Is United now actively trying to block party of two, window+aisle bookings?
Feb 12, 2021, 11:48 am
#91
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I say this is done in an effort to infection risk, when people in same household are seated together.
If same household member on seat a and c are both infected, the passenger D across the isle may get infected being close to C, therefore seating people together as much as possible benefits social distancing.
If same household member on seat a and c are both infected, the passenger D across the isle may get infected being close to C, therefore seating people together as much as possible benefits social distancing.
thers as possible.
Feb 12, 2021, 12:08 pm
#92
Join Date: Mar 2008
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I say this is done in an effort to infection risk, when people in same household are seated together.
If same household member on seat a and c are both infected, the passenger D across the isle may get infected being close to C, therefore seating people together as much as possible benefits social distancing.
If same household member on seat a and c are both infected, the passenger D across the isle may get infected being close to C, therefore seating people together as much as possible benefits social distancing.
WORSE - the new person in A - is now exposed (and much closer) to the person in B!
Feb 12, 2021, 12:26 pm
#93
Join Date: Jun 2019
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This a pre-Covid United practice that continues but should be stopped.
My wife and I are flying to MCO today. She is Gold, I am 1K and she is listed as my companion.
Upon checkin, I chose 21F for her. I am in 21D. 21E was empty.
Last night the United system moved her to 21E, leaving 21F open.
I called the 1K Reservations, MileagePlus Service Desk and Web Support and asked that they forward my displeasure up the food chain.
This has happened to my wife and me for years.
If we both have aisle, this doesn't happen as often but we are supposed to have the freedom to choose our own seats, whether window or aisle.
United should not force elites into middle seats unless zero window or aisle seats are available.
21C is available, so another elite can choose that seat, even if they are Silver.
My wife and I are flying to MCO today. She is Gold, I am 1K and she is listed as my companion.
Upon checkin, I chose 21F for her. I am in 21D. 21E was empty.
Last night the United system moved her to 21E, leaving 21F open.
I called the 1K Reservations, MileagePlus Service Desk and Web Support and asked that they forward my displeasure up the food chain.
This has happened to my wife and me for years.
If we both have aisle, this doesn't happen as often but we are supposed to have the freedom to choose our own seats, whether window or aisle.
United should not force elites into middle seats unless zero window or aisle seats are available.
21C is available, so another elite can choose that seat, even if they are Silver.
Feb 12, 2021, 1:38 pm
#94
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Last edited by ovacikar; Feb 12, 2021 at 2:27 pm
Feb 12, 2021, 2:22 pm
#95
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Feb 12, 2021, 2:27 pm
#96
Join Date: Feb 2011
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I can guarantee that United doesn't care about that at all. They're doing it so they can jam another stranger into C and D (or rather to make the flight look attractive to book because there are not just middle seats available).
Feb 12, 2021, 6:03 pm
#97
Join Date: Mar 2008
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 235
But if I had booked B/C for my son and I, do you think they would move us to A/B? They would not. They would put or allow someone to go into A. Your argument that a passenger in D and C is a risk does not hold water compared to a full row.
Feb 12, 2021, 9:38 pm
#98
Join Date: Feb 2015
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Posts: 1,636
Nonetheless, I think if they are cracking down, that is the correct decision, for reasons I state upthread.
Feb 13, 2021, 6:18 am
#99
Join Date: Mar 2008
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Posts: 235
They did it again
At 6am, I’m in 7A/7C. At 7am, 7A/7B. Got an email too. And during that time, someone took 7C. Here is the seat map.
Feb 13, 2021, 6:21 am
#100
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Feb 13, 2021, 8:37 am
#101
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What's the situation with row 21? (Exit row)
Feb 13, 2021, 9:14 am
#103
Join Date: Oct 2007
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I am glad I saw this thread. I often fly with my wife, and we've always booked window + aisle and usually in the exit row - the ability to do this is one of the few real advantages any longer of MM status (i.e., gold). Of course when someone takes the middle seat we'll offer them the window. I get up frequently so aisle is important to me. I'd be *real* annoyed to have them magically move us into window + aisle. But with covid, having an empty middle as a likely outcome sure makes flying less threatening.
So it seems the way to go is simply book on two PNRs. We have different last names so unless they dig deep this seat magic would not happen. Source of trouble in IRROPs for sure, but that's a small enough fraction of my flights that I think the risk is worth it.
It is annoying no end that this is simply done in stealth mode, however. I should be a stated policy. I know that "seat assignments are not guaranteed" but it's crap customer service.
So it seems the way to go is simply book on two PNRs. We have different last names so unless they dig deep this seat magic would not happen. Source of trouble in IRROPs for sure, but that's a small enough fraction of my flights that I think the risk is worth it.
It is annoying no end that this is simply done in stealth mode, however. I should be a stated policy. I know that "seat assignments are not guaranteed" but it's crap customer service.
Feb 13, 2021, 9:16 am
#104
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Feb 13, 2021, 11:02 am
#105
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If this seat change is limited to when the normal seat sweep is run (when aircraft change is made), then having two PNRs risk being separated, even perhaps different rows.. Probably a low probability but still a risk.
Seems if you are doing the aisle/window combo, it would be prudent to recheck the seating the typical 2-3 days out for aircraft assignment AND to avoid highly desirable rows -- bulkhead and exit rows, as these are the rows that others might be looking for to pick off the desired seats if this change did occur..
Seems if you are doing the aisle/window combo, it would be prudent to recheck the seating the typical 2-3 days out for aircraft assignment AND to avoid highly desirable rows -- bulkhead and exit rows, as these are the rows that others might be looking for to pick off the desired seats if this change did occur..