Seat selection at online checkin - bizarre experiences

[Tad]

Has anyone come across bizarre airline practices with seat selection at checkin?

How about supposed FREE seat selection at checkin where:
1. you are allocated a seat by the system
2. there are other FREE seats you can select (limited selection, though there are some), but there is a catch
a) you have to pay for those FREE seats
b) if you decide to go back to your originally allocated seat, you have to pay as well

The bottom line (from the airline) is you get the seat they give you or it is not so FREE

Guess which airline has this as a standard feature?

 

[Lynda2475]

Seems like you are using Free and Available interchangeably.

Depending on the airline where or not free (as in no cost) seat selection of an available (unreserved) seat is offered is based on a combination of:
* the class of travel booked
* your FF status
* whether the seat is standard or premium (i.e. there is always a charge for exit row / extra legroom seats)
* where you flight originates

I have not experienced the issue you are describing, have only ever had to pay for seat selection if wanting a long haul exit row.

That said you should be able to cancel out of the seat selection process at no cost and stick with allocated seat.

 

[Tad]

Seems like you are using Free and Available interchangeably.

Depending on the airline where or not free (as in no cost) seat selection of an available (unreserved) seat is offered is based on a combination of:
* the class of travel booked
* your FF status
* whether the seat is standard or premium (i.e. there is always a charge for exit row / extra legroom seats)
* where you flight originates

I have not experienced the issue you are describing, have only ever had to pay for seat selection if wanting a long haul exit row.

That said you should be able to cancel out of the seat selection process at no cost and stick with allocated seat.

You are correct, backing out from selecting another seats, leaves the pre-allocated in place at no charge.
By FREE I mean NO CHARGE, Available are those able to be selected and showing as FREE at the time of checkin. Other premium seats, also available, are clearly showing as PAY option.

The airline is: FINNAIR

 

[Lynda2475]

Finnair changed their fare types last year - they now how some discount J and Y fares that do not come with free seat selection or luggage unless you have OW status. Maybe that is it?

 

[Tad]

The class is H. Anyway should they know what status one has at checkin time and present only available options? Very poor customer focus (rather lack of it).