Choice seating

[hp-csr-phx]

This was in the May qik study guide. Has anyone heard anything about this?

Prices for Choice Seats vary from $5 to $30 depending on the
length of flight and the market.

Within the Continental U.S.:
500 miles or less $5
501 - 1,100 miles $10
1,100 miles or more $15
Caribbean, Bermuda, Latin America, Mexico $15
PHL - Caribbean, Latin America, Mexico $20
Alaska $20
Hawaii $25
Europe $30

Edit to add this does not apply to Dividend Miles preferred members. Also the prices are reasonable. I have always wondered why we don't charge for better seats like at a concert or sporting event.

 

[phlus2]

Edit to add this does not apply to Dividend Miles preferred members. Also the prices are reasonable. I have always wondered why we don't charge for better seats like at a concert or sporting event.

So what constitues a "better seat" on USAirways? Since the folks at the Sand Castle re-configured the planes I'd be hard pressed to find a "better seat" on a US plane. United charges for Economy Plus (for non-status folks) - but in that case you actually get something for your money - like more leg room.

On US you get the same thing no matter where you sit - I can stare at the top of the head of the person in front of me in the front of the plane, the middle of plane, or the back of the plane - but if I want to do it in the front of the plane they are going to charge me extra? Hmmmm - now there is a deal!

Didn't NorthWest try this a few years ago and then have to back off because there was such an outcry?

 

[BuffaloJoe]

So what constitues a "better seat" on USAirways? Since the folks at the Sand Castle re-configured the planes I'd be hard pressed to find a "better seat" on a US plane. United charges for Economy Plus (for non-status folks) - but in that case you actually get something for your money - like more leg room.

On US you get the same thing no matter where you sit - I can stare at the top of the head of the person in front of me in the front of the plane, the middle of plane, or the back of the plane - but if I want to do it in the front of the plane they are going to charge me extra? Hmmmm - now there is a deal!

Didn't NorthWest try this a few years ago and then have to back off because there was such an outcry?

I am 6'6" and 250 pounds. I'll sit in a Window seat or an aisle seat no problem. But I will refuse to sit in an center/middle seat. I don't want to use my upgrades for FC on US. Its a waste of money. I haven't been traveling US that much the past 16 Months, but if I have to pay for an Aisle seat, or Window, US can go _____ themselves. UA gives you extra legroom, but they are giving something. Even WN with those new Business Select fares, they are giving you a free drink. Whoopty do but that is something. US would charge to use the restrooms if they could get away with it.

 

[wildirishrose]

Other airlines have already been charging for premium seats to and from Europe AND domestic for years. With the rising fuel costs USAirways HAS to be able to keep up to stay in business AND pay our wages. I'm a huge believer in customer service but charging a little more for unaccompanied minors, second bag, premium seats, etc really adds up when you start multiplying it. We can still give good customer service.

 

[US1YFARE]

We can still give good customer service.

When is that plan being rolled out? I don't think Tempe knows anything about good customer service.

 

[wildirishrose]

When is that plan being rolled out? I don't think Tempe knows anything about good customer service.

I'm with you on that one. It seems the employee's are either one way or another. I would love to see them employ Ghost Rider's again.

 

[dexter]

OH PINNNNNey! Management doesn't even know their employees names let alone telemarketing CP calls....

 

[happy01]

So what constitues a "better seat" on USAirways? Since the folks at the Sand Castle re-configured the planes I'd be hard pressed to find a "better seat" on a US plane. United charges for Economy Plus (for non-status folks) - but in that case you actually get something for your money - like more leg room.

On US you get the same thing no matter where you sit - I can stare at the top of the head of the person in front of me in the front of the plane, the middle of plane, or the back of the plane - but if I want to do it in the front of the plane they are going to charge me extra? Hmmmm - now there is a deal!

Didn't NorthWest try this a few years ago and then have to back off because there was such an outcry?

I did hear that they are going to try doing this, and from what I understand they are going to follow Northwest's plan. They will be charging more for the bulk head seats and for the exit row. NW's World Perks members can upgrade to these at no charge at any time, but if you are not a Perks member and want to purchase it can only be purchased 24 hours before travel. I'm travelling on NW next month, and yes they are still doing this. I don't know what they charge for these "premium" seats, the prices aren't posted.

 

[NAPAUS]

<_< <_< So just what IS a better seat on US? I just flew JB and paid 40 rt for a seat upfront with 38 inches. It was so comfortable and came w/ free TV. Why oh why would anyone fly US? i just don't understand.

 

[tadjr]

All Customer Service agents should have an Ilearn class that explains this.
Let's all start jumping up and down screaming before we actually know what it is too. (I forgot this IS the US board )
It is for non Preferred members only and can be done ONLINE only during web checkin 24 hours prior to flight time. It will be just a few seats that are currently held for Preferred members preseating on flights. If the Preferred seats are not assigned to Preferred members in advance, a customer may purchase these seats online for $5-30 depending on the length of the flight. If you have other seats prereserved in advance, you pay nothing and if you are Preferred, you still have first shot at these seats since they can be prereserved by having your number in your record. There are only a limited number of seats being offered per flight and these would be the front aisle/windows Preferred members currently are only able to reserve in advance. If customers do not purchase these seats they may be assigned to anyone without charge at the airport during the regular checkin window day of departure. This is a way for those customers who are not Preferreds and who have to purchase a ticket at the last minute when seating options could be limited, to be able to get a non middle seat if they prefer since they will be held until 24 hours before flight time and not assigned out unless there are that many Preferreds who reserve them in advance. In that case, there will be no choice seats left to sell online.

 

[Old PSA]

tadjr,

I see that somebody has done their homework or workwork. The plan does not appear to have to much impact on airport operations except during irregular operations when we start moving people around like chess pieces. Then the person who paid their $5 is going to want it back now, not contact reservations for a refund but we will see how it goes. The only problem with this is that it is phase 1 of a multi-phase project to change the pricing scheme. Now this may not be bad but with Tempe's demonstration of marketing skills in the past, I shutter. KISS is not a concept they understand.

This goes with the 1 bag plan. Looks great on paper but when the single gate agent is faced with multiple passengers with multiple bags but not delay the flight, CRA goes right out the window.

 

[Dog Wonder]

How much would it cost to get a seat on another airline?

 

[flyJOE]

How much would it cost to get a seat on another airline?

Northwest does this and I hate it. I try to, and successfully have avoided NW for the most part. I flew NW from PHX to CLT via DTW. On the PHX-DTW flight, all I could get in advance was a center seat, unless I wanted to pay money for something better, no way. Fortunately a non-center seat opened and I didn't have to worry about it.

Since then, I would not fly NW unless I don't have much of a choice. Now living in CLT, it would be harder to avoid US, but I have connected in DFW, MIA, DTW, ATL in the past year when I had options on US. Fortunately, I'm not tied to US because of Dividend Miles. I put those US flights on my Mileage Plus number.

 

[tadjr]

We're talking like a total of 8-10 seats on most planes at max. With the Preferred guys snagging their favorite and the other 100 or so seats being available free of charge, there isnt going to (presently) be a huge chance that most flyers are even going to have the chance or be forced to buy these seats if they arent specifically wanting to sit in an aisle or window in the first 4 or 5 rows of the plane.

 

[Chicken or Beef??]

We're talking like a total of 8-10 seats on most planes at max. With the Preferred guys snagging their favorite and the other 100 or so seats being available free of charge, there isnt going to (presently) be a huge chance that most flyers are even going to have the chance or be forced to buy these seats if they arent specifically wanting to sit in an aisle or window in the first 4 or 5 rows of the plane.

How much do the pax save when they have to sit in the back row on a Trans-Atlantic flight?
Let's charge for special meals and leave the passengers that we have enjoy what little service me provide. When our customer satisfaction scores approach average then we can go back to nickel and diming them.