US Airways' Single Most Egregious Policy?

i have a quick question about upgrading on US metal. since the merger, when flying US as an AA elite, i've upgraded on check-in but it's been a rather covert process, as there's no indication you *can* upgrade; rather, when you select to change seats the F cabin is open to you.

however since the FF accounts were merged back in march or so, it now shows "complimentary upgrade not offered" on my PNR. i haven't flown US yet (flight is next week) but do you know if the same tactic works?

They don't charge for the preferred seats, which I believe are the first two rows in orange, in front of the choice section. I've never had to actually buy in the choice section because if you book early enough, there are always free preferred seats available.

You know what's ridiculous? They have not put in MCE on a single US Airways plane. They could have done most of the fleet in six months if they really wanted to. This makes me very, very worried about the future of MCE.

Lucky
I just found out the other day that American and USAirways do not allow a refund in the first 24 hours after booking and paying for the flight. They of course do not allow the hold option if the flight is booked within seven days of departure as well. I thought it was mandated that all flights had to be able to be refunded within 24 hours of booking and paying.

@ Ross The regulation only applies for flights booked more than 7 days before departure, which is probably why AA doesn't allow holds within that window.

I don't understand
as an AA Platinum I have gotten bulkhead aisle seats and elsewhere free on US Airways and Alaska
What am I not understanding? 🙁
But if whatever the negative is and its going away this fall good!

I agree completely. I had IROP on AA and they moved to US so I could make it to desitination the same day. Only issue was only seats left that weren't middles seats were ChoiceSeats. I was shocked that they wouldn't let me book it without paying.

I flew with US last week and was able to book seats in row 6 on an A321 PHL to CLT, same on the way back. The row was listed as reserved for elites and was no additional cost. I know there are some seats that still cost money, which i agree is crazy, but maybe it has to do with those seats being sold out on this flight?

I booked a good month or more in advance.

I was originally a US elite and was included into AA elite program during the merger. Since everything is merged now I don't think this would be the reason for the ability to get these seats.

I've been an AA EXP for 4 years in a row now but I'll likely lose it this year because I've just stopped flying US Airways. The difference between the two airlines is incredibly frustrating. At least if I have to pay Delta or United for a seat I know its because I didn't fly 100k miles with them the year before.

As an AA Gold, I'm not complaining about how US treats premier seats. Right now I can get an exit row an exit row or bulkhead for free but for flights after 10/17, they've already changed those rows to MCE which of course costs me money as a Gold.

I've actually been intentionally booking to US flights for my transcons this summer in order to take a free exit row seat over having to pay for MCE so I'll miss the US seating system once it is gone.

So 4B is a preferred seat and available for free, as well as all the exit row seats - which is what I would choose anyway. The other preferred seats have already been booked by other elites. The options you have seem pretty equivalent to the choice seats; not sure what the gripe is. I do agree that their preferred seat vs choice seat designations are arbitrary, though. Personally, I'm looking forward to the addition of MCE seats on US planes; that can't happen soon enough.

Ben,

4 B is available for free according to the screen shot you posted.

Ye reap what ye sow. Bloggers have been touting AAdvantage legacy programme as compared to the new revenue based programs at DL and UA. But as you will soon see, the US-buyout of AA is just another step in the race to the bottom. You'll be paying some extra fees now, losing some perks, and within 18mos you will also see the mileage-based earnings go bye-bye. Enjoy while it lasts.

I was just venting about the Move-up fee today!

I am trying to fly from BOS-SAN and have a later flight. My plans changed and I went to the airport to see about getting on an earlier flight. I asked about flying stand-by and they told me about the $75 fee which is just stupid. It is all about the money grab!

Indeed, you can fly first class for free. But aisle and window seats without extra legroom towards the front of the economy are too good for the airline to 'give away' to their most valuable customers.

http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2014/03/26/us-airways-ization-american-whats-next/

I find it especially egregious because they have long known about this issue, that it's poor treatment of American Executive Platinums who aren't used to it, at a time they're trying to introduce US Airways equipment and crew and get customers happily flying each carrier. THEY COULD HAVE EASILY FIXED THIS but chose not to do so.

The post is fine, so far as it goes, and is easily understood by pros like Gary.

Others might have benefited from having US's three-tiered system explained, namely, the differences between Choice, Preferred, and Regular. As any sort of elite, you only pay for Choice and, unfortunately, that tends to be what's left if you book last-minute.

At least all this sort of nonsense will vaporize Oct. 17.

On a $2800 day before Charlotte to LAX round-trip in 2011 the only seats available in the front of the plane were paid choice seats. I called to try and get one with the fee waived. No go.

IME anyone can pick the exit rows and preferred seats without paying within 24 hrs of departure but the choice seats aren't ever free.

What is MCE? I agree that AAs advantage rules are now unfathomable. Very annoying.

This has bugged me to no end! It's annoying enough that they don't have main cabin extra seats but as an AA plat that's already re-upped status for next year I have to sit halfway back in the plane unless I pay! I avoid US Air flights if I can!

@ Deb porter -- Main Cabin Extra is American's extra legroom seating in economy. It's usually located in the first several rows of the cabin.

@ John -- Right, though can't say I'm all that interested in voluntarily choosing a middle seat.

@ Ross -- The rule is that up until seven days before departure they have to either allow a 24 hour hold or 24 hour refund policy. Within seven days there's no government mandated policy.