May 16, 2017, 4:43 pm
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?
Apr 24, 2015, 6:42 pm
#76
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Floating around
Programs: UA 1K (1MM), DL Gold (1MM), Marriott LTT
Posts: 10,344
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?
Or, you can check-in online and tell the system 0 bags to check - then sort out that at the airport if checking in online is super important to you.
-RM
Jun 29, 2015, 1:48 pm
#77
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: SJC
Programs: Southwest, Alaska, United, American Airlines
Posts: 994
Air Canada agents have a way to fiddle with their res system such that bookings not made through AC directly can be enabled for full online functionality (e.g., seat assignments). The ability seems to be used most often by Altitude 100K agents, but I'm guessing all agents theoretically have that capability.
Jun 29, 2015, 2:29 pm
#78
Join Date: Oct 2002
Programs: United Premier 1K
Posts: 1,230
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?
But I agree with an earlier poster. The correct thing to do in this situation (as my husband did) is just check-in online with no bags, and deal with it at the airport. (It apparently took the agent some time to fix the record so that the bag could be checked with no charge, but it was eventually done).
Jun 30, 2015, 10:02 am
#79
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: WAS
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Titanium, Nexus, GE
Posts: 2,123
[QUOTE=Toronto1970;25044775
But I agree with an earlier poster. The correct thing to do in this situation (as my husband did) is just check-in online with no bags, and deal with it at the airport. (It apparently took the agent some time to fix the record so that the bag could be checked with no charge, but it was eventually done).[/QUOTE]
Yep, indeed this happens often to me. I always check in with the agents and am never charged.
AC has had the biggest mess with seat assignments for the longest time. They're not trying very aggressively to monetize it. Charging for seat assignments that aren't premium in any way.
But I agree with an earlier poster. The correct thing to do in this situation (as my husband did) is just check-in online with no bags, and deal with it at the airport. (It apparently took the agent some time to fix the record so that the bag could be checked with no charge, but it was eventually done).[/QUOTE]
Yep, indeed this happens often to me. I always check in with the agents and am never charged.
AC has had the biggest mess with seat assignments for the longest time. They're not trying very aggressively to monetize it. Charging for seat assignments that aren't premium in any way.
Jun 30, 2015, 10:55 am
#80
Join Date: Feb 2014
Programs: UA 1k, US Airways Silver, SPG PLT, Marriot Gold, Hertz PC
Posts: 536
Just tweeted them. They said they could send in a request for me but can't book a seat in advance since I'm on a tango fare. Not sure what that means, I guess it's a discount fare that only allows seat assignment at the airport?
I have no expectations on being treated better than other customers or getting something I'm not entitled to, but it was worth a shot.
I have no expectations on being treated better than other customers or getting something I'm not entitled to, but it was worth a shot.
Jun 30, 2015, 2:05 pm
#81
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: IAD/DCA/BWI
Programs: Hyatt Globalist (2020:Exp), United Gold
Posts: 1,525
The deep-discount Tango fares don't allow seat selection at time of reservation.
Jun 30, 2015, 2:32 pm
#82
Join Date: Oct 2002
Programs: United Premier 1K
Posts: 1,230
They do for a $20 charge. But I don't think there's any way for Air Canada to charge it if the original ticket is on 016 stock.
Jun 30, 2015, 6:40 pm
#84
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: BOS
Programs: Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott/SPG/Hilton Gold, PreCheck + Clear
Posts: 2,306
Maybe it was because I'm on an award ticket?
Jun 30, 2015, 6:47 pm
#85
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 32,038
it's the UA codeshares which are the real problem. So far I have been lucky to get decent seats, but most of my UA-CA flights end up in W-class these days anyway.
Jul 7, 2015, 12:22 am
#86
Join Date: May 2004
Location: OAK
Programs: UA Gold MM / AS MVP Gold
Posts: 2,504
I just booked an Air Canada flight using united.com. My receipt shows a seat assignment. Is this for real or do I need to call Air Canada to confirm the seat assignment? It's an aisle seat, so I'm fine with it (25D), but I booked a T fare which is considered "Tango" so it should have no advance seat assignments. 
Jul 7, 2015, 5:22 pm
#87
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 32,038
I just booked an Air Canada flight using united.com. My receipt shows a seat assignment. Is this for real or do I need to call Air Canada to confirm the seat assignment? It's an aisle seat, so I'm fine with it (25D), but I booked a T fare which is considered "Tango" so it should have no advance seat assignments.
Jul 14, 2015, 10:27 am
#89
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Boynton Beach, FL
Programs: UA 1K, HH Gold, Hyatt Plat, SPG Gold, IC Amb, Citi Prestige
Posts: 218
I am a UA platinum and just booked a flight directly with AC. The fare I got, even though not so cheap, was classified as Tango - and as such, they wouldn't let me pre-assign my seats without paying a fee (!!!). I am referring to REGULAR seats... I mentioned I am a star alliance gold, to which they responded I will get many benefits, but the most basic one - assigning my seats, is not one of them... This is absurd! When their flyers fly UA they don't pay a penny for regular seat assignment.
Does anyone have any experience with this?
Does anyone have any experience with this?
Jul 14, 2015, 10:52 am
#90
Join Date: Oct 2002
Programs: United Premier 1K
Posts: 1,230
Yes, and welcome to Tango fares on Air Canada :-)
<Note though that many airlines around the world don't include seat selection in their cheapest fares. I agree that it's crazy, but it is what it is. So long as they are upfront about the fees, I'm not sure how you can complain, other than choosing not to fly them>
<Note though that many airlines around the world don't include seat selection in their cheapest fares. I agree that it's crazy, but it is what it is. So long as they are upfront about the fees, I'm not sure how you can complain, other than choosing not to fly them>