TAP automatic seat assignment
Jan 20, 2018, 6:03 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 3
TAP automatic seat assignment
***** I have noticed I post this question in the wrong place. How can I change it?? ****
Good day, all.
I booked a return flight through a booking partner with TAP airlines.
When the time of the online check-in came, I had a seat automatically assigned and, if I wanted to change it, I had to pay about 30 or 60 EUR (like with Ryanair but... we are not talking about a low-cost airline!).
Luckily I was assigned to an aisle one, so I was "happy" to have that seat.
My question is: in case on my return flight I'll be assigned to a seat I don't like (middle or window), can I change it at the check-in point FREE of charge or I do still have to pay?
Normally, nowadays, if you want to reserve a specific seat before check-in time you have to pay, but it will be free during that time. However with TAP I faced a totally different scenario.
Thanks for your help!
Good day, all.
I booked a return flight through a booking partner with TAP airlines.
When the time of the online check-in came, I had a seat automatically assigned and, if I wanted to change it, I had to pay about 30 or 60 EUR (like with Ryanair but... we are not talking about a low-cost airline!).
Luckily I was assigned to an aisle one, so I was "happy" to have that seat.
My question is: in case on my return flight I'll be assigned to a seat I don't like (middle or window), can I change it at the check-in point FREE of charge or I do still have to pay?
Normally, nowadays, if you want to reserve a specific seat before check-in time you have to pay, but it will be free during that time. However with TAP I faced a totally different scenario.
Thanks for your help!
Last edited by Laura_83; Jan 20, 2018 at 6:37 am Reason: need to change it, pls see ***
Jan 22, 2018, 12:05 pm
#5
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Munich, Algarve, Sussex or S.F Bay Area
Programs: Mucci, BA Gold, A3*Gold, AA Plat, HH Gold, IHG Plat Amb, Marriott Plat
Posts: 4,163
The stupid thing about this is that regardless of which seat you select at OLCI they will try and charge you. Change from 22C to 22D and they’ll try and charge you. Once you have selected a seat and they try and charge you, you can no longer issue a BP for your flight until you pay, even if you reselect the seat they originally assigned you.
As previously stated, select the seat you want, break off the check-in without paying and at T-3 you can print your BP without paying. The process totally lacks common sense. Or, if there is a logic to it, I fail to understand it.
As previously stated, select the seat you want, break off the check-in without paying and at T-3 you can print your BP without paying. The process totally lacks common sense. Or, if there is a logic to it, I fail to understand it.
Jan 23, 2018, 1:54 am
#6
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: DEL
Posts: 1,057
The stupid thing about this is that regardless of which seat you select at OLCI they will try and charge you. Change from 22C to 22D and they’ll try and charge you. Once you have selected a seat and they try and charge you, you can no longer issue a BP for your flight until you pay, even if you reselect the seat they originally assigned you.
As previously stated, select the seat you want, break off the check-in without paying and at T-3 you can print your BP without paying. The process totally lacks common sense. Or, if there is a logic to it, I fail to understand it.
As previously stated, select the seat you want, break off the check-in without paying and at T-3 you can print your BP without paying. The process totally lacks common sense. Or, if there is a logic to it, I fail to understand it.
I've been able to back out of the seat selection and get a BP with my original seat, but maybe I just got lucky. I like your method better.
The part that seems particularly insane to me is that on my last two TAP flights, I was automatically assigned "premium" seats--once an exit row--despite being on the cheapest of cheap tickets. It was willing to give me a €20+ seat for free, but wanted €12 to give me a worse seat. I even got IRROP'd overnight and the airport counter staff were able to put me on an entirely different flight home than the one I'd been automatically given, but couldn't give me a different seat.
At least the food is edible if not all that great. Definitely beats SN who charge for water on short-haul flights.
Jan 23, 2018, 3:26 am
#7
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Munich, Algarve, Sussex or S.F Bay Area
Programs: Mucci, BA Gold, A3*Gold, AA Plat, HH Gold, IHG Plat Amb, Marriott Plat
Posts: 4,163
Jan 27, 2018, 2:48 pm
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 3
Not to mention the very old aircraft used to fly from Lisbon to Rio de Janeiro on the 31st of December. Was quite a mmh..'vintage' one, with the phones, swiping card, mini tv without the possibility to even stop the only movie shown. It reminded me the first long haul flight I took in the beginning of the 90s. Sweet flashback.
However my return flight was normal (and the food delicious in both).
So, I assume, see you soon TAP!
However my return flight was normal (and the food delicious in both).
So, I assume, see you soon TAP!
Last edited by Laura_83; Feb 10, 2018 at 2:51 pm Reason: addinng comments
Oct 1, 2018, 12:26 am
#9
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: HEL
Programs: AY, SK, TK
Posts: 7,595
Do I understand correct by searching and reading here that there is no free seat selection beforehand on TAP flights intra-EU with my basic discount economy ticket? SK Diamond member here, that is.
Only by paying I can choose my seat?
And then at OLCI I am auto-allocated a seat which I may change but I am charged again but I can skip that by exiting without paying and doing OLCI again at T-3 for printing out BP?
If yes on all, I really regret that I bought that ticket
Only by paying I can choose my seat?
And then at OLCI I am auto-allocated a seat which I may change but I am charged again but I can skip that by exiting without paying and doing OLCI again at T-3 for printing out BP?
If yes on all, I really regret that I bought that ticket
Oct 1, 2018, 11:41 am
#10
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: PEK
Programs: A3*G, UA Gold EY Silver
Posts: 8,956
Only by paying I can choose my seat?
And then at OLCI I am auto-allocated a seat which I may change but I am charged again but I can skip that by exiting without paying and doing OLCI again at T-3 for printing out BP?
Oct 11, 2018, 6:40 pm
#12
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 37
First time TAP here too and it's funny system they have .
They say I can do the online check-in 36H before departure time but it didn't let me but only 24H before.
and same situation with the seat assignment. It automatically assigned me and my flying companion middle seats but when I changed them to side two seats together (same row as auto assigned seats) it asked me to pay for $100. I will try again 3H before departure and see how it goes.
They say I can do the online check-in 36H before departure time but it didn't let me but only 24H before.
and same situation with the seat assignment. It automatically assigned me and my flying companion middle seats but when I changed them to side two seats together (same row as auto assigned seats) it asked me to pay for $100. I will try again 3H before departure and see how it goes.
Oct 16, 2018, 5:57 am
#14
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: PEK
Programs: A3*G, UA Gold EY Silver
Posts: 8,956
First time TAP here too and it's funny system they have .
They say I can do the online check-in 36H before departure time but it didn't let me but only 24H before.
and same situation with the seat assignment. It automatically assigned me and my flying companion middle seats but when I changed them to side two seats together (same row as auto assigned seats) it asked me to pay for $100. I will try again 3H before departure and see how it goes.
They say I can do the online check-in 36H before departure time but it didn't let me but only 24H before.
and same situation with the seat assignment. It automatically assigned me and my flying companion middle seats but when I changed them to side two seats together (same row as auto assigned seats) it asked me to pay for $100. I will try again 3H before departure and see how it goes.
Oct 22, 2018, 6:16 am
#15
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: HEL
Programs: AY, SK, TK
Posts: 7,595
Have they revamped the T3 seat allocation for free or what?
Last time, I could not print my boarding pass witihn T3hrs but instead the OLCI requested me payment all the time! Okay at one point it let me through so got the Bpass online but then,when changing seat I wanted to change back to exit door A seat and again it asked for payment and to checkinat airport, I got worried butentered security with mobile BP. At gate I asked if everything is ok and, they said wait we might need to upgrade you as *gold. Then on boarding , red beep and a new boarding passbut no business class but instead bumped out from exitrow to 14F
So have they fixed that checkin feature or policing now exitrow fees?
Last time, I could not print my boarding pass witihn T3hrs but instead the OLCI requested me payment all the time! Okay at one point it let me through so got the Bpass online but then,when changing seat I wanted to change back to exit door A seat and again it asked for payment and to checkinat airport, I got worried butentered security with mobile BP. At gate I asked if everything is ok and, they said wait we might need to upgrade you as *gold. Then on boarding , red beep and a new boarding passbut no business class but instead bumped out from exitrow to 14F
So have they fixed that checkin feature or policing now exitrow fees?