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Beware of Seat Scams

Q. I purchased a great fare from Chicago to Paris on United for late July travel via Orbitz. When I got to the seat selection part, the computer said that online selection for this flight had ended, so I called United only to be told that they would not give me seat assignments until I checked in at the airport. Since this was a very long flight and we were traveling as a family of four this was really rather upsetting, so we arrived at the airport extra early to get our seats. After waiting in a huge line to see an agent he told us that there were no seats left in economy but that we could sit in "economy plus" for $398 more per person! After refusing this ridiculous offer he proceeded to go ahead and give us the seats in economy plus anyway at no extra charge - basically they are overselling regular economy then trying to scam customers into paying extra for five extra inches of legroom! Is this a common practice?

A. It's good that you stood your ground. If regular economy was oversold, then United would have had a choice between upgrading you for free (which they did) or bumping you (involuntary denied boarding) and compensating you in cash for as much as $800 per person. Unfortunately, we've heard of other instances where United would only assign seats in advance if passengers upgraded to their Economy Plus seating. Keep in mind that it's becoming a more common industry practice to charge for advance seat assignments, or to offer the perk only on more expensive fares. British Airways, for example, offers this service just 24 hours in advance on its cheapest fares, giving those who pay more the opportunity to snag the best seats.


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Delta plays the same game too. Bought ticket on Expedia, selected seats. Day before, e-mail invite to check-in on-line. Only second leg seat shows selected. First leg has only 3 row left, all extra $19 to pick, so I call. Wait 20+ minutes, then first agent can't help. I wait for supervisor who says seats are released 24 prior to flight. That's their policy. So, I say, I picked the seats when I purchased. Second leg seat is still there, so it's not true you just release seats 24 hrs before as a policy. She says there is no record of a seat being selected on first leg, and their records can't be altered. Total scam. Seats were purchased, and it should be first bought, first serve...not sold for a little more just before the flight. It's Just Not Right! It's just setting up customers fighting over scraps at their profit.
by ijnr on Thursday, March 15, 2012
The best rule to follow: Never fly a U.S. carrier on an international flight. There's absolutely no reason to subject yourself to the miserable experience. You might save $100-200 flying a U.S. carrier but it won't be worth the hassle in the end.
by napili79 on Thursday, January 14, 2010
The answer is an excellent one - I am glad you did not fall for having to pay extra - they either have to upgrade you up or compensate for bumping you - I don't know what is happening with United we had a similar problem with United on a flight from Chicago to London last summer - we had called in March to make sure our 2 tickets were marked together (one had been aeroplan, one bought) and they said they did that - but when I checked in online 24 hours before they had us sitting seperately. When I called to ask to be put together - they told us they could not do it that "the computer could not be over-ridden" which I know for a fact is not true. I will never fly united again for that and a number of other issues.
by s.mac on Wednesday, January 13, 2010
For future reference, you CAN check in online 24 hours ahead of the flight, or call the customer service number 24 hours ahead to get seat assignments. I'd, personally, go with the online check-in, because you are not on hold for an interminable period to speak with one of the two or three humans at the "service" center. For international flights, you will need to have the passports for all travelers to check in online. But, then, you'll need them at the airport, anyway.
by mickisue on Wednesday, January 13, 2010
I'm normally not one to get up in arms over things but since we began looking into air fares and airline practices last year, my jaw started dropping.

We happened to have very good experiences this spring in booking a family trip to Tampa from points around the country using AirTran and Southwest airlines.

We did, however, have to pay extra for our seat assignments through AirTran. Also, to avoid theft of our personal items which seems to have become an acceptable TSA practice (and to avoid AirTran checked luggage fees), I shipped a package to the resort where we stayed and we all crammed the rest of our belongings into carry-on luggage.

So it was really nice to travel via Amtrak and MegaBus when we traveled to Chicago and Denver this summer. If you're traveling a route that's accessible by train, Amtrak's California Zephyr was a nice trip if you aren't in a hurry.

The fares on MegaBus were unbelievably low ($9 for two passengers one way, with no fees or taxes!), it was a beautiful new double-decker bus with Wi-Fi and we had no delays due to waiting on freight trains.

On both Amtrak and MegaBus we were able to check luggage without extra fees and didn't worry our luggage would be lost or wonder if the contents would be missing. If you can reach your destination without having to fly, I'd recommend either mode of transportation. My son said Amtrak is now his favorite way to travel (probably due to the outlets at each seat where he could plug in his video game or maybe the snack/sightseer car).

Maybe if the airlines lose their customers they'll learn some valuable lessons in customer service. Hopefully it would also lead to an increase in MegaBus and Amtrak routes (like dual railroads--one for freight and one for passengers, or a north-south auto train running through middle America; wouldn't that be great?).


by eliewriter on Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Next thing you know, there will be steerage passengers. Your ticket gets you on board, but you 'll have to pay extra for a seat!!! Ridiculous!
by Froschi on Tuesday, August 11, 2009
New Flash!!! I just booked a flight on Air Tran Airlines and was charged for my seat!!!! I was requested to select a seat and told I would be charged $5 for the seat. No option provided for not selecting a seat. Can you believe this!
by angryflyer on Wednesday, August 12, 2009
That's why I fly Southwest Airlines. I never have a problem w/them. I HAVE ADDED AN EXTRA 20 MIN. TO MY ARRIVAL TO THE AIRPORT BECAUSE ABOUT 3/4S OF THE TIME I GET PULLED TO THE SIDE FOR A WAND SCAN. I travel about 8 RT for leasure per year and just figure it's part of our new found change in freedoms.
by ddama1 on Tuesday, August 11, 2009
I was given a voucher by American Airlines and tried to use it to book a flight. I was told that, because the flight was less than 12 days out I had to drive 2 hours to the airport to use the voucher and they would not hold my reservation for more than 24 hours. I drove all the way to the airport and they charged me $30 for using the voucher at the airport! What a catch-22. Regulations, please!
by Rain on Tuesday, August 11, 2009
I was bumped on a flight from LAX to Boston and told that, if I took a different flight they would mail me a $100 voucher. They never did and now they are denying they said that. I even gave them the name of the flight attendant who told me they would give me the voucher. Haven't heard back from them yet and it's been over 2 weeks.
by Rain on Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Ya know....I'm getting fed up with all the bleeping airlines! I used to enjoy flying, now I get tense right after booking my flight even if it is 6 months away. I find myself being poised and ready for a flight the minute I arrive at the airport, grrrrr. Where is the customer in customer service? A relic like the Dodo.
by phlllyfilly on Tuesday, August 11, 2009
So - COULD United have dumped the passenger who orig. posted this question if their gate agent had not used some common sense (I will give him credit for going ahead and seating these people w/out making them pay. My husband and I have to plan our travel carefully and that ridiculous upcharge would have knocked us right out of the trip! I am quite worried because we, too, have a flight coming up that was booked as a US Air flight, but is on a codeshare and it connects to what will then be a United flight! We were not able to book our seats yet, either.
by mlbcruiser on Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Just a clarification re British Airways seat selection. If you are a One World Emerald (QANTAS Platinum) Frequest Flyer, seat selection is available on-line immediately you finish your booking. Otherwise, as George says, you can only do it 24 hours prior to departure.
by ChrisO on Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Ahhh!

Can you say "Re-Regulate"? Ahhh! I *knew* you could!!

(sigh. . . .)

This is beginning to sound like the punch-line to the old joke: "Why do I feel like a mushroom? Because I am kept in the dark and fed loads of #$%&!!!"

Airlines have begun the process of nickel-and-diming their passengers to death - a *less* service-oriented industry I have not yet found.

General Motors, Chrysler, et. al., along with most of the major banks are in huge trouble now - why? Because they have totally lost touch with their customers. They played stupid horse-hooey games like this with their customers, and their sins have come home to roost.

Now - despite all this, and the fact that there is less-and-less disposable cash for people to use for air-travel - they insist on treating their passengers like a commodity.

I don't want to wish ill on anyone, but I really am fed up with this bull-crud, and I can't wait for their sins to finally find them out too.

What say ye?

Jim

by jharris1993 on Tuesday, August 11, 2009
AMEN!!!!!
by packer on Tuesday, August 11, 2009
AMEN!! The problem is that flying has become a necessity for most folks who are now accustomed to long distance vacations with only, at best often, two weeks off work. None of this matters much to the frequent business flyer - they get their seats etc. because they are frequent business flyers! We need to change our thinking and refuse to accept this by simply not flying.....or by flying only on airlines realizing that customer service will actually pay big profits! I would happily pay more for a ticket and get decent customer service and not be nickeled and dimed to death and not worry about where I'm sitting - think about it, those of us who book those inexpensive fares months in advance are giving the airline the use of our money for all those months and in return we get - well, just what do we get?
by kileysmom on Tuesday, August 11, 2009
I double that...Amen and Jim. When will it all end ! OR at least get better? I don't like to fly anymore because of all the crud that goes on. It used to be fun.
by Missy758 on Tuesday, August 11, 2009
I booked a United flight through my travel agent for London. A few days later we wanted to move up the departure date by one day. She said that it would cost $200 to $300 to do that since the booking was already paid for. Doesn't seem fair. What's the rule?
by momm on Tuesday, August 11, 2009
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