American Seat Assignments

[mickeyinthehouse]

After watching airfare prices for the last 6 months, I have come to the conclusion that there is never going to be a sale on the airfare we need for our trip in October. I am pricing out one-way flights with different airlines to get the best deal. We are flying American on the way back. After signing up for the best price I could find for the four of us (which still was more than I've paid for roundtrip prices on our previous vacations) I get to the screen that allows you to pick your seats. Wouldn't ya know...the only seats left are middle seats unless we want to pay an additional $19 per seat to set together in preferred seating.

My kids are 10 and 6. If we do not pay the extra amount to pick seats together, what are the odds that they will made arrangements for us to sit together? We don't all have to sit together but I would prefer if one of us could sit next to each child even if we are in different locations. Anyone not pick seats when traveling as a family?

 

[Hannathy]

My kids are 10 and 6. If we do not pay the extra amount to pick seats together, what are the odds that they will made arrangements for us to sit together? We don't all have to sit together but I would prefer if one of us could sit next to each child even if we are in different locations. Anyone not pick seats when traveling as a family?

With kids that old and people picking and paying for seats slim to none. And why should they?

If it is important to sit next to your child pay for the seat.

If middle seats are free and if it is important then buy a seat next to a middle one. You will only have to pay for 2 seats and each of you be with a child.

You have to pay for what you want and not expect others to do it for you.

 

[sam_gordon]

It is possible something can be arranged once you get to the gate. Airlines will hold some seats for "gate assignment".

What I'd do... prep the kids that you may not be able to sit with them. Explain how they are expected to act, what they are allowed/not allowed to do. Get to the airport early. Explain the situation. AA might be able to make proper arrangements without moving anyone else. Don't assume they will however. Be polite and not demanding. It was your choice to wait so long to book.

 

[Hannathy]

Don't assume they will however. Be polite and not demanding. It was your choice to wait so long to book.

And to not pay for seats.

She could still sit with her kids if she paid for a seat.

 

[gwynne]

After watching airfare prices for the last 6 months, I have come to the conclusion that there is never going to be a sale on the airfare we need for our trip in October. I am pricing out one-way flights with different airlines to get the best deal. We are flying American on the way back. After signing up for the best price I could find for the four of us (which still was more than I've paid for roundtrip prices on our previous vacations) I get to the screen that allows you to pick your seats. Wouldn't ya know...the only seats left are middle seats unless we want to pay an additional $19 per seat to set together in preferred seating.

My kids are 10 and 6. If we do not pay the extra amount to pick seats together, what are the odds that they will made arrangements for us to sit together? We don't all have to sit together but I would prefer if one of us could sit next to each child even if we are in different locations. Anyone not pick seats when traveling as a family?

If it were me, I'd pay to add the preferred seating, and get everyone's seats figured out now.
Sept. is really late to be looking at airfare for Oct, probably why so many seats were taken. Cheap airfares are few and far between these days.

And yes, airlines do hold some seats. dh often takes one of those, as he frequently travels on late notice on American. He's booked, paid, just doesn't have a seat till the day.
Others are used for folks who were on a cancelled/delayed flight and have been rebooked on another. Lots of reasons those held seats get used, they are not just for folks who have a seating preference change request.

 

[mickeyinthehouse]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I called American and it appears that when we purchase the tickets without picking seats, the computer automatically sets aside seats to cover our tickets. When traveling with children the computer holds seats together. So even though I wasn't able to see all seats available she assured me that each child would have a parent next to them when we get the final assignment at the gate. Glad I didn't throw my money away.

 

[gwynne]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I called American and it appears that when we purchase the tickets without picking seats, the computer automatically sets aside seats to cover our tickets. When traveling with children the computer holds seats together. So even though I wasn't able to see all seats available she assured me that each child would have a parent next to them when we get the final assignment at the gate. Glad I didn't throw my money away.

Glad American has your preferred seating requests noted. Free is a bonus.

 

[padawans]

We fly standby and I can tell you the gate agents will do everything possible to get us seats with our kids. It's not always possible and we have to sit seperately. Since you are a paying customer you should have no problem. Like a pp poster mentioned many seats are not assigned until the day of the flight because they are in exit rows. The bulk heads are also assigned at the gate. You should be fine. I wouldn't worry the flights are not full at all this time of year, and even if the flights do appear full a lot of those are standby passengers.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

We fly standby and I can tell you the gate agents will do everything possible to get us seats with our kids. It's not always possible and we have to sit seperately. Since you are a paying customer you should have no problem. Like a pp poster mentioned many seats are not assigned until the day of the flight because they are in exit rows. The bulk heads are also assigned at the gate. You should be fine. I wouldn't worry the flights are not full at all this time of year, and even if the flights do appear full a lot of those are standby passengers.

1. Just because you pay for a ticket, you aren't guaranteed seating next to traveling companions.

2. Exit row seats are often open before the day of the flight as well as bulkhead seats. I know on UA, they (exit row seats) are reserved for elite FFs or those willing to pay for E+ seats. Also, OP couldn't sit in an exit row seat anyway, due to traveling with children under 15.

3. Flying standby doesn't mean you are flying for free. Also, most flights, at least in my experience, are not filled with standby passengers.

OP - I would never wait until I got to the gate to be assigned seats, no matter what a telephone agent told me. Way too risky.

 

[momsully]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I called American and it appears that when we purchase the tickets without picking seats, the computer automatically sets aside seats to cover our tickets. When traveling with children the computer holds seats together. So even though I wasn't able to see all seats available she assured me that each child would have a parent next to them when we get the final assignment at the gate. Glad I didn't throw my money away.

Do not rely on what this customer service agent told you. You pay the same price for your tickets if they are children or adults, and kids are allowed to fly unaccompanied at your children's age. I would not count on these seats being held for together for you.

 

[padawans]

1. Just because you pay for a ticket, you aren't guaranteed seating next to traveling companions.

2. Exit row seats are often open before the day of the flight as well as bulkhead seats. I know on UA, they (exit row seats) are reserved for elite FFs or those willing to pay for E+ seats. Also, OP couldn't sit in an exit row seat anyway, due to traveling with children under 15.

3. Flying standby doesn't mean you are flying for free. Also, most flights, at least in my experience, are not filled with standby passengers.

OP - I would never wait until I got to the gate to be assigned seats, no matter what a telephone agent told me. Way too risky.

I never said guaranteed. I said they would try. The do attempt to keep families together if possible. Many standby passengers are flying free. They are called employees of the airline. My last flight out of mco had 42 non revenue pasengers on it. I can't speak for how they do things at ua, but we have been able to get bulkhead seats many times at the last minute. Op can spend the extra money if she wants, but personaly I would take my chances. Its not the end of the world if you don't sit by your kids. Sometimes I even enjoy not sitting by them.

 

[Hannathy]

I never said guaranteed. Op can spend the extra money if she wants, but personaly I would take my chances. Its not the end of the world if you don't sit by your kids. Sometimes I even enjoy not sitting by them.

I agree. I don't sit with my kids because they all want windows including my DH so it wouldn't work BUT and this is a big BUT this OP sounds like she is not like that. She sounds pretty insistent that she sit with her children and unless she buys those window or aisle seats I think she is going to be very disappointed..

The phone agents have no idea what the counter people will do and the FA's and I can guarantee that the FA's are not going to be asking or insisting people who have paid for their seats to move for a 6 and especially the10 yr old. So she should be prepared.

 

[padawans]

I agree. I don't sit with my kids because they all want windows including my DH so it wouldn't work BUT and this is a big BUT this OP sounds like she is not like that. She sounds pretty insistent that she sit with her children and unless she buys those window or aisle seats I think she is going to be very disappointed..

The phone agents have no idea what the counter people will do and the FA's and I can guarantee that the FA's are not going to be asking or insisting people who have paid for their seats to move for a 6 and especially the10 yr old. So she should be prepared.

I always figure after my 9 year old has asked the person next to them 50 questions they will come looking for me to trade seats with them. Lucky for me it hasn't happened yet. A lot of people seem to like sitting next to a small child for the extra elbow room. I'm not sure how they endure the constant chatter. The phone agents can tell how full the flights are. I know over the next 3 weeks I can get on just about any flight and be guaranteeed 4 seats together. In fact we may each end up with our own row. That's how slow it is right now. I love traveling in September.

 

[maxiesmom]

I always figure after my 9 year old has asked the person next to them 50 questions they will come looking for me to trade seats with them. Lucky for me it hasn't happened yet. A lot of people seem to like sitting next to a small child for the extra elbow room. I'm not sure how they endure the constant chatter.

Its called headphones. Easy to drown out a child who is talking non stop.

If it is vital that you sit next to family members, you need to pay for that privilege. Anything else is a gamble. Airlines will not force people who have paid for their seat assignments to move for those who haven't. And there is no way of knowing in advance that you will be seated together if you haven't paid to do so. Anyone claiming they know for sure it will work out is lying.

 

[padawans]

Its called headphones. Easy to drown out a child who is talking non stop.

If it is vital that you sit next to family members, you need to pay for that privilege. Anything else is a gamble. Airlines will not force people who have paid for their seat assignments to move for those who haven't. And there is no way of knowing in advance that you will be seated together if you haven't paid to do so. Anyone claiming they know for sure it will work out is lying.

I am seriously hoping you were not accussing me of lying. I was trying to give Op a different perspective. I think op know that the only guarantee she has is paying extra, and that is no guarantee if the flight is full. I never said it would work out for sure. I just tend to be an optimistic person. Have a good day Maxiesmom.

 

[maxiesmom]

I am seriously hoping you were not accussing me of lying. I was trying to give Op a different perspective. I think op know that the only guarantee she has is paying extra, and that is no guarantee if the flight is full. I never said it would work out for sure. I just tend to be an optimistic person. Have a good day Maxiesmom.

You did say as the OP was a paying customer it should be no problem. That does sound to me like you are guaranteeing they will get seats together. I don't think you were trying to mislead the OP on purpose.

Btw, I am not trying to stir up trouble. I just want the OP to understand that there is no way of guaranteeing that her family will be able to sit together, outside of buying seat assignments. Any agent telling her over the phone that it is guaranteed is doing her a grave disservice. And that is who I meant was lying to her, no you Padawans. Sorry for the confusion.

 

[padawans]

You did say as the OP was a paying customer it should be no problem. That does sound to me like you are guaranteeing they will get seats together. I don't think you were trying to mislead the OP on purpose.

Btw, I am not trying to stir up trouble. I just want the OP to understand that there is no way of guaranteeing that her family will be able to sit together, outside of buying seat assignments. Any agent telling her over the phone that it is guaranteed is doing her a grave disservice. And that is who I meant was lying to her, no you Padawans. Sorry for the confusion.

Um I think Op is smart enough to figure out that there are no guarantees in life. I was only giving her my experience with an airline I am very familar with flying.

 

[Hannathy]

Um I think Op is smart enough to figure out that there are no guarantees in life. I was only giving her my experience with an airline I am very familar with flying.

Not if you read her response to what the agent on the phone told her.

That coupled with your reassurance has her believing that her children are guaranteed to be sitting with them. She said

"Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I called American and it appears that when we purchase the tickets without picking seats, the computer automatically sets aside seats to cover our tickets. When traveling with children the computer holds seats together. So even though I wasn't able to see all seats available she assured me that each child would have a parent next to them when we get the final assignment at the gate. Glad I didn't throw my money away. "

Sounds to me like she firmly believes all is hunky dory and her kids will be sitting with her.

I would rather let her know what the greater chance is and to prepare for it and that is if the flight is filling up and all that is left are middle seats that is where she and her kids will be sitting.

 

[tjmw2727]

I can tell you from personal experience that AA can and will seat you separately from your kids - even with a (non premium) seat assignment! I have told this story before but... our flight had equipment changes and as a result our pre-selected seats got "scrambled". It wasn't a big deal as we did end up with a parent next to our then 4yo but our 6yo was across the aisle and up one row.

If you don't purchase seats or get them assigned prior to the day of your flight I would recommend you prepare yourself and your child for the possibility that you could be separated. She should have her own backpack and be able to entertain herself and get her own snacks, order a drink from the FA etc. If this really isn't an optin then I would consider purchasing at least 2 of the premium seats for sale to guarantee one adult can sit with your child.

 

[sam_gordon]

I would rather let her know what the greater chance is and to prepare for it and that is if the flight is filling up and all that is left are middle seats that is where she and her kids will be sitting.

I don't think you can say that any more than someone can say she WILL be sitting with her kids. We ALL know airlines hold some seats for gate assignment. Just because the online booking is only showing middle seats doesn't mean that's all that's left.

Now, that doesn't mean she will definitely sit with her kids and it doesn't mean she definitely won't.

If she's smart, she'll hope for the best and plan for the worst. My guess is the the 6yo at least will be sitting with a parent.