Anonymous
Post 09/03/2024 16:46     Subject: First time flying united in years - they charge extra for regular seats in the middle of the airplane???
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Normally we fly Southwest to visit family. This time United was $800 cheaper, so we are flying United for the first time in several years - what is up with having to pay extra for "preferred seats" which are just regular normal seats that just happen to be in the middle of the airplane? For our family of four, the only "free" seats available on our $400 tickets were the last row in the back of the airplane. If we wanted, we could pay $20/person for the privilege of sitting in the exact same seats, just in the middle of the airplane. There are no perks, no extra legroom or anything, they're just in the middle of the airplane. I am so annoyed at all the nickel and diming!! Just needed to vent.


So United without assigned seats was $800 cheaper than Southwest with assigned seats? Did you not realise why? You were comparing apples and oranges. Those seats were cheaper because you were forgoing the ability to choose seating.


I thought Southwest has never assigned seats?


I heard they are changing that, but not sure when.
Anonymous
Post 09/03/2024 16:45     Subject: First time flying united in years - they charge extra for regular seats in the middle of the airplane???
Anonymous wrote:Meanwhile I was looking at tickets today and American now charges $80 for your first checked bag.


$80???

I thought it was $35 😳
Anonymous
Post 09/03/2024 16:44     Subject: Re:First time flying united in years - they charge extra for regular seats in the middle of the airplane???
Anonymous wrote:This is common practice now. American and Delta do it.


Right. You also pay extra to sit with your own family!! (Ie choose a seat in advance).

Ridiculous!!
Anonymous
Post 09/03/2024 16:37     Subject: First time flying united in years - they charge extra for regular seats in the middle of the airplane???
Anonymous wrote:Meanwhile I was looking at tickets today and American now charges $80 for your first checked bag.


Yes for roundtrip domestic. It's pretty easy on most domestic trips to not check a bag.

https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/baggage/checked-baggage-policy.jsp
Anonymous
Post 09/03/2024 16:34     Subject: First time flying united in years - they charge extra for regular seats in the middle of the airplane???
Anonymous wrote:They have to seat you next to your young child. Just don’t select a seat. Don’t fall for the scam. You will be assigned seats together.


No, they actually don't.
Anonymous
Post 09/03/2024 16:33     Subject: First time flying united in years - they charge extra for regular seats in the middle of the airplane???
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Normally we fly Southwest to visit family. This time United was $800 cheaper, so we are flying United for the first time in several years - what is up with having to pay extra for "preferred seats" which are just regular normal seats that just happen to be in the middle of the airplane? For our family of four, the only "free" seats available on our $400 tickets were the last row in the back of the airplane. If we wanted, we could pay $20/person for the privilege of sitting in the exact same seats, just in the middle of the airplane. There are no perks, no extra legroom or anything, they're just in the middle of the airplane. I am so annoyed at all the nickel and diming!! Just needed to vent.


Are you sure this is accurate? I fly United all the time. The seats that don’t have an up-charge are usually the last 15 rows or so- more rows on larger aircraft, used on international routes.


I am surprised there are any free seats. Usually the United Basic does not let you pick a seat at all.


That’s why I never book United Basic fares. There is a reason why they’re cheap. I’m sure for some, Basic fares are attractive, but you have to know what you’re buying.
Anonymous
Post 09/03/2024 16:32     Subject: First time flying united in years - they charge extra for regular seats in the middle of the airplane???
Meanwhile I was looking at tickets today and American now charges $80 for your first checked bag.
Anonymous
Post 09/03/2024 16:27     Subject: First time flying united in years - they charge extra for regular seats in the middle of the airplane???
We went on a trip with friends they wanted to fly Delta we had a medical emergency and hand to come home from Italy early. Delta is horrible I’d take United over Delta any day

Delta partners Air France air Malta horrible airlines
We paid full fairs and were business class nope never again

Anonymous
Post 09/03/2024 16:26     Subject: First time flying united in years - they charge extra for regular seats in the middle of the airplane???
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Normally we fly Southwest to visit family. This time United was $800 cheaper, so we are flying United for the first time in several years - what is up with having to pay extra for "preferred seats" which are just regular normal seats that just happen to be in the middle of the airplane? For our family of four, the only "free" seats available on our $400 tickets were the last row in the back of the airplane. If we wanted, we could pay $20/person for the privilege of sitting in the exact same seats, just in the middle of the airplane. There are no perks, no extra legroom or anything, they're just in the middle of the airplane. I am so annoyed at all the nickel and diming!! Just needed to vent.


So United without assigned seats was $800 cheaper than Southwest with assigned seats? Did you not realise why? You were comparing apples and oranges. Those seats were cheaper because you were forgoing the ability to choose seating.


I thought Southwest has never assigned seats?


They don't, but if you check in right at 24 hours before departure, you are pretty much assured of boarding probably around B20-30, which means you can almost always get a free row near the back. Or if your kids are younger, you board between A and B, and for sure sit together then.
Anonymous
Post 09/03/2024 16:19     Subject: First time flying united in years - they charge extra for regular seats in the middle of the airplane???
They have to seat you next to your young child. Just don’t select a seat. Don’t fall for the scam. You will be assigned seats together.
Anonymous
Post 09/03/2024 16:16     Subject: First time flying united in years - they charge extra for regular seats in the middle of the airplane???
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Normally we fly Southwest to visit family. This time United was $800 cheaper, so we are flying United for the first time in several years - what is up with having to pay extra for "preferred seats" which are just regular normal seats that just happen to be in the middle of the airplane? For our family of four, the only "free" seats available on our $400 tickets were the last row in the back of the airplane. If we wanted, we could pay $20/person for the privilege of sitting in the exact same seats, just in the middle of the airplane. There are no perks, no extra legroom or anything, they're just in the middle of the airplane. I am so annoyed at all the nickel and diming!! Just needed to vent.


So United without assigned seats was $800 cheaper than Southwest with assigned seats? Did you not realise why? You were comparing apples and oranges. Those seats were cheaper because you were forgoing the ability to choose seating.


I thought Southwest has never assigned seats?
Anonymous
Post 09/03/2024 16:09     Subject: First time flying united in years - they charge extra for regular seats in the middle of the airplane???
Anonymous wrote:Normally we fly Southwest to visit family. This time United was $800 cheaper, so we are flying United for the first time in several years - what is up with having to pay extra for "preferred seats" which are just regular normal seats that just happen to be in the middle of the airplane? For our family of four, the only "free" seats available on our $400 tickets were the last row in the back of the airplane. If we wanted, we could pay $20/person for the privilege of sitting in the exact same seats, just in the middle of the airplane. There are no perks, no extra legroom or anything, they're just in the middle of the airplane. I am so annoyed at all the nickel and diming!! Just needed to vent.


So United without assigned seats was $800 cheaper than Southwest with assigned seats? Did you not realise why? You were comparing apples and oranges. Those seats were cheaper because you were forgoing the ability to choose seating.
Anonymous
Post 09/03/2024 16:07     Subject: First time flying united in years - they charge extra for regular seats in the middle of the airplane???
Anonymous wrote:I feel like we really need reform: airlines should not be able to charge for seats, and for one suitcase. Who goes to Europe with no suitcase? Even nicer airlines like Air France charge for this now.


I flew to London solo and was happy to pay less and just take a carry on and be assigned a random seat. If that doesn’t suit you, don’t book those seats. These fares are not for you.
Anonymous
Post 09/03/2024 10:36     Subject: First time flying united in years - they charge extra for regular seats in the middle of the airplane???
Anonymous wrote: For our family of four, the only "free" seats available on our $400 tickets were the last row in the back of the airplane. If we wanted, we could pay $20/person for the privilege of sitting in the exact same seats, just in the middle of the airplane. There are no perks, no extra legroom or anything, they're just in the middle of the airplane.


Part of what you're paying for is the peace of mind that all 4 people can sit together, if that's important to you. That's not a guarantee if you take the free seats that are left to be assigned before flight time. I'm not defending it (I don't like paying for seat assignments), but there is a value that some passengers are willing to pay for. Sounds like you got lucky and still got 4 seats together, but that's not always available with the free seats.
Anonymous
Post 09/03/2024 10:27     Subject: First time flying united in years - they charge extra for regular seats in the middle of the airplane???
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:so take the free seats in the back of the plane

do NOT take free seats apart and then ask people to switch


I just booked a United flight for a couple weeks out and free seats were not an option on what looked to be an empty flight.


Free seats are seats that you can't reserve in advance. They're what's left at 24 hours before departure and get randomly assigned then.