Can a seat for a former travel partner be turned into an extra seat?

[Cheburashka]

Long story short: my teenage son has developed a serious ear problem that will prevent him from traveling in the foreseeable future. We had a mother & son trip booked for July that is partly nonrefundable, and that I'm considering just taking alone while he is with his father. Our nonrefundable flights were booked via American, and I'm wondering if I can use his seat as an extra seat for myself. I like personal space, and as I have no idea when or if he'd be able to fly again, I don't see value in cancelling his ticket & saving the credit. Do you think they would allow this?

 

[seashoreCM]

Usually no, you do not get to keep that seat for your own use.

If your travel companion who booked that seat, or whoever else who booked that seat, does not arrive at the gate on time, then yet someone else may or may not be assigned to that seat.

There may be exceptions for medical situations whereby there is no cancellation fee or change fee for rebooking the ticket or even for cancelling the reservation and holding a credit for the future,.

 

[JenBush]

Based on American Airlines website you can have two seats booked for one person. You will need to call to get it situated, but if you’re willing to pay for the seat I don’t see why they wouldn’t let you switch your son’s seat to you.

 

[nkereina]

Based on American Airlines website you can have two seats booked for one person. You will need to call to get it situated, but if you’re willing to pay for the seat I don’t see why they wouldn’t let you switch your son’s seat to you.

I don't think airline tickets are generally transferrable. If OP had booked two seats in her name, then yes, that would be allowable. But with one in her son's name, I think that will be the issue. OP, I think its worth calling to ask but if they can't do anything for you, then there is the chance they could assign someone to his seat when he doesn't check in, as PP mentioned. Whatever you do, don't cancel the ticket, because that would just give more opportunity for them to assign someone to that seat.

 

[spiders]

It’s gotta be in your name. Seats for no shows get filled with revenue and non-revenue standbys.

 

[Cheburashka]

There may be exceptions for medical situations whereby there is no cancellation fee or change fee for rebooking the ticket or even for cancelling the reservation and holding a credit for the future,.

There are already no cancellation or change fees via AA. I just don't think the credit will be useful, as I don't think my son will choose to travel in the foreseeable future.

 

[diznee princess]

Long story short: my teenage son has developed a serious ear problem that will prevent him from traveling in the foreseeable future. We had a mother & son trip booked for July that is partly nonrefundable, and that I'm considering just taking alone while he is with his father. Our nonrefundable flights were booked via American, and I'm wondering if I can use his seat as an extra seat for myself. I like personal space, and as I have no idea when or if he'd be able to fly again, I don't see value in cancelling his ticket & saving the credit. Do you think they would allow this?

May incur a change fee

 

[nkereina]

May incur a change fee

Airline tickets are typically non-transferrable, not even for a fee.