TAP automatic seat assignment
Apr 14, 22, 1:11 pm
#121
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: amsterdam/nl
Programs: FB PLATINUM IHG ACCOR
Posts: 327
Flew Mad-DAKAR vv recently with them, have no status on star/tp ( plat on AF/KL) was surprised to see assigned seats far way from each other for a couple traveling together.
Really something you expect at Ryanair and the likes.. Due to some vouchers i still have some more flights with them booked so take into account the tips provided here.
Interesting detail; on return wanted to pay 30 e extra to sit together but could not pay for the seats. at check in was expecting to pay but was no issue and got seast for free. ah well 26 d/e on a red eye in cramped and full a 320 neo ... dont think will go for a status match with these guys...
Really something you expect at Ryanair and the likes.. Due to some vouchers i still have some more flights with them booked so take into account the tips provided here.
Interesting detail; on return wanted to pay 30 e extra to sit together but could not pay for the seats. at check in was expecting to pay but was no issue and got seast for free. ah well 26 d/e on a red eye in cramped and full a 320 neo ... dont think will go for a status match with these guys...
Apr 28, 22, 11:57 am
#122
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: New York
Programs: AA Exp / Marriott Titanium / Hilton Gold / Hyatt Globalist / United Silver
Posts: 958
Anyone flew TATL recently? Is it sitll the same as before where you get Ryan-air (4 ppl flyiing together? Let us give you 13B 17E, 19B and 22E) style seat arrangements and have to switch T-1?
Apr 28, 22, 1:40 pm
#123
Join Date: Feb 2022
Posts: 17
Can confirm that it's still 1h4m prior to departure when the free seats drop (PDL-LIS today).
samwise6222 If you check in early enough they seat you together, IME, but usually towards the middle or back of the plane. If there aren't available seats next to each other you could be seated separately.
My recommended MO (if flying without checked-in bags):
1. Check in early with assigned seats, get boarding pass so you can pass through security/go to lounge, etc.
2. Modify the check-in (make sure you already have your boarding pass) and select the seats you actually want. If traveling as a couple and the flight doesn't seem too full I usually pick a window + aisle seat in Economy Xtra and hope no one picks the middle seat. Works about 80-90% of the time. 100% of the time it doesn't work whoever ended up in the middle was happy to switch for the aisle seat.
3. Click the confirm button, but obviously don't pay for your seats. Just leave the check-in flow.
4. Set an alarm for 1 hour and 5 minutes prior to departure.
5. At 1 hour and 4 minutes prior to departure, modify your check-in again. Swap the seats around and they should now be free. (You need to change the seat, if not it will still be listed as paid... If traveling alone, select another seat, confirm, then immediately pick the seat you actually wanted againwhich is now free.)
The only risk with this method is that if you fail to change your seats before boarding starts you may be asked to pay for the seat(s) you selected. If you wouldn't be willing to pay in case you miss this rather slim window it may be better to skip steps 2 and 3 and hope there are still Economy Xtra seats left when you get to step 5.
samwise6222 If you check in early enough they seat you together, IME, but usually towards the middle or back of the plane. If there aren't available seats next to each other you could be seated separately.
My recommended MO (if flying without checked-in bags):
1. Check in early with assigned seats, get boarding pass so you can pass through security/go to lounge, etc.
2. Modify the check-in (make sure you already have your boarding pass) and select the seats you actually want. If traveling as a couple and the flight doesn't seem too full I usually pick a window + aisle seat in Economy Xtra and hope no one picks the middle seat. Works about 80-90% of the time. 100% of the time it doesn't work whoever ended up in the middle was happy to switch for the aisle seat.
3. Click the confirm button, but obviously don't pay for your seats. Just leave the check-in flow.
4. Set an alarm for 1 hour and 5 minutes prior to departure.
5. At 1 hour and 4 minutes prior to departure, modify your check-in again. Swap the seats around and they should now be free. (You need to change the seat, if not it will still be listed as paid... If traveling alone, select another seat, confirm, then immediately pick the seat you actually wanted againwhich is now free.)
The only risk with this method is that if you fail to change your seats before boarding starts you may be asked to pay for the seat(s) you selected. If you wouldn't be willing to pay in case you miss this rather slim window it may be better to skip steps 2 and 3 and hope there are still Economy Xtra seats left when you get to step 5.
Apr 28, 22, 1:45 pm
#124
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: New York
Programs: AA Exp / Marriott Titanium / Hilton Gold / Hyatt Globalist / United Silver
Posts: 958
Jan 31, 23, 5:08 pm
#125
Join Date: Sep 2022
Posts: 5
Can confirm that it's still 1h4m prior to departure when the free seats drop (PDL-LIS today).
samwise6222 If you check in early enough they seat you together, IME, but usually towards the middle or back of the plane. If there aren't available seats next to each other you could be seated separately.
My recommended MO (if flying without checked-in bags):
1. Check in early with assigned seats, get boarding pass so you can pass through security/go to lounge, etc.
2. Modify the check-in (make sure you already have your boarding pass) and select the seats you actually want. If traveling as a couple and the flight doesn't seem too full I usually pick a window + aisle seat in Economy Xtra and hope no one picks the middle seat. Works about 80-90% of the time. 100% of the time it doesn't work whoever ended up in the middle was happy to switch for the aisle seat.
3. Click the confirm button, but obviously don't pay for your seats. Just leave the check-in flow.
4. Set an alarm for 1 hour and 5 minutes prior to departure.
5. At 1 hour and 4 minutes prior to departure, modify your check-in again. Swap the seats around and they should now be free. (You need to change the seat, if not it will still be listed as paid... If traveling alone, select another seat, confirm, then immediately pick the seat you actually wanted againwhich is now free.)
The only risk with this method is that if you fail to change your seats before boarding starts you may be asked to pay for the seat(s) you selected. If you wouldn't be willing to pay in case you miss this rather slim window it may be better to skip steps 2 and 3 and hope there are still Economy Xtra seats left when you get to step 5.
samwise6222 If you check in early enough they seat you together, IME, but usually towards the middle or back of the plane. If there aren't available seats next to each other you could be seated separately.
My recommended MO (if flying without checked-in bags):
1. Check in early with assigned seats, get boarding pass so you can pass through security/go to lounge, etc.
2. Modify the check-in (make sure you already have your boarding pass) and select the seats you actually want. If traveling as a couple and the flight doesn't seem too full I usually pick a window + aisle seat in Economy Xtra and hope no one picks the middle seat. Works about 80-90% of the time. 100% of the time it doesn't work whoever ended up in the middle was happy to switch for the aisle seat.
3. Click the confirm button, but obviously don't pay for your seats. Just leave the check-in flow.
4. Set an alarm for 1 hour and 5 minutes prior to departure.
5. At 1 hour and 4 minutes prior to departure, modify your check-in again. Swap the seats around and they should now be free. (You need to change the seat, if not it will still be listed as paid... If traveling alone, select another seat, confirm, then immediately pick the seat you actually wanted againwhich is now free.)
The only risk with this method is that if you fail to change your seats before boarding starts you may be asked to pay for the seat(s) you selected. If you wouldn't be willing to pay in case you miss this rather slim window it may be better to skip steps 2 and 3 and hope there are still Economy Xtra seats left when you get to step 5.
I am flying to Sao Paolo via Lisbon on Thursday. Do you, or anyone else know if this process is still working?
Feb 6, 23, 8:57 am
#126
Join Date: May 2022
Location: Lancashire, UK
Posts: 30
Feb 6, 23, 9:11 am
#127
Join Date: Sep 2022
Posts: 5
Cheers for confirming.
I was going to attempt this but didn't get to complete it as had a good seat reassigned for free on my first flight (due to cancellation of initial flight) and didn't on the second as had a stressful connection due to the first flight being delayed last minute but will try on the way back 😁
I was going to attempt this but didn't get to complete it as had a good seat reassigned for free on my first flight (due to cancellation of initial flight) and didn't on the second as had a stressful connection due to the first flight being delayed last minute but will try on the way back 😁
Mar 21, 23, 7:44 pm
#128
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Philadelphia, PA, USA
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, SPG Platinum, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Platinum, AAPlatinum
Posts: 198
Can confirm the T1h4 still works, made the seat change via Mobile boarding pass
Last edited by maewest; Mar 21, 23 at 10:58 pm Reason: User error
Sep 14, 23, 12:12 am
#130
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 258
Have Comfort Seats and got Boarding Zones C. Their support agent on FB had confirmed that they would get you Boarding Zone A or B. Gonna call the hotline...
*edit* How classy, the austrian and german hotlines still automatically disconnect at now 9:05am local time in Portugal, saying "This hotline is closed until 8am". Called the portuguese hotline, where I was greeted by a literally sighing hotline dude who had to be the most incompetent person I've ever encountered in these hotlines and was still unable to grasp the problem after 5 minutes of explaining it again and again until I just gave up and hung up.
*edit* How classy, the austrian and german hotlines still automatically disconnect at now 9:05am local time in Portugal, saying "This hotline is closed until 8am". Called the portuguese hotline, where I was greeted by a literally sighing hotline dude who had to be the most incompetent person I've ever encountered in these hotlines and was still unable to grasp the problem after 5 minutes of explaining it again and again until I just gave up and hung up.
Last edited by ArnoldB; Sep 14, 23 at 3:07 am
Sep 25, 23, 2:13 pm
#131
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: YHZ
Posts: 91
Hey folks. Really glad I found this thread as I was hearing of this insane system elsewhere and kept saying "that can't be right, I've never experienced that anywhere else..." Welp, I guess I'm going to experience it!
A couple of questions. I'm flying Montreal->Lisbon. I'm really confused by the availability at OLCI (early on, I'm usually logging in as soon as my window opens). My husband and I got our tickets on a great sale (like, $550CA pp return, which is pretty much unheard of these days for TATL) so not much is included, and we're probably at the bottom of the list for any favours!
1. My email from TAP says check in opens 36 hrs out. I've seen people saying that it's T-24 in the US, can anyone confirm that the T-36 will work from Canada?
2. At OLCI, will we likely be assigned together? (party of 2) If so I can live with that. I have never paid for a "regular" seat selection in my life.
3. If not is there a charge for the "not-special" seats at that time?
4. I see the posts about the free seats dropping at T - 1:04. Can anyone confirm that, as of late September 2023? The latest confirmation I see is March '23.
5. If I print our boarding passes early and then try to change at T-1:04, will I get an electronic boarding pass update? I don't mind using my phone but I do appreciate the paper pass when it's easier to pull that out than pull out my phone.
Sigh. Anything else I should know about?
Appreciate your help!
A couple of questions. I'm flying Montreal->Lisbon. I'm really confused by the availability at OLCI (early on, I'm usually logging in as soon as my window opens). My husband and I got our tickets on a great sale (like, $550CA pp return, which is pretty much unheard of these days for TATL) so not much is included, and we're probably at the bottom of the list for any favours!
1. My email from TAP says check in opens 36 hrs out. I've seen people saying that it's T-24 in the US, can anyone confirm that the T-36 will work from Canada?
2. At OLCI, will we likely be assigned together? (party of 2) If so I can live with that. I have never paid for a "regular" seat selection in my life.
3. If not is there a charge for the "not-special" seats at that time?
4. I see the posts about the free seats dropping at T - 1:04. Can anyone confirm that, as of late September 2023? The latest confirmation I see is March '23.
5. If I print our boarding passes early and then try to change at T-1:04, will I get an electronic boarding pass update? I don't mind using my phone but I do appreciate the paper pass when it's easier to pull that out than pull out my phone.
Sigh. Anything else I should know about?
Appreciate your help!
Sep 25, 23, 2:33 pm
#132
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: YHZ
Posts: 91
One more question, someone said in a FB travel group that the free seats they had from OLCI were changed by the airline to something worse, and gate agent said "you didn't pay for it". Has anyone heard of that? Maybe there was user error--didn't complete the transaction properly or something, but they had a boarding pass. Honestly, I flew Ryan Air once and the price wasn't worth all the other hassle--I'm sorry I didn't research TAP more fully.
Sep 30, 23, 6:46 am
#134
Join Date: Feb 2022
Posts: 17
1. My email from TAP says check in opens 36 hrs out. I've seen people saying that it's T-24 in the US, can anyone confirm that the T-36 will work from Canada?
2. At OLCI, will we likely be assigned together? (party of 2) If so I can live with that. I have never paid for a "regular" seat selection in my life.
3. If not is there a charge for the "not-special" seats at that time?
4. I see the posts about the free seats dropping at T - 1:04. Can anyone confirm that, as of late September 2023? The latest confirmation I see is March '23.
5. If I print our boarding passes early and then try to change at T-1:04, will I get an electronic boarding pass update? I don't mind using my phone but I do appreciate the paper pass when it's easier to pull that out than pull out my phone.
2. At OLCI, will we likely be assigned together? (party of 2) If so I can live with that. I have never paid for a "regular" seat selection in my life.
3. If not is there a charge for the "not-special" seats at that time?
4. I see the posts about the free seats dropping at T - 1:04. Can anyone confirm that, as of late September 2023? The latest confirmation I see is March '23.
5. If I print our boarding passes early and then try to change at T-1:04, will I get an electronic boarding pass update? I don't mind using my phone but I do appreciate the paper pass when it's easier to pull that out than pull out my phone.
2. Yes, I've never experienced not being seated together. TP isn't Ryanair. But don't wait until the last minute and expect there to still be adjoining seats available.
3. Yes, IIRC there's a charge for any seat, just less for the regular seats
4. I haven't flown them in Y recently, so can't provide a newer DP.
5. Yes, you can get it sent to your email or Apple/Google wallet. You can still board with your outdated boarding pass and they'll just give you a seat assignment note or updated boarding pass at the gate.
One more question, someone said in a FB travel group that the free seats they had from OLCI were changed by the airline to something worse, and gate agent said "you didn't pay for it". Has anyone heard of that? Maybe there was user error--didn't complete the transaction properly or something, but they had a boarding pass. Honestly, I flew Ryan Air once and the price wasn't worth all the other hassle--I'm sorry I didn't research TAP more fully.
I fly LH on the cheapest Economy Light fares quite frequently, and they also won't let you change your seat for free. Seems to be a growing trend. At least with TAP you have a workaround for getting better seats for free, but if you value a predictable and simple process just buy a fare that includes seat selection or pay for the seats you want.
Oct 9, 23, 5:25 am
#135
Join Date: May 2014
Location: OSL, BRU
Programs: SK *G
Posts: 8
Can add a datapoint for today, all seats became free to select between T-1:04 and T-0:45 on a european flight. Scored myself an entire row of Economy Xtra while the main economy cabin was fully packed on a ~4hr flight. Seemingly not very many who know about this curiosity.
