American Airlines Seat Selection

[drron]

Well I just did a little experiment with AA2440.
As an AA plat I had the same choice as Serfty.
No number entered and the same choice as JohnK.
Using mrsdrron's QFF number-SG now I could access the preferred seats as well but not exit rows.
Seems to be inconsistent when reading all these posts.

 

[serfty]

Well the same swallow seems to be flying past me regualrly.

Maybe its a swallow, a sparrow, an ostrich or any other bird passing by ...

 

[JohnK]

Well I just did a little experiment with AA2440.
As an AA plat I had the same choice as Serfty.
No number entered and the same choice as JohnK.
Using mrsdrron's QFF number-SG now I could access the preferred seats as well but not exit rows.
Seems to be inconsistent when reading all these posts.

I do not have any FF number in the booking now. I have lost pre-allocated seats for the 1st and 4th flights. When I check to see what is available I see even less seats available than what was available before and specifically on AA2440 I cannot get any 2 seats together on the left side (2 seats only) of the aircraft.

Very inconsistent and extremely disappointing as far as I am concerned....

 

[equus]

If I make a booking in economy on an AA flight and my Qantas Frequent Flyer number is in the booking then I can select from preferred, normal and exit row seats.

All you have shown is that sometimes it can be performed ; if I make an AA booking in economy, I only see normal seats if using the QF Platinum number in the booking and is consistent with AAs stated policy

There is most likely a very simple explanation that reconciles these differing experiences. There is an assumption being made that the AA system is linked to the OWE status - and that as you are both OWE you are expecting the same results.

I would suggest that what you are seeing is the AA system maintaining internal information keyed to the QF FF numbers. This would be a smart move as any FF number would provide a good key for tracking passenger behaviour even though the passenger is "only" a member of an alliance FF program. For some reason, even though a QF number is being used, AA has decided that Serfty is "elite" in the eyes of AA (perhaps by tracking the number of AA flights made using that QF reference), whereas Dave's number is not. Nothing whatsoever to do with the OWE status, and everything to do with data accumulated by AA regarding the use of the QF number on AA flights.

Any benefits are obviously in an "unpublished" category. Who knows what data is captured, how reliable it is, or what other factors are being used. It is known (assumed / guessed) that QF uses fare basis in its seat allocation algorithm. It is quite possible that AA is doing likewise (as well as status, and whatever else they have acculumated and added to the mix) in deciding what seats to make available. This supposition would help explain the limited seating options available to JohnK.

 

[JohnK]

Thanks. Sounds like a feasible explanation.

 

[serfty]

There is most likely a very simple explanation that reconciles these differing experiences. ...

I did a test booking using my wife's PG QFF number who has a grand total of 4 AA flights - all 'preferred' seating and exit rows were available for selection (757):

 

[JohnK]

Just to confirm that after having my QFF number removed and losing pre-allocated seats for 1st and 4th flights I inserted my QFF number ~1 day later. I cannot see any "preferred seats" and the seat map is the same as the one available to anyone without status. :shock:

I would appear that AA do not offer "preferred seats" to Oneworld members. At least QF recognises members of other Oneworld airlines. Time to put this to bed but I will be writing an email to Oneworld....

 

[serfty]

... I would appear that AA do not offer "preferred seats" to Oneworld members. At least QF recognises members of other Oneworld airlines. Time to put this to bed but I will be writing an email to Oneworld....

John, when I catch up with you soon, I intend to perform some tests with your assistance.

 

[JohnK]

I have finally managed to do 3 dummy bookings for the same flights as the award booking LAX-DFW-YYZ. Current seats pre-allocated for LAX-DFW are 16AD and DFW-YYZ 16CD.

I did a dummy booking yesterday and inserted my QFF number and I was pre-allocated 11DE for LAX-DFW and 10AB for DFW-YYZ. I was able to view the seat map for both flights and I see the same availability as my QF award booking.

As the previous booking was cancelled I did another dummy booking this morning and inserted my QFF number and I was not pre-allocated a seat for LAX-DFW and pre-allocated 10AB for DFW-YYZ. I was able to view the seat map for both flights and I see the same availability as my QF award booking.

I also did another dummy booking and I inserted my AA number (no status) and I was not pre-allocated a seat for any of the flights. I was able to view the seat for both flights and I see the same availability as my QF award booking.

For LAX-DFW the only seats I see available are 11E, 14E, 15E, 19E, 22E, 26E, 30E and 31E. For DFW-YYZ the only seats I see available are 8B, 10BE, 12B, 17E, 20E, 22B and 27B.

It would appear that as a QF Platinum, OW Emerald, I do not get to see preferred seats on AA flights. The only advantage appears to be inserting my QFF number for paid booking appears which give slightly better pre-allocated seats but cannot select the same seats.

Can anyone with AA status see the seat map for AA2440 and AA420 on 24 August 2009? Are there better seats available or is it a full flight? I have given up trying to get a better seat on AA flights just interested in this experiment....

 

[drron]

For 2440 the only extra I see are 10,12,13B and 20E.
For 420 8,9,10,13,14A:9,10,13,14B:8,9,10,11C:9,10,12D:13,14E:9,13,14F are extras-13,14 are the exit rows.

 

[JohnK]

Thanks drron.

It would appear that I do not have access to preferred seats which is not the same experience as serfty. Must have something to do with the number of AA flights we have had over the years although it does not explain why his wife, as a Oneworld Sapphire, has access to preferred seats. A mystery that may never be explained.

Looks like they will be full flights. If I stock up on beverages from the LAX Flagship Lounge what it he chance that I do not have to go through security again at DFW? Last time at LGA my beverages were confiscated at security as we landed at a different terminal at the last moment....