Seats on Airtran: Buy now or wait until online check in

[Redarrow5150]

Yes I have! And it didn't cost any extra money to do so! Have flown Southwest and Delta. If 80% of the people (your claim not mine) want or preferred selection then why does the value only reach $15? If the demand is that great why doesn't AT charge more for advanced selection since they know what seats are in demand for every flight? To say seats have an assigned value is just not true since every flight for AT has a $15 charge for advance selection.

I've got no problem with them charging more, especially if you want your seats together but don't tell me the ceiling is $15 to do this. The problem is if you have a demand that your customers are wanting the advanced seat selection than price it that way.

Have you ever actually booked on an airline with advanced seat selection? I'm starting to assume that you haven't, because your comments are making no sense.

1) The seats, in and of themselves, are no different (with the exception of some with extra leg room etc.). The extra charge is because you get to select which seat you want, in advance. And the site clearly states this (and the cost) as part of the booking process.

2) The seat cost more because they got to choose it ahead of time. Rather than gambling that two/three/four/whatever seats would be available at the 24 hour mark. Or that a window seat/aisle seat would be available. Or whatever type of seat they like.

3) If they didn't pay for advance seat selection (your strange scernerio), there would be no need to move them, because they wouldn't yet be anywhere. If you booked on line and wanted three seats together AND you paid for seat selection, then you can have three seats together - provided that there haven't been so many people who paid for seat selection that there are no longer three seats together. Again, they won't move people who already paid; those who haven't paid don't yet have assigned seats, so there is nowhere to move them from.
In an airline that doesn't charge for seat selection - nope I don't think that the computer should move people for you party. It is first-come, first-served. One of the perils of booking later is the reduced seat selection.

4) Not everyone cares where they sit - so they don't force everyone to select their seat in advance. Just like baggage fees - if I fly with carry-on only (often, for work, I'm traveling and returning the same day), I don't need to pay for baggage fees.

 

[dudspizza]

What's not to understand...they take my money even if I don't pay the extra money to select my seat? Gee last I knew when a company takes my money for a ticket that means I have a seat...or at least it should. Every seat has an assigned value? Really? That's weird cause that's not what I'm seeing for AT when booking for a flight. All I see is the extra money is used (not for any seat selection) but to have a seat. If it were an assigned value then what about me going in and paying an extra $20 bucks because I want a window seat that someone already has? So the assigned value stops at $15?

Arguing value of seating assignments.... blah blah blah...... you know exactly what you are getting with Airtran...... we all know if it nothing more than another revenue stream for AT.. it is what it is.

Don't get you arguing paying more for a seat...... again, you know exactly what you are getting. Are you suggesting a bidding war start for premium seats?

Kind of sounds like you just want to start an argument because you don't like their policy.... instead, if you don't like it, don't fly AT. You state you have never flown AT, so why even get into this argument in the first place?

 

[Redarrow5150]

Then why AM I paying for when booking a flight? You are taking my money with the idea that I will have a seat. I better not get bumped from a flight because I didn't pay for an advance selection. That's what AT does and they are notorious for overselling a lot of flights.

Obviously he hasn't. And that's fine, if you don't like that AT forces you to pre-pay for an assigned seat then by all means, don't fly them. There are many other airlines out there that can accomodate you!

 

[maxiesmom]

Yes I have! And it didn't cost any extra money to do so! Have flown Southwest and Delta. If 80% of the people (your claim not mine) want or preferred selection then why does the value only reach $15? If the demand is that great why doesn't AT charge more for advanced selection since they know what seats are in demand for every flight? To say seats have an assigned value is just not true since every flight for AT has a $15 charge for advance selection.

I've got no problem with them charging more, especially if you want your seats together but don't tell me the ceiling is $15 to do this. The problem is if you have a demand that your customers are wanting the advanced seat selection than price it that way.

Delta and Southwest just charge a flat rate for their flights. Other airlines unbundle things, which makes it chepaer to fly if you are not picky about where you sit, or if you don't need a checked bag. Everyone has to choose what airline suits them, and what services they need or don't need.

If you fly Air Tran you are paying for A seat. But not a specific seat. Paying for a seat assignment allows you to pay for a specific seat.

 

[TaraPA]

Kind of sounds like you just want to start an argument because you don't like their policy.... instead, if you don't like it, don't fly AT. You state you have never flown AT, so why even get into this argument in the first place?

Because he likes to hear himself talk!

SW and Delta have a completely different booking system, it's comparing apples to oranges.

And not all seats are $15 on AT when booking - there are $6, $13, $15 and $20 depending on the size of the aircraft. Or you can pay $0 and have a seat, just not a specific one.

 

[ccgirl]

There are many threads on this. If you want to sit together, pay for the seat selection now. When I flew from BOS the only seats available at the 24 hr mark were the middle seats. There were no seats together. $6 is a small price to pay for piece of mind. As a fligher that is not familiar with AT eluded to, those that don't pay for seats are the first to be bumped should it be overbooked. I have flown both SW and AT. With SW, you never know what seat you are getting until you get on the plane. You can pay $10 for a chance at a better seat.

With Air Tran, when purchasing seats you can hover over a seat to see if it is available and the price associated to it. The exit rows and those closer to the front of the plane are a higher price. In addition, the price you pay for the seats dictates what boarding group you get. Those that get on first have first dibs on the overhead compartments; which is a good thing since they charge a baggage fee many people try to just bring a carryon. Every AT flight I have been on has run out of overhead bin space and bags have had ot be gate checked.

In short, if it is important you sit together pay the fee as the will separate families. If you are willing to sit apart, you can take the chance but be prepared for middle seats scattered about the plane.

 

[Redarrow5150]

It comes to customer service. I'm not trying to argue but it's why airlines have crappy customer service cause they can't even get the basics right. My wife has flown AT and got the run around based upon what is being discussed. It comes to transparency when purchasing a ticket and I don't care what airline or business decides to do. When I'm booking a flight and decide NOT to get advance seat selection that's fine if I have the worst seat on the plane. By the same token giving them my money (and them accepting it) shouldn't preclude me from getting a seat on that flight...PERIOD. Just don't go in circles about "assigned values" in paying extra money to guarantee a seat. You except my money don't go bumping anybody out cause they didn't pay the advance seating.

Arguing value of seating assignments.... blah blah blah...... you know exactly what you are getting with Airtran...... we all know if it nothing more than another revenue stream for AT.. it is what it is.

Don't get you arguing paying more for a seat...... again, you know exactly what you are getting. Are you suggesting a bidding war start for premium seats?

Kind of sounds like you just want to start an argument because you don't like their policy.... instead, if you don't like it, don't fly AT. You state you have never flown AT, so why even get into this argument in the first place?

 

[smitch425]

Paying to reserve a specific seat is also important because if the flight is oversold (which AT is NOTORIOUS for doing), and you did not pay for a specific seat assignment your chances of getting bumped from the flight increase.

I would highly recommend prepurchasing your seats with children involved. Perhaps you can buy 3 seats together and then the other adults in the group can just try to get lucky or they will just be spread around the plane.

I would not let my children fly without one of us with them, and I have read posts on the Dis about how 1) they were separated from their child and 2) they would not move to accomodate another family that did not prepay to sit together

Good luck with whatever you decided. I would buy the seats, but that just me.

 

[ccgirl]

Then why AM I paying for when booking a flight? You are taking my money with the idea that I will have a seat. I better not get bumped from a flight because I didn't pay for an advance selection. That's what AT does and they are notorious for overselling a lot of flights.

Really? Then why have I seen more passengers bumped from SW than AT? I am a frequent flier. I travel a lot for business. Usually, I don't pay the fee as it is just me and I don't care where I sit. However, with my children I always pay for a seat. On SW, I have voluntarily given up my seat many times for a travel voucher as it has veen oversold. Never had to on Airtran.

 

[ccgirl]

It comes to customer service. I'm not trying to argue but it's why airlines have crappy customer service cause they can't even get the basics right. My wife has flown AT and got the run around based upon what is being discussed. It comes to transparency when purchasing a ticket and I don't care what airline or business decides to do. When I'm booking a flight and decide NOT to get advance seat selection that's fine if I have the worst seat on the plane. By the same token giving them my money (and them accepting it) shouldn't preclude me from getting a seat on that flight...PERIOD. Just don't go in circles about "assigned values" in paying extra money to guarantee a seat. You except my money don't go bumping anybody out cause they didn't pay the advance seating.

Sounds like your wife had a bad experience with AT. Every airline oversells flights. NOt just AT. In addition, AT is now owned by Southwest.

 

[maxiesmom]

It comes to customer service. I'm not trying to argue but it's why airlines have crappy customer service cause they can't even get the basics right. My wife has flown AT and got the run around based upon what is being discussed. It comes to transparency when purchasing a ticket and I don't care what airline or business decides to do. When I'm booking a flight and decide NOT to get advance seat selection that's fine if I have the worst seat on the plane. By the same token giving them my money (and them accepting it) shouldn't preclude me from getting a seat on that flight...PERIOD. Just don't go in circles about "assigned values" in paying extra money to guarantee a seat. You except my money don't go bumping anybody out cause they didn't pay the advance seating.

ALL Airlines oversell, not just Air Tran. Delta does, Continental does, United does. They all do.

 

[TaraPA]

I better not get bumped from a flight because I didn't pay for an advance selection. That's what AT does and they are notorious for overselling a lot of flights.

That's a very broad statement that is simply untrue. Does it happen? Yes. Does it happen on every single other airline? Yes. You could poll everyone on here & I'm guessing more have been bumped off of oversold flights with major carriers than with AT.

I've flown AT about 10 times, and have never once been bumped, and I hadn't pre-paid for seats on some of those flights. So your assumption that AT sets out to bump those who didn't pre-pay their seats doesn't pan out all the time.

You obviously have a gripe with the way they do business, and that's fine. It is what it is, you can choose to fly with another carrier.

 

[Redarrow5150]

Ohhh please give it a rest. I've stated and will continue to say If AT takes my money and I don't decide advance seating then go ahead and give me the worst seat but you should not bump me. Yes I will say once the seats are filled or established then move around (even the 20%) who did not take the advance seat selection. This is my point by providing customer service and not having to put passengers on the spot in having to do this.

Because he likes to hear himself talk!

SW and Delta have a completely different booking system, it's comparing apples to oranges.

And not all seats are $15 on AT when booking - there are $6, $13, $15 and $20 depending on the size of the aircraft. Or you can pay $0 and have a seat, just not a specific one.

 

[crashbb]

Yes I have! And it didn't cost any extra money to do so! Have flown Southwest and Delta. If 80% of the people (your claim not mine) want or preferred selection then why does the value only reach $15? If the demand is that great why doesn't AT charge more for advanced selection since they know what seats are in demand for every flight? To say seats have an assigned value is just not true since every flight for AT has a $15 charge for advance selection.

I've got no problem with them charging more, especially if you want your seats together but don't tell me the ceiling is $15 to do this. The problem is if you have a demand that your customers are wanting the advanced seat selection than price it that way.

Could you please show me where I made such a claim?

 

[crashbb]

ALL Airlines oversell, not just Air Tran. Delta does, Continental does, United does. They all do.

Funny, the only flight I've been IDB (in my recent memory, at least) was an airline that claims to never oversell their flights!

 

[Redarrow5150]

About as much as broad statement as you saying that 80% of the people who fly AT have advance seating. What assumption about bumping? The only way someone gets bumped if another passenger (who wants to board a sellout flight) pays a lot more than others have paid. If I decide to fly AT and I want to get the advanced seating I have no problem paying the extra amount. Your darn right it then comes to down to rates or advance selection of who is going to be bumped.

That's a very broad statement that is simply untrue. Does it happen? Yes. Does it happen on every single other airline? Yes. You could poll everyone on here & I'm guessing more have been bumped off of oversold flights with major carriers than with AT.

I've flown AT about 10 times, and have never once been bumped, and I hadn't pre-paid for seats on some of those flights. So your assumption that AT sets out to bump those who didn't pre-pay their seats doesn't pan out all the time.

You obviously have a gripe with the way they do business, and that's fine. It is what it is, you can choose to fly with another carrier.

 

[ccgirl]

Ohhh please give it a rest. I've stated and will continue to say If AT takes my money and I don't decide advance seating then go ahead and give me the worst seat but you should not bump me. Yes I will say once the seats are filled or established then move around (even the 20%) who did not take the advance seat selection. This is my point by providing customer service and not having to put passengers on the spot in having to do this.

And what happens when you board another carrier and someone is already in yoru seat (and been assigned that same seat)? They put you on another flight and usually offer you some sort of monetary compensation. Again, AirTrain is not alone. All flights oversell their flights. In fact, in a recent poll the legacy carriers were voted to have worse customer service (and more oversold flights) than AirTran.

 

[Redarrow5150]

My apologies as it was Tara who gave the example and not you.

Could you please show me where I made such a claim?

 

[TaraPA]

Could you please show me where I made such a claim?

I think it's the example I was using of 100 passengers with 80% pre-paying for seats. It was just an example.

 

[Redarrow5150]

Should never come to this point especially when boarding.

And what happens when you board another carrier and someone is already in yoru seat (and been assigned that same seat)? They put you on another flight and usually offer you some sort of monetary compensation. Again, AirTrain is not alone. All flights oversell their flights. In fact, in a recent poll the legacy carriers were voted to have worse customer service (and more oversold flights) than AirTran.