Solution for seat assignment missing on direct flight
Mar 4, 2012, 4:40 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: US
Programs: AA/UA/DL
Posts: 2,773
Solution for seat assignment missing on direct flight
Dear Mods, this is relate to the other thread but that one is for problem report and this one is the solution.
If you think it should be in the same thread, please combine them and put the solution on the top so people don't need to read so much to get solution.
Solution for seat assignment missing or can't make seat assignment on direct flight:
1. Ask the agent to split your "married segment"
ie TPE-SFO UA838 will split into 2 segments ,TPE-NRT UA838 +
NRT-SFO UA 838
2. After doing so, you should be able to reserve seats and see some "hidden seating"
on each of the flights.
Story:
After the 2 system combined on Mar 3, I figured out my seat assignment
for NRT-SFO was gone. My original seat was in an exit row but now both the
bulk row and exit row were occupied. I called the 1K desk (PMCO agent) and
the agent told me that someone already took the seat and nothing she could
do. I then asked for transferred to a supervisor, D in SLC. D started to
argue with me and blamed me that I had never had my exit row seat, 45C.
I told her when I purchased the ticket, I had this seat reserved. She didn't
want to hear or investigated and just wanted to assign a seat and then
hanged up. It's not the first time I found out the different culture between
the two companies. PMUA 1K agents are more willing to help or to find out
the problem and to solve the problem. I appreciate those hard working
PMUA 1K agents.
Since I couldn't solve the problem, I sent a letter to UAInsider and
Shannon replied that they would look into the problem. I was very
disappointed and angry when I saw another UAInsider posted this after
they LOOK INTO THE PROBLEM:
Correct,
We have a process that will be running to reassign seats. If your original seats are not available, it will place you in the best seats available like seat. Again, we apologize for the inconvenience.
-Carlos F.
I was so angry since they caused the problem and they wouldn't fix the
problem. In addition, it means that they can do this in the future.
They can run a program to bump elites out of their seat while they sell
those seats to non-elites for money. They will only tell you that the seat
assignment is not guaranteed and someone has taken that seat. They won't explain why and you won't know why. There is nothing we can do now....
Then, I had another thought that they might just block those seats for
elites. So I made a new reservation on the same flight and same day.
@:-)@:-)@:-)@:-)@:-) Suddenly, the exit row seats were all
available for this booking.
I decided to call the elite line again but this time
I asked them to make a new reservation for me first. After the reservation
finished, I asked for the seat assignment for exit row seat. She said both
row 33 and 45 were all available. Then, I asked her to check my reservation.
This time, the PMCO agent couldn't make any excuse but REALLY LOOK INTO
IT. Finally, she found out what happened and provided the solution. She
was very nice but I still think if I don't do the new reservation first, she
might still make up excuse.
Anyway, this is the solution for seat assignment problem for the direct
fight. You can try if this solve your problem.
If you think it should be in the same thread, please combine them and put the solution on the top so people don't need to read so much to get solution.
Solution for seat assignment missing or can't make seat assignment on direct flight:
1. Ask the agent to split your "married segment"
ie TPE-SFO UA838 will split into 2 segments ,TPE-NRT UA838 +
NRT-SFO UA 838
2. After doing so, you should be able to reserve seats and see some "hidden seating"
on each of the flights.
Story:
After the 2 system combined on Mar 3, I figured out my seat assignment
for NRT-SFO was gone. My original seat was in an exit row but now both the
bulk row and exit row were occupied. I called the 1K desk (PMCO agent) and
the agent told me that someone already took the seat and nothing she could
do. I then asked for transferred to a supervisor, D in SLC. D started to
argue with me and blamed me that I had never had my exit row seat, 45C.
I told her when I purchased the ticket, I had this seat reserved. She didn't
want to hear or investigated and just wanted to assign a seat and then
hanged up. It's not the first time I found out the different culture between
the two companies. PMUA 1K agents are more willing to help or to find out
the problem and to solve the problem. I appreciate those hard working
PMUA 1K agents.
Since I couldn't solve the problem, I sent a letter to UAInsider and
Shannon replied that they would look into the problem. I was very
disappointed and angry when I saw another UAInsider posted this after
they LOOK INTO THE PROBLEM:
Originally Posted by dpdapper
Shannon,
Are you saying that lost seat assignments will NOT be restored as the bugs are worked out of the system--i.e., that the current state of assigned seats showing online is the final state? If so, I will be very cranky if my transcon exit row aisle seats are NLA.
I look forward to a definitive reply.
PS I PM'd you on this earlier today.
Shannon,
Are you saying that lost seat assignments will NOT be restored as the bugs are worked out of the system--i.e., that the current state of assigned seats showing online is the final state? If so, I will be very cranky if my transcon exit row aisle seats are NLA.
I look forward to a definitive reply.
PS I PM'd you on this earlier today.
Correct,
We have a process that will be running to reassign seats. If your original seats are not available, it will place you in the best seats available like seat. Again, we apologize for the inconvenience.
-Carlos F.
problem. In addition, it means that they can do this in the future.
They can run a program to bump elites out of their seat while they sell
those seats to non-elites for money. They will only tell you that the seat
assignment is not guaranteed and someone has taken that seat. They won't explain why and you won't know why. There is nothing we can do now....
Then, I had another thought that they might just block those seats for
elites. So I made a new reservation on the same flight and same day.
@:-)@:-)@:-)@:-)@:-) Suddenly, the exit row seats were all
available for this booking.
I decided to call the elite line again but this time
I asked them to make a new reservation for me first. After the reservation
finished, I asked for the seat assignment for exit row seat. She said both
row 33 and 45 were all available. Then, I asked her to check my reservation.
This time, the PMCO agent couldn't make any excuse but REALLY LOOK INTO
IT. Finally, she found out what happened and provided the solution. She
was very nice but I still think if I don't do the new reservation first, she
might still make up excuse.
Anyway, this is the solution for seat assignment problem for the direct
fight. You can try if this solve your problem.
Last edited by pigx5; Mar 4, 2012 at 5:54 pm
Mar 4, 2012, 5:36 pm
#2
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP, UA Platinum, Alaksa MVP 75K, Air Berlin Gold, HHonors Diamond, Marriott Gold, Hertz PC
Posts: 2,389
This happened to me for a flight going LGA-(IAH)-ONT yesterday. It was a 'direct' flight and I was curious as to why my EUA hadn't gone through even though R/RN space was available since last Monday (yes I realize that R/RN space doesn't = an EUA upgrade, but I digress.) All agents I called gave me the usual schpeel about 'EUA is handled by the computer, we can't do anything, blah blah blah.'
Called on Friday and got a really great agent who contacted the ticketing department and turned the 'direct' flight into two separate one ways. Immediately both upgrades confirmed, and as it turned out, the two separate segments get greater mileage than the direct.
Seat availability also adjusted accordingly to reflect the different flight segments. I agree with the OP - it's always better to split any/all married segments.
Called on Friday and got a really great agent who contacted the ticketing department and turned the 'direct' flight into two separate one ways. Immediately both upgrades confirmed, and as it turned out, the two separate segments get greater mileage than the direct.
Seat availability also adjusted accordingly to reflect the different flight segments. I agree with the OP - it's always better to split any/all married segments.
Last edited by weirdlyndon; Mar 4, 2012 at 5:38 pm Reason: amendment
Mar 4, 2012, 5:54 pm
#3
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 106
My Mel-Lax was already split into Mel-Syd, Syd-Lax when I booked but not Lax-Mel.
The seat assignment is intact for Lax-Mel but I lost both Mel-Syd, Syd-Lax seat.
Tried to do a new reservation and my exit row seat Syd-Lax is still available to new bookings.
I bought E+ before as I have no status and still lost those seat and wont be able to choose other E+ seat.
I really hope I can talk to the agent before that exit row seat is gone.
The seat assignment is intact for Lax-Mel but I lost both Mel-Syd, Syd-Lax seat.
Tried to do a new reservation and my exit row seat Syd-Lax is still available to new bookings.
I bought E+ before as I have no status and still lost those seat and wont be able to choose other E+ seat.
I really hope I can talk to the agent before that exit row seat is gone.
Mar 4, 2012, 6:16 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: US
Programs: AA/UA/DL
Posts: 2,773
My Mel-Lax was already split into Mel-Syd, Syd-Lax when I booked but not Lax-Mel.
The seat assignment is intact for Lax-Mel but I lost both Mel-Syd, Syd-Lax seat.
Tried to do a new reservation and my exit row seat Syd-Lax is still available to new bookings.
I bought E+ before as I have no status and still lost those seat and wont be able to choose other E+ seat.
I really hope I can talk to the agent before that exit row seat is gone.
The seat assignment is intact for Lax-Mel but I lost both Mel-Syd, Syd-Lax seat.
Tried to do a new reservation and my exit row seat Syd-Lax is still available to new bookings.
I bought E+ before as I have no status and still lost those seat and wont be able to choose other E+ seat.
I really hope I can talk to the agent before that exit row seat is gone.
Just call them.
Mar 4, 2012, 6:44 pm
#5
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 106
The Thai agent sorted everything out for me and I got my exit row seat back.
My flights have no SFO. They are MEL-SYD SYD-LAX LAX-MEL
The agent said MEL-LAX shouldn't be split as it uses the same aircraft.
Mar 4, 2012, 7:39 pm
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: US
Programs: AA/UA/DL
Posts: 2,773
I called UA in Thailand as I'm in Thailand now and UA in the US kept hanging up on me.
The Thai agent sorted everything out for me and I got my exit row seat back.
My flights have no SFO. They are MEL-SYD SYD-LAX LAX-MEL
The agent said MEL-LAX shouldn't be split as it uses the same aircraft.
The Thai agent sorted everything out for me and I got my exit row seat back.
My flights have no SFO. They are MEL-SYD SYD-LAX LAX-MEL
The agent said MEL-LAX shouldn't be split as it uses the same aircraft.
Do you know how did the agent solve your problem?
Mar 4, 2012, 8:47 pm
#7
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 106
She said it shouldn't be split as they are the same aircraft and MEL-SYD SYD-LAX have to be the same seat.
Last week on the old UA site, I could choose different seat for those two. (had to pay E+ separately too.)
She just said she put me on 45C all the way to LAX from MEL.
When I checked it online, I only saw 45C for MEL-SYD. SYD-LAX is blank. She confirmed that I got 45C for SYD-LAX too as they are the same flight/plane. When I tried to do a new reservation, that 45C was blanked out (was available before I called).
And instead of having seat plans for both MEL-SYD and SYD-LAX when making a new reservation, there is only one for MEL-LAX now. lol This whole thing is quite confusing. I'll call UA in the US later.
Mar 5, 2012, 3:05 pm
#8
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Denver, CO, USA
Programs: Former 1KMM now free as UA Gold MM, former HH D, Marriott Lifetime Plat
Posts: 1,121
Having quite an issue finding an agent who knows how to do this at the 1K desk. I am trying to do it not for the seat assignment, but rather the UDU on the domestic leg. The reps at the United Clubs have been universally helpless, but I don't expect them to be any better because they only handle same-day flights.
So far, I've gotten three different answers:
So I'll keep calling back until my battery dies, but this is quite yukky.
So far, I've gotten three different answers:
- It's impossible because you are traveling on the outbound leg today and we can't make changes the same day you are flying on a ticket (even though the return is several days from now)
- It's impossible because it is marketed as a direct flight and there's nothing we can do,
- My favorite, after 40 minutes, was an agent and her Service Director who tried, but because the itinerary "wouldn't save" after 30 minutes of typing, said the only way was to book me on a different connecting flight and charging me the $250 international change fee.
So I'll keep calling back until my battery dies, but this is quite yukky.
Mar 5, 2012, 4:07 pm
#9
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Denver, CO, USA
Programs: Former 1KMM now free as UA Gold MM, former HH D, Marriott Lifetime Plat
Posts: 1,121
Well, I knew my luck was improving when I got another agent who answered the phone "Continental Airlines", because at least she would know how to operate the screen in front of her. Says she's fixed it. We'll see.
Mar 11, 2012, 1:27 pm
#10
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: YVR
Programs: UA-1K (3MM); AA-Gold (1MM); Marriott Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 1,145
How to Get Seat Assignment without Splitting Married Segments
Like pigx5 I lost my seat selections for married flights. In fact, I'm heading to TPE so UA837 SFO-NRT and then 837 NRT-TPE with a change of aircraft from a 747 to a 777. Below is my story - and the solution:
My Story:
I had tried to get my seats back on 03MAR and 04MAR and no luck. I called again on 04MAR and he agent told me that I would have to wait to check-in to get seats. I'm traveling with my wife and so the likelihood of having two seats available together are getting less and less.
Since I am in paid C class I asked to have my ticket reissued to fly UA operated by NH to NRT. She said the preference for UA was for me to fly over-water with UA. I told her it was my preference as well however if we cannot get seats please reissue the ticket for UA op by NH. I was put on hold and someone they got our seats for SFO-NRT however not for NRT-TPE. I could live with it as I'm going to be sleep anyway on that short segment.
I was flying through a CO hub on 05MAR and the lounge agents did not know how to correct however said they would find out as they said "we need to know too". Multiple leg flights, from what I gather, are not common on CO.
So I got the seats we had pre 03/03 for our NRT-TPE flight.
SOLUTION
They did not split the married flight. I am looking at the printout they gave me (OMG it reminds me of a DOS printout!) and segment 2 shows UA837C SFOTPE HK2
I asked for what the key-strokes and she asked a supervisor who approved me to have it for future use after I explained that I had called three times to try to get our seats together with no success.
My only comment is the training has not been the greatest in this transition. In the end I was about to fly UA op by NH because on 3 separate calls no one nor their supervisors knew how to assign seats.
This is what I was told The key strokes are as follows. I cannot vouch whether it is correct however it may "jog" enough memories to have them allocate seats correctly:
6:A2-2#13K <soft return>
RNRT#pillowNewSeatNumber
Legend:
6: = checkin procedure
A2 = Segment 2
- = Name Key
2 = the second name on the PNR
#13K = current seat assigned on the segment
RNRT = leaving NRT
pillow = Pillow refers to the key that is a square with an X through it - I have tried to find out the correct term for this however have not
NewSeatNumber = enter the actual seat number
Therefore
6:A2-2#13K <soft return>
RNRT#pillow15D
Would mean:
Segment 2 for the second pax on the PNR has seat 13K and from NRT they have been assigned seat 15D
Safe Travels Everyone,
Cheers
My Story:
I had tried to get my seats back on 03MAR and 04MAR and no luck. I called again on 04MAR and he agent told me that I would have to wait to check-in to get seats. I'm traveling with my wife and so the likelihood of having two seats available together are getting less and less.
Since I am in paid C class I asked to have my ticket reissued to fly UA operated by NH to NRT. She said the preference for UA was for me to fly over-water with UA. I told her it was my preference as well however if we cannot get seats please reissue the ticket for UA op by NH. I was put on hold and someone they got our seats for SFO-NRT however not for NRT-TPE. I could live with it as I'm going to be sleep anyway on that short segment.
I was flying through a CO hub on 05MAR and the lounge agents did not know how to correct however said they would find out as they said "we need to know too". Multiple leg flights, from what I gather, are not common on CO.
So I got the seats we had pre 03/03 for our NRT-TPE flight.
SOLUTION
They did not split the married flight. I am looking at the printout they gave me (OMG it reminds me of a DOS printout!) and segment 2 shows UA837C SFOTPE HK2
I asked for what the key-strokes and she asked a supervisor who approved me to have it for future use after I explained that I had called three times to try to get our seats together with no success.
My only comment is the training has not been the greatest in this transition. In the end I was about to fly UA op by NH because on 3 separate calls no one nor their supervisors knew how to assign seats.
This is what I was told The key strokes are as follows. I cannot vouch whether it is correct however it may "jog" enough memories to have them allocate seats correctly:
6:A2-2#13K <soft return>
RNRT#pillowNewSeatNumber
Legend:
6: = checkin procedure
A2 = Segment 2
- = Name Key
2 = the second name on the PNR
#13K = current seat assigned on the segment
RNRT = leaving NRT
pillow = Pillow refers to the key that is a square with an X through it - I have tried to find out the correct term for this however have not
NewSeatNumber = enter the actual seat number
Therefore
6:A2-2#13K <soft return>
RNRT#pillow15D
Would mean:
Segment 2 for the second pax on the PNR has seat 13K and from NRT they have been assigned seat 15D
Safe Travels Everyone,
Cheers
Mar 22, 2012, 3:20 pm
#11
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Arlington, VA
Programs: UA 1K, AA PLT, SPG PLT
Posts: 1,612
Sorry I'm joining this fun party late, but for anyone who was on a 'direct' flight with a stopover and no change of aircraft, and only one seat assignment, is that seat assignment:
1. Valid for both flights?
2. Valid for the first and you have no seat selected for the second?
I booked my ticket and managed my seats on the PMUA site prior to the conversion. After the conversion, all of my seat assignments were seemingly fine, however I noticed this quirk today.
I believe it's 'common', but I can't select any seats on a NRT-SIN flight, but can change seats on the ORD-NRT flight. Prior to the change, I had seat assignments in the same seats on both flights.
Does anyone have any experience with this, or should I just join the 'agent queue'?
-jeremy
1. Valid for both flights?
2. Valid for the first and you have no seat selected for the second?
I booked my ticket and managed my seats on the PMUA site prior to the conversion. After the conversion, all of my seat assignments were seemingly fine, however I noticed this quirk today.
I believe it's 'common', but I can't select any seats on a NRT-SIN flight, but can change seats on the ORD-NRT flight. Prior to the change, I had seat assignments in the same seats on both flights.
Does anyone have any experience with this, or should I just join the 'agent queue'?
-jeremy