American Airlines charging a seat assignment fee.

[SuzanneSLO]

Yes, it was misleading. Theoretically, however if AA does not release seats between now and 24 hours before our flight, and we're forced to go to the gate to get our seats assigned, we will not wait. We will pay for preferred seats 24 hours in advance. Of course, this is all theoretically, but having the gall to require you to buy preferred seats, IF you don't want to take the chance and wait until get to the gate is appalling to me.

This is a major snow skiing destination, and my guess is that the groups dept. at AA is holding a whole lot of space for a large group, that eventually (maybe 30 days in advance, don't know the policy) will either have to be purchased or released.

Very few AA flyers wait until they get to the gate to get seat assignments. Those who care enough check in online from their computer 24 hours before their first flight of the day and get free seat assignments. Most others get seat assignments for free when they check in for their first flight at the airport. It is usually only those who check in a hour or so before the flight in question that will need to wait until they get to the gate. As the OP is connecting from another airport, this WILL NOT be her family.

If the OP does not like her seat assignment, she has the OPTION to pay to change it. This true if she had a seat assignment now or a month from now. -- Suzanne

 

[book_junkie]

Yes, it was misleading. Theoretically, however if AA does not release seats between now and 24 hours before our flight, and we're forced to go to the gate to get our seats assigned, we will not wait. We will pay for preferred seats 24 hours in advance. Of course, this is all theoretically, but having the gall to require you to buy preferred seats, IF you don't want to take the chance and wait until get to the gate is appalling to me.

This is a major snow skiing destination, and my guess is that the groups dept. at AA is holding a whole lot of space for a large group, that eventually (maybe 30 days in advance, don't know the policy) will either have to be purchased or released.

I'm not so sure it's being held by groups. My husband works with quite a few people who ski (we don't) and they all go to Vail over the holidays and have had their tickets months ago... They meet up with friends and other families at the airport here, and fly together. Me, I'd be the one in the lobby drinking by the fire!

OP, maybe you could see if they'd waive the change fee and switch to the evening flights to Vail, especially if that's your end destination? Looking over the website, the afternoon flight (12:30 p.m. central) from DFW to EGE (Vail) direct has NO availability from December 22-24, and a couple of assignment seats available on the 21. The evening flights (4:20 pm central time) had scattered availability on 12/21-24. 12/24's am flight had seats together (9:35 central time).

That way, at least going to Vail, you'd get your seat assignments without having to worry about getting bumped... That's always my panic with not having a seat assignment- no assignment, no seat...

 

[bumbershoot]

Considering the OP said that hey charged for "seat assignments" and given that is probably true for the majority of the seats if they do it how several other airlines do it, I'm willing to not mince words and give them credit.

They haven't charged her anything.

And if they do, it won't be to assign a seat, it will be to upgrade to a seat she doesn't qualify for otherwise.

Lots of frequent travelers (or their spouses) here to tell the OP that it will be OK, and that she will almost certainly have a seat. With having to pay fir it unless she chooses to upgrade to preferred.




But...I think that most of us are assuming that the first flight, that connects to this one, is with the same carrier, same reservation? If so then it will almost certainly be worked out when you check in online 24 hours before the first flight. If not, well, check in for THIS one 24 hours before it!

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

OP, maybe you could see if they'd waive the change fee and switch to the evening flights to Vail, especially if that's your end destination?

That is simply not going to happen. You aren't going to have a change ticket fee waived because you don't want to pay for a preferred seat assignment!

 

[andymattmom]

Threads like these are amazing to read. Amazing that people don't read the print and inform themselves BEFORE purchasing a plane ticket. In these times when you buy the cheapest ticket, any informed person should know you will be nickled and dimed. Except for SW....most airlines charge for seats and baggage. If you are not sure...CHECK before buying that ticket. Don't buy the cheapest seat and then come whine and complain that you didn't know. You agree to terms when you purchase the tickets (information is there but 99% of time is unread).

Don't say I won't fly Delta, American, Airtran, etc. etc because we had to pay for baggage or seats. That is their policy and up to YOU to inform yourself of the policies of the airline you are flying. Don't whine because you tried to get out of paying for seats on Airtran---because someone on DISBOARDS had no trouble getting 5 seats together at the 24 hour mark and you didn't. IF you want to SIT BY YOUR FAMILY PAY FOR THE SEATS!!!! Don't threaten your kid on me or expect someone WHO PAID FOR A SEAT to move for you. If people pay for their seats to sit together they don't have to move for you and won't be forced to.

It is up to US to inform OURSELVES about the airlines WE choose to fly. If you aren't sure of an airlines policy CALL THE AIRLINE or READ THE WEBSITE....don't ask on a forum...there is lots of misinformation by some well meaning people. Things might have changed on XXXX airline in the year since that person flew. Find out all the costs before purchasing tickets to see if that super cheap ticket really is the best one.....that includes not so hidden fees such as seat assignments (which are a must if YOU MUST SIT WITH YOUR FAMILY-----factor that into the fare before buying----don't arrive at airport and whine, complain and threaten.....it won't get you anywhere), baggage, etc.

Inform yourself on weight and size limits for baggage.....that changes too and some airlines do measure. But don't come complaining because Airtran or Delta measured your bag and found it oversized. Airlines can and will measure baggage, charge for baggage and seats.....fact of the times. But don't say you won't fly an airline because they charged you.....it is your fault and your fault only if you don't become a proactive informed traveler. It takes time but is worth a few extra minutes!

ALSO ....know the cost to change the dates, etc. You buy the cheapest ticket you will be charged a fee plus fare difference (once again I believe SW is only one who doesn't do the fee---I haven't flown them so I am not informed on them but believe they charge fare difference but no change fee). You could be ill with the flu and they will charge you a change fee----I had to pay when suffering a miscarriage and having a doctor's note several years ago. No sympathy from airline. Know that if ticket price goes down YOU WON'T GET REFUND...or price difference....except once again SW (and that is in travel funds or something...think AIRTRAN does now too since part of SW????). Don't decide my husband can't fly with me so we all need to change our tickets...or XXX's sports team has championship game so we need to change.....YOU WILL BE CHARGED. Simple as that.

All airlines have issues, delays, schedule changes, etc. etc. Don't limit yourself to only one because XXXX on DISBOARDS said they are bad. We had one bad experience with Delta 2 years ago.....gave them a second chance and had fantastic flights this April! Their CSR were great when we explained bad experiences in nice terms and send minimal vouchers that we used. We have never done SW....no assigned seats scare me BUT if they were the cheapest I'd try and do the EARLYBIRD CHECKIN.

 

[hookedonears]

When we booked our flight over a month ago, there were no seat assignments available for our flight. There were still tickets available, but no seats. About 2 weeks ago, the flight sold out. We've checked every day, multi times, but unfortunately, still no preferred seats available. Vail/Eagle is a very small airport, with very few flights in and out. Unfortunately, the flight we booked was the only flight on the only airline that met our schedule.

3 of our tickets were booked directly through AA, and one was booked through a travel agent. About a week ago, my wife ask me to call the travel agent who booked the one ticket to see if there was anything that they could do. The travel agent said that they could put in a request for an exit row seat, but the airline would have to approve it which was unlikely.

Someone on this board suggested that at the 2 week date, which is where we are now, that Elite passingers can be bumped to first class which might open up a preferred seat. I checked this morning and unbelievably, the Exit row seat that the travel agent requested for me, had become a preferred seat. I snapped up immediately and called AA and paid for it with a credit card. I mentioned to the AA agent about the travel agent putting in a request for the exit row seat, and she said, she didn't know that they could do that, and that she couldn't do it for us. She said that certain Elite passengers can be assigned exit row seats which gave me a sickening feeling that all of the seats, including the exit rows might be already assigned.

Does anyone have any tips, or suggestions that we may be over looking?

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Does anyone have any tips, or suggestions that we may be over looking?

Yes. Some seats are not available to anyone ahead of time, not even to Executive Platinum Elite passengers paying the undiscounted, unrestricted highest coach airfare.

For example, on American's MD-80, Boeing 737 aircraft, and Boeing 757 aircraft, the first two rows (10 seats, 12 seats, and 12 seats, respectively) in the coach cabin are held for assignment at the airport. In addition, there are some seats at the very back of the aircraft that are not assigned to anyone ahead of time.

On the day of the flight, the American Airlines airport employees assign the seats to people who don't have seats assignments or who are trying to get seats together.

The trick is to get to the airport early.

As far as American AAdvantage elite flyers getting upgraded to first class (and freeing up seats in coach), the trigger times for those upgrades are 100 hours, 72 hours, 48 hours prior to departure, depending on the level of "eliteness." Some first class seats are held until the day of the flight, which means a few more upgrades (freeing up a few more seats in coach) can happen on the day of the flight.

 

[MAH4546]

Yes. Some seats are not available to anyone ahead of time, not even to Executive Platinum Elite passengers paying the undiscounted, unrestricted highest coach airfare.

For example, on American's MD-80, Boeing 737 aircraft, and Boeing 757 aircraft, the first two rows (10 seats, 12 seats, and 12 seats, respectively) in the coach cabin are held for assignment at the airport. In addition, there are some seats at the very back of the aircraft that are not assigned to anyone ahead of time.

On the day of the flight, the American Airlines airport employees assign the seats to people who don't have seats assignments or who are trying to get seats together.

The trick is to get to the airport early.

As far as American AAdvantage elite flyers getting upgraded to first class (and freeing up seats in coach), the trigger times for those upgrades are 100 hours, 72 hours, 48 hours prior to departure, depending on the level of "eliteness." Some first class seats are held until the day of the flight, which means a few more upgrades (freeing up a few more seats in coach) can happen on the day of the flight.

That's simply not true. I am elite with AA and can book the first rows in coach in advance at any time.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

That's simply not true. I am elite with AA and can book the first rows in coach in advance at any time.

If you are the same MAH4546 as on FlyerTalk, which I assume you are, you've identified yourself as having AAdvantage Platinum Elite status on AA. I have the same status.

As an AA Platinum passenger, you can get advance seat assignments for almost every seat on AA flights, including Preferred Plus and exit row seats. (That's my favorite Platinum benefit.) However, some seats are held back for day-of-flight assignment at the airport.

When picking seats for flights, you may have assumed that the first two rows of coach have already been picked by other passengers, and thus show as unavailable. But the real reason they show as unavailable is that they're not available for advance assignment, even to elite frequent flyers.

If you don't believe me, log on to AA.com with your Platinum number and look at several AA flights almost 11 months from now. Pick a business destination to which few if any tickets have been sold so far in advance. You'll see that the first two rows of coach on AA's narrow-body, mainline aircraft always show as unavailable. (I didn't look at wide-body and American Eagle regional jet flights, so I don't know which seat are held back on those.)

Perhaps you have some other trick to being assigned into those first two rows, such as knowing a manager who can override the system. But you won't see those seats on AA.com, nor can an AA phone agent assign them to you ahead of time.

However, I stand by my statement: "Some seats are not available to anyone ahead of time, not even to Executive Platinum Elite passengers paying the undiscounted, unrestricted highest coach airfare." I'll only add that there are undoubtedly rare overrides.

For the benefit of the OP, it is accurate to say that some seats are held for assignment at the airport, while it is inaccurate to say that someone with elite status on AA "can book the first rows in coach in advance at any time."

 

[hookedonears]

Yes. Some seats are not available to anyone ahead of time, not even to Executive Platinum Elite passengers paying the undiscounted, unrestricted highest coach airfare.

For example, on American's MD-80, Boeing 737 aircraft, and Boeing 757 aircraft, the first two rows (10 seats, 12 seats, and 12 seats, respectively) in the coach cabin are held for assignment at the airport. In addition, there are some seats at the very back of the aircraft that are not assigned to anyone ahead of time.

On the day of the flight, the American Airlines airport employees assign the seats to people who don't have seats assignments or who are trying to get seats together.

The trick is to get to the airport early.

As far as American AAdvantage elite flyers getting upgraded to first class (and freeing up seats in coach), the trigger times for those upgrades are 100 hours, 72 hours, 48 hours prior to departure, depending on the level of "eliteness." Some first class seats are held until the day of the flight, which means a few more upgrades (freeing up a few more seats in coach) can happen on the day of the flight.

Thanks for the great advice. Our daughter has a mid-term final that morning, and as soon as she gets out of school, 10:30 or so, we will head straight to the airport to see if we can get our seat assignments. Our flight doesn't leave until 2:00PM, so we'll probably head back home after that.

 

[hookedonears]

Yes. Some seats are not available to anyone ahead of time, not even to Executive Platinum Elite passengers paying the undiscounted, unrestricted highest coach airfare.

For example, on American's MD-80, Boeing 737 aircraft, and Boeing 757 aircraft, the first two rows (10 seats, 12 seats, and 12 seats, respectively) in the coach cabin are held for assignment at the airport. In addition, there are some seats at the very back of the aircraft that are not assigned to anyone ahead of time.

The plane is a 757. What's amazing, is that I seem to get a different answer from every AA agent I talk to. One of the last said the same thing. He said the first 2 rows (not exit rows) rows 11 & 12, seats d, e & f only, were not assigned until the day of the flight, and the last row (37), seats a-f were also not assigned. He was the only agent i've talk to that told me that.

On the day of the flight, the American Airlines airport employees assign the seats to people who don't have seats assignments or who are trying to get seats together.

The trick is to get to the airport early.

As far as American AAdvantage elite flyers getting upgraded to first class (and freeing up seats in coach), the trigger times for those upgrades are 100 hours, 72 hours, 48 hours prior to departure, depending on the level of "eliteness." Some first class seats are held until the day of the flight, which means a few more upgrades (freeing up a few more seats in coach) can happen on the day of the flight.

Thanks again!

 

[ironz]

When we booked our flight over a month ago, there were no seat assignments available for our flight. There were still tickets available, but no seats. About 2 weeks ago, the flight sold out. We've checked every day, multi times, but unfortunately, still no preferred seats available. Vail/Eagle is a very small airport, with very few flights in and out. Unfortunately, the flight we booked was the only flight on the only airline that met our schedule.

3 of our tickets were booked directly through AA, and one was booked through a travel agent. About a week ago, my wife ask me to call the travel agent who booked the one ticket to see if there was anything that they could do. The travel agent said that they could put in a request for an exit row seat, but the airline would have to approve it which was unlikely.

Someone on this board suggested that at the 2 week date, which is where we are now, that Elite passingers can be bumped to first class which might open up a preferred seat. I checked this morning and unbelievably, the Exit row seat that the travel agent requested for me, had become a preferred seat. I snapped up immediately and called AA and paid for it with a credit card. I mentioned to the AA agent about the travel agent putting in a request for the exit row seat, and she said, she didn't know that they could do that, and that she couldn't do it for us. She said that certain Elite passengers can be assigned exit row seats which gave me a sickening feeling that all of the seats, including the exit rows might be already assigned.

Does anyone have any tips, or suggestions that we may be over looking?

I think you still have a shot of getting seats online at 48 or more likely 24 hours out from the flight. THEN, next shot is to get to the airport early. Good luck!

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

I think you still have a shot of getting seats online at 48 or more likely 24 hours out from the flight. THEN, next shot is to get to the airport early. Good luck!

I agree.

Actually, I would recommend trying online within 100 hours, 72 hours, 48 hours, and 24 hours; and try the morning of the day of the flight.

If you end up getting seats that are not all together, you can still try to change that online subsequently, or in person when you arrive (early) at the airport.

There is no need to pay for Preferred seats, just to get seats. AA will eventually have free seat assignments for you. They might be seats that are officially designated as Preferred or Preferred Plus, or they might be seats that are not. However, you will get boarding passes with seat assignments at the airport (or perhaps even from your computer within 24 hours).

Please let us know how this works out for you.