A few hours ago, I cashed in MasterCard Travel Award points for an economy seat from Washington IAD to Tokyo (US Airways 5150 and 5151, flown by ANA) on 8 May, returning 30 May, and bought a companion ticket for my husband. I asked the travel agent to give us seats across the aisle in the same row (something I've done for virtually every trip we've taken, with no problems). He said he could only request the aisle seats, and I should call the airline to make sure that's what we had. I called US Air; they said they couldn't even view the seating chart, so I should call ANA. I did. A very pleasant woman checked and said yes, we had aisle seats--but at opposite sides of the aisle, 23C and 23H. She said she couldn't change them; I should call US Air, and if they said they couldn't help, I should ask to speak to a supervisor. You know where this is going, right? Another very pleasant woman named Caroline at US Air called ANA, checked with her supervisor, and reported that no human had the power to give me seat 23D (which was, and as of this writing still is, available). I could only ask the computer for another aisle seat, and could end up in any row. (I should note that we've been given the same seats on the return flight.) She suggested we ask the flight attendant to help us switch with another passenger as we board the plane.

This is the last row in the first (economy) section of the plane, by the way (but also the row in front of the toilets, thought the seating chart shows a fair amount of separation). It's the second row with the configuration of 3-3-3 (as opposed to 2-4-2 closer to the front). There are tons of seats still available in the next section back, though I like the idea of being in the first section--but maybe it doesn't matter? It's not the end of the world if I'm separated from my husband, but it's a 14-hour flight, and I'd certainly prefer to be next to him (though not at the cost of losing the aisle seat).

Do I keep calling back and demand to speak to supervisors? If so, which airline? Do I ask them (I guess US Air would do this) to play computer roulette until we end up with matching aisle seats, if ever? This is just ridiculous. I'd appreciate any suggestions. would

you are officially in codeshare hell, where you have booked a TICKET with one airline in an alliance but it is actually OPERATED by another airline. You can keep calling, but i don't understand why you have gone through a travel agent? And if oyu did why THEY can't work with ANA to get the seats changed.

I had to use a particular travel agent to redeem my MasterCard points and get my ticket free--we're only paying for my husband's. I can call then and ask for help, but I don't expect to get any, because they told me when I bought the tickets they couldn't arrange seats, they could just request preferences. Yep, code share hell pretty much sums it up.

why on earth did oyu book the codeshare?? was that all that was open? you are within 24 hours and should be able to cancel....and try and book the ANA flight?

Unfortunately I can only use the points on a US airline. I didn't want to fly United--I was glad I was getting an ANA flight. Yes, obviously, the MC travel awards program is way too restrictive, and I should find a better way to accumulate points for travel, but I can't fix that now.

yea well...with a codeshare, you probably won't be able to use the computer to change seats.

It can't hurt to call ANA on a regular basis to see if they can change seats. If not you can try to change them at online checkin. US Air has no no control over the seats so it likely isn't going to help to call them.

I still think you can bug the travel agent to at least call and make the case to change the seats.

Well, it's a plan. Thanks.

Just throwing out a suggestion - can you get US Air to give you the ANA's record locator number, and then go onto ANA's website and choose your seat?

Don't worry. You will most likely be able to get seats close together when you check in. If not, go a bit early to the airport. Many Japanese aren't as fussy as us about seat assignments.

Just throwing out a suggestion - can you get US Air to give you the ANA's record locator number, and then go onto ANA's website and choose your seat?


The OP can try but that often doesn't work.

I totally agree w/ rkkwan. Don't sweat it, and 'demanding' things probably will get you nowhere. Besides -- there is no 100% guarantee you'd get the pre-assigned seats. "Stuff" happens and folks are re-assigned at check in all the time.

Just get to the airport early and the agent will most likely seat you near each other.