U.S.Airways questions

[DisneyBaby823]

Of course, we're having a lot of trouble getting through their automated system to ask our questions directly to a knowledgeable person so I'm going to ask here.

The last time we used U.S.Airways was in 2000. I don't know how much has changed since then.

*Are you seated with your party?
I ask, because we booked in 2000 and years prior and were always seated together with our party. However, I learned a lesson in 2011 when I took a flight using Southwest Airlines that the cheaper you pay for your seats means you get the last seats left, which tend NOT to be together. It was very upsetting for us at the time (for a 4.5hr flight each way) and I don't ever want to experience it again.

*Do they really charge for checked luggage?
I do not recall being charged in the past, but, again, things change. It states on the website that you are charged for your first checked bag at $25 each way!! For us that means an extra $150 towards our trip just for miscellaneous costs.

*Are we required to bring a booster seat for a 23-24month old?
The baby will be 23 months old on the flight to; and 24months old on the flight back. Due to airline policy we had to pay for a seat for baby both ways. But I have no idea if he needs some type of booster seat and if he does, will I be charged any extra fees for this?

Thank you so much!!

 

[charmed59]

When you are booking your flights online, before you even enter your credit card, you can check the seats on the flight to ensure there are enough free seats together so you can sit together. You will want to pick a window seat for your toddler, so you can bring their carseat and buckle them in. Otherwise the airline does not provide a booster seat, and the giant seat with just a lap belt will not be much use in keeping the child in the seat.

Unless you are a frequent flyer with Silver Status or above, or have the USair credit card, you will have to pay for checked bags. Bringing on a carseat is free.

 

[DisneyBaby823]

THANK YOU!!!!! I did not know I could go in and select my seats! I'm so relieved to be able to do that myself!

 

[fvcntwng]

For future reference, Southwest does not assign seats based on how much you paid. Your boarding slot is determined by when you check in for your flight (among other factors, like status and Early Bird Check In).

 

[kaytieeldr]

Of course, we're having a lot of trouble getting through their automated system to ask our questions directly to a knowledgeable person so I'm going to ask here.

The last time we used U.S.Airways was in 2000. I don't know how much has changed since then.

*Are you seated with your party?
I ask, because we booked in 2000 and years prior and were always seated together with our party. However, I learned a lesson in 2011 when I took a flight using Southwest Airlines that the cheaper you pay for your seats means you get the last seats left, which tend NOT to be together. It was very upsetting for us at the time (for a 4.5hr flight each way) and I don't ever want to experience it again.

Diferent airlines have different policies for reserving seats. You can choose seats while booking your ticket. If you were flying Soutgwest, you'd be strongly advised here to pay for EBCI - early bird check in - which assigns your boarding position ahead of passengers checking in themselves.

*Do they really charge for checked luggage?

I do not recall being charged in the past, but, again, things change. It states on the website that you are charged for your first checked bag at $25 each way!! For us that means an extra $150 towards our trip just for miscellaneous costs.

Changed in 2008. You could try consolidating - not having an individual checked bag for each person. Or ship some things. You also want to visit tsa.gov for restrictions on liquids and simikar items, and checked vs carry-on.

*Are we required to bring a booster seat for a 23-24month old?

The baby will be 23 months old on the flight to; and 24months old on the flight back. Due to airline policy we had to pay for a seat for baby both ways. But I have no idea if he needs some type of booster seat and if he does, will I be charged any extra fees for this?

Thank you so much!!

Booster seat is useless on a plane and,in fact, can't be used. It puts the child at a safe height for shoulder belt usage in a car; no shoulder belts on planes. You can, but don't have to, bring an FAA-approved car seat at no charge.

 

[DebbieB]

Just an FYI - USAirways is merging with American and will be using the American name when fully merged. I got an email this week that their frequent flyer programs will be merging together in the next 30 days (under American Advantage). They are in the process of combining check-in counters and gates. USAirways moved from Star Alliance to One World last year if you are looking to credit miles to another airline.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

For future reference, Southwest does not assign seats based on how much you paid. Your boarding slot is determined by when you check in for your flight (among other factors, like status and Early Bird Check In).

Actually, the price you pay does determine boarding position on Southwest. If you buy a Business Select fare, you will get position A1-15. If you purchase EBCI with an Anytime Fare, you will be checked in before someone with another fare type.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

......
Booster seat is useless on a plane and,in fact, can't be used. It puts the child at a safe height for shoulder belt usage in a car; no shoulder belts on planes. You can, but don't have to, bring an FAA-approved car seat at no charge.

You're right, booster seats cannot be used on planes. However, some first class seats do have shoulder belts.

 

[supersnoop]

You're right, booster seats cannot be used on planes. However, some first class seats do have shoulder belts.

I've flown in First on every type of Boeing and never seen a shoulder belt. Which airlines have them?

 

[georgina]

Just an FYI - USAirways is merging with American and will be using the American name when fully merged. I got an email this week that their frequent flyer programs will be merging together in the next 30 days (under American Advantage). They are in the process of combining check-in counters and gates. USAirways moved from Star Alliance to One World last year if you are looking to credit miles to another airline.

Yeah, I've been trying to call US Airways all week to fix a problem with my DD's dividend miles account because they won't merge it with her American account until this is fixed. Have been unable to get through at all - last week they wouldn't even put us in the hold queue, today I gave up after 2 hours on hold! I have tried the GetHuman call-back line and they can't get through either!

 

[DebbieB]

Yeah, I've been trying to call US Airways all week to fix a problem with my DD's dividend miles account because they won't merge it with her American account until this is fixed. Have been unable to get through at all - last week they wouldn't even put us in the hold queue, today I gave up after 2 hours on hold! I have tried the GetHuman call-back line and they can't get through either!

Actually I just tried to merge mine and it will not work. I think because on US I have my middle name Ann, on American I just have A. My passport has Ann but my DL has A.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I've flown in First on every type of Boeing and never seen a shoulder belt. Which airlines have them?

I flew a UA Boeing 777-200 IAD-NRT in Global First this past December and the seats had shoulder belts.

 

[supersnoop]

Yeah, I've been trying to call US Airways all week to fix a problem with my DD's dividend miles account because they won't merge it with her American account until this is fixed. Have been unable to get through at all - last week they wouldn't even put us in the hold queue, today I gave up after 2 hours on hold! I have tried the GetHuman call-back line and they can't get through either!

My problem was that my email address was different, even though eveything else including my global entry ID matched. Pull up both accounts side-by-side and see if you can spot any differences.

 

[DebbieB]

My problem was that my email address was different, even though eveything else including my global entry ID matched. Pull up both accounts side-by-side and see if you can spot any differences.

I found it! My American profile did not have my DOB or gender. I put those in and it matched! I have about 12,000 on AA and 16,000 on US. I got an AA credit card last year and got miles with that, enough to cash in 50,000 miles for a first class ticket to LAX for D23 in August!

 

[georgina]

I found it! My American profile did not have my DOB or gender. I put those in and it matched! I have about 12,000 on AA and 16,000 on US. I got an AA credit card last year and got miles with that, enough to cash in 50,000 miles for a first class ticket to LAX for D23 in August!

That turned out to be the problem here too! The AA website does not even show a space for date of birth until you click on edit next to the name. Took a minute to fix once we got to the heart of the problem!