Airtran- is it worth it to pay for seats?

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Well, the travel company that booked is my mom and stepdad. I told them I'd try to take care of it, and it failed. I hung up after 35 minutes on hold with Airtran; called Disney and because I booked thru a travel agent, they couldn't help me either. Called my mom back and they got my Airtran confirmation number within minutes (from Disney).

So, is the concensus on this thread that if the travel agent goes thru Airtran, the picking of the seats is free? I just checked our flights and it looks like the picked seats are going fast! I don't care at all WHERE we sit, as long as we have at least 3 seats together (or 2 and 2).

I just flew AirTran using a package (not Disney) booked via a Travel Agent and the picking of the seats was NOT free.

 

[crashbb]

I just flew AirTran using a package (not Disney) booked via a Travel Agent and the picking of the seats was NOT free.

I'm wondering if travel agents used to be able to use the same loophole that Kayak used. It used to be that, if you booked through kayak.com, you could get seat selection for free.

 

[massagemama]

I booked our flights for 3/2-3/9 on Airtran through Orbitz in November. I had no idea you could choose seats, it wasn't offered through Orbitz. Can I call Airtran and pay the extra to choose seats even if I booked through Orbitz? I'm not overly concerned but I would like at least one adult with each kid (me and DH, 2 kids 9 & 11 and the inlaws).

Also, anyone have any idea what they do with a handicapped/disabled kid? DS (9 when we travel) may have torn tendons/ligaments in his foot. If so, we might be looking at surgery and I'm fairly certain he won't be on his feet by 3/2. Assuming, that is, that we continue with the trip...

 

[Momto2PrncChrmgs]

I booked our flights for 3/2-3/9 on Airtran through Orbitz in November. I had no idea you could choose seats, it wasn't offered through Orbitz. Can I call Airtran and pay the extra to choose seats even if I booked through Orbitz? I'm not overly concerned but I would like at least one adult with each kid (me and DH, 2 kids 9 & 11 and the inlaws).

Also, anyone have any idea what they do with a handicapped/disabled kid? DS (9 when we travel) may have torn tendons/ligaments in his foot. If so, we might be looking at surgery and I'm fairly certain he won't be on his feet by 3/2. Assuming, that is, that we continue with the trip...

Yes, you should be able to call airtran directly, or go to airtran.com. You'll probably need the 6 digit (letters and numbers) code to pull up your ressie.

Mom was able to get my reservation code, and I can pull up the flight with the remaining seats, and it tells you which are $6 and which are $13-15.
I'm trying to get ahold of my hubby to see if he's ok wiht me just buying the 3 seats and letting one of us just go wherever is open. (yes, I'm a bit cheap). But I'm getting nervous and want to go ahead and get those seats because there weren't many $6 ones left.

 

[dudspizza]

I booked our flights for 3/2-3/9 on Airtran through Orbitz in November. I had no idea you could choose seats, it wasn't offered through Orbitz. Can I call Airtran and pay the extra to choose seats even if I booked through Orbitz? I'm not overly concerned but I would like at least one adult with each kid (me and DH, 2 kids 9 & 11 and the inlaws).

Also, anyone have any idea what they do with a handicapped/disabled kid? DS (9 when we travel) may have torn tendons/ligaments in his foot. If so, we might be looking at surgery and I'm fairly certain he won't be on his feet by 3/2. Assuming, that is, that we continue with the trip...

Your Orbitz receipt should have an Airtran confirmation code (6 letter/number). Go to Airtran and enter that code.. You will then be able to access your itinerary and purchase seats. I have booked via Expedia numerous times and have then gone on to do the same thing..

Duds

 

[GAGirlInVA]

We didn't pay the extra and we had no problem getting seats together. In one flight we were on the same aisle across (two lap children) so
like this:

x xxx

And on the way back we were able to book seats in front of each other on the same side:

xx
xx

We were sure to check in right at the 24 hour mark though and it was no problem. For the trip there, we checked in online. On the way back, DH actually called from a Disney bus the night before.

 

[Inkmahm]

We didn't pay the extra and we had no problem getting seats together. In one flight we were on the same aisle across (two lap children) so
like this:

x xxx

And on the way back we were able to book seats in front of each other on the same side:

xx
xx

We were sure to check in right at the 24 hour mark though and it was no problem. For the trip there, we checked in online. On the way back, DH actually called from a Disney bus the night before.

Out of curiosity, what would you have done had you checked in and there were no seats together on the plane? What if the 4 of you were in 4 different areas of the plane, no where near each other?

 

[massagemama]

Your Orbitz receipt should have an Airtran confirmation code (6 letter/number). Go to Airtran and enter that code.. You will then be able to access your itinerary and purchase seats. I have booked via Expedia numerous times and have then gone on to do the same thing..

Duds

Thanks so much! We now have assigned seats, only hurdle left is making sure DS can travel...

 

[Halle]

One thing not mentioned that we witnessed is that if you do not pay for a seat assignment and the flight is over booked the person without the seat assignment is the first to be bumped. Experienced extremely irate people at MCO several years ago and have purchased our seats ever since.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

I was just going to chance it, but since we can get our money back if we upgrade I went ahead and paid for seats.

We came home on an overbooked flight last year and what we overheard was that they bump depending on when you checked in for the flight. I check in right at the 24 hr. mark for SW, but for American and AirTran I just printed the boarding passes the morning of our departure. This year I will check in at the 24 hr. mark even though I paid for specific seats - just to be safe.

 

[aubriee]

One thing not mentioned that we witnessed is that if you do not pay for a seat assignment and the flight is over booked the person without the seat assignment is the first to be bumped. Experienced extremely irate people at MCO several years ago and have purchased our seats ever since.

I saw this last month (Dec 4th). There were several people yelling at the gate agent that they didn't know they had to pick their seats and just assumed that Air Tran would sit families together. They were demanding that Air Tran move others around to accomodate them. Of course it didn't happen. Then a little later when they made the announcement that the flight was overbooked and they needed seven people that'd be willing to fly out on a later flight, those same people that hadn't paid for their seats really got irate and started saying they better not be the ones to get bumped. They finally found four people willing to give up their seats, but the other three were a family that had not picked their seats beforehand. They were irate and the dad was yelling that he couldn't believe Air Tran sold tickets for seats they didn't have and just kept demanding that since they had a kid that three adults should be bumped.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

My flight to Cancun before Christmas was packed. Those folks who checked in at 24 hours were all over the plane. I bought my seats about a month out and really had limited options for TWO together. Now coming back I probably could have waited, but really didn't want to have to find an internet connection in Mexico. Maybe it's just me, but I have better things to do on vacation then make sure I am sitting in front of a computer 24 hours before my flight!


Bumping is not done based on "when you check in" only. There are lots of other considerations. (Fare class, status etc....)

 

[Missytara]

One thing not mentioned that we witnessed is that if you do not pay for a seat assignment and the flight is over booked the person without the seat assignment is the first to be bumped. Experienced extremely irate people at MCO several years ago and have purchased our seats ever since.

That reminds me of a story a lady told me about a year ago. She was flying with her husband, who was on a business trip. They were flying on a late night flight from Salt Lake City, to Baltimore, with a layover in Cinncinati.

The flight was overbooked and they asked for volunteers. No one raised their hands. Finally they announced the last person on and checked in was the first one to go - there was a gasp by a person about three rows ahead of her.

Turns out a guy that had been traveling from Iraq for several days and happened to snag the last ticket to Cincinnati. Salt Lake City to Cincinnati was his final leg home in a series of flights. And it was the last plane leaving that night, until the next day.

He put his head in his hands and wept.

When the word got around the plane, the FA told his story and asked for volunteers again.

Over half the plane raised their hands to be bumped.

 

[lindsroc]

I'm wondering if travel agents used to be able to use the same loophole that Kayak used. It used to be that, if you booked through kayak.com, you could get seat selection for free.

I work for a corporate travel agency, so we dont do any packages etc... however, we are a preferred travel agency for Airtran so when we book a client on them... the client gets free seats as well as other perks. Unfortunately for me... I booked my tickets online direct with Airtran. But, some travel agencies do have perks with certain airlines.

 

[edk35]

I have always paid for my seats on Airtran. I have always felt more comfortable sitting in the window seat, especially on the side where there are only two seats. I was in 19A both ways.

I watched and watched the seating as time went on - it seemed like the seat next to mine remained empty - both going down and coming back. No one had picked it.

Lo and behold, going back to BWI, a lady sat next to me and then asked if I would switch so she and her husband could sit together. At first, I said no way, I paid for my seating assignment, but then I asked her where he was.

He was in the last row of the plane, middle seat on the opposite side of the aisle. I was like, are you serious - I don't think so.

So don't arbitrarally expect someone to switch with you, especially if you didn't pay for your seating assignment.

Exactly. NO WAY... not in today's air travel world. You are right. Everyone CAN play for their seat assignment at booking. I pay for a family of 5 every time we fly Airtran. No way will I switch with someone. Call me mean... but there is a reason I pay for those seats at booking. I want to sit with my family all together.

 

[azdizzymom]

We didn't pay the extra and we had no problem getting seats together. In one flight we were on the same aisle across (two lap children) so
like this:

x xxx

And on the way back we were able to book seats in front of each other on the same side:

xx
xx

We were sure to check in right at the 24 hour mark though and it was no problem. For the trip there, we checked in online. On the way back, DH actually called from a Disney bus the night before.

YOU DO REALIZE HOW LUCKY YOU ARE?????? What if there had not been seats together. You do realize Airtran has NO obligation to seat you with your kids and those who checked in and got the seats OR MORE IMPORTANTLY THOSE PAYING FOR SEATS have absolutely NO REASON to move for you. Sure, people might threaten you can take care of my toddler or kid....sorry I pay for my teenagers seats so I don't have empty ones besides me. My hubby sits across the aisle and usually has a couple next to them so that is no worry and he'd put the headphones on and IGNORE. Think there are plenty of examples here on how this does NOT work and how people DON'T MOVE!!! Usually the odd seats are middle ones scattered throughout the plane or way in the back....no one who paid for a seat or snatched the free seats at 24 hours is going to take that seat or they'd have picked it out ahead of time! This next trip we are on Delta...don't pay and have 4 aisle seats in 2 rows. Even though we DIDN'T pay I wouldn't move. I keep checking flights to make sure plane configuration stays same. Sorry, if I am diligent and plan and plan ....my family will not move even from free seats for someone who doesn't plan or expects people to do things for them. since they don't plan. Sorry that is my view on this ...

PARENTS IF IT IS IMPORTANT TO SIT WITH YOUR KIDS PAY FOR THE SEATS AND KEEP CHECKING THE AIRLINE UP UNTIL THE DAY YOU LEAVE!! THEY DON'T HAVE TO SEAT YOU TOGETHER AND IT IS HORRIBLE ADVICE FOR SOMEONE TO SAY DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT OR THE AIRLINE HAS TO SEAT YOU TOGETHER OR SOMEONE WILL MOVE!!!

 

[tinkerbell423]

Can somone tell me how to check my reservation online at Airtran? I've gone to the web site several times and can't figure out where to put my conformation #

 

[dudspizza]

Can somone tell me how to check my reservation online at Airtran? I've gone to the web site several times and can't figure out where to put my conformation #

https://tickets.airtran.com/RetrieveBooking.aspx

It is called "find itinerary" on the right side of the home page.

You will be asked for your confirmation number, first name, last name, and origin. If you are a A+ member, you can also see your itinerary by logging into your account.

Duds

 

[tinkerbell423]

https://tickets.airtran.com/RetrieveBooking.aspx

It is called "find itinerary" on the right side of the home page.

You will be asked for your confirmation number, first name, last name, and origin. If you are a A+ member, you can also see your itinerary by logging into your account.

Duds

OK I did this (Thanks) and it says under seats: to reserve or change seats click here so I clicked and it showed me the plane with all the seats that were available then below it was a list of all the people in our party and the seats we were given with our confirmation were listed as assigned seats then there was a total of $202 Do you see a seat total when you pull you confirmation up? We booked through to group travel department and they are not working today so i can't ask if these are are seats and it just lists the amount we paid or if that is the amount we need to pay if we want te reserve the seats

 

[duffy]

That reminds me of a story a lady told me about a year ago. She was flying with her husband, who was on a business trip. They were flying on a late night flight from Salt Lake City, to Baltimore, with a layover in Cinncinati.

The flight was overbooked and they asked for volunteers. No one raised their hands. Finally they announced the last person on and checked in was the first one to go - there was a gasp by a person about three rows ahead of her.

Turns out a guy that had been traveling from Iraq for several days and happened to snag the last ticket to Cincinnati. Salt Lake City to Cincinnati was his final leg home in a series of flights. And it was the last plane leaving that night, until the next day.

He put his head in his hands and wept.

When the word got around the plane, the FA told his story and asked for volunteers again.

Over half the plane raised their hands to be bumped.

Nice story.