So frustrated with booking airline tickets to Europe

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You booked basic economy you don't get to pick seats

This is not a basic economy problem. I run into this problem when flying business even. It is the airlines being lazy and not coordinating the seat assignments

I fly Lufthansa business often and have always picked and gotten the seats

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You booked basic economy you don't get to pick seats

This is not a basic economy problem. I run into this problem when flying business even. It is the airlines being lazy and not coordinating the seat assignments

I fly Lufthansa business often and have always picked and gotten the seats

But you have to contact them separately right? It’s not part of the original booking.

[Anonymous]

I think there is a 99% chance that your child will be seated next to at least one parent.

But, just in case, is there any chance you can work with her to not "freak out?"

[Anonymous]

You got tickets to Europe for sub 900 in the summer and you’re complaining?

[Anonymous]

We always pay extra to book the seats. On a flight that long, I'm just not up for risking it.

[Anonymous]

Can you book the seats and then call or chat Lufthansa to ask what their policy is on seating a 9-year old with a parent when the class of travel is basic economy? I would think European airlines would be better about this and that it wouldn’t be an issue as long as all three of you are on the same itinerary.

If you call and get an answer on this within 24 hours, you are within the window to cancel with a full refund and rebook the more expensive tickets. This applies even for basic economy bookings.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You got tickets to Europe for sub 900 in the summer and you’re complaining?

Unbelievable. All while requiring at least one premium, non-middle seat on all the flights. The entitlement is real.

[Anonymous]

Why would your 9yo freak out? That is not a baby or toddler. By age 6 or so my kids have been totally fine sitting alone if necessary. You’re still on the same plane.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You'll be fine. Don't overthink this. Lufthansa will almost certainly put you together.

+1 You will be able to sit next to your child. What is the worst that could happen? She starts bawling/screaming because she is seated apart from you, and the flight attendant either helps you switch your seat or you get off the flight and take the next one where they can seat you together.

Buy the cheap tickets, and then call Lufthansa to discuss your issue. It will be just fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You booked basic economy you don't get to pick seats

This is not a basic economy problem. I run into this problem when flying business even. It is the airlines being lazy and not coordinating the seat assignments

I fly Lufthansa business often and have always picked and gotten the seats

But you have to contact them separately right? It’s not part of the original booking.

No I use the app

[Anonymous]

In my experience, I have been able to choose seats -- for a price -- on European connecting carriers once my United reservation is ticketed. I think we were traveling on regular economy tickets (so could choose "non-preferred seats" without a charge for the United leg), but I don't know if that makes a difference for purchasing seat assignments on the European carrier legs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Once you are booked, you’ll get a booking reference for the Lufthansa part of the flight and then you can go on Lufthansa website using that to choose (and maybe pay for) the seats for that leg

I posted earlier and we booked through United and were NOT able to book seats on the Lufthansa website. We were not basic economy. I didn't actually try to call because we didn't care that much since it was a very short flight within Europe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Once you are booked, you’ll get a booking reference for the Lufthansa part of the flight and then you can go on Lufthansa website using that to choose (and maybe pay for) the seats for that leg

I posted earlier and we booked through United and were NOT able to book seats on the Lufthansa website. We were not basic economy. I didn't actually try to call because we didn't care that much since it was a very short flight within Europe.

Same here. I have had to call to book them

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You booked basic economy you don't get to pick seats

This is not a basic economy problem. I run into this problem when flying business even. It is the airlines being lazy and not coordinating the seat assignments

This. I feel like code-share has gotten much worse in the past year or so.

[Anonymous]

1. $2600 for Europe for 3 at basic Econ to me is not exactly a deal but I'm also not looking this yr for Europe. We did Rons for 4 in June for $2300 total NS on UA in 2023.

2. The airlines all suck. Lowest published date typically is not feasible for most. Sitting without any bags for like 8 hours in Econ is not something I want to actually do. You have to be so careful with prices unfortunately.

Upgrading to just seats with room so you you have just an inch of wiggle room - not even going to next level up, will cost you just on domestic.

With so many cc points and such to leverage, social media showing off travel highlights globally, people will travel and the airlines know it. There's very little deals to be had unfortunately.

Look to book early, try to go to the cheapest destinations and consider maybe training from there which you can do pretty feasibly going to Europe/Asia, or look for deals that are truly publicized deals (v oh look - it sounds like a good deal! Must u or the time it's not). Last option is truly using points/cc game the system best you can.

I've been traveling a lot and I've tried. It's just really really hard to get lucky on fares - once in awhile you do but it's hard to time it out.