Select seats during booking, then no seats reserved when it's time to fly

[globetrooper]

Hi All,

Was hoping someone could shed some light on this. We've travelled quite a lot lately, all one-way flights, never the same airline (really, I don't think we've ever flown the same airline). And very often we get to choose our seats when we book, but when we arrive and check-in (web or in person), we don't get those seats.

This has happened on Air Mexico, Air Canada, Qantas, American Airlines and others.

It's not a huge deal, but now that we're flying so much it would be nice to work this mystery out so we can sit together and preferably not between people in the middle row.

In case it matters, we don't have any status on any of these airlines (wish we did, but we just go for the cheapest flights).

Many thanks.

 

[docjames]

Airlines will not guarantee a particular seat, up to and including after you've boarded the aircraft.

The easiest way to have your seat selection "stick" is to attain status with one particular airline. That would mean not always going for just the cheapest, but sometimes paying a little more with a long term view to the benefits of the extra outlay.

 

[JohnK]

And very often we get to choose our seats when we book, but when we arrive and check-in (web or in person), we don't get those seats.

This has happened on Air Mexico, Air Canada, Qantas, American Airlines and others.

You must be having a lot of bad luck. Did you actually select the seats on the airline websites with the booking reference or via the booking website? Perhaps you thought you have pre-allocated a seat but the request did not arrive at the airline.

Status or no status seating is never guaranteed but the number of times people are moved is very rare.

 

[Aynat62]

Could it be that you arrive and check-in close to the boarding cut-off time? Maybe the airlines think you won't show so give the seats to others that have already arrived and may be asking for a better seat.

This is only a suggestion because I always arrive early to check-in and always have the seats I have reserved.

 

[globetrooper]

Thanks for all of the replies. We tend to be there early, especially when hanging around on long layovers.

Unfortunately we can't justify paying more money to gain status. We often find savings of $1000+ by flying with a random carrier, and that adds up pretty quickly. E.g. $580 BsAs > Montreal (xmas/NY period), $413 JFK > Mumbai, etc.

We'll start to take more notice of it from now on to find out exactly what's happening. This whole airline/airfare business seems like a real art to master.

 

[yeldarb8]

If you have no status your "seat allocation/booking" is nothing more than a long-shot wish. In all likelihood you will get bumped for a higher status flyer looking for a better perch.

Several years back (2006/2007) when I qualified EXP on AAdvantage but was flying coach sometimes and didn't get my usual upgrade I more than once casually asked "is anyone sitting next to me?" and got the response "not anymore"...

Many airlines allow you to checkin online 24 hours in advance, if you still have your seat wish you should do it and get your boarding pass. No guarantee as someone else correctly pointed out but would not surprise me if gate agents look to move late shows first... worth a shot.

 

[mannej]

Who do you get to book your flights? When I have had travel agents book flights for work in the past, they seem to be able to get decent seat selections that stick.

Like everyone says, no seat is guaranteed, but for someone with relatively little status (BFOD policies...), I have never really been bumped from a seat pre-booked by the work TA