Last edit by: WineCountryUA
For those wanting a extra seat for
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)
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 extraPQMs & PQD PQPs?
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 --
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.
- Person of Size
- Extra space to be less cramped
- Space for large musical instrument / artwork
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)
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
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.
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.
How to buy an extra seat? "EXTRASEAT" for paid or award flights
#212
Moderator: United Airlines
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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.
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.
#213
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,348
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.
#214
Moderator: United Airlines
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#217
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 23
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?
#218
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: LAX IAH AMS
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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!
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!
#219
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A quick Google search returns https://thepointsguy.com/guide/buy-s...airplane-seat/
#220
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Forget Google there is actually a FT thread on that subject.
How to buy an extra seat? "EXTRASEAT" for paid or award flights
How to buy an extra seat? "EXTRASEAT" for paid or award flights
#221
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: SFO
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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.
#222
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: San Francisco
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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.
#223
Join Date: Dec 2004
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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.
#224
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: San Francisco
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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?
#225
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