Upgrade seating assignments
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2007
Programs: US-CP, Hilton Honors Diamond, Marriott Platinum, Starwood Gold
Posts: 6
Upgrade seating assignments
Preface to thread: I'm NOT complaining (too much anyway)
I've been extremely lucky with upgrades this year at the seven-day window. That said, 80% of my upgrades put me into the bulkhead row. As I often carry on both a roller and laptop bag, unless you're among the first few passengers to board, there is often not enough overhead space and I end up having to stick at least one of my bags in the first bin in Y.
I usually fly out of DCA, so there are obviously many Preferred members jockeying for seats at the upgrade window. So once you're assigned a seat, it seems difficult to change.
A idea why the system default seems to think that the bulkhead is my preference? Anything I can do about this?
Thanks in advance!
I've been extremely lucky with upgrades this year at the seven-day window. That said, 80% of my upgrades put me into the bulkhead row. As I often carry on both a roller and laptop bag, unless you're among the first few passengers to board, there is often not enough overhead space and I end up having to stick at least one of my bags in the first bin in Y.
I usually fly out of DCA, so there are obviously many Preferred members jockeying for seats at the upgrade window. So once you're assigned a seat, it seems difficult to change.
A idea why the system default seems to think that the bulkhead is my preference? Anything I can do about this?
Thanks in advance!
#2
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Washington, DC (DCA)
Programs: UA, AA, AS, SPG.
Posts: 3,463
Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8330/4.3.0 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/105)
I think it assigns seats in order (Row 1 thru 3) So if your preference is aisle and the first aisle is row 1 that's where it puts you. Only preferreds can book row 1 so any non preferreds that buy F cannot select row 1 thus leaving those seats unassigned for upgraders.
I think it assigns seats in order (Row 1 thru 3) So if your preference is aisle and the first aisle is row 1 that's where it puts you. Only preferreds can book row 1 so any non preferreds that buy F cannot select row 1 thus leaving those seats unassigned for upgraders.
#3
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Purgatory
Programs: Too many to list. Status is a half dozen.
Posts: 9,236
Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8330/4.3.0 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/105)
I think it assigns seats in order (Row 1 thru 3) So if your preference is aisle and the first aisle is row 1 that's where it puts you. Only preferreds can book row 1 so any non preferreds that buy F cannot select row 1 thus leaving those seats unassigned for upgraders.
I think it assigns seats in order (Row 1 thru 3) So if your preference is aisle and the first aisle is row 1 that's where it puts you. Only preferreds can book row 1 so any non preferreds that buy F cannot select row 1 thus leaving those seats unassigned for upgraders.
#4
Moderator: American AAdvantage & Marriott Bonvoy
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: PHX
Programs: American ExPlat; Marriott/SPG Lifetime Plat; Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 8,117
This changed a few months ago. The system used to place elites in rows two and three before row one. I'm not sure why they made this change, but it seems it was conscious decision, because it's very consistent.
I've found that the system seems to honor your request for aisle or window, as on a two-row 737 on the west side, if my window preference is not open in the first row, even if aisle seats are available, I'll be put into an available window seat in row two before an aisle seat in row one.
I typically travel with a rollabord and a computer bag as well, so row one is more stressful than I like because of the limited overhead space (especially when you get an FA who takes up one entire side above the first row with his/her bags before the first passenger even steps on the plane). I just make a point to check the seatmap whenever I receive one of the auto-upgrade notices and move myself back in the cabin whenever possible.
Having said all of this, following a PHL trip with the new F seats in both the A321 and A320, I think I will start going for row one. I simply cannot believe how tight the space is when the person in front of you reclines. The pitch is just pathetic.
I've found that the system seems to honor your request for aisle or window, as on a two-row 737 on the west side, if my window preference is not open in the first row, even if aisle seats are available, I'll be put into an available window seat in row two before an aisle seat in row one.
I typically travel with a rollabord and a computer bag as well, so row one is more stressful than I like because of the limited overhead space (especially when you get an FA who takes up one entire side above the first row with his/her bags before the first passenger even steps on the plane). I just make a point to check the seatmap whenever I receive one of the auto-upgrade notices and move myself back in the cabin whenever possible.
Having said all of this, following a PHL trip with the new F seats in both the A321 and A320, I think I will start going for row one. I simply cannot believe how tight the space is when the person in front of you reclines. The pitch is just pathetic.
#5
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Washington, DC (DCA)
Programs: UA, AA, AS, SPG.
Posts: 3,463
Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8330/4.3.0 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/105)
I have never had a problem selecting row 1 before upgrades start clearing. Once I tried to give a friend (non preferred) row 1 in advance and the agent told me it was reserved for preferreds.
I have never had a problem selecting row 1 before upgrades start clearing. Once I tried to give a friend (non preferred) row 1 in advance and the agent told me it was reserved for preferreds.
#6
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: PHX
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 1,380
On an upgrade we got today my wife and I got assigned different rows even though there were at least 8 seats available. Not sure why.
Anyone have any luck rearranging seats by calling the CP desk? I was told they didn't have the authority to do it, although I doubt if any of people upgraded would precisely care what seat they got other than isle/window (with the exceptions mentioned in this thread).
Anyone have any luck rearranging seats by calling the CP desk? I was told they didn't have the authority to do it, although I doubt if any of people upgraded would precisely care what seat they got other than isle/window (with the exceptions mentioned in this thread).
#7
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Purgatory
Programs: Too many to list. Status is a half dozen.
Posts: 9,236
Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8330/4.3.0 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/105)
I have never had a problem selecting row 1 before upgrades start clearing. Once I tried to give a friend (non preferred) row 1 in advance and the agent told me it was reserved for preferreds.
I have never had a problem selecting row 1 before upgrades start clearing. Once I tried to give a friend (non preferred) row 1 in advance and the agent told me it was reserved for preferreds.
Every time I've been upgraded all of 2008, I've always been placed in row 1 at my window if it was available. I could move myself out of row 1 but could not move back until 24 hours prior. This was the case for PHX-SFO and PHX-MCO round trips last February so for me this setup goes back at least that far.
#8
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Purgatory
Programs: Too many to list. Status is a half dozen.
Posts: 9,236
On an upgrade we got today my wife and I got assigned different rows even though there were at least 8 seats available. Not sure why.
Anyone have any luck rearranging seats by calling the CP desk? I was told they didn't have the authority to do it, although I doubt if any of people upgraded would precisely care what seat they got other than isle/window (with the exceptions mentioned in this thread).
Anyone have any luck rearranging seats by calling the CP desk? I was told they didn't have the authority to do it, although I doubt if any of people upgraded would precisely care what seat they got other than isle/window (with the exceptions mentioned in this thread).
#9
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Washington, DC (DCA)
Programs: UA, AA, AS, SPG.
Posts: 3,463
Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8330/4.3.0 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/105)
Oh maybe I should have clarified. As a preferred you can only select row 1 over the phone in advance. The seat map will always show it is blocked.
Oh maybe I should have clarified. As a preferred you can only select row 1 over the phone in advance. The seat map will always show it is blocked.
#10
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: PHL
Programs: US Gold, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 313
This is how I handle it, as well... much easier than calling in to do it for you, and you'll see what is truly available.
#11
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: PHX
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 1,380
duplicate
Last edited by GaryZ; Dec 14, 2008 at 12:37 pm
#12
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: PHX
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 1,380
All the seats are already assigned. Just wondering if anyone has been successful either calling the preferreds desk or asking the GA. Obviously, one could just ask someone to move, but like I mentioned, it appears that all of the seats except one went to u/g's so I figured most people wouldn't object so as long as they got the same window/aisle seat preference.
#13
Join Date: Apr 2000
Posts: 271
FWIW in years past and including this one I would get assigned row 2, then starting sometime over this past summer, I started getting assigned row 1.
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Usually in SAN or Central Europe.
Programs: AA:EXP/1MM. Accor/Radisson:Silver; HH:Gold; ICH:Plt Amb.
Posts: 22,335
Preface to thread: I'm NOT complaining (too much anyway)
I've been extremely lucky with upgrades this year at the seven-day window. That said, 80% of my upgrades put me into the bulkhead row. As I often carry on both a roller and laptop bag, unless you're among the first few passengers to board, there is often not enough overhead space and I end up having to stick at least one of my bags in the first bin in Y.
I usually fly out of DCA, so there are obviously many Preferred members jockeying for seats at the upgrade window. So once you're assigned a seat, it seems difficult to change.
A idea why the system default seems to think that the bulkhead is my preference? Anything I can do about this?
Thanks in advance!
I've been extremely lucky with upgrades this year at the seven-day window. That said, 80% of my upgrades put me into the bulkhead row. As I often carry on both a roller and laptop bag, unless you're among the first few passengers to board, there is often not enough overhead space and I end up having to stick at least one of my bags in the first bin in Y.
I usually fly out of DCA, so there are obviously many Preferred members jockeying for seats at the upgrade window. So once you're assigned a seat, it seems difficult to change.
A idea why the system default seems to think that the bulkhead is my preference? Anything I can do about this?
Thanks in advance!
to complain about, but I really don't prefer the first row, mainly because of
the carry-on luggage I have to stow and can't always find. Whenever an
upgrade clears, I always go into the reservation to change my seats.
I remember the Crystal City USAirways would allow Preferred members to fill
out a profile that preferenced where you liked to sit in first. And there was
the option for bulkhead preferred and bulkhead not preferred.
Now what I have concluded is that when you're on the website and go into
the first class seat map for a flight to see how many seats are still open (this
would be a few days before the flight,not after the automatic upgrade check
is over), the fact that row 1 shows occupied doesn't actually mean that there
are people booked into those seats but are actually open. It's just a theory.
#15
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: PHX
Programs: AA EXP & 1MM (Lifetime Gold); Marriott Gold; National Exec Emerald's
Posts: 337
Same thing happens to me - almost all my upgrades put me in row 1 unless I'm getting the last seat available.