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
#121
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,850
More details in the wiki,
You will per the thread's wiki
You will get the RDMs & PQDs for the "EXTRASEAT" but no PQMs.
#122
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: LAX/TPE
Programs: United 1K, JAL Sapphire, SPG Lifetime Platinum, National Executive Elite, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 42,200
I think it is important to point out to the OP that will need to exercise a certain amount of vigilance in defending their extra seat from poachers and either lazy or aggressive staff - for example, on an overbooked flight, the GA may try and strong-arm that extra seat away, or an FA may tell someone to sit there, ignoring the claim of the OP - sure, they will be compensated after the fact, but that is little comfort when you're about to sit for 14hrs on a long flight. Other passengers may covet the seat (less likely with a couple booking an empty middle), and you may need to get aggressive in keeping them away. Not a sure thing that trouble will happen, but the OP should still be aware and vigilant, at least until the flight is underway.
#123
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: SPI
Programs: AA Gold, UA LT Plat, Mar LTT
Posts: 18,147
I think it is important to point out to the OP that will need to exercise a certain amount of vigilance in defending their extra seat from poachers and either lazy or aggressive staff - for example, on an overbooked flight, the GA may try and strong-arm that extra seat away, or an FA may tell someone to sit there, ignoring the claim of the OP - sure, they will be compensated after the fact, but that is little comfort when you're about to sit for 14hrs on a long flight. Other passengers may covet the seat (less likely with a couple booking an empty middle), and you may need to get aggressive in keeping them away. Not a sure thing that trouble will happen, but the OP should still be aware and vigilant, at least until the flight is underway.
Dave
#124
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: AUS
Programs: UA MM
Posts: 185
Suspect you will have a problem, the only proper way to book EXTRASEAT is with an agent so it is properly linked to your ticket. Your secnd ticket will be considered a "no show" and cancelled. And then the empty seat will be available for assignment to standbys.
Personally I would cancel before the 24 hour cancel free window passes.
Then call and do this properly.
Personally I would cancel before the 24 hour cancel free window passes.
Then call and do this properly.
After reading the warnings here, I called in, twice, to verify and was met with puzzlement by the agent "Everything EXTRASEAT is already in order" EXTRASEAT was still there on connection and return. Perhaps I just got lucky.
#125
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,850
#126
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Carmel Valley(was Hawaii)
Programs: United 1K 2.7 MM
Posts: 1,174
I have successfully self booked EXTRASEAT online.
After reading the warnings here, I called in, twice, to verify and was met with puzzlement by the agent "Everything EXTRASEAT is already in order" EXTRASEAT was still there on connection and return. Perhaps I just got lucky.
After reading the warnings here, I called in, twice, to verify and was met with puzzlement by the agent "Everything EXTRASEAT is already in order" EXTRASEAT was still there on connection and return. Perhaps I just got lucky.
#127
Join Date: Dec 1999
Programs: UA 1K/1MM, AC 25K, Marriott LT Platinum
Posts: 436
In the past I've booked LASTNAME/EXTRASEAT online, but the last two times when I've booked it by phone, the agent booked it as LASTNAME/EXST. The first time it was booked this way, I was able to view the reservation online using the locator and LASTNAME. However, for the most recent reservation I made, when I try to retrieve it by locator and LASTNAME, it says this itinerary cannot be viewed online and that either the confirmation number or the last name is invalid. Of course I've double checked this information against the email confirmation, but I cannot get it to display online. Should I be worried? Everything looks OK in the email confirmation, including the seat assignments. I'm somewhat worried that I won't be able to checkin when the time comes. Note that I booked the EXST using miles, so it's in a separate locator from the primary reservation.
#128
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: LAX/TPE
Programs: United 1K, JAL Sapphire, SPG Lifetime Platinum, National Executive Elite, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 42,200
In the past I've booked LASTNAME/EXTRASEAT online, but the last two times when I've booked it by phone, the agent booked it as LASTNAME/EXST. The first time it was booked this way, I was able to view the reservation online using the locator and LASTNAME. However, for the most recent reservation I made, when I try to retrieve it by locator and LASTNAME, it says this itinerary cannot be viewed online and that either the confirmation number or the last name is invalid. Of course I've double checked this information against the email confirmation, but I cannot get it to display online. Should I be worried? Everything looks OK in the email confirmation, including the seat assignments. I'm somewhat worried that I won't be able to checkin when the time comes. Note that I booked the EXST using miles, so it's in a separate locator from the primary reservation.
#129
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Carmel Valley(was Hawaii)
Programs: United 1K 2.7 MM
Posts: 1,174
Did you get your question resolved? I'm about to do the same thing - 6hr flight, GPU upgrade pending, so I want to book an award seat to block the middle in my exit row, but it's only for one segment of my itinerary so I believe they need to book it as a separate record, but not sure how to handle check-in, boarding passes, etc or how the seat will show as "boarded" once I board with my primary boarding pass.
#130
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: LAX/TPE
Programs: United 1K, JAL Sapphire, SPG Lifetime Platinum, National Executive Elite, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 42,200
It took some doing, but reservations was able to make the EXTRASEAT booking for me as a separate mileage reservation for AAA-BBB only, then connect it to my revenue ticket for AAA-BBB-CCC. I can view it online correctly, but I will need to check-in both reservations, and print boarding passes for both, and scan both during boarding. I also need to watch the booking carefully because any schedule or aircraft change will scatter the seats, but I'm still hopeful the GPU upgrade will clear on the first segment, so I can cancel and redeposit the EXTASEAT mileage booking. Two second row exit row seats together will be a decent compromise if the upgrade doesn't clear.
#131
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,850
#132
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: LAX/TPE
Programs: United 1K, JAL Sapphire, SPG Lifetime Platinum, National Executive Elite, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 42,200
Shoot, I totally forgot about the fixed arm rests on the 738 - for some reason I thought they went up. Just to be safe, I'll move "us" further up in the E+ area, thanks for the reminder.
#133
Join Date: Dec 1999
Programs: UA 1K/1MM, AC 25K, Marriott LT Platinum
Posts: 436
Did you get your question resolved? I'm about to do the same thing - 6hr flight, GPU upgrade pending, so I want to book an award seat to block the middle in my exit row, but it's only for one segment of my itinerary so I believe they need to book it as a separate record, but not sure how to handle check-in, boarding passes, etc or how the seat will show as "boarded" once I board with my primary boarding pass.
#134
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: San Antonio, TX
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton Honors Diamond, Starwood Platinum Preferred
Posts: 292
Lifetime miles
I see in the Wiki that no PQM for the extra seat. Does anyone know if you get lifetime miles for both seats if you pay for the extra seat?
#135
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: HaMerkaz/Exit 145
Programs: UA, LY, BA, AA
Posts: 13,167