Choice seats - ugghh

[tjmw2727]

Just a vent - from an admitted SWA fan!

We can't fly SWA next trip - doesn't work in the schedule.

So while researching I discovered that two of the airlines that do have flights at the right times and have decent fares charge for "choice seats" in addition to bag fees.

I don't mind paying for more legroom or skipping it but all the seats forward of the 18th row are these "choice seats", at $49 per seat ! Just because they give you earlier boarding and quicker departure from the aircraft. Seat Guru even lists some of them as problem or less than desirable seats ~

I am fine with my row 24 - except for a slight nervousness about making our connection. Interestingly enough very few of the "choice seats" are booked and our flight leaves in 2 weeks. Wonder if they will open up for booking without fees?

So folks flying US Air or United beware your seat selection and check out seat guru so your not paying $49 for a problem seat.

 

[DebbieB]

Just a vent - from an admitted SWA fan!

We can't fly SWA next trip - doesn't work in the schedule.

So while researching I discovered that two of the airlines that do have flights at the right times and have decent fares charge for "choice seats" in addition to bag fees.

I don't mind paying for more legroom or skipping it but all the seats forward of the 18th row are these "choice seats", at $49 per seat ! Just because they give you earlier boarding and quicker departure from the aircraft. Seat Guru even lists some of them as problem or less than desirable seats ~

I am fine with my row 24 - except for a slight nervousness about making our connection. Interestingly enough very few of the "choice seats" are booked and our flight leaves in 2 weeks. Wonder if they will open up for booking without fees?

So folks flying US Air or United beware your seat selection and check out seat guru so your not paying $49 for a problem seat.

I think the only way you can get them for free is if you don't have a seat assignment when it comes time to check-in and no non-choice are available. Preferred level flyers can get some of them for free and they tend to book last minute (business travelers).

 

[jlewisinsyr]

These seats are rarely opened up to non-elite travelers without cost and recall even on a flight on United (I don't typically fly them, it was a matter of late booking and about the only flight I could find with times that worked) the flight crew even said that they could not reseat individuals after boarding the plane in choice seats. The choice seats had to be purchased before boarding, and yes, there were open seats in the choice seats areas and the balance of the plane was packed.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

recall even on a flight on United (I don't typically fly them, it was a matter of late booking and about the only flight I could find with times that worked) the flight crew even said that they could not reseat individuals after boarding the plane in choice seats.

On United, these are Economy Plus seats. They are free for elite fliers and their traveling companions and a paid for option for other flyers. The FAs did the right thing not allowing those in regular economy to move up. Why should they get these seats for free when others paid?

 

[jlewisinsyr]

On United, these are Economy Plus seats. They are free for elite fliers and their traveling companions and a paid for option for other flyers. The FAs did the right thing not allowing those in regular economy to move up. Why should they get these seats for free when others paid?

Oh, don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining, I have zero issues with paying for the seats I want, whether it be first, business, extra leg room, economy plus, choice, etc.

My point was more to the OP, that don't expect to be reseated if you don't pay for the seats.

 

[Lewisc]

On United, these are Economy Plus seats. They are free for elite fliers and their traveling companions and a paid for option for other flyers. The FAs did the right thing not allowing those in regular economy to move up. Why should they get these seats for free when others paid?

The FA's did the right thing in enforcing United's policy.

Many of us have been given room upgrades at WDW. Using your logic I shouldn't have gotten the Savannah room since others paid for the upgraded view.

Different companies have different rules regarding upgrades. It doesn't really matter what we think (pro or con)

 

[tjmw2727]

Oh, don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining, I have zero issues with paying for the seats I want, whether it be first, business, extra leg room, economy plus, choice, etc.

My point was more to the OP, that don't expect to be reseated if you don't pay for the seats.

Oh I realize that and if there was indeed more legroom I would probably purchase them. IMHO $39 is a little steap for a seat with the same width and pitch just a few rows forward.

Since the flight is in just two weeks my comment about very few choice seats having been purchased is that perhaps other customers feel as I do. There were only 2 or 3 rows of 3 seats together in the "regular coach" and only a few choice seats booked at all.

 

[msmayor]

If USAir is charging $49 for a Choice seat then the price has gone up significantly.

I flew to MCO from PHL last October and only paid $10 for a choice seat.

 

[safetymom]

Daughter was offered choice seats on US Airways for $15 online this weekend.

 

[DebbieB]

It does vary by flight. From usairways.com:

How much
We sell Choice Seats by flight and the cost varies based on flight length, destination and time of day. For example, if you’re flying from Los Angeles to Philadelphia with a connection in Charlotte, you can buy a Choice Seat for the first flight to Charlotte and another Choice Seat for the second flight to Philadelphia.

 

[CPT Tripss]

These seats are rarely opened up to non-elite travelers without cost and recall even on a flight on United (I don't typically fly them, it was a matter of late booking and about the only flight I could find with times that worked) the flight crew even said that they could not reseat individuals after boarding the plane in choice seats. The choice seats had to be purchased before boarding, and yes, there were open seats in the choice seats areas and the balance of the plane was packed.

Thanks for the heads up . . . guess if I run into this, and the seat is close, I'll ask for forgiveness rather than permission

 

[tjmw2727]

If USAir is charging $49 for a Choice seat then the price has gone up significantly.

I flew to MCO from PHL last October and only paid $10 for a choice seat.

It seems to fluctuate - its a US air flight and they were charging $39 per choice seat earlier in the week. United can also book the flight (a little cheaper) as a code share and they were charging $49 earlier in the week.

Today - I can go online and upgrade to a choice seat on that same flight for $20 a seat!

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

The FA's did the right thing in enforcing United's policy.

I agree, as I already stated.

Many of us have been given room upgrades at WDW. Using your logic I shouldn't have gotten the Savannah room since others paid for the upgraded view.

Was this directed towards my comment (it's unclear)?

If so, hotel room upgrades and policies have nothing to do with airline upgrades and their upgrade policies.

 

[PixieDustandEeyore]

Yeah don't expect them to open up OP.
OT: Me and my fiance upgraded our seats for our three segments on Air Canada to exit rows and it was 25 bucks each for all three segments I was so impressed. It's our honeymoon so we were willing to upgrade to more leg room even if it was 25 a segment. But I gotta give Air Canada credit 25 bucks per person for the whole way there.

Back on topic: For United the only time I've been put in a economy plus was because I booked Tango Plus on Air Canada or I had an unassigned seat and when I checked in I was put in one. But I've never seen choice or Economy Plus seats open up for free, even at the Kiosk they offer you those seats but for a fee and occasionally I've seen a reduced fee.

 

[MAH4546]

Oh I realize that and if there was indeed more legroom I would probably purchase them. IMHO $39 is a little steap for a seat with the same width and pitch just a few rows forward.

On United, there is indeed quite a bit more legroom.

 

[tjmw2727]

On United, there is indeed quite a bit more legroom.

Its a US Air flight booked through United as a code share, so not a United flight. Acording to seat guru that aircraft and that flight has no additional legroom in the "choice seats". Unless they have refigured the seats and seat guru is out of date.

I am deciding what my price point is - I would like to be further front as we have a connection to make but haven't decided what its worth. As I said earlier if there is indeed more legroom that would increase my price point.

From US Air website -

"USAirways designates window and aisle seats in the first rows of the Economy Cabin as Choice Seats. These seats are available for a fee, starting at $5 each way but are free to Dividend Miles Preferred members any time after booking. Choice Seats may be selected during Web Check-in (from 24 hours and up to 90 minutes before departure.) Choice Seats feature the same amount of legroom as all other seats; however passengers seated in these rows will be amongst the first to be served and disembark."

Bold is mine - as of today the price is $20 per person and we have three flying. I am a dividend member and have quite a few points but not quite to the preferred level yet

 

[Lewisc]

I agree, as I already stated.



Was this directed towards my comment (it's unclear)?

If so, hotel room upgrades and policies have nothing to do with airline upgrades and their upgrade policies.

It was directed to this comment:

Why should they get these seats for free when others paid?

My point is different companies have different policies. My memory is at least one airline opens up elite seating (T-24?) for regular passengers without a surcharge.

The travel industry has many examples where some customers get a complimentary upgrade.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Thanks for the heads up . . . guess if I run into this, and the seat is close, I'll ask for forgiveness rather than permission

Ethics man...ethics