I am upset with JetBlue

[SnackyStacky]

Ever hear of the little boy who cried wolf? Although I understand your position, sometimes it's better to just let the small stuff roll off and leave the complaining/complaints to when something more significant happens.

As others have mentioned, JetBlue (nor any airline) really guarantees seat assignments, assignments are requests and can be changed to due various reasons.

While I didn't realize this when originally composing my response, the OP wants those front seats because that's what is going to work best for her autistic son. I don't begrudge her those front seats not even a little bit, and I definitely think that that warrants a complaint.

And I think I'm being misunderstood when I advise to call and complain. A simple: "Just wanted to let you know - I had those seats selected for a reason, and it does pose a very real problem to me. While I realize there's nothing you can do, I want to let you know to try and prevent this from happening to someone else." is all that's needed.

I can't tell you how many times using that approach has gotten me further than pushing for a business to do something for me.

Had an issue with National a couple weeks ago. Needed to adjust my car pick up time by an hour. I knew the price would fluctuate somewhat, but it increased the rate to 4X my original rate; from about $250 to almost $1,000. I called and spoke to an agent to see if there was something that could be done. Nada. I asked him to simply pass it on to a supervisor that it was crazy that a simple hour difference created that much of a price discrepency.

I didn't ask to speak to a supervisor. But he took it upon himself to transfer me to one. I said the same thing. The supervisor looked at it and actually lowered the rate.

I work in customer service - and when someone takes the time to complain, that means something to me. Because they actually took the time to complain. If they truly didn't care, you wouldn't hear anything about a negative experience. I can then improve from whatever the negative feedback is.

 

[Girlie1]

Thank you to everyone for the responses. As I stated in my original post, I knew that it would sound trivial to some. I am very excited about my trip but always apprehensive when flying with my DS6 who is autistic. I do not know why but he always seems to do better when he is towards the front of the plane. I know one part of his issue has to do with when it is time to get off the plane everyone kind of crams in like cattle to try and get off quicker and he has a difficult time in close crowds so if we are in the front this is usually not as bad. When we do sit in the back I just let everyone get off first and try to keep him distracted. I always try to purchase tickets when they first come out so I can pick seats as close to the front as possible and then I will call back for credits later. When I went back on JetBlue it does state on the screen where you select your seats that the seat choices are not guaranteed which is something else I did not know. I always got the seats I selected when I booked.

I am well aware of the benefits of this policy but was not really aware that I could lose my seats when the transaction was completed. I trusted that when I asked about my seats and was told they would not change that they really would not change. I understand that we are all human and mistakes are made I have used this credit policy for years and never had this problem before. Oh well - live and learn. I know that my situation could be a lot worse. Thank goodness I checked and we actually had seats because if someone did not fix it, we may not have been able to sit together which would have been even worse. I am getting a very good deal on the flights and accumulated enough credits to probably pay for tickets for at least 2 of us for the next trip. I will try and reach someone in management to see if they can help us but if not - to the back of the plane it is. Jet Blue is still my favorite airline - I was just upset and disappointed and wanted to vent and ask for suggestions. Thank you all for your responses.

 

[Girlie1]

While I didn't realize this when originally composing my response, the OP wants those front seats because that's what is going to work best for her autistic son. I don't begrudge her those front seats not even a little bit, and I definitely think that that warrants a complaint.

And I think I'm being misunderstood when I advise to call and complain. A simple: "Just wanted to let you know - I had those seats selected for a reason, and it does pose a very real problem to me. While I realize there's nothing you can do, I want to let you know to try and prevent this from happening to someone else." is all that's needed.

I can't tell you how many times using that approach has gotten me further than pushing for a business to do something for me.

Had an issue with National a couple weeks ago. Needed to adjust my car pick up time by an hour. I knew the price would fluctuate somewhat, but it increased the rate to 4X my original rate; from about $250 to almost $1,000. I called and spoke to an agent to see if there was something that could be done. Nada. I asked him to simply pass it on to a supervisor that it was crazy that a simple hour difference created that much of a price discrepency.

I didn't ask to speak to a supervisor. But he took it upon himself to transfer me to one. I said the same thing. The supervisor looked at it and actually lowered the rate.

I work in customer service - and when someone takes the time to complain, that means something to me. Because they actually took the time to complain. If they truly didn't care, you wouldn't hear anything about a negative experience. I can then improve from whatever the negative feedback is.

A special thank you to you. I appreciate all of the information you provided.

 

[TDC Nala]

I'm supposing that to some 10-15 minutes longer to get off the plane is a huge deal, which is why some airlines are charging and getting extra if you book a seat near the front of the plane.

I don't think any airline seat is ever guaranteed. I try to avoid middle seats. I was on a US Airways flight last week where I was involuntarily moved to a middle seat to accommodate an adult couple who wanted to sit together. It was made clear to me by the flight attendants that this couple WAS being given the window seat I booked back in March, and I could either sit in the middle seat one of them had vacated or they'd let me go on a later plane.

If there was some extenuating issue that this couple HAD to sit together, they should have asked me before I boarded the plane, not put the woman in my seat and waited till I walked up there to find my seat was occuped.