Help! Delta won't assign us seats!

[yoopermom]

Remember me, happy because we are going through Cin. and arriving two hours earlier to MCO on Dec. 26th than we were before? Well, after sitting on hold for an hour setting all that up, I got the written confirmation today only to find out that the lady at Delta did NOT assign us seats for the Cin-Orl. leg. I called immediately, and was told that the only three available together were in the emergency row, which she couldn't give us because one of the three is a child. She also said that, no, she couldn't split us up two and one (why not?). She then tried to convince me that 20 seats were held back for assignment at that time, and we'd "probably" get three of those, because "Weds isn't a busy day". When I said, "the day after Xmas, not busy?", and explained that this was the whole reason we switched the ressie in the first place, she put me on hold for half an hour and talked to a supervisor. It came back, "too bad, you got a cheap price and that's what you get" basically. There's only one flight leaving after that, and it's booked full, too, so if we get bumped... I was very polite the whole time, but plan on calling back as much as necessary to fix this, if possible. Any suggestions?
Thanks!
Terri the Yoopermom

 

[all4wdw]

Hang in there! We have 3 young kids and take at least one plane trip per year. Due to aircraft changes, schedule changes, and changes in our plans at the last minute, we never seem to have 5 seats assigned together. However, the airline is always accomodating the day of the flight. My thought is does anyone really want to sit next to my 2 year old without his parents? Also, the airline doesn't want to be responsible. It is true they do hold back a percentage (20%?) for changes the day of the flight. Last year on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving we had no seats assigned as we had made a last minute change. At the check-in they quickly gave us 5 together. I know it is difficult not knowing but if you get to the airport a little early I am sure you will get what you want. Good luck and have a great vacation.

 

[Rock'n Robin]

Just check in as early as you can to make sure you get some of those seats held back! The people who run in right before loading are the ones more likely to get bumped.
Robin M.

 

[seashoreCM]

Relax. Don't spend long distance money on hold.

Call the 800 number periodically and casually ask if they have three seats together. If not, when you get to the gate, casually ask if they have three seats together. If not, casually walk on board and casually ask your or your child's seatmates if they are willing to switch.

They won't bump you simply because they can't get three consecutive seats. They even reserve the right to modify someone else's seat at the last minute to seat children together.

From my experience (numerous unsuccessful volunteerings) Delta very seldom bumps.

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[ducklite]

Trust me, it will work out. What will happen is someone like me who is currently holding seat assignments for a three across wil request the emergency row when we check in. They'll look at strapping teenage son, and athletic husband and move us. That will free up a three across for you and your family


I know I'd GLADLY move to a different seat if not doing so meant I sat next to a kid... no offense, but I've been there, done that, not going back

Anne

 

[Toby'sFriend]

Check-in early! You want to get some sort of seat assignment in case the flight is overbooked. Once you are on the plane, somebody is usually happy to move around so that families can sit together.

 

[yoopermom]

I wish we could check in early, but we'll be coming in on a flight from MKE, which only gets there an hour before the flight out to MCO. To me, this means that everyone who has gotten there *hours* early (as we're being told to do) will have the advantage. At this point we have "check-in required", ie NO seat assignments, so it's not as though we have 1-1-1 and just want to switch to 3 together. And is anyone really going to want to take a bump who's going to sunny FL the day after Xmas? And does anyone know why they won't split us up one and two? Does anyone know if people on connecting flights have any kind of priority? (After all, if you live in that town and get bumped, you could just go home, but the rest of us from connecting flights would be stuck in a strange town.) I will continue to call the 800# periodically and ask for *any* seat assignment. I'm not hysterical, just overorganized!
Terri the Yoopermom
P.S. Anne, I don't want to sit next to my child, either, so no offense taken! DH and I will take turns...

 

[CarolA]

They can release some of the seats to the gate agents at your first flight so you might be able to get fixed right then. You could wind up 2-1. However, check in required does NOT mean you are more likely to get bumped than anyone else. I don't think that home town has any bearing on bumping. However, in my numerous years of travels involuntary bumps are VERY rare. The airlines would rather not do it and will start giving more and more money to voluntary bumps. Now, the "free ticket" offers will probably be more attractive to the locals in your connecting city since they can go back home.