Patty

I tried to change our seats to row 17, 18 or 9 when I OLCI'd for our LAX-HNL flight tomorrow am, but all of those rows were still blocked. If AA doesn't release these seats at the 24 hour mark, when do they typically release them? Can I still try to change our seats at the airport kiosk if we're already checked in? Thanks.

AAFrequentFlyer

Non-elites can try to grab exit row seats at check-in or at the gate.

Good luck and have a great trip!

AAFrequentFlyer

Try to grab row 9, any seat. No window, just a porthole, but plenty of space. When I did fly in the back this was my preference.

Next is row 10, but only seats A or F. Unlimited legroom, but only for these 2 seats.

Row 18, any seat, but window, aisle prefered. Extra legroom and full recline.

Row 17, be wary of seat A or F, limited recline.

Patty

Thanks, AAFF. That's basically my order preference too.

But my question was - is there a specific time frame when these seats are released, i.e. within 12 hours, within 4 hours, etc. (they were NOT available at just under 24 hours this morning)? Or is there not a consistent window? Or is it only airport release meaning I can't get them when checking in online anyway? Looking for some insight into how/when the release happens. Thanks.

AAFrequentFlyer

Only at the airport. Airport takes over at 4 hours before scheduled departure. You can't do it online at any time unless you have status.

If you can't get any good seats at the check-in desk/kiosk, don't give up. Many elites may get upgraded by the gate agent, so report an hour before at the gate and request an exit row with the GA, if these seats become available.

Patty

Thanks for the clarification! I didn't know it was airport only for non-elites

One more question, if there are F seats available at airport check-in, will they let me upgrade with miles at that time? Can/will they process a mileage upgrade at the airport? I assume I'll need to pay the $100 award expedite fee. Thanks again.

jlillberto

Seems like the very first answer by AAFrequentFlyer answered your question.

Patty

<Seems like the very first answer by AAFrequentFlyer answered your question.>

Well, not exactly. 'Check-in' is a pretty general term and can also refer to online check-in not just airport. Some airlines allow non-elites to choose an exit row seat during OLCI. I wasn't sure what AA's policy was. That's why I was trying to get clarification on the release timing.

Now do you have anything helpful to contribute?

AAFrequentFlyer

Yes, you can upgrade at the airport using miles, but only at the ticket counter, not at the gate, and you will pay the expedite fee if you're succesful.

The problem is, that if the desks are very busy, some TAs will lie to you and tell you no F seats are available, just to avoid the long process of doing the keyboard dance. AA's systems are somewhat outdated and it takes a lot of typing, a call to AAdvantage to pull the cert number, etc... So don't be surprised if you hear "no upgrades are available". It shouldn't be that way, but sometimes it is.

Besides, F on a 757 may not be worth all the trouble. You do get free drinks and food and some extra legroom, but I'm not sure it's worth the miles and the fee. If this was the 763 then I would say go for it, but in this case I would save the miles/$ for a future flight.

Have a great trip!

Patty

Thanks and Happy New Year, AAFF!

Patty

Quick update - no upgrade available but I did get row 17 at the airport. My luggage didn't make it to HNL, nor my parent's luggage, nor the luggage of about 1/3 of the pax on that flight. Latest is that our bags were located and scheduled to be picked up by the delivery service this evening.

Patty

Our bags were delivered in the middle of the night and brought up by the bell staff this morning

Gardyloo

Glad your bags made it.

I disagree with AAFF re the 757 FC option. I think the 757 FC seats are well worth the miles for upgrading, not because they're any great shakes (good width, legroom mediocre) but because the coach seats on the 757 are so awful in comparison.

Patty

Yes, I'd forgotten how awful they were

Patty

Relating my return experience OGG-LAX yesterday afternoon - I was also unable to upgrade on this flight (despite arriving at OGG 15 min prior to the opening of the check-in counter, there were already several pax in line and one of them secured an upgrade). No luck changing seats at check-in either, but I was able to switch to row 17 at the gate.

I'm heading to HNL again in April and will try to plan better next time which leads me to the question, is F on the 763 THAT much better? I'll probably fly RT HNL, so I think that gives me the option of one daily 763 flight or 3 daily 757 flights. If it were to come down to a choice of flying F on the 757 on the exact dates/times I prefer or adjusting my dates slightly so I can fly F on the 763, which one would you choose? I do have a little flexibility (+/- 1 day) each direction. Thanks.

AAFrequentFlyer

763 - without a doubt!

Gardyloo

On that we agree.

otto

don't forget the airlines priority is safety, and exit row seats have always been, and will always be given as priority to able bodied people in case of incident.