Seat Assignment unavailable... but UA is still selling seats!
 

I have been trying to get seats for the last leg of my trip coming home. The date is in lesss than 2 weeks, on United Airlines, connecting in Chicago.

It is not fair that UA is still selling tickets on that flight; but will not give me seats; even though I have confirmed reservation, all paid!!

The agents on the phone all say, yes, you are confirmed, but we have no seats for you...

What is going on?? is this a common practice?

Thanks for any helpful hints/comments.

This often happens when there may be an equipment change. Stay calm.You have a seat.

Say you are flying BOS-IAD and the normal junior jet is getting booked up, as it often does. They are still selling tickets, so they may sell enough to go to a larger plane. In that case, they are going to have to change your seat anyway. They may not know for sure what plane they are going to use until you are on your way to the airport.

I have seen (CDG several years ago and BOS on Thanksgiving) horrible scenes at check in as people went into panics because the plane was boarding and they still didn't have a seat. I was calm, nice to the clerk, and got a first class upgrade on the international flight (Air France) and an exit row aisle on the Thanksgiving flight (United).

It is standard and common practice. Once a certain threshold is crossed for seat assignments, they're often closed until check-in time. That's to allow the airport agents some maneuver room to accomodate passengers with needs (kids traveling with parents, etc).

So, don't sweat it. And it's not unfair. Afterall, no airline guarantees you a particular seat even with an assignment. They can still move you.

Do not panic. In all likelihood situation is as described above. That is what happened to us on UA this summer. No matter how many times you call, they will not give you seat assignment before check-in.

However, you are not crazy to be a little concerned. Last weekend we were in similar situation on 2nd (final) leg of trip FL to Boston. When we checked in at Miami, we were given something called "Gate Management Document". If you get one of these, then be concerned, as it did in fact mean we had no seats and flight was over-booked (even though we booked 6 months prior).

Upon check in for first leg, try to get counter person to give you a real seat. If unsuccessful, upon arrival at last leg city, go immediately to gate agent and very sweetly, politely but firmly try to get them to give you a seat.

In the unlikely event they can not, remember you are entitled to compensation. The 30 people over-booked on my flight got First Class vouchers for RT anywhere in continental US. Airlines try really hard not to involuntarily bump people - so in all likelihood, you will be fine.

I worked for UA until shortly after 9/11. It was/is very common that seats for flights are not available to preassign. You are not ever guaranteed a particular seat in any case. Just make sure you check in early to get the best seat assignment.

BTW, UA is NOT the only airline that this happens with. When I was a travel agent, I had elderly clients who book a long flight on Delta more than six months prior to their trip. I checked the seat map several times a day until they left and no seats ever showed available. They did get seats at the airport but not together.

Try online check-in at the earliest possible time. Seats should be opened up then and you can probably get an assignment before going to the airport (and before other people).

Something similar happened to me with Continental. The 800 number agent was no help. So I called again, this time asked for their computer support, and they gave me a seat.

But this was about 3 months before the flight.

When you print your pass 24 hours before the trip, check if you can get a seat then.

nancy...are you traveling as part of a group by chance? (more than 10 people) most airlines policy is to "block" seats for groups, but no assignments until check in. check in agents always have final discretion over seats. (safety, weight, etc...etc...) best bet...always go to the airport early, and ask nicely!
ackislander...glad you had a good experience.

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll try to check in online early. I have seat assignment for all segments of my travel except the last. (I am not travelling as part of a group.)

Because this is the last leg of the return flight, I won't have access to internet as easily while I am away, and this is the last flight of the evening; so I am just worried that I may have to spend the night in Chicago airport.

I appreciate all from this board. Thanks again.

Don't worry, period!

While you're typing away afraid that you may be involuntarily bumped, there are probably others on your flight rejoicing that they may have overbooked the flight. They will be jumping up at the 1st moment to voluntarily give up their seats for a night of hotel in Chicago plus a travel voucher!

rkk...SO TRUE!! Recently I sat next to a Professional Bumpee...He would ask his TA to book him whatever flight looked the most sold out just so he could volunteer.I have to disagree with otto...I have never heard of any airline NOT assigning seats for a group...Most "groups", at least affinity groups, want to sit together.They are travelling together as a group, so why not sit together.I cannot imagine a worse nightmare for a gate agent than having 25 members of a bowling league trying to arrange seats at the departure gate and the flight is sold out.I have been with groups and we have always had seat assignments.So not sure where you saw this "policy".

beachboi...
just to clarify, i work for an international airline (the second i've worked for), and the policy is to "hold" or "block" a bunch of rows for the group, knowing that people would choose to sit together within the group, and final seat assignments are given at check in only. certainly, this can potentially be problematic, as every agent was preferred seating for their passengers. but, when asked why the policy has been set the response from the company was "historically, when group seats have been preassigned, even based on request, passengers change their mind before, and up to airport check in." creating a ton of problems operationally.

I don't have too much experience with group tickets, but 2 years ago, we got a good deal for IAH-CDG on CO. It's a group fare (min 10 people) for <$350 r/t.

It's true that they wouldn't give us seat assignments initially, but after some phone calls between our agent and CO, they would break out the PNR for the CO elites in our group, so those can get their own preferred seats. The rest still only get assignments at the airport. No big deal, as it's off-season and plenty of room.

otto...Thank You......And just to clarify, I have been with groups and witnessed groups only domestically....and some of the flights were nightmares for the other passengers I can assure you...

does the industry make sense? who knows? ;-)

No it doesnt make sense.If it made any sense, then every airline ought to be making a little dough.

I read about similar problems with other travellers. If anyone has more tips about getting seats assignment on United Airlines flight, please share. Thanks bunch.

The only thing I can add to this is to keep calling...unless you have done so already. I am always amazed at how one or two or three agents insist that nothing can be done about a certain situation and then finally, you'll find a creative soul on the other end of the line who has a clever trick up his or her sleeve. It happens all the time since No is one of my least favorite answers. I am very polite and try to appeal to their humanity (play the kid card or something.)

Most recent example: I had carefully considered my family's needs and checked seat guru to figure out where to sit on an overseas flight this month. And this was months ago. Delta "reaccommodated" us (How 'bout that for a euphemism?) according to agent #1, who also insisted nothing could be done. Agent #2 suggested I speak with a supervisor and then disconnected me! Agent #3 found decent seats that showed as unavailable online and had the bright idea to split two of us window/aisle in the hope that the middle seat would go unfilled. At least she tried to make me happy. :)

I cannot understand why seat assignments are so important to people. I can understand if you travel Biz/First, but in Coach?!? Puhleeze...

All this does is just add to pre-travel paranoia. If all seats were up for grabs, then late group bookings would be very difficult to service.

Another thing to consider is that last minute bookings, often on full Y fares, are made by the airlines most frequent fliers. It goes without saying that the airline will want to try and accommodate these pax as best as possible.

This seat assignment in coach is largely an American phenomenen but it is, much to my chagrin, getting much more common in Europe. If I had my way, I would scrap all pre-assignments in coach to all except those on full fares and upper tier FF members. Everyone else will then have an equal chance when they check-in.

The reason I am concerned about seat assignments (can not speak for others) is that, as I mentioned in one of the above posts, is that it indicated I did not have a seat - any seat, anywhere on that plane. I realize that even if one has a seat assignment it can be changed or you could be bumped - but a real seat number is at least a pyschological assurance, and I believe a greater indication that you will get on that flight.

And my airline was UA, and it was end of a school vacation, and they bumped involuntarily a dozen people off my flight and sent another dozen to an alternate airport voluntarily with compensation.

And while I do believe that very FF should get some perks, being able to bump me off a plane is not one of them. Same goes for higher fare paying customers - if that were the case, why not just set up every flight as a real auction, with seats going to highest bidder up to flight time.