Delta full flight & $29 seat selection fee

[It'sWDW4me]

I just got a pretty good deal on a Delta flight in & out of MCO. The flight leaving MCO, according to Delta's seat selection chart, is almost completely booked. Again, according to Delta, there are only 14 seats left (we need 4) and, of course, I would need to upgrade to "Economy Comfort" and pay $29 per seat to reserve 4 of them. That's a big ouch!

What if I don't reserve 4 seats? We don't HAVE to sit next to each other but I'm worried about being bumped from the flight. Could we possibly be upgraded to first class (no objections, there ) if there are no economy seats left or would we be bumped?

 

[kaytieeldr]

You won't be bumped to first class. Frequent Flyer members might, and passengers who paid full fare or at least the higher rate codes.

You should read Delta's policy on this, but chances are they only have 14 advance-reservable seats left. If you're comfortable with the online information about seating and bumping, buy whatever seats you want and expect to check in for your flight onlie exactly 24 hours in advance.

Still no assignable seats? Get to the airport EARLY.

 

[DebbieB]

I just got a pretty good deal on a Delta flight in & out of MCO. The flight leaving MCO, according to Delta's seat selection chart, is almost completely booked. Again, according to Delta, there are only 14 seats left (we need 4) and, of course, I would need to upgrade to "Economy Comfort" and pay $29 per seat to reserve 4 of them. That's a big ouch!

What if I don't reserve 4 seats? We don't HAVE to sit next to each other but I'm worried about being bumped from the flight. Could we possibly be upgraded to first class (no objections, there ) if there are no economy seats left or would we be bumped?

You could be seated apart from each other or possibly bumped. It would be unlikely that you would get upgraded to first class. About 7 days before the flight, they start upgrading Medallion members (over 25,000 miles per year) to any empty first class seats. That will open up coach seats. Plus there are coach seats that they hold back for airport check-in. Before they bump anyone, they will ask for volunteers. On my last couple Delta flights there were prompts at the check-in kiosk asking if I wanted to volunteer.

If you don't care if you sit together, I would just wait it out, watch the chart and see if regular coach seats open up due to changes/cancellations. They can't force you to pay for the economy comfort.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I just got a pretty good deal on a Delta flight in & out of MCO. The flight leaving MCO, according to Delta's seat selection chart, is almost completely booked. Again, according to Delta, there are only 14 seats left (we need 4) and, of course, I would need to upgrade to "Economy Comfort" and pay $29 per seat to reserve 4 of them. That's a big ouch!

What if I don't reserve 4 seats? We don't HAVE to sit next to each other but I'm worried about being bumped from the flight. Could we possibly be upgraded to first class (no objections, there ) if there are no economy seats left or would we be bumped?

No, you won't be upgraded to first class. Delta upgrades based on status. So someone in the back gets upgraded and you get thier seat.


While some will say not selecting seats increases your bump chances IMHO as a Delta Frequent flyer it really doesn't seem too. Delta pays to get folks off that plane so they don't have to do involunatry bumping. (I got $400 in Delta dollars and an upgrade into First on fancy plane with lie flat seats a few weeks ago for "bumping" I took that offer and ran since the "delay" was one hour LOL!) And your plane may not be oversold. When you look at the seat map you see the seats you can select and the seats you can pay for. There's a third group the "elite" level seas you can't even see.

As long as you don't have to sit together keep watching. Delta changes things a lot and seats will open up. At between 7 and 5 days out (it's suppose to be five but lately it's been early) they start upgrading thier elite flyers into First creating more openings. (that when I often grab a better "seat" for example) If you still don't get seats just make sure you check in on time and aren't running to the gate as they close the door. You need to be there at LEAST 30 minutes in advance.

 

[It'sWDW4me]

You won't be bumped to first class. Frequent Flyer members might, and passengers who paid full fare or at least the higher rate codes.

You should read Delta's policy on this, but chances are they only have 14 advance-reservable seats left. If you're comfortable with the online information about seating and bumping, buy whatever seats you want and expect to check in for your flight onlie exactly 24 hours in advance.

Still no assignable seats? Get to the airport EARLY.

I was afraid that would be the case. We'll be on the Fantasy at the 24 hour mark but maybe my brother could check us in. I really don't fly that often - only to Disney - so I'm not sure of the airlines' procedures. Are the last people to check in usually the first to be bumped? Do the airlines hold back some seats for online check-in or, if they're all booked NOW, will there be nothing left even at 24 hrs?

 

[It'sWDW4me]

You could be seated apart from each other or possibly bumped. It would be unlikely that you would get upgraded to first class. About 7 days before the flight, they start upgrading Medallion members (over 25,000 miles per year) to any empty first class seats. That will open up coach seats. Plus there are coach seats that they hold back for airport check-in. Before they bump anyone, they will ask for volunteers. On my last couple Delta flights there were prompts at the check-in kiosk asking if I wanted to volunteer.

If you don't care if you sit together, I would just wait it out, watch the chart and see if regular coach seats open up due to changes/cancellations. They can't force you to pay for the economy comfort.

No, you won't be upgraded to first class. Delta upgrades based on status. So someone in the back gets upgraded and you get thier seat.


While some will say not selecting seats increases your bump chances IMHO as a Delta Frequent flyer it really doesn't seem too. Delta pays to get folks off that plane so they don't have to do involunatry bumping. (I got $400 in Delta dollars and an upgrade into First on fancy plane with lie flat seats a few weeks ago for "bumping" I took that offer and ran since the "delay" was one hour LOL!) And your plane may not be oversold. When you look at the seat map you see the seats you can select and the seats you can pay for. There's a third group the "elite" level seas you can't even see.

As long as you don't have to sit together keep watching. Delta changes things a lot and seats will open up. At between 7 and 5 days out (it's suppose to be five but lately it's been early) they start upgrading thier elite flyers into First creating more openings. (that when I often grab a better "seat" for example) If you still don't get seats just make sure you check in on time and aren't running to the gate as they close the door. You need to be there at LEAST 30 minutes in advance.

Thank you ALL for the info! This helps a lot. I think I'll just keep an eye on the coach seats and pounce when something opens up.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Anyone can check you in. You can reprint boarding passes at the airport.

 

[ppony]

As others have said Delta has done away w/ bumping up to 1st class unless your status is better than the "cheap seats". they'll let first class seats go empty rather than even sell the upgrade for cheap. Now anyway. That is direct form the horse's mouth per a few months ago.

And if you HAVE to sit together (which I totally get as a mom), I call it a "family penalty" the airlines assess now. Doesn't matter how young your children are, if they have a seat, you can be sepearted form them unless you pay to assure otherwise. General travelers have to pay too if they want to sit together, but it penalizes families because it's not a "choice" to sit next to your child, it should be illegal to separate you from them. Adults can "buck up" for a few hours to save a buck, you tell that to the 3 year old! I call MAJOR BS on that one and think it should be federally madated they cannot charge you to sit next to your child (at least 10 and under). But that's just me.

 

[francie57]

As others have said, Deltao will not bump you up to first class. The last time we flew Delta we were offered the opportunity to upgrade to first class when I checked us in - at an additional cost.

 

[ppony]

As others have said, Deltao will not bump you up to first class. The last time we flew Delta we were offered the opportunity to upgrade to first class when I checked us in - at an additional cost.

As of Feb., that I've experienced, you do need to pay extra, but it's the difference between your rate and the full first class fare. Eeek! Nothing discounted anymore. There were a few first class seats open on our flight the entire way home and we had asked about upgrading. That's what we were told. They could have had at least a few hundred for those seats, but they didn't want it apparently.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

And the "Airline should be responsible for my decision to have kids" chorus has joined the fray. LOL!

Delta will sell upgrades on DOMESTIC flights. But even then it's pretty rare as they have more frequent flyer seats wanting upgrades then seats. They generally won't let the plane go out with empty first class and them bumping coach on domestic flights. On International, all bets are off. They protect that Business Elite product pretty strongly and have let planes go out with empty seats, there are no "buy at the airport/gate" upgrades etc...

That said, I flew Delta tonight and in the plane was "oversold" according to online check in, but... in truth it wasn't and they didn't have to bump anyone and somehow all the kids sat with at least one parent with mass hysteria.

The airlines actually are pretty good at doing "oversell" For example, they KNOW they have flyers like me. I have a flight tomorrow.. it's not going to get used, but at $100 it's not like I have much motivation to cancel my flight, I get nothing back

 

[ppony]

And the "Airline should be responsible for my decision to have kids" chorus has joined the fray. LOL!

And because we did, the y re getting twice as much money as they would have otherwise. It has nothing to do with that, but you go ahead and take your jabs. As a small business owner, I operate on integrity and customer service. That's at the heart of it.

 

[kaytieeldr]

As of Feb., that I've experienced, you do need to pay extra, but it's the difference between your rate and the full first class fare. Eeek! Nothing discounted anymore. There were a few first class seats open on our flight the entire way home and we had asked about upgrading. That's what we were told. They could have had at least a few hundred for those seats, but they didn't want it apparently.

That's because of the fare class you bought. The more frequent flyers know the exact fare code, but even without that information I feel comfortable guessing you purchased the lowest (nonrefundable, very restricted) fare. Yes, any airline* is going to charge these passengers the full-fare difference to upgrade.

And the "Airline should be responsible for my decision to have kids" chorus has joined the fray. LOL!

Parents - actually, ANY party of two-plus passengers - who want or need to be seated together need to realize that with most airlines, they'll need to pay extra for seat section. Their small children are their responsibility - not yours, not mine, not the airlines'. It's just one more cost of traveling with a family; but the government's not going to make air travel law's that favor one group. Personal responsibility is a beautiful thing


*Well, any airline that has multiple classes; I love me some jetBlue - where I know in advance I can upgrade only to Extra Legroom seats on the plane for the standard upgrade price, and that they DO monitor who sits there

 

[kaytieeldr]

And because we did, the y re getting twice as much money as they would have otherwise. It has nothing to do with that, but you go ahead and take your jabs. As a small business owner, I operate on integrity and customer service. That's at the heart of it.

As do the airlines. I'm confused why your choice to fly with young children should give you special laws, rights, privileges - when you (along with each other passenger who chooses) can proactively arrange to sit in the available configuration that suits, by paying a standard seat selection charge?

 

[Hannathy]

Parents - actually, ANY party of two-plus passengers - who want or need to be seated together need to realize that with most airlines, they'll need to pay extra for seat section. Their small children are their responsibility - not yours, not mine, not the airlines'. It's just one more cost of traveling with a family; but the government's not going to make air travel law's that favor one group. Personal responsibility is a beautiful thing

Yep it is your responsibility to pay for what is important to you. Because what is important to you may not be important to me. I couldn't care less if I sit with or even near my kids (I mean they will end up at the same place I do at the same time so who cares), don't care if I have a big seat -I'm very small, and think it is only fair that everyone pay for the amount of stuff they bring on board, so I like ala carte airlines and really like that everyone gets the same chance to pick and pay for their priority or priorities.

 

[DebbieB]

That's because of the fare class you bought. The more frequent flyers know the exact fare code, but even without that information I feel comfortable guessing you purchased the lowest (nonrefundable, very restricted) fare. Yes, any airline* is going to charge these passengers the full-fare difference to upgrade.

Parents - actually, ANY party of two-plus passengers - who want or need to be seated together need to realize that with most airlines, they'll need to pay extra for seat section. Their small children are their responsibility - not yours, not mine, not the airlines'. It's just one more cost of traveling with a family; but the government's not going to make air travel law's that favor one group. Personal responsibility is a beautiful thing


*Well, any airline that has multiple classes; I love me some jetBlue - where I know in advance I can upgrade only to Extra Legroom seats on the plane for the standard upgrade price, and that they DO monitor who sits there

On Delta, the fare has to be class M or higher to pay to upgrade to first class. They only offer this after all medallions are upgraded. The amount depends on the length of the flight.

By law, airlines have to give a full refund if you cancel within 24 hours of purchase. If you see there are no seats together for free (you should actually see this before you buy), you can cancel and choose another flight. You can't expect the airline to give away their premium seats for free.

 

[bumbershoot]

Among those who are upgraded are also those with Alaska status. Since they are partners, they give that perk to Alaska MVPs as well. (as DH well knows even today, since he got moved to 1st on Delta based on his Alaska status)


But for every Mileage plan person that gets moved to 1st, it opens up another coach seat, so this is good!

 

[jsilvers]

By law, airlines have to give a full refund if you cancel within 24 hours of purchase.

Not quite true. The law only allows you to cancel and get a refund within 24 hours if:

• You purchased the ticket more than 7 days before your departure date;
  
• You purchased the ticket directly from the airline; and
  
• The airline doesn't offer a 24-hour "hold" option (i.e., you have 24 hours after booking to actually pay).

These restrictions can be a trap for the unwary. Of course, an airline or agent can go beyond the minimum requirements of the law, but it's not required.

 

[goofy4tink]

We are NOT going to get into a 'I have kids so I should get to sit with them' argument here.
It has been reported that nasty remarks have been made. But....there haven't been. Saying that airlines penalize families just isn't fair. If you have kids, you realize that most everything is going to cost you more. If you have 4 kids, it's obviously going to cost double what it would cost to have 2 kids. This isn't really any concern to most companies. They know what they have to charge in order to be profitable. And we, as consumers, know what we can afford to spend.

So...for me??? I prefer to fly and pay for what I need. If I need/want to sit with someone, I pay for my seats ahead of time. If I want to take more 'stuff' with me, I either fly an airline that doesn't charge for checked baggage, or I choose to pay for that bag...again, my choice.

Airlines will bump those checking in last. IF you decide to get to the airport under an hour prior to departure time, and then checkin at the airport?? yep, you are going to be among the first to be considered. But, check in online and then get to the airport 90 mins or more prior to departure??? Good to go.

Most airlines have tried to keep fares affordable. But, in order to do that, they have had to take away some of those previously free things...baggage, seat selection, food. It's up to us, as consumers, to try to decide what is most important to us. Some here have said that the airlines should just up their fares by $40 and be done with it...no checked baggage fees for the first checked bag, no seat selection fee. But, others maintain that if they want a cheaper flight, it's easier to do if we can pick and choose what we want to pay for.
Me?? There are times I will pay addtl for a specific seat. There are times I will pay for a checked bag. There are times I won't pay anything extra...just find me a seat and someplace to stash my carryon bag and let's go!!! But I like to have that control over what I am paying.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

On Delta, the fare has to be class M or higher to pay to upgrade to first class. They only offer this after all medallions are upgraded. The amount depends on the length of the flight.

By law, airlines have to give a full refund if you cancel within 24 hours of purchase. If you see there are no seats together for free (you should actually see this before you buy), you can cancel and choose another flight. You can't expect the airline to give away their premium seats for free.

For domestic "sale" at the gate with Delta you can upgrade with any fare above an L, U or T. M is for international and then they don't take cash but miles or upgrade certs.... As to 'they only offer after all medallions" that's kind of up for debate over on Flyertalk. There's at least one post saying a Gold Medallion missed an upgrade and they sold the seat to a pay at the gate. But IMHO the price they charge is pretty steep for the service they provide. (I wouldn't pay it, but I often get a free upgrade due to my status)

Delta has offered a 24 hour cancellation policy for several years. The policy is you buy and can cancel by midnight the next day (but I think it's based on Delta's time zone which is eastern) I buy and cancel a lot... sometimes I am basically 'rolling' a ticket if I am not sure I am going to make the trip. Say I see a flight to Orlando for $100 round trip but I am not sure I can make it. I might grab the fare and check... if by tomorrow I still don't know I will see if the fare is still there. If so I cancel the first ticket and buy again (Someday Delta will catch on to this trick )