United seat assignment - Economy

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You may have to choose a seat that has a premium charge assigned to it - anywhere from $25-$100 more. There is a color key when picking seats that tells you if there is a charge for the available seats. It may be that all of the “free” economy seats are taken (or are all in the middle row between other seats so not together).

No. They will give OP those seats for free the day of the flight. OP, don't be fooled into paying even more for them.

Our recent flights were fully booked (or oversold). I would not count in sitting anywhere desirable if you wait.

This is the problem. If a plane is oversold, the people without seat assignments are the first to be bumped.

[Anonymous]

OP here. I paid extra for regular economy rather than basic economy. There were no economy seats available to select when I booked the flight. There are at least 40 seats I could choose, if I wanted to pay at least $169+(per seat).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I paid extra for regular economy rather than basic economy. There were no economy seats available to select when I booked the flight. There are at least 40 seats I could choose, if I wanted to pay at least $169+(per seat).

Just check in online as close to 24 hours before the flight as possible. You should be able to select then. Again, it’s dumb because they advertise seat selection as a “perk” of regular economy and then make most of the seats paid anyway before check in. I hate this but what can you do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I paid extra for regular economy rather than basic economy. There were no economy seats available to select when I booked the flight. There are at least 40 seats I could choose, if I wanted to pay at least $169+(per seat).

I’m so over these ridiculous airlines. What’s the point of paying for regular economy that lets you pick a seat if they won’t let you pick the seat?

[Anonymous]

It all depends on your status with the airline. We're United Mileage Plus Platinum which means we get free Economy Plus seats. But if Economy Plus is full when we book, we have to book regular economy. So I think they keep those seats open for premium level Mileage Plus members. I've never not been able to select seats on a flight with my status, but when I book flights for my daughter who doesn't have the same status, I sometimes can't select seats for her in regular economy.

There are so many premium level flyers now that they take up all the free seats at booking and anyone who doesn't have status has to wait until check-in if the flight is completely booked.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It all depends on your status with the airline. We're United Mileage Plus Platinum which means we get free Economy Plus seats. But if Economy Plus is full when we book, we have to book regular economy. So I think they keep those seats open for premium level Mileage Plus members. I've never not been able to select seats on a flight with my status, but when I book flights for my daughter who doesn't have the same status, I sometimes can't select seats for her in regular economy.

There are so many premium level flyers now that they take up all the free seats at booking and anyone who doesn't have status has to wait until check-in if the flight is completely booked.

I was just thinking….”I’ve never not been able to select a seat.” I am Premier Silver, though, so I guess that’s why.

Still, seems very odd.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I paid extra for regular economy rather than basic economy. There were no economy seats available to select when I booked the flight. There are at least 40 seats I could choose, if I wanted to pay at least $169+(per seat).

That is so annoying. And are they one of the airlines that charge you to call and speak to an agent?

These airlines are getting so outrageous. And ironically, the travel experience has reached a new low

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It all depends on your status with the airline. We're United Mileage Plus Platinum which means we get free Economy Plus seats. But if Economy Plus is full when we book, we have to book regular economy. So I think they keep those seats open for premium level Mileage Plus members. I've never not been able to select seats on a flight with my status, but when I book flights for my daughter who doesn't have the same status, I sometimes can't select seats for her in regular economy.

There are so many premium level flyers now that they take up all the free seats at booking and anyone who doesn't have status has to wait until check-in if the flight is completely booked.

I was just thinking….”I’ve never not been able to select a seat.” I am Premier Silver, though, so I guess that’s why.

Still, seems very odd.

This. I’m gold and my kid is platinum on American. We are always able to pick Economy plus seats. My kid that is not gold has to pay for them but we’ve h never had a problem picking a seat.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You typically pay extra for an assigned seat.

No, you don’t, unless you booked basic economy.

Typically you get seat assignments when booking with the option of choosing from available seats.

United does seat parents with kids under 15 together, so I wouldn’t panic.

Thanks for the insight genius. And by paying for something above basic economy you are paying for an assigned seat. It is listed as one of the benefits of whatever tier you are purchasing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I paid extra for regular economy rather than basic economy. There were no economy seats available to select when I booked the flight. There are at least 40 seats I could choose, if I wanted to pay at least $169+(per seat).

I’m so over these ridiculous airlines. What’s the point of paying for regular economy that lets you pick a seat if they won’t let you pick the seat?

Are the seats OP is seeing Economy Plus seats?

[Anonymous]

Isn’t what OP is describing classic bait-and-switch? Why is this legal?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Isn’t what OP is describing classic bait-and-switch? Why is this legal?

I promise there is fine print that covers the airline. Search the description for the words "subject to availability."

I also noticed when I was choosing seats on a flight awhile back (I forget which airline -- United, Delta or American) that all aisle seats are upgrades, and most window seats, which basically means the only seats you don't have to pay for are middle seats on most flights. Nice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I paid extra for regular economy rather than basic economy. There were no economy seats available to select when I booked the flight. There are at least 40 seats I could choose, if I wanted to pay at least $169+(per seat).

I’m so over these ridiculous airlines. What’s the point of paying for regular economy that lets you pick a seat if they won’t let you pick the seat?

Are the seats OP is seeing Economy Plus seats?

No. They literally charge extra for about half the “normal” seats in economy now too. It’s usually the ones in the front half of economy. Exit row/extra legroom cost even more. It’s absurd.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You may have to choose a seat that has a premium charge assigned to it - anywhere from $25-$100 more. There is a color key when picking seats that tells you if there is a charge for the available seats. It may be that all of the “free” economy seats are taken (or are all in the middle row between other seats so not together).

No. They will give OP those seats for free the day of the flight. OP, don't be fooled into paying even more for them.

This has been my strategy and so far it has worked.

[Anonymous]

Keep checking. I have had seats open up maybe due to upgrades etc.