Unassigned seats-AA

[aprescher]

We leave at 6:15am May 18th out of Dfw for Mco flying American Airlines. There are 2 people in my party of 5 that have 'unassigned seats'! We booked months ago through disney and paid for the entire trip back in feb! This is the very first time I have ever booked my own flight and no one in my party has any experience with booking either.

What does it mean that I don't have a confirmed seat? Is there a chance 2 of us won't make the flight??

I see I have the option of paying $27 more per person to get a "premium" seat or whatever but I feel like I shouldn't have to pay more when I paid my fare well in advance!!

Any advice is much appreciated!!

 

[aprescher]

Also, when I go to "choose seats" the only available ones are the pay more premium ones!

 

[Jestocost]

We leave at 6:15am May 18th out of Dfw for Mco flying American Airlines. There are 2 people in my party of 5 that have 'unassigned seats'! We booked months ago through disney and paid for the entire trip back in feb! This is the very first time I have ever booked my own flight and no one in my party has any experience with booking either.

What does it mean that I don't have a confirmed seat? Is there a chance 2 of us won't make the flight??

I see I have the option of paying $27 more per person to get a "premium" seat or whatever but I feel like I shouldn't have to pay more when I paid my fare well in advance!!

Any advice is much appreciated!!

You should have confirmed seats and every passenger will get an assigned seat for no charge if you elect to wait. However, the only seats currently available for assignment are premium seats and you are not eligible (through frequent flyer status or fare category or whatever) to select those particular seats without paying a fee. My advice would be to check back regularly to see if seats open up, but make a special effort to check back 100 hours, 72 hours and 24 hours before your scheduled departure as that is when different groups of elite frequent flyers can get free first/business class upgrades and seats may open up at that time.

Be prepared for the possibility that you may have to wait until you are at the gate for those final seats to be assigned if you choose not to pay the extra to get a premium seat now. Your travel companions may actually wind up in one of those premium seats at no charge, or they could wind up in other seats that are held for gate assignment or that become open at the last minute for one reason or another. Depending on how many seats are available at the gate it may or may not be possible to have those final two passengers get seats together and/or near the rest of your group.

 

[kda]

DH and I had a similar scenario a few weeks ago. Had seats from HOU to DFW but couldn't select seats on flight from DFW to BDL because the only ones available cost $$$ (guess it would be more accurate to say I chose not to spend $69 X2 seats). I checked almost daily to see if some 'free' seats opened up, but no luck. I called several times and was told that at the 24 hr mark some seats would be released, BUT staff at DFW could take over those seats at any time and assign them themselves.

After the 24 hr mark I started to see several seats available but couldn't select them because DFW had taken control (that's what I was told when I called --- was also told the flight was sold out but I shouldn't worry about not having seats because they were very successful getting volunteers to switch flights--- do you think I really believed this?). A few hours before the flight, we were assigned exit row seats together.

It's also possible you may have to wait until you're at the gate to have seats assigned, as has been stated. Good luck! If I were in this situation again, I wouldn't be as concerned as I was this time. I did strongly consider paying the $$$ for peace of mind, but then someone beat me to it and there were only middle seats left.

 

[aprescher]

Thank you both!! I was so worried since its our first trip to disney and my brothers first time flying. I just want it all to go smoothly.

I also considered paying extra just for the piece of mind but planning a graduation party and this trip all at the same time has taken every spare dollar I get!

After reading your experiences I feel much better!! I will give it time and keep checking when it gets closer. I really don't care where we sit ( we are all adults) as long as we all make it to Florida together at the same time

 

[S'sMom]

We leave at 6:15am May 18th out of Dfw for Mco flying American Airlines. There are 2 people in my party of 5 that have 'unassigned seats'! We booked months ago through disney and paid for the entire trip back in feb! This is the very first time I have ever booked my own flight and no one in my party has any experience with booking either.

What does it mean that I don't have a confirmed seat? Is there a chance 2 of us won't make the flight??

I see I have the option of paying $27 more per person to get a "premium" seat or whatever but I feel like I shouldn't have to pay more when I paid my fare well in advance!!

Any advice is much appreciated!!

This happened to me just last week (from DFW to MCO). Well the tickets were bought about 3 weeks prior and I did not have a confirmed seat. After about a week, they did assign one to me and it was one of the premium seats, which was cool. Like the pp have said, just play the waiting game and you will have a seat.

 

[aubriee]

We leave at 6:15am May 18th out of Dfw for Mco flying American Airlines. There are 2 people in my party of 5 that have 'unassigned seats'! We booked months ago through disney and paid for the entire trip back in feb! This is the very first time I have ever booked my own flight and no one in my party has any experience with booking either.

What does it mean that I don't have a confirmed seat? Is there a chance 2 of us won't make the flight??

I see I have the option of paying $27 more per person to get a "premium" seat or whatever but I feel like I shouldn't have to pay more when I paid my fare well in advance!!

Any advice is much appreciated!!

I'm flying DFW to MCO this Friday (May 10th) on American. I booked my flight back in Dec, but added my mom a couple of months ago, then my husband decided to join us at the last minute and I bought his ticket just a couple of weeks ago. Each time I bought a ticket the AA website gave me an option to choose free seats. Your post scared me, so I just went and pulled up our flights. All three of us still have the original free seats I chose when I purchased the tickets. When you first booked the flights, did the website not give you the option of choosing free seats? The exit row seats and the rows in the front of coach had a fee attached to them, but all the other seats could be chosen for free at the time of ticket purchase. If you bought the tickets way back in Feb, why didn't you choose free seats way back then? I just checked our flights and there are still seats available for free and we are leaving this Friday.

 

[S'sMom]

I'm flying DFW to MCO this Friday (May 10th) on American. I booked my flight back in Dec, but added my mom a couple of months ago, then my husband decided to join us at the last minute and I bought his ticket just a couple of weeks ago. Each time I bought a ticket the AA website gave me an option to choose free seats. Your post scared me, so I just went and pulled up our flights. All three of us still have the original free seats I chose when I purchased the tickets. When you first booked the flights, did the website not give you the option of choosing free seats? The exit row seats and the rows in the front of coach had a fee attached to them, but all the other seats could be chosen for free at the time of ticket purchase. If you bought the tickets way back in Feb, why didn't you choose free seats way back then? I just checked our flights and there are still seats available for free and we are leaving this Friday.

For me I did not make the ressie for my tickets. However, I think that when they were reserved, there were no "free" seats to choose from at the time. But after a week or so it automatically chose them for me.

 

[aprescher]

I'm flying DFW to MCO this Friday (May 10th) on American. I booked my flight back in Dec, but added my mom a couple of months ago, then my husband decided to join us at the last minute and I bought his ticket just a couple of weeks ago. Each time I bought a ticket the AA website gave me an option to choose free seats. Your post scared me, so I just went and pulled up our flights. All three of us still have the original free seats I chose when I purchased the tickets. When you first booked the flights, did the website not give you the option of choosing free seats? The exit row seats and the rows in the front of coach had a fee attached to them, but all the other seats could be chosen for free at the time of ticket purchase. If you bought the tickets way back in Feb, why didn't you choose free seats way back then? I just checked our flights and there are still seats available for free and we are leaving this Friday.

I booked my flights through disney with the rest of my package so I didn't get to choose seats at all. I have never done this before so by the time I realized I needed to choose it was too late!

I appreciate hearing everyone's stories and feel much better about having a seat now! Thanks everyone!!

 

[seashoreCM]

Correct me if I am wrong but you can get seats selected at or about the time you book your entire package including airfare through Disney.

By the way, what are the advantages of booking airfare through Disney with the rest of the package, compared with booking the airfare separately directly with the airline?

 

[aprescher]

Correct me if I am wrong but you can get seats selected at or about the time you book your entire package including airfare through Disney.

By the way, what are the advantages of booking airfare through Disney with the rest of the package, compared with booking the airfare separately directly with the airline?

If you can I guess I missed that! When we booked the package we chose the flight times and airline but that was it. We weren't even sent the "record locator" number to look up our flight info until the trip was paid in full (which was month ago).

This is our first real family vacation and first time for me to even buy a flight so I was pretty lost. I had no idea what to do and assumed that when I bought my ticket I would be assigned a seat! Nothing ever told me different, I never got any info from American Airlines at all, so I had no way of knowing the airline didnt assign seats?!? 3 of my 5 family members have seats and on the return flight all 5 of us have seats together (I chose none of them) so it's all very confusing to me.

Now that I know booking through disney isn't the best way to book airfare I would do it differently in the future!

 

[Jestocost]

If you can I guess I missed that! When we booked the package we chose the flight times and airline but that was it. We weren't even sent the "record locator" number to look up our flight info until the trip was paid in full (which was month ago).

This is our first real family vacation and first time for me to even buy a flight so I was pretty lost. I had no idea what to do and assumed that when I bought my ticket I would be assigned a seat! Nothing ever told me different, I never got any info from American Airlines at all, so I had no way of knowing the airline didnt assign seats?!? 3 of my 5 family members have seats and on the return flight all 5 of us have seats together (I chose none of them) so it's all very confusing to me.

Now that I know booking through disney isn't the best way to book airfare I would do it differently in the future!

Provided there are seats available they should be automatically assigned at booking. You or your TA--in this case Disney--also should be able to see the assignments and change them of something else if available. If you book far enough in advance it usually isn't an issue. I fly fairly often on airlines where I don't have elite frequent flyer status and only very rarely am unable to get an advance seat assignment on airlines that offer such assignments. When I can't get a seat it's typically for flights that I've booked only a week or less out from the travel date.

The lesson learned is to check immediately if you don't see any seat assignments on your confirmation.

 

[Greysword]

First I'd like to say welcome to the flier community . Flying is fun, and so is the adventure of getting onto and off of your flights.

I'd like to say up front this was Disney Travel's fault instead of yours or American Airlines. Disney Travel, acting as your agent, should have booked all the seats in advance and explained the process to you. Since they did not, they did you a disservice. Next time you go on a trip and would like to use a travel service (which is a great idea, BTW), I suggest a local travel agent that you can visit, ask questions, and sit with while making the decisions. Same fees and commissions for them, only you have an accountable party to contact.

Several airlines, led by American in this case, have determined that travelers are willing to pay a little extra for more desirable seats ("premium" as it were). These premium seats include seats closer to the front of the aircraft as well as aisle and window seats. Initially after releasing the flight information, airlines tend to make economy class seats of most types available for reservations by the customer. However as the day of travel approaches and the flight begins to fill, AA will designate the remaining seats that could qualify as premium into this category and begin charging extra for them. If these seats are not filled with those willing to pay extra, they go into the pool for the airport.

All airlines (except maybe Southwest) hold a block of seats from the reservation system for use by airport staff. This allows their staff flexibility at the check-in desk and gate to accommodate travelers needing specific seats (service dogs, air marshals, etc). It also allows airport staff the ability to seat parties together or move someone from the exit row that isn't qualified to perform those duties (minors, elderly, etc). Since the airline has this block of seats, those without seat assignments are able to get aboard the aircraft.

Airlines have been operating in this manor for decades, so the game is well versed. No worries on getting a seat, and the two outlier will likely sit together.

I highly recommend you arrive at the airport early!

Arriving early allows time for the check-in agent to assign you a seat and move assignments around to get your party together. In addition, it will help you navigate security, use the restroom, buy drinks/snacks before boarding, and generally ensure you do not feel rushed.

By early, I mean no later than 2 hours before flight time, and it is better for new fliers to be there 2.5-3 hours early to be sure things roll smoothly. This is especially true if it is during a busy time for air travel (major holidays, spring break, conventions, etc).

Good luck, and be sure to read the TSA and air travel threads here on the DIS. They will provide lots of info for you.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

........ Flying is fun [Only in International First Class!], and so is the adventure of getting onto and off of your flights........

I'd like to say up front this was Disney Travel's fault instead of yours or American Airlines. Disney Travel, acting as your agent, should have booked all the seats in advance and explained the process to you. Since they did not, they did you a disservice. Next time you go on a trip and would like to use a travel service (which is a great idea, BTW), I suggest a local travel agent that you can visit, ask questions, and sit with while making the decisions. Same fees and commissions for them, only you have an accountable party to contact...........

Even if you don't book your tickets yourself, there is nothing stopping you from logging into AA's website and choosing your seats yourself.

I disagree that it's a great idea to use a travel agent, except in very specific circumstances (such as for a cruise). It's extremely easy to book flights yourself and would prevent problems such as the OP has had.

 

[aprescher]

First I'd like to say welcome to the flier community . Flying is fun, and so is the adventure of getting onto and off of your flights.

I'd like to say up front this was Disney Travel's fault instead of yours or American Airlines. Disney Travel, acting as your agent, should have booked all the seats in advance and explained the process to you. Since they did not, they did you a disservice. Next time you go on a trip and would like to use a travel service (which is a great idea, BTW), I suggest a local travel agent that you can visit, ask questions, and sit with while making the decisions. Same fees and commissions for them, only you have an accountable party to contact.

Several airlines, led by American in this case, have determined that travelers are willing to pay a little extra for more desirable seats ("premium" as it were). These premium seats include seats closer to the front of the aircraft as well as aisle and window seats. Initially after releasing the flight information, airlines tend to make economy class seats of most types available for reservations by the customer. However as the day of travel approaches and the flight begins to fill, AA will designate the remaining seats that could qualify as premium into this category and begin charging extra for them. If these seats are not filled with those willing to pay extra, they go into the pool for the airport.

All airlines (except maybe Southwest) hold a block of seats from the reservation system for use by airport staff. This allows their staff flexibility at the check-in desk and gate to accommodate travelers needing specific seats (service dogs, air marshals, etc). It also allows airport staff the ability to seat parties together or move someone from the exit row that isn't qualified to perform those duties (minors, elderly, etc). Since the airline has this block of seats, those without seat assignments are able to get aboard the aircraft.

Airlines have been operating in this manor for decades, so the game is well versed. No worries on getting a seat, and the two outlier will likely sit together.

I highly recommend you arrive at the airport early!

Arriving early allows time for the check-in agent to assign you a seat and move assignments around to get your party together. In addition, it will help you navigate security, use the restroom, buy drinks/snacks before boarding, and generally ensure you do not feel rushed.

By early, I mean no later than 2 hours before flight time, and it is better for new fliers to be there 2.5-3 hours early to be sure things roll smoothly. This is especially true if it is during a busy time for air travel (major holidays, spring break, conventions, etc).

Good luck, and be sure to read the TSA and air travel threads here on the DIS. They will provide lots of info for you.

Thank you for explanation!! I have been checking the AA website religiously and was able to snag 1 seat!! For the piece of mind I took it. I'm not so concerned we sit together as long as we all get to disney together I will continue to check back and see if another opens up and I will be sure to get to the airport early!

Thanks for all the info!!

 

[Iamthequeen]

I had this problem too with a US Air flight recently. My sister and I booked flights to Hawaii and selected our seats. On the return flight, most of the "free" seats were booked, but she got a middle seat and I selected a window seat - except it was not a free seat. Got an email telling me that I couldn't select that one and to choose another. I did - another middle seat on the other side of the plane. When I went back to double check, the reservation said I did not have a seat selected. I figured I'd just wait and see, since I knew the ticket was paid for. When I printed out my boarding pass, the seat I selected was noted on it. Luckily for me, a family of 3 had seats in 2 rows (I would have been between a mom and baby if I stayed in the middle) and the Dad asked if I would take his aisle seat in the next row. Worked for me!