JetBlue question--want to change seat . . . but . . .

[Miffy]

I have a reservation on a JetBlue flight this coming Monday and have already purchased an extra-space seat. I just checked online and there's someone else now sitting in my row, but there are several extra-space seats in rows with no other passengers. I'd like to change my seat to one of those empty rows.

I tried to do this online and JetBlue seemed to be telling me it was going to charge me the fee for the extra-space seat again even though I was trying to switch from one extra-space seat to another and I'd already paid for this. I didn't go ahead with the change since I thought it was possible they'd just automatically charge me for this as I have a JB credit card and JB has all the info.

I've tried calling but there are huge waits on their phone support line. I suppose I could just ask to change seats after we board, but I'd rather do it ahead of time.

If anyone has any experience with this--perhaps it only looks like they're going to charge me again and they won't, for example?--please let me know.

Thanks.

 

[FrannyFrogs]

You should send them a direct message on Twitter. They are pretty quick to respond that way. Two days ago I was having trouble cancelling a flight online and the twitter team got it done!

 

[appledown]

If you have an iphone, they also have an apple text option that worked really well for me when I needed to change a flight.

 

[Miffy]

Android phone here . . . and I'm not on Twitter, but maybe I should do that just for situations like this one. Thanks, everyone.

 

[olive]

When I made changes for my JetBlue flight, they refunded the charges I had already paid and then recharged me the same charges. It seems kind of stupid, but I am guessing the system can't tell they are the same charges? Like it just wipes any add-ons from the old ticket and adds back the new add-ons, even if they are the same ones. In my case, it was for luggage.

 

[Miffy]

When I made changes for my JetBlue flight, they refunded the charges I had already paid and then recharged me the same charges. It seems kind of stupid, but I am guessing the system can't tell they are the same charges? Like it just wipes any add-ons from the old ticket and adds back the new add-ons, even if they are the same ones. In my case, it was for luggage.

Thanks, @olive. You did this online? I of course don't want to end up paying twice for the same thing.

 

[olive]

Thanks, @olive. You did this online? I of course don't want to end up paying twice for the same thing.

Yes, I did it online when I made the change. It listed out the refund amount and an equal charge amount.

JetBlue actually changed my flights later on, and then I had to call them anyway because the changed flights wouldn't allow me to accept them or change to new options because of a tech glitch. After waiting a couple of hours on hold, the nice operator person changed my flights but somehow didn't add the luggage back on for both legs and I ended up having to call again anyway. So calling to make changes doesn't always work better than DIY online.

 

[Lewisc]

Doesn't Jet Blue offer passengers with status a complimentary upgrade? You might be going through an exercise.

 

[Miffy]

Doesn't Jet Blue offer passengers with status a complimentary upgrade? You might be going through an exercise.

I'm not sure what you mean by this, @Lewisc. I don't know that I have any so-called status. I bought an extra-space seat and now just want to change to a different extra-space seat, one in a row that currently has no other occupants. There's no other upgrade at JetBlue. I already bought the most expensive seat on that flight.

 

[GoingSince1990]

Don't bother. Those extra space seats with no other occupants will probably be occupied on the actual flight, by Mosaic customers who get upgraded to them for free based on availability, and/or airline staff deadheading or traveling for free.

 

[StageTek]

If anyone has any experience with this--perhaps it only looks like they're going to charge me again and they won't, for example?--please let me know.

That is unusual. I, too, have the JetBlue card and I have changed seats on-line. No charge.

However, as GoingSince mentioned, that empty row will be occupied soon. You'll jump through hoops to change seats and then find all seats occupied when you board.

 

[Miffy]

Don't bother. Those extra space seats with no other occupants WILL be occupied on the actual flight, by Mosaic customers who get upgraded to them for free based on availability, and/or airline staff deadheading or traveling for free.

You might think so, but for the last several years, going to WDW 2 or 3 times a year, I've had to share my row with another person only once. Flying out of LGA.

ETA: Perhaps it matters what airport you fly out of? Or maybe I've just been incredibly lucky.

 

[tjmw2727]

Don't bother. Those extra space seats with no other occupants will probably be occupied on the actual flight, by Mosaic customers who get upgraded to them for free based on availability, and/or airline staff deadheading or traveling for free.

I was going to mention this, often it looks like seats are free but they could then be offered to passengers with status, and other issues that may arise with seating day of.

Even if you change now - that seat could get filled and then your in the same situation.

I would just check in at the airport and ask then if there is a seating option that works better for you still available.

 

[Debbie Jean]

You might think so, but for the last several years, going to WDW 2 or 3 times a year, I've had to share my row with another person only once. Flying out of LGA.

ETA: Perhaps it matters what airport you fly out of? Or maybe I've just been incredibly lucky.

I fly out of Newark to Orlando several times a year. Not only are the flights full, I swear they strap people on the wings, too! LOL

I'm really going to miss social distancing and having those middle seats free *sigh*

 

[StageTek]

So True! Flying these past 12 months have been, dare I say it, Glorious. Empty middle seat, airports not crowded, with social distancing people were not storming the gates, pushing each other.

I fly out of Los Angeles - typically the "redeye" to MCO. More often than not I'll see an empty row or two a couple of days before the flight. But in flight night the plane is full. I used to play the switch seats game up until the day before. So far it never got me an empty row so I just stay with my first pick.

 

[Miffy]

I will report back on the seat situation after I return . . . not that I want to think about returning!

 

[Miffy]

Interesting update: I just checked my flight and now there's no one but me sitting in my row. So apparently my thoughts on this matter have caused the other person to change seats!!!

 

[Miffy]

Trip update. Just back last night.

OK, guys, you were all correct--planes in both directions were packed. I think there was maybe one empty seat on the outbound and probably zero on the inbound. Fortunately I had lovely seatmates.

On the inbound last night the plane was one of the new ones. I always purchase an even-more-space seat, but my impression (without actually measuring anything) is that the new planes' even-more-space seats have even less space than they did on the older planes. Leg room was about the same, but the seat felt significantly narrower. And the chair wasn't as comfortable--it seemed that the lumbar support area was made for someone several inches taller than my 5'4", so my lower back fell into a void.

That's my JetBlue, LAG-MCO round trip report.

 

[PatMcDuck]

I understand you paid for the extra space seat and respect that.

Fortunately the regular seats on Jet Blue are quite roomy (for many of us) compared to the legacy carriers. I have upgraded on Frontier to the first few rows and it was worth every penny, however.

I recently changed a flight on JB, they refunded the first original flight but it took a few weeks to get the email noting the credit. Maybe becuase that flight was paid for mostly with other credits.

 

[Best Aunt]

Trip update. Just back last night.

OK, guys, you were all correct--planes in both directions were packed. I think there was maybe one empty seat on the outbound and probably zero on the inbound. Fortunately I had lovely seatmates.

On the inbound last night the plane was one of the new ones. I always purchase an even-more-space seat, but my impression (without actually measuring anything) is that the new planes' even-more-space seats have even less space than they did on the older planes. Leg room was about the same, but the seat felt significantly narrower. And the chair wasn't as comfortable--it seemed that the lumbar support area was made for someone several inches taller than my 5'4", so my lower back fell into a void.

That's my JetBlue, LAG-MCO round trip report.

I always carry a small blanket with me when I travel. I fold it up to use as a pillow behind my back.