Go Back  FlyerTalk Forums > Miles&Points > Airlines and Mileage Programs > United Airlines | MileagePlus
Reload this Page >

How to buy an extra seat? "EXTRASEAT" for paid or award flights

Old Mar 17, 2016, 2:38 pm
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
For those wanting a extra seat for
  • Person of Size
  • Extra space to be less cramped
  • Space for large musical instrument / artwork
UA has a process call "EXTRASEAT" (A report of the use of "EXST" also)

It is booked like an additional passenger on your PNR but when you check in and when BP is scanned at the gate - both you and the "EXTRASEAT" are properly handled. Requires an agent to book and can not be done online. (This may have changed)
Originally Posted by smitopher
On the United web site , I searched for a trip, specifying 2 passengers.
Booked the best itinerary.
The second passengers first name was " EXTRASEAT "
Paid with a CC.
This concept is valid for either paid or award tickets.

Since the "EXTRASEAT" and you are on the same PNR, they both need to be of the same type -- no mixing award and paid. Likewise the same cabin.

You will get the RDMs (no elite bonus) for the "EXTRASEAT" but no extra PQMs & PQD PQPs?
If you buy a second seat on United or United Express, you are eligible to earn award miles equal to the number of base miles for the flight. Members are not entitled to Premier qualifying earnings and associated Premier benefits on the extra ticket purchased.
You will also get the additional standard baggage allowance for the EXTRASEAT but no extra carryon.
Can be upgraded per Upgraded my extra seat.

Other methods one might think of but don't work --
  • Book and assign the desired seat but be a "no show" -- No show ticket will be canceled and seat is likely to be assigned to another passenger
  • Book and assign the desired seat and try to scan both BPs -- generally, agents will not allow this, it is against UA policy.

Caution: There is a chance a GA or FA will try to fill the empty seat with a standby passenger. Best to inform the GA of the "EXTRASEAT" prior to boarding.

Print Wikipost

How to buy an extra seat? "EXTRASEAT" for paid or award flights

Old Feb 7, 2021, 8:44 pm
  #211  
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 403
Increase Bag Allowance by buying two tickets?

I am a Gold and need to move stuff. Can I buy two tickets and get my Gold bag allowance for each?

Last edited by WineCountryUA; Feb 7, 2021 at 9:54 pm Reason: Moved to EXTRASEAT thread
shdflyer is offline  
Old Feb 7, 2021, 8:55 pm
  #212  
Moderator: United Airlines
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.99MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,576
Originally Posted by shdflyer
... Can I buy two tickets and get my Gold bag allowance for each?
No but yes

You can not buy two seats in your name. And a normal second ticket will be cancelled on boarding as you can not scan two BPs on board.

But there is a construct call EXTRASEAT and you will get double your standard bag allowance, including bag allowance (but not PQPs) with an extra seat to boot The wiki has more details

Normally the suggestions is consider UPS as easier and generally cheaper solution. But at today's ticket prices, it may not. But handling up to 6 bags at the airports will be awkward.
shdflyer likes this.
WineCountryUA is offline  
Old Apr 3, 2021, 6:35 pm
  #213  
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,348
Originally Posted by WineCountryUA
You will find examples in this thread of those who have done it online but I would call
For those who have called, does the whole reservation need to be made at that time by phone (and if so do they charge the $25 phone reservation fee), or can they add the EXTRASEAT to a PNR after you've booked the main trip online? And for those who've just booked an online reservation with an extra person named "EXTRASEAT <lastname>", have there been any reports of issues?

Looking to go on a college visit with my daughter -- will either go with 3 award seats on United if I can do it conveniently, or 2 paid seats on Delta since they're still blocking seats.
jmastron is offline  
Old Apr 3, 2021, 7:09 pm
  #214  
Moderator: United Airlines
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.99MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,576
Originally Posted by jmastron
...2 paid seats on Delta since they're still blocking seats.
Just for a couple more weeks, back to 100% for sell - 1 May 2021
WineCountryUA is offline  
Old Apr 3, 2021, 7:13 pm
  #215  
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,348
Originally Posted by WineCountryUA
Just for a couple more weeks, back to 100% for sell - 1 May 2021
Correct -- this is for a trip in the next 2 weeks.
jmastron is offline  
Old May 3, 2021, 12:50 pm
  #216  
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Programs: UA 1k Million Miler
Posts: 355
I have two 1K's traveling together. If I buy 1 extraseat to leave the middle open how does the upgrade process work? Do I need three upgrades to open up or is the system smart enough to allow just the two?
Xyzzy likes this.
n9536j is offline  
Old Jun 14, 2021, 7:35 am
  #217  
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 23
Originally Posted by n9536j
I have two 1K's traveling together. If I buy 1 extraseat to leave the middle open how does the upgrade process work? Do I need three upgrades to open up or is the system smart enough to allow just the two?
I accomplished this exact task, back in late 2018 to New Zealand. Economy was $700 each way. First class was $5000+. So, I booked three seats with the third one being empty. I then waited for upgrade space to become available. Once I saw there were available seats, I called and cancelled the extra ticket. I would eat the $200 change fee and get a flight credit for "EXTRASEAT LASTNAME". However, UA rep hated doing this for me, as the seat was linked to the reservation and cancelling just one ticket is a pain I guess. If they cancelled the whole reservation, I would have to rebook at a much higher fare. She told me not to do this again...haha!

This only worked for the return trip as doing this on the outbound would cancel the whole trip for "EXTRASEAT LASTNAME"

After this past year, I got spoiled having a bubble around me and I'm in no rush to rub elbows with strangers for 14 hours straight, so here is what I'm going to try in the future. Book two seats...call and book "EXTRASEAT LASTNAME." Waitlist Plus Points upgrade. Will it work? Maybe but I know that the reservation will be split and the seat could end up getting reassigned somewhere else on the plane in case of IRROPs.

And before anyone asks why spend an extra $700 each way...I ask, why spend 10 times that amount for the same personal space up front?
SPN Lifer and nnn like this.
dbldwn02 is offline  
Old Dec 12, 2021, 5:38 pm
  #218  
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: LAX IAH AMS
Programs: UA GS 1MM
Posts: 1,266
How do I book an extra seat?

With upgrades becoming few and far between and F fares skyrocketing, I am thinking about booking an extra seat in Y for some travel next year for extra space. Never thought about doing that before, but being stuck in the back like I was for the first time in years this weekend to EWR and back, I was thinking it would be a good strategy.

First, I assume this is allowed? Second, how can it be done? Online or do I have to call a GS agent? I'd only consider doing this on MP heavy routes, like IAH-EWR-IAH, which is what I was on the this weekend. Even when booked 3 months out and PP put on the ticket, no upgrade.

thanks!
avi8tir is offline  
Old Dec 12, 2021, 5:42 pm
  #219  
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: 52,110
A quick Google search returns https://thepointsguy.com/guide/buy-s...airplane-seat/
mahasamatman is offline  
Old Dec 12, 2021, 6:59 pm
  #220  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: 4me
Posts: 11,957
Forget Google there is actually a FT thread on that subject.


How to buy an extra seat? "EXTRASEAT" for paid or award flights
SPN Lifer, milypan and DELee like this.
TomMM is offline  
Old Jan 6, 2022, 7:59 pm
  #221  
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: SFO
Programs: BART Platinum, AA Plat Pro
Posts: 1,157
I assume this can only be done via UA ticketing? I.e. you cannot ask a *A partner call center (specifically, TK) to book an extra seat as part of an award booking, even if you instruct them to use "EXTRASEAT" as the second name.
milypan is offline  
Old Jan 6, 2022, 9:07 pm
  #222  
nnn
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: San Francisco
Programs: All-Around Kettle
Posts: 3,286
Originally Posted by milypan
I assume this can only be done via UA ticketing? I.e. you cannot ask a *A partner call center (specifically, TK) to book an extra seat as part of an award booking, even if you instruct them to use "EXTRASEAT" as the second name.
EXTRASEAT has worked for me by just booking it myself on united.com with the correct name for the extraseat (fake) passenger. I've done it using either EXTRASEAT or EXST as first name, with my same last name, and it worked both ways. I assume if TK books the extra seat that way, it would work also, but that's just speculation.
nnn is offline  
Old Jan 6, 2022, 10:23 pm
  #223  
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: SFO
Programs: BART Platinum, AA Plat Pro
Posts: 1,157
Originally Posted by nnn
EXTRASEAT has worked for me by just booking it myself on united.com with the correct name for the extraseat (fake) passenger. I've done it using either EXTRASEAT or EXST as first name, with my same last name, and it worked both ways. I assume if TK books the extra seat that way, it would work also, but that's just speculation.
Thanks! Just to make sure I'm understanding correctly, in your case you're booking 2 tickets, on one reservation, from united.com. If your name is Ned Nickerson, then the first ticket you purchase for "NED NICKERSON" and the second ticket you purchase for "EXTRASEAT NICKERSON". Is that right?
milypan is offline  
Old Jan 6, 2022, 10:32 pm
  #224  
nnn
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: San Francisco
Programs: All-Around Kettle
Posts: 3,286
Originally Posted by milypan
Thanks! Just to make sure I'm understanding correctly, in your case you're booking 2 tickets, on one reservation, from united.com. If your name is Ned Nickerson, then the first ticket you purchase for "NED NICKERSON" and the second ticket you purchase for "EXTRASEAT NICKERSON". Is that right?
Yes. Although I should note that I’ve only done that for domestic flights. Don’t know if that would work on an international flight.
nnn is offline  
Old Jan 7, 2022, 10:45 am
  #225  
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: SFO
Programs: BART Platinum, AA Plat Pro
Posts: 1,157
Originally Posted by nnn
Yes. Although I should note that Ive only done that for domestic flights. Dont know if that would work on an international flight.
The itinerary is purely domestic.
nnn likes this.
milypan is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.