AirplaneCrazy From United States of America, joined May 2006, 36 posts, RR: 0 Posted (5 years 9 months 4 weeks 15 hours ago) and read 9333 times:
I am booking a domestic flight on United for about 2 weeks from now via the United web site. When I select "Available Seats" for 777 segments I get a message "Seats are not available to be selected at this time. You may reserve your seats at check-in." If I choose any other aircraft type for the same route (different time of day, or course) I get a seating map. I suspect this is because United is short of 777s and is trying to figure out where to do aircraft substitutions. Does this seem likely? I tried IAD to DEN and IAD to SFO with the same results.
Boston92 From United States of America, joined Aug 2006, 3390 posts, RR: 7 Reply 1, posted (5 years 9 months 4 weeks 15 hours ago) and read 9313 times:
Laxintl From United States of America, joined May 2000, 22029 posts, RR: 51 Reply 2, posted (5 years 9 months 4 weeks 15 hours ago) and read 9259 times:
I presume you are not a elite level frequent and not eligible for the E+ seating? As a result the regular economy cabin has been booked full with all seats assigned. Once the flight reverts to airport control and is eligible for check-in then non firm held blocks seats (booked but not ticketed) get released and will allow you to check-in. Worst case scenario you will be issued a DM card and have to get a seat at the gate if flight still is without assignable seats.
From the desert to the sea, to all of Southern California
AirplaneCrazy From United States of America, joined May 2006, 36 posts, RR: 0 Reply 3, posted (5 years 9 months 4 weeks 15 hours ago) and read 9215 times:
Quoting AirplaneCrazy (Thread starter): I presume you are not a elite level frequent and not eligible for the E+ seating?
Thanks for the tip! I am at the elite level and when I log in with my FFN I can see the available seats. Interestingly, there were still seats available in economy that I could not see when I didn't log in. I will always logon now even if I am just doing the preliminary planning for a trip.
Laxintl From United States of America, joined May 2000, 22029 posts, RR: 51 Reply 4, posted (5 years 9 months 4 weeks 15 hours ago) and read 9190 times:
Quoting AirplaneCrazy (Reply 3): Interestingly, there were still seats available in economy that I could not see when I didn't log in
Indeed. Seats like exit rows, and E+ sections are not visible if you are not signed in and eligible with your FF number.
From the desert to the sea, to all of Southern California
Boston92 From United States of America, joined Aug 2006, 3390 posts, RR: 7 Reply 5, posted (5 years 9 months 4 weeks 14 hours ago) and read 9137 times:
Georgebush From New Zealand, joined Jul 2006, 679 posts, RR: 0 Reply 6, posted (5 years 9 months 4 weeks 14 hours ago) and read 9128 times:
Quoting AirplaneCrazy (Thread starter): suspect this is because United is short of 777s and is trying to figure out where to do aircraft substitutions. Does this seem likely?
I would bet that actually has a lot to do with it. They block certain seats that cant be reserved incase they switch a/c or downsize. The FF's get priority so thats why those seats became availible, but average joe's have to wait to check-in. I just booked a flight in November LAX-ORD and it was originally a 777intl. to a 777 domestic to a 767, and now its a 757. I suspect it may even go back up to a 67 a few more times as well... UA is bad when it comes to a/c swaps and schedule changes.
Laxintl From United States of America, joined May 2000, 22029 posts, RR: 51 Reply 7, posted (5 years 9 months 4 weeks 14 hours ago) and read 9128 times:
Quoting Boston92 (Reply 5): Exit Rows are not assignable even to elites I don't think until at the airport, right?
Exit rows can be booked at the time of ticketing. Btw-same with AA.
From the desert to the sea, to all of Southern California
Laxintl From United States of America, joined May 2000, 22029 posts, RR: 51 Reply 9, posted (5 years 9 months 4 weeks 14 hours ago) and read 9072 times:
Care to explain? All exit rows (at least on mainline) are assignable at booking if you are an elite member. Only caveat is that one must verify eligibility to sit in the exit row by reading and checking off a separate page that appears.
If not, there is something wrong that online support needs to check on.
Care to elaborate?
From the desert to the sea, to all of Southern California
AA61Hvy From United States of America, joined Nov 1999, 13975 posts, RR: 59 Reply 10, posted (5 years 9 months 4 weeks 14 hours ago) and read 9026 times:
Quoting Laxintl (Reply 2): Worst case scenario you will be issued a DM card and have to get a seat at the gate if flight still is without assignable seats.
Can anyone explain why you get the DM card and not a boarding pass when you check in sometimes?
I have only experienced this on UA-why does UA do this? I do not care for it at all-it's rather scary!
Georgebush From New Zealand, joined Jul 2006, 679 posts, RR: 0 Reply 11, posted (5 years 9 months 4 weeks 14 hours ago) and read 8977 times:
Quoting AA61Hvy (Reply 10): Can anyone explain why you get the DM card and not a boarding pass when you check in sometimes?
They hold about 10 to 20 seats on most flights for the gate agents to assign. Incase a single mother is traveling with 5 kids and she doesnt realize they are scattered all over the plane untill they are about to board. Its so they dont have to call people back to the podium to assign them seats. If you check-in and get a confrimed DM card it means ur likely one of the last people to check in for that flight. Also the check-in agent cant assign you a seat, their computer has to be in Gate Mode to onload Standbys
Ytib From United States of America, joined Nov 2004, 493 posts, RR: 1 Reply 12, posted (5 years 9 months 4 weeks 14 hours ago) and read 8967 times:
Quoting Laxintl (Reply 7): Exit rows can be booked at the time of ticketing.
Only Premier Executive, 100k and Global Services members can reserve exit row seats. All other pax can request it at the airport, however since it is part of Economy Plus they may try to charge a fee to non-elite customers.
Laxintl From United States of America, joined May 2000, 22029 posts, RR: 51 Reply 13, posted (5 years 9 months 4 weeks 14 hours ago) and read 8954 times:
DM - Departure Management card is issued for various reasons, however primarily as a result of not being able to check you in with a seat assignment confirmed on the flight requested.
It could be due lack of available seats, you are awaiting an upgrade, or you are on stand by for the original or second flight.
The DM card on the top right states something to the effect "Wait in the gate area to obtain your seat assignment or upgrade".
From the desert to the sea, to all of Southern California
Georgebush From New Zealand, joined Jul 2006, 679 posts, RR: 0 Reply 14, posted (5 years 9 months 4 weeks 14 hours ago) and read 8954 times:
Quoting Laxintl (Reply 9): Care to explain? All exit rows (at least on mainline) are assignable at booking if you are an elite member. Only caveat is that one must verify eligibility to sit in the exit row by reading and checking off a separate page that appears.
Mabye the ones I always look at are pre-assinged but it seems like they usually block at least one exit row especially on long haul flights. Y+ will be wide open, but all the exit rows taken. I would rather be in Y+ than the window exit row seat on the 47...
Laxintl From United States of America, joined May 2000, 22029 posts, RR: 51 Reply 15, posted (5 years 9 months 4 weeks 14 hours ago) and read 8929 times:
Quoting Ytib (Reply 12): Only Premier Executive, 100k and Global Services members can reserve exit row seats.
Yes I know. See my comments in reply 2, 4, 9 where I used "elite" FF'er on multiple occasions.
Quoting Georgebush (Reply 14): Mabye the ones I always look at are pre-assinged
Must be, as no exit rows are held back.
From the desert to the sea, to all of Southern California
Laxintl From United States of America, joined May 2000, 22029 posts, RR: 51 Reply 18, posted (5 years 9 months 4 weeks 14 hours ago) and read 8895 times:
ATLAaron From United States of America, joined Apr 2006, 1018 posts, RR: 4 Reply 19, posted (5 years 9 months 4 weeks 13 hours ago) and read 8820 times:
Quoting Georgebush (Reply 6): I would bet that actually has a lot to do with it.
No, actually this happens all the time on UA. Happens to me all the time on 733's and 757's out of both CLE and PIT. A couple of days before your flight the seats will open up and you should be able to select them. This drives me nuts on UA.
I was referring to their constant equipment changes and schedule changes which will make your seat null-n-void if you had one preselected and were paying attention to your flights. Not to mention with a schedule change, even by one minute you have to call to get your ticket revailidated and that can take hours when your dealing with the dancing indians.
Halls120 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 21, posted (5 years 9 months 4 weeks 13 hours ago) and read 8747 times:
Quoting Georgebush (Reply 20): Not to mention with a schedule change, even by one minute you have to call to get your ticket revailidated and that can take hours when your dealing with the dancing indians.
Of course, you can eliminate this problem by becoming a UA FF, and signing up for electronic notification of schedule changes.
Boston92 From United States of America, joined Aug 2006, 3390 posts, RR: 7 Reply 22, posted (5 years 9 months 4 weeks 13 hours ago) and read 8747 times:
Quoting Ytib (Reply 12): Only Premier Executive, 100k and Global Services members can reserve exit row seats.
Now that I recall, thats true. I was traveling with my brother (He is Premier, I am 1K) on different reservations, and he could not book an exit row seat, and I could. Why do they do this...how much more seat pitch do the exit row seats have (I don't ever remember sitting in one)?
"Why does a slight tax increase cost you $200 and a substantial tax cut save you 30 cents?"
Boston92 From United States of America, joined Aug 2006, 3390 posts, RR: 7 Reply 23, posted (5 years 9 months 4 weeks 13 hours ago) and read 8735 times:
Quoting Halls120 (Reply 21): Of course, you can eliminate this problem by becoming a UA FF, and signing up for electronic notification of schedule changes.
You still need to call and re-confirm your flights if you ever want to change seat, change flights, upgrade, etc...
"Why does a slight tax increase cost you $200 and a substantial tax cut save you 30 cents?"
OdiE From United States of America, joined Jan 2001, 1641 posts, RR: 1 Reply 24, posted (5 years 9 months 4 weeks 13 hours ago) and read 8683 times:
Quoting Halls120 (Reply 21): Of course, you can eliminate this problem by becoming a UA FF, and signing up for electronic notification of schedule changes.
And have UA-bot call you at 4 am due to a schedule change for your flights in November.
Quoting Boston92 (Reply 22): Why do they do this...how much more seat pitch do the exit row seats have (I don't ever remember sitting in one)?
Row 11 on the A320 (both mainline and Ted - rar!) and 12 on the A319 have a lot more legroom than normal E+...not to mention Row 9 on the 757 (esp. on the P.S. 757). I think this is a nice feature to distinguish Premier and Premier Exec and up.
25 SilentObserver: the main reason you get a DM card is if you are not Y+ eligible and check-in after all seats in Y have been taken, UA waits to seat you in Y+ till ch
26 Laxintl: You can request upgrades online, and change seats online. At times depending on fares involved you can also change your itinerary/flights as well. So
27 Georgebush: But you will notice that your check-in will be a lot longer while the agent revals your eticket. It also wont let you do easy check-in if you fail to
28 Boston92: I think we are misunderstanding each other. If there has been a schedule change to your reservation...it will be shown as "schedule change" in the st
29 Georgebush: Yea and then once you call and it takes an hour to get sorted, the next day they change it by another second and you have to go though it all over ag
30 ADent: I usually get the Departure Management card when there are only E+ seats available and none in the back. UA typically releases the E+ seats about 1 ho
31 Georgebush: This usually is not the case. If there is no Y seats left, the computer will automatically give them Y+. When you go to manually check someone in it
32 Halls120: Partially correct. The OP was complaining about even a one minute schedule change necessitating a call to UA. Which is absurd. I've never had to do t
33 SkyHarborsHome: Just for curiousity, has UA ever swapped for larger? Meaning, have they ever used a 777 when a 767 was unavailable?
34 Georgebush: What is that? I guess you dont have the pleasure to fly with Mesa that often, do you? If you call UA's reservations and say you are enquiring about a
35 Laxintl: Absolutely. Today for instance folks on UA536/545 ORD-BOS-ORD got to ride a 777 instead of the regular 757.
36 Halls120: Using the web site. I haven't booked a flight using any other method for several years, and I've yet to experience a problem. Is UA's web site withou
37 Georgebush: Using the internet (your airline's website) is def. the way to go. But what we were discussing is the fact that when United or one of their contracte
38 Boston92: Exactly...it might take some getting used to...but the people who do know how to use it, think it is great.
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From United States of America, joined May 2006, 36 posts, 
Indeed. Seats like exit rows, and E+ sections are not visible if you are not signed in and eligible with your FF number.
From New Zealand, joined Jul 2006, 679 posts, 
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