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
#91
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Oregon
Programs: AA EXP, AS 75K, UA 1MM Gold, HH Diamond, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Plat, National EE, Hertz PC
Posts: 4,000
Pro Tip 4: Select the seats you actually want to sit in, assuming all other available seats WILL be filled.
#92
Join Date: Oct 2005
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FYI, I checked with a United rep over the phone to see how the travel agent set up my extra seat reservation. The lady confirmed that the reservation was set up correctly. She asserted that an extra seat reservation has a special sub-coding and notation in the reservation that is unviewable to the passenger, but which ensures that the RDM base miles for the seat flow through to the Premier mileage account of the main passenger to whom the extra seat reservation is attached. Providing the extra miles is a nice courtesy, as I understand that other airlines such as Delta, do not allow passengers to accrue mileage for the second seat. Similarly, if economy fares are low enough, it seems a good deal to buy an extra seat and collect miles rather than simply pay for economy plus.
#93
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: GVA
Programs: NH DIA, Flying Blue Platinum, AA Plat
Posts: 126
CBBG Award ticket possible?
A colleague of mine needs to travel with his cello and wants to use his United miles for both himself and his instrument. Itinerary NGO-FRA-VCE-DUS-NRT-NGO involves LH, NH and EW.
Can he use UAP miles for 2 seats, for him and for the CBBG ticket, same mileage account, same booking, same routing?
Any advice highly appreciated...
Can he use UAP miles for 2 seats, for him and for the CBBG ticket, same mileage account, same booking, same routing?
Any advice highly appreciated...
#95
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Oregon
Programs: AA EXP, AS 75K, UA 1MM Gold, HH Diamond, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Plat, National EE, Hertz PC
Posts: 4,000
A colleague of mine needs to travel with his cello and wants to use his United miles for both himself and his instrument. Itinerary NGO-FRA-VCE-DUS-NRT-NGO involves LH, NH and EW.
Can he use UAP miles for 2 seats, for him and for the CBBG ticket, same mileage account, same booking, same routing?
Any advice highly appreciated...
Can he use UAP miles for 2 seats, for him and for the CBBG ticket, same mileage account, same booking, same routing?
Any advice highly appreciated...
#96
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Crystal City, VA
Programs: United Mileage Plus 1K 2 MM, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Platinum
Posts: 2,627
I was flying a scientific instrument down to Argentina a few years ago, and it had to have its own seat; too delicate to check, and it wouldn't fit in an overhead bin. And, the best part was, it wouldn't fit in a coach seat, so I was able to get dispensation from our dean to allow it and me to fly in C JFK-BUE.
As others have noted, one has to call. And in addition to the RDMs, one does get the baggage allowance:
I was PremExec, and had a laptop and carry-on. I checked three big bags.
My Tech was silver, had laptop+ carry-on, and could check 2 bags.
The instrument had its two carry-ons, and since was in C, also checked 3 bags.
And just because, we paid to check an additional bag. We had a *lot* of baggage! We drove to JFK from SCE in a one-way rental wagon. There was no way we could have flown from SCE...
At that time, JFK had very narrow escalators, and the instrument wouldn't fit! We had to have a UA employee take us back into the service area to take an employee elevator up to the RCC...
Bonus: They will also give you the extra seat's meals, if you want them...
As others have noted, one has to call. And in addition to the RDMs, one does get the baggage allowance:
I was PremExec, and had a laptop and carry-on. I checked three big bags.
My Tech was silver, had laptop+ carry-on, and could check 2 bags.
The instrument had its two carry-ons, and since was in C, also checked 3 bags.
And just because, we paid to check an additional bag. We had a *lot* of baggage! We drove to JFK from SCE in a one-way rental wagon. There was no way we could have flown from SCE...
At that time, JFK had very narrow escalators, and the instrument wouldn't fit! We had to have a UA employee take us back into the service area to take an employee elevator up to the RCC...
Bonus: They will also give you the extra seat's meals, if you want them...
#97
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Houston
Programs: United Platinum, Chase Presidential Plus
Posts: 299
#98
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Crystal City, VA
Programs: United Mileage Plus 1K 2 MM, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Platinum
Posts: 2,627
I was once checking this reservation on the phone, and making a request for the seat belt extender. The agent was surprised when I turned down the extra meal, and she told me "our heavier customers never turn down the extra meal". She was confused until I explained it was a camera in the extra seat...
#99
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: N. California
Programs: UA, AA, US, AS, DL kettle
Posts: 33
Considering this option to buy a little extra space on a long trip, but the economics are a bit borderline. I'm non-elite. Since this EXTRASEAT strategy demands booking by phone, do I have to pay a 2x phone booking fee to get this done? Or will they waive it since it can't be booked online?
#100
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: 66,756
Considering this option to buy a little extra space on a long trip, but the economics are a bit borderline. I'm non-elite. Since this EXTRASEAT strategy demands booking by phone, do I have to pay a 2x phone booking fee to get this done? Or will they waive it since it can't be booked online?
But to the question, UA does not a set policy to waive phone fees for items that can not be done online Some agents may waive the fees for items you were unable to do online -- but you have to ask.
#101
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Maryland
Programs: United, Turkish
Posts: 640
YMMV -- it can be agent dependent but if ask at the beginning and skip to another agent if the first declines.
But to the question, UA does not a set policy to waive phone fees for items that can not be done online Some agents may waive the fees for items you were unable to do online -- but you have to ask.
But to the question, UA does not a set policy to waive phone fees for items that can not be done online Some agents may waive the fees for items you were unable to do online -- but you have to ask.
Just booked an extra seat via phone (platinum so no agent charge) however in the past if you went to directly to web support they did not charge for anything that could not be done online. It might be worth a try.
I was flying a scientific instrument down to Argentina a few years ago, and it had to have its own seat; too delicate to check, and it wouldn't fit in an overhead bin. And, the best part was, it wouldn't fit in a coach seat, so I was able to get dispensation from our dean to allow it and me to fly in C JFK-BUE.
Bonus: They will also give you the extra seat's meals, if you want them...
Bonus: They will also give you the extra seat's meals, if you want them...
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Jan 12, 2017 at 1:17 pm Reason: merging consecutive posts by same member -- please use multi-quote
#103
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 812
#105
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
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Programs: UA Plat 1.99MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,756