Booked flights but couldn’t choose seats

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:Also be aware that with United Basic you can not bring a carry on..only something that will fit under the seat. You can pay to check a bag but there is no option for a carry on at all. The one time I did it....as we waited to be the last boarding group they really gave us the peon treatment. That said I ended up with a window seat next to an empty middle so it worked out fine.

I’m looking at my basic economy confirmation email right now and it says carry-on baggage allowed.

for which airline? Delta and American basic economy tickets do allow full-size carry-ons which only fit in the overhead bin. United is the one of the "Big 3" which does not allow that for basic economy.

And yes, even with United basic economy you can have a backpack sized carry-on, as long as it's no bigger than 17x10x9. Most roller type carry-on sized bags are between 20-23 inches in length, so they wouldn't qualify and have to go in the overhead bin. That's what United basic economy doesn't allow for free.

How do they even know this when you board? I have flown United many times (never basic economy though), and I can't think of ever seeing someone stopped for trying to board with carry on luggage as long as it's regular carry on size. Does a big X come up on the scanner?

The last two flights I have been on had an attendent come through the waiting area and look at people's tickets to see their baggage allowances. If you weren't in certain classes, you were gate checked right there. It was great.

But gate checking is for free, so isn't that sort of defeating the purpose of the basic economy prices - from United's standpoint at least.

No- if you are basic economy they will charge you to gate check. This is only for United, to be clear, for basic economy in the US, Caribbean and Mexico.

So there's an attendant coming through the waiting area and plucking people out to gate check AND taking payment? I don't believe this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:Also be aware that with United Basic you can not bring a carry on..only something that will fit under the seat. You can pay to check a bag but there is no option for a carry on at all. The one time I did it....as we waited to be the last boarding group they really gave us the peon treatment. That said I ended up with a window seat next to an empty middle so it worked out fine.

I’m looking at my basic economy confirmation email right now and it says carry-on baggage allowed.

for which airline? Delta and American basic economy tickets do allow full-size carry-ons which only fit in the overhead bin. United is the one of the "Big 3" which does not allow that for basic economy.

And yes, even with United basic economy you can have a backpack sized carry-on, as long as it's no bigger than 17x10x9. Most roller type carry-on sized bags are between 20-23 inches in length, so they wouldn't qualify and have to go in the overhead bin. That's what United basic economy doesn't allow for free.

How do they even know this when you board? I have flown United many times (never basic economy though), and I can't think of ever seeing someone stopped for trying to board with carry on luggage as long as it's regular carry on size. Does a big X come up on the scanner?

The last two flights I have been on had an attendent come through the waiting area and look at people's tickets to see their baggage allowances. If you weren't in certain classes, you were gate checked right there. It was great.

But gate checking is for free, so isn't that sort of defeating the purpose of the basic economy prices - from United's standpoint at least.

No- if you are basic economy they will charge you to gate check. This is only for United, to be clear, for basic economy in the US, Caribbean and Mexico.

So there's an attendant coming through the waiting area and plucking people out to gate check AND taking payment? I don't believe this.

I don't either. I have had agents walk around and basically gate check every bag they see in the waiting area, no matter what your ticket (well maybe not first class). That is usually on smaller planes where they know they will run out of overhead bin space. I actually don't mind gatechecking my bag - it comes out faster than going to baggage claim and it's free.

[Anonymous]

I also booked united recently and ran into the same issue- we paid to select seats but there were no seats available to select? It just said they would seat us per availability. Mind you we bought these tickets 4 months before our flight. So far it’s updated to sit me with my 3 year old but not updated for anyone to sit beside my 5 year old. Husband is supposedly calling them today (our flight is now 3 weeks away)

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:Also be aware that with United Basic you can not bring a carry on..only something that will fit under the seat. You can pay to check a bag but there is no option for a carry on at all. The one time I did it....as we waited to be the last boarding group they really gave us the peon treatment. That said I ended up with a window seat next to an empty middle so it worked out fine.

I’m looking at my basic economy confirmation email right now and it says carry-on baggage allowed.

for which airline? Delta and American basic economy tickets do allow full-size carry-ons which only fit in the overhead bin. United is the one of the "Big 3" which does not allow that for basic economy.

And yes, even with United basic economy you can have a backpack sized carry-on, as long as it's no bigger than 17x10x9. Most roller type carry-on sized bags are between 20-23 inches in length, so they wouldn't qualify and have to go in the overhead bin. That's what United basic economy doesn't allow for free.

How do they even know this when you board? I have flown United many times (never basic economy though), and I can't think of ever seeing someone stopped for trying to board with carry on luggage as long as it's regular carry on size. Does a big X come up on the scanner?

The last two flights I have been on had an attendent come through the waiting area and look at people's tickets to see their baggage allowances. If you weren't in certain classes, you were gate checked right there. It was great.

But gate checking is for free, so isn't that sort of defeating the purpose of the basic economy prices - from United's standpoint at least.

No- if you are basic economy they will charge you to gate check. This is only for United, to be clear, for basic economy in the US, Caribbean and Mexico.

So there's an attendant coming through the waiting area and plucking people out to gate check AND taking payment? I don't believe this.

https://www.united.com/en/us/fly/travel/inflight/basic-economy.html

"You can prepay to check a bag or check a carry-on at your gate for the regular bag fee plus an additional $25."

I have never flown basic economy so I can't confirm from experience. But that's what the United website says (emphasis added).

[Anonymous]

I have bought basic economy a couple times and was always seated with family. As evil as airlines are, I don’t think they want a bunch of toddlers all over the plane, away from their parents.

Now I usually book Economy/Economy Refundable on United. The main reason is for point accrual. They don’t give you squat on Basic Economy tix. Also, I’m a lowly Silver on United, which gets you free checked bags and Economy Plus upgrades. Economy Zplus is probably only 3 or 4 extra inches of legroom, but it’s so much better than the regular economy seats.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:Also be aware that with United Basic you can not bring a carry on..only something that will fit under the seat. You can pay to check a bag but there is no option for a carry on at all. The one time I did it....as we waited to be the last boarding group they really gave us the peon treatment. That said I ended up with a window seat next to an empty middle so it worked out fine.

I’m looking at my basic economy confirmation email right now and it says carry-on baggage allowed.

for which airline? Delta and American basic economy tickets do allow full-size carry-ons which only fit in the overhead bin. United is the one of the "Big 3" which does not allow that for basic economy.

And yes, even with United basic economy you can have a backpack sized carry-on, as long as it's no bigger than 17x10x9. Most roller type carry-on sized bags are between 20-23 inches in length, so they wouldn't qualify and have to go in the overhead bin. That's what United basic economy doesn't allow for free.

How do they even know this when you board? I have flown United many times (never basic economy though), and I can't think of ever seeing someone stopped for trying to board with carry on luggage as long as it's regular carry on size. Does a big X come up on the scanner?

Basic economy boards in a separate group. That's how they know.

The last two flights I have been on had an attendent come through the waiting area and look at people's tickets to see their baggage allowances. If you weren't in certain classes, you were gate checked right there. It was great.

But gate checking is for free, so isn't that sort of defeating the purpose of the basic economy prices - from United's standpoint at least.

No- if you are basic economy they will charge you to gate check. This is only for United, to be clear, for basic economy in the US, Caribbean and Mexico.

So there's an attendant coming through the waiting area and plucking people out to gate check AND taking payment? I don't believe this.

https://www.united.com/en/us/fly/travel/inflight/basic-economy.html

"You can prepay to check a bag or check a carry-on at your gate for the regular bag fee plus an additional $25."

I have never flown basic economy so I can't confirm from experience. But that's what the United website says (emphasis added).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also be aware that with United Basic you can not bring a carry on..only something that will fit under the seat. You can pay to check a bag but there is no option for a carry on at all. The one time I did it....as we waited to be the last boarding group they really gave us the peon treatment. That said I ended up with a window seat next to an empty middle so it worked out fine.

I’m looking at my basic economy confirmation email right now and it says carry-on baggage allowed.

for which airline? Delta and American basic economy tickets do allow full-size carry-ons which only fit in the overhead bin. United is the one of the "Big 3" which does not allow that for basic economy.

And yes, even with United basic economy you can have a backpack sized carry-on, as long as it's no bigger than 17x10x9. Most roller type carry-on sized bags are between 20-23 inches in length, so they wouldn't qualify and have to go in the overhead bin. That's what United basic economy doesn't allow for free.

How do they even know this when you board? I have flown United many times (never basic economy though), and I can't think of ever seeing someone stopped for trying to board with carry on luggage as long as it's regular carry on size. Does a big X come up on the scanner?

The last two flights I have been on had an attendent come through the waiting area and look at people's tickets to see their baggage allowances. If you weren't in certain classes, you were gate checked right there. It was great.

But gate checking is for free, so isn't that sort of defeating the purpose of the basic economy prices - from United's standpoint at least.

No- if you are basic economy they will charge you to gate check. This is only for United, to be clear, for basic economy in the US, Caribbean and Mexico.

So there's an attendant coming through the waiting area and plucking people out to gate check AND taking payment? I don't believe this.

They check all bags when it is time for group 6 to board.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also be aware that with United Basic you can not bring a carry on..only something that will fit under the seat. You can pay to check a bag but there is no option for a carry on at all. The one time I did it....as we waited to be the last boarding group they really gave us the peon treatment. That said I ended up with a window seat next to an empty middle so it worked out fine.

I’m looking at my basic economy confirmation email right now and it says carry-on baggage allowed.

for which airline? Delta and American basic economy tickets do allow full-size carry-ons which only fit in the overhead bin. United is the one of the "Big 3" which does not allow that for basic economy.

And yes, even with United basic economy you can have a backpack sized carry-on, as long as it's no bigger than 17x10x9. Most roller type carry-on sized bags are between 20-23 inches in length, so they wouldn't qualify and have to go in the overhead bin. That's what United basic economy doesn't allow for free.

How do they even know this when you board? I have flown United many times (never basic economy though), and I can't think of ever seeing someone stopped for trying to board with carry on luggage as long as it's regular carry on size. Does a big X come up on the scanner?

The last two flights I have been on had an attendent come through the waiting area and look at people's tickets to see their baggage allowances. If you weren't in certain classes, you were gate checked right there. It was great.

But gate checking is for free, so isn't that sort of defeating the purpose of the basic economy prices - from United's standpoint at least.

No- if you are basic economy they will charge you to gate check. This is only for United, to be clear, for basic economy in the US, Caribbean and Mexico.

So there's an attendant coming through the waiting area and plucking people out to gate check AND taking payment? I don't believe this.

I don't either. I have had agents walk around and basically gate check every bag they see in the waiting area, no matter what your ticket (well maybe not first class). That is usually on smaller planes where they know they will run out of overhead bin space. I actually don't mind gatechecking my bag - it comes out faster than going to baggage claim and it's free.

We always book extra leg room or business class. They check our tickets and let us keep our bags.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also be aware that with United Basic you can not bring a carry on..only something that will fit under the seat. You can pay to check a bag but there is no option for a carry on at all. The one time I did it....as we waited to be the last boarding group they really gave us the peon treatment. That said I ended up with a window seat next to an empty middle so it worked out fine.

I’m looking at my basic economy confirmation email right now and it says carry-on baggage allowed.

for which airline? Delta and American basic economy tickets do allow full-size carry-ons which only fit in the overhead bin. United is the one of the "Big 3" which does not allow that for basic economy.

And yes, even with United basic economy you can have a backpack sized carry-on, as long as it's no bigger than 17x10x9. Most roller type carry-on sized bags are between 20-23 inches in length, so they wouldn't qualify and have to go in the overhead bin. That's what United basic economy doesn't allow for free.

How do they even know this when you board? I have flown United many times (never basic economy though), and I can't think of ever seeing someone stopped for trying to board with carry on luggage as long as it's regular carry on size. Does a big X come up on the scanner?

The last two flights I have been on had an attendent come through the waiting area and look at people's tickets to see their baggage allowances. If you weren't in certain classes, you were gate checked right there. It was great.

But gate checking is for free, so isn't that sort of defeating the purpose of the basic economy prices - from United's standpoint at least.

No- if you are basic economy they will charge you to gate check. This is only for United, to be clear, for basic economy in the US, Caribbean and Mexico.

So there's an attendant coming through the waiting area and plucking people out to gate check AND taking payment? I don't believe this.

They check all bags when it is time for group 6 to board.

Yes you would not see it if you have not chosen economy basic. They use the same gizmo they use to charge you for food on the plane. I once had to demo that my bag was very squishy and would slide under a seat.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:Op - to be honest I have no idea what seats were available or not. My husband booked them. He just said he couldn’t choose. It wasn’t an option. So maybe the flight was full and there weren’t 5 seats close together.

Why anybody would want to sit next to a 4 year old by themselves is beyond me. Older kids could theoretically sit by themselves but won’t really like it.

I feel like it is just a lawsuit waiting to happen if a young girl gets assaulted on a flight because they couldn’t sit next to their parent. I have a friend who was sexually assaulted on an over night flight. But of course airlines are only interested in making more money.

So what should the airline do for you right now? Boot someone who purchased tickets earlier that you did and paid for a seat out if it to make space for your family?

Op - no I guess we just see what happens. Hope someone likes sitting next to a screaming 4 year old for 3.5 hours.

If your kid is going to scream for hours, you have no business flying.

It’s stupid to buy tickets without seats—there’s a good chance you couldn’t pick seats bc the flight is oversold.

OP - well I have no idea how my kid will act because he has flown once, when he was 1. I assume he will be fine as long as he is sitting next to me. If he isn't then he most definitely will scream.

Why do you assume he can't enjoy a stranger's company?

Do you have a toddler? Who enjoys sitting next to a complete stranger? For hours?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also be aware that with United Basic you can not bring a carry on..only something that will fit under the seat. You can pay to check a bag but there is no option for a carry on at all. The one time I did it....as we waited to be the last boarding group they really gave us the peon treatment. That said I ended up with a window seat next to an empty middle so it worked out fine.

I’m looking at my basic economy confirmation email right now and it says carry-on baggage allowed.

for which airline? Delta and American basic economy tickets do allow full-size carry-ons which only fit in the overhead bin. United is the one of the "Big 3" which does not allow that for basic economy.

And yes, even with United basic economy you can have a backpack sized carry-on, as long as it's no bigger than 17x10x9. Most roller type carry-on sized bags are between 20-23 inches in length, so they wouldn't qualify and have to go in the overhead bin. That's what United basic economy doesn't allow for free.

How do they even know this when you board? I have flown United many times (never basic economy though), and I can't think of ever seeing someone stopped for trying to board with carry on luggage as long as it's regular carry on size. Does a big X come up on the scanner?

The last two flights I have been on had an attendent come through the waiting area and look at people's tickets to see their baggage allowances. If you weren't in certain classes, you were gate checked right there. It was great.

But gate checking is for free, so isn't that sort of defeating the purpose of the basic economy prices - from United's standpoint at least.

No- if you are basic economy they will charge you to gate check. This is only for United, to be clear, for basic economy in the US, Caribbean and Mexico.

So there's an attendant coming through the waiting area and plucking people out to gate check AND taking payment? I don't believe this.

They check all bags when it is time for group 6 to board.

Yes you would not see it if you have not chosen economy basic. They use the same gizmo they use to charge you for food on the plane. I once had to demo that my bag was very squishy and would slide under a seat.

Wow, I learned something today.

[Anonymous]

This is why I stick to Southwest if they fly wherever I'm going. I hate all this nickle and diming.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is why I stick to Southwest if they fly wherever I'm going. I hate all this nickle and diming.

United fan here, but Southwest is ok. What SW gets right is free bags and lots of flexibility with cancelling ticket/changing flights. I am not a fan of their boarding process and having to checkin via phone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also be aware that with United Basic you can not bring a carry on..only something that will fit under the seat. You can pay to check a bag but there is no option for a carry on at all. The one time I did it....as we waited to be the last boarding group they really gave us the peon treatment. That said I ended up with a window seat next to an empty middle so it worked out fine.

I’m looking at my basic economy confirmation email right now and it says carry-on baggage allowed.

for which airline? Delta and American basic economy tickets do allow full-size carry-ons which only fit in the overhead bin. United is the one of the "Big 3" which does not allow that for basic economy.

And yes, even with United basic economy you can have a backpack sized carry-on, as long as it's no bigger than 17x10x9. Most roller type carry-on sized bags are between 20-23 inches in length, so they wouldn't qualify and have to go in the overhead bin. That's what United basic economy doesn't allow for free.

How do they even know this when you board? I have flown United many times (never basic economy though), and I can't think of ever seeing someone stopped for trying to board with carry on luggage as long as it's regular carry on size. Does a big X come up on the scanner?

The last two flights I have been on had an attendent come through the waiting area and look at people's tickets to see their baggage allowances. If you weren't in certain classes, you were gate checked right there. It was great.

But gate checking is for free, so isn't that sort of defeating the purpose of the basic economy prices - from United's standpoint at least.

No- if you are basic economy they will charge you to gate check. This is only for United, to be clear, for basic economy in the US, Caribbean and Mexico.

So there's an attendant coming through the waiting area and plucking people out to gate check AND taking payment? I don't believe this.

They check all bags when it is time for group 6 to board.

Yes you would not see it if you have not chosen economy basic. They use the same gizmo they use to charge you for food on the plane. I once had to demo that my bag was very squishy and would slide under a seat.

Wow, I learned something today.

To be fair, this is the same thing Spirit and Frontier do. United is basically saying "you want to pay less and get prices similar to Spirit and Frontier? We are gonna give you the same product". It's not like regular economy is THAT much more expensive on domestic flights. Roundtrip its generally around $50-60 more. I don't even consider basic economy on any airline. Not worth it, especially because of non-refundability/changeability.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also be aware that with United Basic you can not bring a carry on..only something that will fit under the seat. You can pay to check a bag but there is no option for a carry on at all. The one time I did it....as we waited to be the last boarding group they really gave us the peon treatment. That said I ended up with a window seat next to an empty middle so it worked out fine.

I’m looking at my basic economy confirmation email right now and it says carry-on baggage allowed.

for which airline? Delta and American basic economy tickets do allow full-size carry-ons which only fit in the overhead bin. United is the one of the "Big 3" which does not allow that for basic economy.

And yes, even with United basic economy you can have a backpack sized carry-on, as long as it's no bigger than 17x10x9. Most roller type carry-on sized bags are between 20-23 inches in length, so they wouldn't qualify and have to go in the overhead bin. That's what United basic economy doesn't allow for free.

How do they even know this when you board? I have flown United many times (never basic economy though), and I can't think of ever seeing someone stopped for trying to board with carry on luggage as long as it's regular carry on size. Does a big X come up on the scanner?

The last two flights I have been on had an attendent come through the waiting area and look at people's tickets to see their baggage allowances. If you weren't in certain classes, you were gate checked right there. It was great.

But gate checking is for free, so isn't that sort of defeating the purpose of the basic economy prices - from United's standpoint at least.

No- if you are basic economy they will charge you to gate check. This is only for United, to be clear, for basic economy in the US, Caribbean and Mexico.

So there's an attendant coming through the waiting area and plucking people out to gate check AND taking payment? I don't believe this.

They check all bags when it is time for group 6 to board.

Yes you would not see it if you have not chosen economy basic. They use the same gizmo they use to charge you for food on the plane. I once had to demo that my bag was very squishy and would slide under a seat.

+1. Can confirm this is how it works. Husband did it once.