Expedia Seat Assignments
 

I see that Expedia says that I need to reserve seats directly with the airlines. I am used to booking directly with an airline and then reserving seats on the airline's web site.

Does anyone have any experience reserving seats for tickets bought through means other than directly with the airlines?

It just depends on the airline and the type of fare you purchased.

Some airlines are pretty liberal. All you need is the 6-digit PNR and a last name, and you can pull the record to add your FF number, change seats, etc.

Some require you to register on their website first, probably with a FF number of that airline, before you can do all those things.

Some foreign airlines limit advanced seat assignments to only the high-fare purchaser; perhaps online, perhaps on the phone.

So, there is no single answer.

This helps, rkkwan - thanks. I will be flying with NWA and I have an account with FF account with them.

Just to be sure, what you are saying that my Expedia "ticket" will have a NWA code that can be entered on their web site just like I can enter a code from a ticket bought directly from NWA?

The last post may not prove it, but English is my first language. :-)

Yes, Expedia should provide you with a 6-digit NW PNR that you can use to log on to nwa.com and then manage your reservations there.

I have not bought NW ticket on Expedia, but my family and I have often gotten NW legs when buying CO tickets to Asia (or using CO awards). I have no problem with nwa.com in those situations to get seat assignments or check-in, even though the ticket isn't bought on nwa.com.