Seat Assignments
 

I would like to purchase tickets on American Airlines website for a friend and I to go to Lima,Peru in December. I've done this many times before, but this time there is a twist that I'm not sure how to handle. My friend and I are leaving on the same day, but he is staying one week longer than I am. As far as I can see, purchasing these tickets is going to have to be two separate transactions because the return dates are different. But if I make it two separate transactions, how can I make sure we'll be sitting together on the flight out there? Is calling AA directly the only way to ensure this? I don't want to do that because the fares aren't as good over the phone as they are on the internet. Wondering if anyone has figured out a way to handle this. Thanks.

Easy, do your transactions separate, then call to have your seats put together. They should do this with no problem unless it is far from the travel date or too close, in which case, just check in together at the airport.

Thanks for helping this clueless traveler. Didn't know you could call and ask for that kind of thing!

No problem. As an Agent, I do it all the time for my clients. :)

It's helpful to have your friends record locator number and/or ticket number when you call. (I've done this a number of times and never had a problem).

Thanks for the good info JIm.

KB - The American Airlines website has a help icon that you can click on and they can communicate with you in real time. AA.com also has their own 800 number (which you can get from the regular reservation agents)that you can call while you are booking on line to have them seat you and your travel companion together.