Last edit by: WineCountryUA
Summary: Call Air Canada.
For future reference, this is the backdoor AC site that allows seat selection on tickets booked elsewhere:
https://services.aircanada.com/Servi...method=english
https://services.aircanada.com/Servi...method=english
How do I get seat assignment on an Air Canada Flight booked with United?
#62
Join Date: Oct 2002
Programs: United Premier 1K
Posts: 1,230
AC's website is majorly borked when it comes to allowing seat selection for tickets purchased other than on the website. They have been promising improvements on this for years.
So I wouldn't be too concerned if you see the reservation on AC's system and you have the ticket number from UA. As the previous poster said, you should be able to call AC to get a seat assignment (be prepared to be on hold for at least 30 minutes).
So I wouldn't be too concerned if you see the reservation on AC's system and you have the ticket number from UA. As the previous poster said, you should be able to call AC to get a seat assignment (be prepared to be on hold for at least 30 minutes).
#65
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
Programs: DREAD Gold; UA 1.035MM; Bonvoy Au-197; PCC Elite+; CCC Elite+; MSC C-12; CWC Au-197; WoH Dis
Posts: 52,140
#66
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: SFO/JFK/MGA
Programs: UA 1P MM, AA-PP, AS, DL, HH G, SPG Gold, TA nada
Posts: 2,043
Get the AC confirmation # off UAL reservation and "like" AC on Facebook. Then send them a PM and they will assign seats for you. I did it just last week and it took less than 2 minutes
#67
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Floating around
Programs: UA 1K (1MM), DL Gold (1MM), Marriott LTT
Posts: 10,346
What's worse is the single seat window (A or K) are open on the return and I can't get them. UGH.
-RM
#68
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: YYC
Programs: AC SE
Posts: 2,343
I just tried this method and it completely failed. I was told that since I hold a UA ticket they will not assign me seats. I'm currently booked in 1C on the long-haul 777-300 flights which is really annoying. I hate aisle seats and I don't want to be right next to the galley. Here's to hoping there are open seats when I check-in.
What's worse is the single seat window (A or K) are open on the return and I can't get them. UGH.
-RM
What's worse is the single seat window (A or K) are open on the return and I can't get them. UGH.
-RM
#70
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: gggrrrovvveee (ORD)
Programs: UA Pt, Marriott Ti, Hertz PC
Posts: 6,091
No joy for me, either, last week. I wasn't able to assign seats until the 24 hour check-in window. Don't know if it was because it was ticketed through UA or purchased through my corp travel agency, but couldn't make ANY changes to the reservation.
At least I got into the MLL at YYZ without my Prem Plat card. They just scanned my BP and welcomed me in.
At least I got into the MLL at YYZ without my Prem Plat card. They just scanned my BP and welcomed me in.
#71
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Floating around
Programs: UA 1K (1MM), DL Gold (1MM), Marriott LTT
Posts: 10,346
No joy for me, either, last week. I wasn't able to assign seats until the 24 hour check-in window. Don't know if it was because it was ticketed through UA or purchased through my corp travel agency, but couldn't make ANY changes to the reservation.
At least I got into the MLL at YYZ without my Prem Plat card. They just scanned my BP and welcomed me in.
At least I got into the MLL at YYZ without my Prem Plat card. They just scanned my BP and welcomed me in.
-RM
#72
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Floating around
Programs: UA 1K (1MM), DL Gold (1MM), Marriott LTT
Posts: 10,346
I bit the bullet and called AC again. At 11pm PDT the wait was only 9 minutes.
The agent was super helpful and was able to get me the seats I generally wanted on SEA-YVR and YVR-LHR and back. They denied me access to the single seat "K" side of a 777-300W because it's reserved for Altitude members. At least I am no longer sitting in the aisle in row 1 near the galley. If I'm stuck in an aisle I'll take the middle of the plane which should be quieter. They were also able to email me a copy of the itinerary showing the new seat assignments.
What's even cooler is United.com is already updated with the new seat assignments that AC gave me. Great "talking" between the two computers...when it works.
-RM
The agent was super helpful and was able to get me the seats I generally wanted on SEA-YVR and YVR-LHR and back. They denied me access to the single seat "K" side of a 777-300W because it's reserved for Altitude members. At least I am no longer sitting in the aisle in row 1 near the galley. If I'm stuck in an aisle I'll take the middle of the plane which should be quieter. They were also able to email me a copy of the itinerary showing the new seat assignments.
What's even cooler is United.com is already updated with the new seat assignments that AC gave me. Great "talking" between the two computers...when it works.
-RM
#73
Join Date: Dec 1999
Programs: UA 1K/1MM, AC 25K, Marriott LT Platinum
Posts: 437
And to my pleasant surprise, the agent with whom I spoke today was even able to sell me a preferred seat for my transatlantic award flight in a few months. Apparently they've updated their systems enough to be able to accept payment even when they're not the ticketing carrier. Very nice change.
#74
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: CLE
Programs: UA Platinum, Starbucks Gold, PF Chang's Warrior, Wine Century 100
Posts: 1,107
I just checked in for my AC flight (booked on UA), selected 1 checked bag and was forced to put in a credit card number to pay $25.00. My status on the boarding pass shows "UA*S" so presumably they know I'm Star Silver which should get me a free bag? I paid the fee with the UA PP card, FWIW. Anybody with experience getting a refund in situations like this?
#75
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: BOS
Programs: Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott/SPG/Hilton Gold, PreCheck + Clear
Posts: 2,306
I'm happy for you, but unfortunately I have not had the same experience. I would very much like to purchase preferred seats on a future AC flight issued on 016 ticket stock. I have tried contacting AC three different ways - telephone, Twitter, airport ticket counter - and in all 3 cases they refused to sell me a preferred seat. It's astounding that a company could have a product that a customer wants to purchase but the company refuses to sell the customer that product.
I guess I'll find out if the seats are actually mine in July.