Ins and Outs of Paying for Extra Legroom in Coach
 

From <i>Smarter Travel.</i> Call it Semi-Premium Economy (American), Stretch Seating (Frontier), Economy Comfort (Delta and KLM), Main Cabin Select (Virgin America), Even More Space (JetBlue), Economy Plus (United), Big Front Seat (Spirit), pay more and get more space in economy. Not true Premium Economy with separate cabin and extra perks, but sometimes that's not what you need or want to pay for.

http://www.smartertravel.com/photo-g...ch.html?id=267

We paid an extra $98 pp for "Main Cabin Extra" seats with more legroom on our DFW to LHR American Airlines flight. This will also entitle us to Group 1 boarding.

I've been able to secure emergency row exit seats on UAL on numerous trips to Europe by paying an additional fee. Well worth the money considering we're 6'2 and 6'4.

I usually buy Economy Plus seats on United. My only beef is I almost always end up with a last boarding group and then can't find a place to put my carry-on. If I pay extra for the seat, I shouldn't have to deal with that.

I've also had issues when they have changed planes, or a delay has caused a rebooking. It's hard to get refunded for the extra $ paid for the seat I ended up not getting. Annoying how they collect change fees on the spot, unless it's THEM changing!

I'm lucky as most of my flying is scheduled more in advance than it used to be. Thus I get my favorite, an exit row, 99% of the time (not counting the 50% of the flights or so that I get upgraded to F).

One of the things that went away with the United/Continental merger was Premier Silver access too the Economy Plus seats upon booking. Now it has to be an upgrade or you have have to pay for them unless you are Premier Gold of higher. Bah.

Flying FLL-NYC I flew United, paid $47 for the Extra Room seat and was shocked they wanted $49 additional to NOT be in group 5 boarding. So $96 total for both perks. Every other airline (and I personally checked) includes priority boarding when you purchase a premium seat AND in the FLL-NYC market, the price for both on the other airlines is approx $50.
United says All aisle seats board in group 5 but that's not true.. If you are an aisle seat traveling with a middle or window seat - then all can board together in the earlier group.
In my route FLL-NYC, I have many choices and I will not choose United again until they come to their senses. If they want to sell the perks separate, the price needs to substantially come down.

FYI.. It seems American recently changed their policy. I am now told MCE & Premium seats are non-refundable if you change or cancel your flight. Previously, I had a choice plus ticket and received a refund for the main cabin extra seat when I made a change.