Seat Availability Question

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Nov 4, 2009 | 4:33 pm

ManInASuitcase

Original Poster

Join Date: Nov 2008

Programs: Marriott, Starwood, UA, American

Posts: 83

Seat Availability Question

I have a question about seating availability on united's website.

I logged in to check alternative flight times and saw a good chunk of E+ availability on the desired flight. A co-worker of mine did the same and saw no available seats (E+ seats were blocked with the people icons, rather than typical shading). He doesn't have status, and is currently booked on a later flight in E-. Is there any reason he shouldn't be able to stand by on the earlier flight and pay the $14 to go E+? Any reason for the difference in views other than becuase I get free access to E+?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Dan

Nov 4, 2009 | 4:37 pm

mahasamatman

A FlyerTalk Posting Legend

Join Date: Apr 2004

Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)

Programs: D.R.E.A.D. Gold card holder

Posts: 53,227

What you're seeing is exactly what should happen when one person has status and the other doesn't.

If he stands by for the earlier flight, he has to clear standby before paying for E+. Or, if you're also on the flight, you can bring him into E+ for free.

Nov 4, 2009 | 4:40 pm

AquaDyne

Join Date: Oct 2008

Location: SEA

Programs: DL Gold

Posts: 1,510

Quote:

Originally Posted by ManInASuitcase

A co-worker of mine did the same and saw no available seats (E+ seats were blocked with the people icons, rather than typical shading). He doesn't have status...

Non-status GMs don't see any E+. Even 2Ps don't see exit row availability. Seats are there and available.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ManInASuitcase

, and is currently booked on a later flight in E-. Is there any reason he shouldn't be able to stand by on the earlier flight and pay the $14 to go E+?

No reason he can't do standby. $14 might be the minimum for E+, could be more depending on the flight.

Is he flying with you? Tell the GA you're traveling together and he can get seated in E+ (with you) for free.

Nov 4, 2009 | 4:45 pm

ManInASuitcase

Original Poster

Join Date: Nov 2008

Programs: Marriott, Starwood, UA, American

Posts: 83

Great, thanks for the insight.

To follow up on that, can he clear standby if there are only E+ seats left? I would tell him to upgrade and then standby, but there are no E+ on the original flight.

Also, to clarify, (haven't flown in months) I can bring someone to E+ with me for free? Just one person?

Thanks again

Nov 4, 2009 | 4:50 pm

fzwinter

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Apr 2005

Location: SMF

Programs: UA Gold, 1 MM

Posts: 11,634

Quote:

Originally Posted by ManInASuitcase

On a full flight, non-elites often get to sit in E+, even if they are standbys. Better to fill the seats, right?

But you are allowed to bring one passenger with you for free.

Nov 4, 2009 | 7:00 pm

dheese

Join Date: Oct 2004

Location: IAD

Programs: United 1K | Marriott Gold

Posts: 94

Quote:

Originally Posted by fzwinter

On a full flight, non-elites often get to sit in E+, even if they are standbys. Better to fill the seats, right?

But you are allowed to bring one passenger with you for free.

They have to link the itineraries thought, right?

DMH

Nov 4, 2009 | 7:44 pm

gobluetwo

Join Date: Jun 2007

Location: gggrrrovvveee (ORD)

Programs: UA Pt, Marriott Ti, Hertz PC, Avis PC

Posts: 6,095

Quote:

Originally Posted by dheese

They have to link the itineraries thought, right?

DMH

Linking itineraries involves the res agent putting notes in the respective reservations that they're traveling together. No way to actually tie them together. The agent will put the companion on a separate PNR into E+, but the non-elite may get swept back into E- and will need to regularly check his/her seat assignment and have the elite companion call back to restore the E+ seat assignment if swept.

Nov 4, 2009 | 7:52 pm

Baertracks

Join Date: Oct 2008

Location: Harrisonburg, VA

Programs: UA 1K: since 2010

Posts: 234

Quote:

A co-worker of mine did the same and saw no available seats (E+ seats were blocked with the people icons, rather than typical shading

Quote:

Originally Posted by AquaDyne

Non-status GMs don't see any E+. Even 2Ps don't see exit row availability. Seats are there and available.

I've seen this both ways. Sometimes you can't see the exit rows at all. Other times it looks like they are already full (filled with people icons). In reality, however, those seats may be unfilled (but only visibly available to someone who has logged in as a 1P or higher.

Apr 7, 2010 | 9:37 pm

shore9

Join Date: Oct 2003

Location: YVR

Programs: WS Platinum, former AC E35K

Posts: 6,338

Not to hijack this thread, but on a similar topic, my parents have a couple of flights next week which show no seats as being available when they booked (they have no status). Assuming there are seats in E+ available, when they check in, will the E+ seats become available to them, or will they have to pay to get these seats?

Thanks for the help.

Apr 7, 2010 | 9:39 pm

#10

mahasamatman

A FlyerTalk Posting Legend

Join Date: Apr 2004

Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)

Programs: D.R.E.A.D. Gold card holder

Posts: 53,227

Quote:

Originally Posted by shore9

Assuming there are seats in E+ available, when they check in, will the E+ seats become available to them, or will they have to pay to get these seats?

They will have to pay unless there are no E- seats left.