your children?
If my circumstances required advance seat selection, my common sense would tell me to buy a fare that allows seat selection.
I don't know how it works specifically on China Airlines, but I imagine those who bought your type of fare will be given seat assignments at the gate. If you get to the gate early you could try to request seats together at that time and see if they can accommodate the request.
Also if I am reading their web site correctly it seems like the regular price to upgrade to Family Couch for 1 adult and 2 children should be $200, not $300, and there may be a promo price in effect for $120? But I think they would only have family couch on the SFO-TPE flight.
https://calec.china-airlines.com/FC_...y=us&locale=en
BTW you don't necessarily have to book Family Couch, just buy up to the next fare class that does provide advance seat selection.
If none of this is acceptable and you bought the tickets within the last 24 hours you should still be able to cancel entirely for a full refund per US DOT rules, see "Free Reservation Cancellation Within 24 Hours of Ticket Purchase" here:
https://www.china-airlines.com/au/en...ice-commitment
If my circumstances required advance seat selection, my common sense would tell me to buy a fare that allows seat selection.
I don't know how it works specifically on China Airlines, but I imagine those who bought your type of fare will be given seat assignments at the gate. If you get to the gate early you could try to request seats together at that time and see if they can accommodate the request.
Also if I am reading their web site correctly it seems like the regular price to upgrade to Family Couch for 1 adult and 2 children should be $200, not $300, and there may be a promo price in effect for $120? But I think they would only have family couch on the SFO-TPE flight.
https://calec.china-airlines.com/FC_...y=us&locale=en
BTW you don't necessarily have to book Family Couch, just buy up to the next fare class that does provide advance seat selection.
If none of this is acceptable and you bought the tickets within the last 24 hours you should still be able to cancel entirely for a full refund per US DOT rules, see "Free Reservation Cancellation Within 24 Hours of Ticket Purchase" here:
https://www.china-airlines.com/au/en...ice-commitment
Thanks for the valuable feedback and information. I will ask about price bumping up to next fare class to allow seat selection. Also, when purchasing the tickets I did not see anything in the restrictions or fine print that would not allow me to choose seating. Maybe it's because I purchased through Expedia and not directly with airline.
Thanks
Jul 1, 2016, 11:48 am
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 9
Hello Caragon
This is quite a common issue. Actually a few things you should know.
Yes firstly the China airlines staff are quite correct in that super cheap tickets don't allow seat selection in Economy.
Also I noticed you said you will be flying in November. China Airlines does not do seat selection more than 90 days ahead. So while the staff member was correct she/he did not mention that to you as well. So even if you bought a business class ticket you would not be able to seat select until early September at the earliest.
There are 2 options I see here.
Wait until check-in and get there early, it would be good to also ring the office 3-4 days before hand and admit your ticket it is not possible to seat select beforehand but to ask can let their agents to know this issue. If checking in early agents will have the ability to move around if needed especially single travelers wont be too much trouble. Even checking in late they will make sure 2 of you are sitting together with your youngest member being accompanied.
Anyway that's why I suggest going to arrive 30 mins before check in opens. You will be surprised many people don't bother doing seat selections, plus November is not a particularly busy time so while not impossible the flight is almost certain not to be completely full.
If your still concerned greatly and cant sleep then Sky Couch is the only way to go. It will guarantee all are together as it is done with 3 seats together which can convert into a short bed. Good length for children but too short for adults to really lay down, though you can put your back to the window and stretch out that way. Hence the word couch.
Note that Sky Couch will only be on your USA- Taiwan flight. Taiwan to Thailand is not stable though I do believe the early morning flight is the B747 most of the time. Also its only a 3hr flight which is short haul.
I am sure it will work out fine.
Hope you know that B777 (US-Taiwan) configs are quite tight. New plane but still.
This is quite a common issue. Actually a few things you should know.
Yes firstly the China airlines staff are quite correct in that super cheap tickets don't allow seat selection in Economy.
Also I noticed you said you will be flying in November. China Airlines does not do seat selection more than 90 days ahead. So while the staff member was correct she/he did not mention that to you as well. So even if you bought a business class ticket you would not be able to seat select until early September at the earliest.
There are 2 options I see here.
Wait until check-in and get there early, it would be good to also ring the office 3-4 days before hand and admit your ticket it is not possible to seat select beforehand but to ask can let their agents to know this issue. If checking in early agents will have the ability to move around if needed especially single travelers wont be too much trouble. Even checking in late they will make sure 2 of you are sitting together with your youngest member being accompanied.
Anyway that's why I suggest going to arrive 30 mins before check in opens. You will be surprised many people don't bother doing seat selections, plus November is not a particularly busy time so while not impossible the flight is almost certain not to be completely full.
If your still concerned greatly and cant sleep then Sky Couch is the only way to go. It will guarantee all are together as it is done with 3 seats together which can convert into a short bed. Good length for children but too short for adults to really lay down, though you can put your back to the window and stretch out that way. Hence the word couch.
Note that Sky Couch will only be on your USA- Taiwan flight. Taiwan to Thailand is not stable though I do believe the early morning flight is the B747 most of the time. Also its only a 3hr flight which is short haul.
I am sure it will work out fine.
Hope you know that B777 (US-Taiwan) configs are quite tight. New plane but still.
Thanks so much for your valuable information. You have some good advice.
It's either spending the extra money for Family Couch or taking my chances that in November those flights are not completely full.
Thanks
Jul 1, 2016, 1:06 pm
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 9
Well, I just spoke with an agent at China Airlines and who was more accommodating than most. She assured me that travelers with children are always accommodated to be assigned together seating regardless of the price of ticket purchased. It is an airline wide rule and common sense she mentioned. I just need to check-in a bit earlier to facilitate the accommodation. This is good news. This makes Zorak's comment of "Just because your traveling with your children" seem a bit harsh and like the agent said "It's common sense that airlines will accommodate travelers with children". This is exactly my thoughts before it prompted me in calling again and in hopes to get a more satisfactory answer.
Jul 1, 2016, 1:56 pm
#10
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I do think there's a difference between that (pick specific seats in advance) and something like "we will put you in 3 seats together, but we won't know until check-in or at the gate which 3 specific seats." That I agree seems like a reasonable and common sense accommodation.
Incidentally if Expedia doesn't make it clear what restrictions apply to a fare, I would definitely followup with them as well that they should make it clearer in advance.
Jul 5, 2016, 1:07 am
#11
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Common sense definitely prevails in this situation in which those without always assumes the other party should have an excess of...
Jul 7, 2016, 8:48 am
#12
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Similar issues but on Air China not China Airlines.
And in my case these are BUSINESS CLASS International seats they refuse to allocate seating on!
Wait on hold for TWENTY minutes for an agent, I kid you not.
We fly Bangkok to Hangzhou on Air China in December.
They were happy to allocate that flight - no big deal, as only a few hours.
However in January we fly Taipei to Beijing, and then the long Beijing to Sydney flight .. all in Business Class bed suites.
Ask about seats on that, and agent says "too far out". Huh? December was just fine.
No other carrier I've ever flown on, minds allocating Business or First seats right up to the 330 days out booking max if you ask.
He seemed to be saying CA work in CALENDAR year mostly, and if I called it in around October that would be wiser.
So maybe Chinese carriers work to strange systems?
Any others found this?
And in my case these are BUSINESS CLASS International seats they refuse to allocate seating on!
Wait on hold for TWENTY minutes for an agent, I kid you not.
We fly Bangkok to Hangzhou on Air China in December.
They were happy to allocate that flight - no big deal, as only a few hours.
However in January we fly Taipei to Beijing, and then the long Beijing to Sydney flight .. all in Business Class bed suites.
Ask about seats on that, and agent says "too far out". Huh? December was just fine.
No other carrier I've ever flown on, minds allocating Business or First seats right up to the 330 days out booking max if you ask.
He seemed to be saying CA work in CALENDAR year mostly, and if I called it in around October that would be wiser.
So maybe Chinese carriers work to strange systems?
Any others found this?
Jul 10, 2016, 5:39 pm
#13
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: IAH
Posts: 488
Well, I just spoke with an agent at China Airlines and who was more accommodating than most. She assured me that travelers with children are always accommodated to be assigned together seating regardless of the price of ticket purchased. It is an airline wide rule and common sense she mentioned. I just need to check-in a bit earlier to facilitate the accommodation. This is good news. This makes Zorak's comment of "Just because your traveling with your children" seem a bit harsh and like the agent said "It's common sense that airlines will accommodate travelers with children". This is exactly my thoughts before it prompted me in calling again and in hopes to get a more satisfactory answer.
Jul 10, 2016, 8:31 pm
#14
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Posts: 48
Hello Caragon
This is quite a common issue. Actually a few things you should know.
Yes firstly the China airlines staff are quite correct in that super cheap tickets don't allow seat selection in Economy.
Also I noticed you said you will be flying in November. China Airlines does not do seat selection more than 90 days ahead. So while the staff member was correct she/he did not mention that to you as well. So even if you bought a business class ticket you would not be able to seat select until early September at the earliest.
There are 2 options I see here.
Wait until check-in and get there early, it would be good to also ring the office 3-4 days before hand and admit your ticket it is not possible to seat select beforehand but to ask can let their agents to know this issue. If checking in early agents will have the ability to move around if needed especially single travelers wont be too much trouble. Even checking in late they will make sure 2 of you are sitting together with your youngest member being accompanied.
Anyway that's why I suggest going to arrive 30 mins before check in opens. You will be surprised many people don't bother doing seat selections, plus November is not a particularly busy time so while not impossible the flight is almost certain not to be completely full.
If your still concerned greatly and cant sleep then Sky Couch is the only way to go. It will guarantee all are together as it is done with 3 seats together which can convert into a short bed. Good length for children but too short for adults to really lay down, though you can put your back to the window and stretch out that way. Hence the word couch.
Note that Sky Couch will only be on your USA- Taiwan flight. Taiwan to Thailand is not stable though I do believe the early morning flight is the B747 most of the time. Also its only a 3hr flight which is short haul.
I am sure it will work out fine.
Hope you know that B777 (US-Taiwan) configs are quite tight. New plane but still.
This is quite a common issue. Actually a few things you should know.
Yes firstly the China airlines staff are quite correct in that super cheap tickets don't allow seat selection in Economy.
Also I noticed you said you will be flying in November. China Airlines does not do seat selection more than 90 days ahead. So while the staff member was correct she/he did not mention that to you as well. So even if you bought a business class ticket you would not be able to seat select until early September at the earliest.
There are 2 options I see here.
Wait until check-in and get there early, it would be good to also ring the office 3-4 days before hand and admit your ticket it is not possible to seat select beforehand but to ask can let their agents to know this issue. If checking in early agents will have the ability to move around if needed especially single travelers wont be too much trouble. Even checking in late they will make sure 2 of you are sitting together with your youngest member being accompanied.
Anyway that's why I suggest going to arrive 30 mins before check in opens. You will be surprised many people don't bother doing seat selections, plus November is not a particularly busy time so while not impossible the flight is almost certain not to be completely full.
If your still concerned greatly and cant sleep then Sky Couch is the only way to go. It will guarantee all are together as it is done with 3 seats together which can convert into a short bed. Good length for children but too short for adults to really lay down, though you can put your back to the window and stretch out that way. Hence the word couch.
Note that Sky Couch will only be on your USA- Taiwan flight. Taiwan to Thailand is not stable though I do believe the early morning flight is the B747 most of the time. Also its only a 3hr flight which is short haul.
I am sure it will work out fine.
Hope you know that B777 (US-Taiwan) configs are quite tight. New plane but still.
Jul 11, 2016, 12:12 am
#15
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: SFO/SJC/OAK
Posts: 522
I have China Airlines flight booked in December on Premium Economy. I was told as well that I can't pick my seats until 90 days out. I randomly checked out the site on July 1st and was able to pick my seats, so not really sure what their policy is regarding picking seats.