Annoyed! "seat map" showed tons of seats, but after purchase, can't select!

miamialli · Jun 13th, 2008, 12:50 AM

aarrrgh! I just booked flights on orbitz on continental. before I purchased the tix, I looked at the "seat map" and it showed plenty of avail seats. It wouldn't let me select my seats until after purchasing. Once I bought the tix, it only showed me two center aisle seats to choose from (one the first flight) and NO seats on the second flight! I called continental and was told that those seats can only be selected by their frequent fliers members and the seats will be released for selection for everybody else 24hrs before the flight. SO ANNOYED right now

. I can't believe they do this. I will never book flights without choosing my seats before paying ever again.

meluvs2shop · Jun 13th, 2008, 08:49 AM

it's a shame they showed seat availability for a flight then come to find out there's no such thing.

i travel so much that i rarely know where i'm siting until i check in.

after you check in you could always go up to the ticket counter at the gate and ask if you can be moved.

esiders · Jun 13th, 2008, 09:25 AM

Why don't you join the Continental OnePass FF program so you can get your seats now? It only takes a few minutes and you can do it on www.continental.com.

DamierLover · Jun 13th, 2008, 02:49 PM

Good luck...they routinely overbook and oversell their flights...go on 24 hours prior to flying and grab what you can...I'd personally take the center now..

The frequent flyer benefit of advance seating is for just those...frequent flyers...getting a number isn't gonna do anygood if your not using it on a regular basis...few times a month, etc.

mcmug17 · Jun 13th, 2008, 09:51 PM

I assume you're referring to the seats that are blue. If I understand this correctly, there're like 5 different coach fares for them, and of course if you pay the full coach fare (which is like 5x the price), then you get to select everything.

esiders · Jun 14th, 2008, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DamierLover

The frequent flyer benefit of advance seating is for just those...frequent flyers...getting a number isn't gonna do anygood if your not using it on a regular basis...few times a month, etc.

Unless something has changed in the last few months, I 'm not sure that is true. I'm a Continental OnePass member (since 1995) and I've never had a problem getting seats when I book my flight, even on discounted, nonrefundable fares. I'm not one of their elite members either (I only fly 2-3 times a year). In February, I bought tickets for travel in August...and I was able to pick out my seats when I booked.

MIAIMIALLI: Did the rep say you need to be a Continental frequent flyer or that you needed to be a Continental FF with Elite status?

Christine · Jun 14th, 2008, 11:25 AM

Esiders you are correct. Only Elites get to select those seats.

OP - there are numerous reasons to book directly through CO.com when you find a good fare (through travelocity, orbitz, etc). Not only is there a 24 hour cancellation grace period for Onepass members, you earn far more eqms and CO might be more likely to help in a situation like you are in now. May I ask where you are traveling from/to?

My bf and I experienced a variant of your issue.. "airport control" was the issue when, for a few months in '06 I had no status. Not only could we not select seats, my bf almost didn't make it on the plane because all the seats were given away. (note we had purchased tickets so far in advance that 1/2 the plane was empty). We were going to London from IAH and I was a boatload of PO'd. Lucky for me I booked on co.com (no 50 percent EQM bs) and got my status back for the return trip...ahh...

Good luck.

Quote:

Originally Posted by esiders

Unless something has changed in the last few months, I 'm not sure that is true. I'm a Continental OnePass member (since 1995) and I've never had a problem getting seats when I book my flight, even on discounted, nonrefundable fares. I'm not one of their elite members either (I only fly 2-3 times a year). In February, I bought tickets for travel in August...and I was able to pick out my seats when I booked.

MIAIMIALLI: Did the rep say you need to be a Continental frequent flyer or that you needed to be a Continental FF with Elite status?

miamialli · Jun 14th, 2008, 04:44 PM

[quote=Christine;6717224]Esiders you are correct. Only Elites get to select those seats.

Yup, that is exactly the case. I have a FF # for them, but I dont have the higher status. DH actually has Elite status, but since he is not flying with me, it doesn't matter.
I don't usually book thru orbitz, but I am flying out on continental (Ft.Lauderdale) and flying back on AA (Miami), to take advantage of better flight duration/times. Oh well, whatever. I'll just keep my fingers crossed until the 24hr mark and see what happens

At least I'm goin to VEGAS

that makes me happy!

SonOz · Jun 16th, 2008, 10:05 AM

Since everything has changed in the last month or so regarding baggage pricing and whatnot so did the seating. Northwest and Delta are offering seats that when you get to check in, some coach seats you can choose may cost an extra $15. I booked flights yesterday for Delta and I am a bronze or whatever is the lowest medallion member which gives me a lot of extra privileges but they will not release the preferred seating in coach until closer for me to pick the seats.

Jun 13th, 2008, 12:50 AM	#1
miamialli Member Joined: Sep 2006 Location: Sexy South Beach, FL Posts: 652	Annoyed! "seat map" showed tons of seats, but after purchase, can't select! aarrrgh! I just booked flights on orbitz on continental. before I purchased the tix, I looked at the "seat map" and it showed plenty of avail seats. It wouldn't let me select my seats until after purchasing. Once I bought the tix, it only showed me two center aisle seats to choose from (one the first flight) and NO seats on the second flight! I called continental and was told that those seats can only be selected by their frequent fliers members and the seats will be released for selection for everybody else 24hrs before the flight. SO ANNOYED right now. I can't believe they do this. I will never book flights without choosing my seats before paying ever again.

Jun 13th, 2008, 09:25 AM	#3
esiders Fairy BagMomma Joined: Nov 2005 Location: northern NJ Posts: 1,698	Why don't you join the Continental OnePass FF program so you can get your seats now? It only takes a few minutes and you can do it on www.continental.com. __________________ "She's so anally retentive she wouldn't sit down for fear of sucking up the furniture." --- Patsy Stone

Jun 13th, 2008, 09:51 PM	#5
mcmug17 Member Joined: Feb 2006 Posts: 887	I assume you're referring to the seats that are blue. If I understand this correctly, there're like 5 different coach fares for them, and of course if you pay the full coach fare (which is like 5x the price), then you get to select everything. __________________ Current Wishlist: Hermes Kelly Pochette in black, leather TBD Hopefully... a Hermes Birkin 30cm in etoupe, BJ, or orange... ???

Jun 14th, 2008, 04:44 PM	#8
miamialli Member Joined: Sep 2006 Location: Sexy South Beach, FL Posts: 652	[quote=Christine;6717224]Esiders you are correct. Only Elites get to select those seats. Yup, that is exactly the case. I have a FF # for them, but I dont have the higher status. DH actually has Elite status, but since he is not flying with me, it doesn't matter. I don't usually book thru orbitz, but I am flying out on continental (Ft.Lauderdale) and flying back on AA (Miami), to take advantage of better flight duration/times. Oh well, whatever. I'll just keep my fingers crossed until the 24hr mark and see what happens At least I'm goin to VEGASthat makes me happy!

Jun 13th, 2008, 08:49 AM	#2
meluvs2shop mi isla Joined: Jul 2007 Posts: 1,194	it's a shame they showed seat availability for a flight then come to find out there's no such thing. i travel so much that i rarely know where i'm siting until i check in. after you check in you could always go up to the ticket counter at the gate and ask if you can be moved.

Jun 13th, 2008, 02:49 PM	#4
DamierLover Member Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 2,956	Good luck...they routinely overbook and oversell their flights...go on 24 hours prior to flying and grab what you can...I'd personally take the center now.. The frequent flyer benefit of advance seating is for just those...frequent flyers...getting a number isn't gonna do anygood if your not using it on a regular basis...few times a month, etc.

Jun 16th, 2008, 10:05 AM	#9
SonOz Member Joined: Nov 2007 Location: Chicago Posts: 581	Since everything has changed in the last month or so regarding baggage pricing and whatnot so did the seating. Northwest and Delta are offering seats that when you get to check in, some coach seats you can choose may cost an extra $15. I booked flights yesterday for Delta and I am a bronze or whatever is the lowest medallion member which gives me a lot of extra privileges but they will not release the preferred seating in coach until closer for me to pick the seats.