How Much Is Preferred Seating On American Airlines?

A little more of everything – Enjoy more space with Main Cabin Extra seating, starting at $20. Seats are located in Main Cabin and offered on most flights, subject to availability.

How much does a preferred seat cost on American?

FORT WORTH, Texas, July 30, 2012 /PRNewswire/ – Priceline.com is the first major online travel agency to sell American Airlines Preferred Seats, a product exclusively available to travel agencies through American’s technologically advanced direct connection to its host reservations system.

In recognition of this, American announced it is offering a 25 percent discount off its normal price for the Preferred Seats optional service, beginning today through Aug.5 on AA.com and Priceline.com. Priceline.com began booking tickets through American’s direct connect in January 2011 and is now booking more than 2,000 tickets a day through the channel.

“We support innovation that improves the travel experience for our customers and we appreciate that American is offering this new product at a special discounted rate,” said Mark Koehler, Priceline.com ‘s Senior Vice President, Air. “This offer is a testament to how customers win when American can choose to distribute its product via less expensive and more capable technology,” said Cory Garner, American’s Managing Director – Sales Operations and Distribution.

The discount offer is also available through AA.com mobile, Self-Service Check-In machines and AA Reservations. About Preferred Seats Preferred Seats are desirable seats near the front of the Main Cabin and are available for purchase when booking a flight, up until the airport check-in cutoff time, beginning at $4 per flight.

Preferred Seats can be purchased through AA.com, AA.com mobile, Self-Service Check-In machines, AA Reservations and travel agencies that use American’s advanced direct connect technology. Premium and full-fare customers have complimentary access to Preferred Seats.

For more information, please visit www.aa.com/seats,
TERMS AND CONDITIONS Preferred Seats are available on flights operated and marketed by American Airlines, American Eagle and AmericanConnection ®, subject to availability.
Preferred Seats can be purchased through AA.com, American Airlines Telephone Reservations office, American Airlines Travel Center, AA.com Mobile, Self Service Machines or any travel agency using AA Direct Connect Technology and are sold per passenger and per flight segment.

The 25 percent discount will be reflected in the price displayed for customers purchasing a Preferred Seat by 11:59 p.m. (CT) Aug.5, 2012, A charge of $25 will apply when American’s reservations representatives assist with buying a Preferred Seat by phone.

This charge does not apply for purchases made via AA.com, AA.com mobile, or with the Self-Service Check-In machines. About American Airlines American Airlines, American Eagle and the AmericanConnection ® carrier serve 260 airports in more than 50 countries and territories with, on average, more than 3,500 daily flights.

The combined network fleet numbers more than 900 aircraft. American’s award-winning website, AA.com ®, provides users with easy access to check and book fares, plus personalized news, information and travel offers. American Airlines is a founding member of the one world ® alliance, which brings together some of the best and biggest names in the airline business, enabling them to offer their customers more services and benefits than any airline can provide on its own.

Together, its members and members-elect serve more than 900 destinations with more than 9,000 daily flights to 150 countries and territories. American Airlines, Inc. and American Eagle Airlines, Inc. are subsidiaries of AMR Corporation, AmericanAirlines, American Eagle, AmericanConnection, AA.com, and AAdvantage are trademarks of American Airlines, Inc.

AMR Corporation common stock trades under the symbol “AAMRQ” on the OTCQB marketplace, operated by OTC Markets Group, About The Priceline Group The Priceline Group (Nasdaq: PCLN) is a leader in global online hotel reservations, with over 235,000 participating hotels worldwide.

The Group is composed of four primary brands – Booking.com, priceline.com, Agoda.com and Rentalcars.com – and several ancillary brands. The Priceline Group provides online travel services in over 175 countries in Europe, North America, South America, the Asia-Pacific region, the Middle East and Africa,

Booking.com is the number one online hotel reservation service in the world, offering over 205,000 hotels (as of May 9, 2012 ), and is available in 41 languages. More recent hotel counts are available on the Booking.com website. Priceline.com gives leisure travelers multiple ways to save on their airline tickets, hotel rooms, rental cars, vacation packages and cruises.

In addition to getting compelling published prices, travelers can take advantage of priceline.com’s famous Name Your Own Price® service, which can deliver the lowest prices available.

Agoda.com is an Asia -based online hotel reservation service that is available in 37 languages.
Rentalcars.com is a multinational car hire service, offering its reservation services in over 4,000 locations.

Customer support is provided in 38 languages. Current AMR Corp. news releases can be accessed at http://www.aa.com SOURCE American Airlines Media Relations, American Airlines, Fort Worth, Texas, +1-817-967-1577, [email protected], or Brian Ek, priceline.com, +1-203-299-8167, [email protected]

Does American Airlines preferred seat cost extra?

Who can select a Preferred seat for free? – Preferred seats are free for AAdvantage Gold, Platinum, Platinum Pro and Executive Platinum elite members and up to eight passengers traveling on the same reservation. Also, corporate travelers can select a Preferred seat for free if their company has a contract with American Airlines.

Does American Airlines have preferred seating?

Preferred seats are on select flights operated by American Airlines and American Eagle and subject to availability. Seats are non-transferable and valid only on the flight purchased. We reserve the right to discontinue the sale of seats or refuse to sell seats to a passenger.

What is a preferred seating offer?

Purchase preferred seating for a more favorable spot in United Economy ®, Preferred seating includes United Economy seats that have standard legroom but are closer to the front of the aircraft in the first few rows behind Economy Plus ®, When you purchase preferred seating, you’ll not only enjoy a better seat in Economy, but you’ll also receive earlier onboard service and, when you land, get off the plane and on your way faster.

Better yet, MileagePlus members with Premier ® status can select preferred seating at no additional cost and all other MileagePlus members will earn Premier qualifying points on preferred seating purchases after travel has been completed. Preferred seating is available on all United and United Express ® flights, and prices vary based on the route.

Customers who are traveling on Basic Economy tickets are eligible to purchase preferred seating. View your trips

Is it cheaper to upgrade seats last minute?

Final Words – You can save a lot of money by getting business class upgrades instead of paying the full price:

If you’re flexible with your flight time
If you’re flying solo
If you participate in airline loyalty programs

If you’re flying off-season
If you’re fine with occasionally flying in economy

Usually, on Trans-Atlantic flights, you can save about 300-700$ by waiting for last-minute upgrades, You can get even cheaper upgrades by combining small cash upgrades (from economy to premium economy, which usually costs between 100-150$), together with frequent flyer point upgrades (usually, 15 000 – 50 000 points).

Is preferred seat the same as premium economy?

Preferred seating is still in economy class. in some planes you may get a little bit of extra leg room but you are still seated in economy. Premium economy is a separate cabin, the seats are wider and have more recline. You also get amenity kits and better service.

What is preferred boarding with American Airlines?

Boarding group 5 on American Airlines includes Main Cabin Extra passengers (excluding Basic Economy tickets) and eligible AAdvantage credit card members. Group 5 is also known as preferred boarding.

Why won’t American Airlines let me choose my seat?

When you book a flight, one of the first things you’re asked to do is choose your seat. But how do you know which seat is right for you? When traveling on a basic economy fare, you’ll be assigned a seat at check-in or at the gate. The main cabin requires you to pay for advanced seat assignments or to do it for free at check-in 48 hours before departure on domestic flights or 24 hours before departure on international flights.

The class of service you purchased
Your status with American Airlines.

If you have no status with the airline: If you have purchased First or Business class tickets, you can change your seat to any other seat within this cabin by visiting AA.com and entering your ticket locater and name.

If you’ve purchased a regular economy ticket (not a Basic Economy), you will be able to select from seats located in the rear of the aircraft. Or, you can purchase an upgrade to a seat up front (reserved for those with status) or to one that includes extra legroom (Main Cabin Extra).
If you purchase a Basic Economy ticket, you will not be able to choose your seat. You’ll typically receive your seat assignment at check-in or at the gate.
If you have Gold status and purchase a regular economy ticket, you’ll be able to sit in the priority section of economy on your flight (but not Main Cabin Extra). If you want access to the Main Cabin Extra seats, you’ll get a 50% discount, but only if there is space available 24 hours before departure.

If you have status as Platinum, Platinum Pro, or Platinum Exec (50k to 100k miles a year and $6k to $12k spend), you get free access to any upfront economy seats and MCE seats.
Basic economy still has no access regardless of status.

Note, it’s possible if you have no status and you purchased a regular economy ticket that you see no seats available for selection. This typically happens when the flight is oversold, or fully sold, and the seats up front are the only ones available and being held for status members. Check back on the website regularly to see if any regular seats open up for you to reserve.

If you are booking basic economy tickets, you will NOT be able to select seats together unless you pay for them. Basic economy fares DO NOT INCLUDE FREE SEAT SELECTION. If you purchase tickets and are not on the same reservation or do not select seats ahead of time, that is your fault.
If your family is flying together, and you have purchased tickets for all family members, you may want to ask if the airline will be able to seat your family members together.
Remember if you want to sit together you need to purchase tickets that are on the same locator. You cannot just purchase tickets all on the same locator. What you need to do is select seats ahead of time that are together. Whether or not you have to pay for these seats depends upon what seats are available at the time of booking.

If you purchased seats ahead of time and then were split up, you definitely have a cause to complain. In this case, if you paid extra for a seat and did not sit in that seat, you can request a refund from American. But if you did not pay, did not select your seats and then as a group of 4 or 5 people expect to sit together when you go to check in, that is your fault and NOT THE AIRLINES.
Sitting in the wrong airplane seat isn’t ideal for anyone; it can be a hassle to change your seat, but that doesn’t mean you can’t do anything about it. We provide a guide on how to solve your issue quickly on your own and also list the fastest way you can contact the airline’s agents when need be.

American Airlines charges a fee for seat selection during booking, but disabled people can select a seat for free. However, you may choose a place and then decide to change it after booking. Whether you want extra legroom, a prime seat, a preferable window seat, or a change from one class of service to another, here’s how to change your seat selection.

Can you ask flight attendant to upgrade your seat?

The Easiest Way to Get a Flight Upgrade, According to Flight Attendants It’s every economy passenger’s dream to be whisked out of the main cabin and into the glamorous world on the other side of the curtain. If your frequent flier status leaves much to be desired, you may believe that this dream will never come to fruition — but you’d be wrong. Although each flight is different, there are a few common traits that make flight attendants or gate agents pull strings for some lucky passengers. To help you figure out how to make this magic possible, flight attendants shared their top tricks and secrets with Travel + Leisure. >> Capital One’s Venture X rewards were made for the savvy traveler looking to upgrade their next trip like a pro. Those who spend $4,000 in the first three months will earn 75,000 bonus miles — and 10,000 more every year as an anniversary gift. Sponsored by Capital One The first rule of upgrades is knowing when to ask. Kat Kamalani, former flight attendant and, told T+L that passengers should start trying to score an upgrade while at the gate. Talk to a gate agent and let them know that you’re interested in moving up. “Once onboard there isn’t anything we can do as a flight attendant,” Kamalani said of her airline. Gate agents will typically have a list of frequent fliers who are first eligible for upgrades. So make sure to familiarize yourself with your airline’s membership upgrade policies. But if there’s no one on the upgrade list, it could be your lucky day. But the process may be different aboard different airlines. “There are times when a flight has a weight and balance issue,” Lia Ocampo,, told T+L. “The flight crew will then ask flight attendants to move passengers from the back to the first-class or middle of the cabin. Then, we decide who we want to move to upgrade.” Passengers who have been kind — and maybe those who are smiling — are generally first to be considered for these last-minute upgrades. jacoblund/Getty Images Those traveling with a baby may have a better chance of receiving an upgrade. Make sure to touch base with gate agents before boarding, and if you’re able to get into a Comfort or bulkhead seat, flight attendants may also give you a bassinet aboard long flights, Kamalani said. Ocampo shared that passengers should let gate agents know if you’re traveling for a special occasion. But drop the information in a casual way if you can. “Make a friendly conversation with the gate agent and talk about your occasion,” Ocampo said. “You never know. That may give you and your companion the upgrade you’re hoping for.” In the air, as on the ground, being kind and present with other people is the ticket to an enjoyable experience. “If you just come on board and stick to yourself, you’re a great passenger,” Kamalani said. “Even more if you are happy or kind to us. We get a lot of grumpy people that travel and take it out on flight attendants.” Remember to make eye contact when your flight attendants come around and thank them for their service. “A passenger who calls me by my name is someone that stands out,” Ocampo said. “In my airline, our names are etched on the flight attendant wings we are wearing, and we introduce ourselves at the beginning of the flight. So, when a passenger talks to me using my name, it creates a culture of respect and recognition.” Those who are looking to go above and beyond, consider bringing a small token of appreciation for flight attendants — it could come back to you in the form of free drinks or snacks. “Even just a simple candy bar or chapstick goes a long way,” Kamalani said. “It’s not needed, but it will definitely get you special treatment.” Ocampo added that gift cards, particularly those for a coffee shop, are a “favorite treat” among flight attendants. If you’re bringing a gift, stay away from home-baked goods and anything that could fall outside of dietary restrictions, like something with chocolate or nuts. A handwritten note of thanks, some flowers, or a drawing from a child are all gifts that will stay with flight attendants long after you’ve deplaned. Cailey Rizzo is a contributing writer for Travel + Leisure, currently based in Brooklyn. You can find her, or at, Thanks for your feedback! : The Easiest Way to Get a Flight Upgrade, According to Flight Attendants

Can flight attendants upgrade your seat?

Flight attendants can upgrade passengers or give them better treatment for a number of reasons, but only a few lucky ones get to experience that luxury treatment for free. How can you get it? Flight attendant Helena Afroughi explained: “What always works is when people bring some sweets to the crew, chocolates or whatever.

And they make themselves known.

Don’t just give it and run away.
Usually, people do it as a thank you but I’ve seen it more with people that have family working as crew too so they appreciate the crew more,” she explained.
However, Helena said some people do it just because they are genuinely nice: “Like if someone brings chocolate or something we ask them if they are crew because we automatically think it’s because of that.

“When people do that, the cabin chief would be like ‘make sure you go up to him and ask him if he wants coffee or tea’ because we could give it for free. Obviously not everything from the snack bar though,” she said. READ MORE: Cruise guests share ‘amazing’ insider tips from ship Helena explained: “I had this very young kid once, who came and brought us little gifts from Bath and Body Works – a shop in the US- he bought us mini hand sanitisers.

It was the cutest thing ever.” The flight attendant gave another very useful tip: “You can come up and talk to us a little bit.
Not too much unless the conversation is flowing cause I’ve had passengers that sit there and talk forever.

And after that, just ask away.
If you ask nicely and kindly it’s rare that a crew will say no,” she said.

“Airlines have their own rules and things regarding freebies but it doesn’t hurt to ask, you never know. “Also, I don’t know if that may be very difficult to notice for a passenger. “But I think a new cabin crew member would have a hard time saying yes because they are afraid of the consequences (again depends on the airline) but usually when you have been in the airline for some time you know what’s completely off-limits and what is okay to do.

So finding a crew member who is a bit more senior might help.
Or finding one who you can tell is kind.
Don’t go for the cabin crew who is grumpy and strict looking,” she said.

READ MORE: Pilot urges elderly passengers to avoid window seat as higher risk “I think asking the crew (when you are alone with them not in front of other passengers) is also important to note.

“Like if there’s a disruptive passenger or something along those lines it’s a good way for passengers to break the ice and I think that can bring you ‘closer’ to the crew. “Maybe they will like you even more for understanding that passengers can be disruptive and rude.” Another flight attendant, Miguel Muñoz, agreed: “To get better treatment, like the best seat or move to the overwing seats where you have more legroom, for example, the best trick is just to be nice.

Is it better to upgrade seats at the airport?

So Which is Cheaper: Advance or Last-Minute? – The bottom line: if a business class upgrade is available at check-in, it’s usually because the airline has a problem it is desperate to solve. They are overbooked and may have to bump unwilling passengers (which can lead to really bad PR), a weather delay has made a mess of their flight schedule, or they are having trouble seating a family group together.

And there you are, friendly, polite, nicely dressed, with your credit card in hand, willing to pay a nominal price to score a business class seat at a basement-bargain price. Realistically, it’s a gamble and getting upgraded to business class at the airport is pretty rare. If luxury and extra legroom is really important to you, book it in advance.

However, if you’re perfectly willing to fly economy class, and willing to roll the dice, a last-minute upgrade can be the cheapest option. You may even get lucky and score a free upgrade.

Is American Airlines main cabin extra worth it?

Is Main Cabin Extra worth it on American Airlines? – American Airlines Main Cabin Extra is far from the most luxurious seat that the airline offers. However, perks like extra legroom, earlier boarding, guaranteed overhead bin space and an alcoholic drink will likely make your overall economy experience more pleasant.

But if you’re looking for an even higher level of service and can’t afford business class, American Airlines premium economy or the Main Plus package might be a better choice.
If you’re seriously considering Main Cabin Extra, see if you can leverage elite status or AAdvantage miles to select it for no additional cost.

Otherwise, check to see if it’s worth upgrading to a Main Plus package — you’ll get a free checked bag and the opportunity to choose a Main Cabin Extra seat. (Top photo courtesy of American Airlines)

Why do I have to pay extra for seat selection?

It has been standard procedure for low-cost carriers to charge extra for an allocated seat. However, it is now becoming more common for full service airlines to charge for reservations. For low-cost carriers, the lack of an allocated seat is often justified due to the low initial fare.

How do you get a preferred seat on Ticketmaster?

On our site, you can choose the seats that suit you the best, among the seats that are assigned to the sale by the organizer. To access this booking method, choose the option ‘Select your own seat’ when you are on the event page.

How do you get preferred boarding on American Airlines?

Hold AAdvantage, Oneworld or JetBlue elite status – Most of the early American Airlines boarding groups are reserved for American Airlines, JetBlue and Oneworld elite members. No matter what tier of elite status you have, you’ll get to board the flight during priority boarding — even if you’re flying in economy.

Executive Platinum members can board in Group 1, while Platinum Pro (and Oneworld Emerald) members may board in Group 2.
Mid-tier elites (American Airlines Platinum and Oneworld Sapphire) get at least Group 3.
And the lowest-tier elites (American Airlines Gold, Oneworld Ruby and JetBlue Mosaic ) are assigned to Group 4.

However, this is the lowest boarding position you’ll get as an elite member. You’ll get to board in a higher group if you request an upgrade and it clears.

What is preferred boarding on American?

Boarding group 5 on American Airlines includes Main Cabin Extra passengers (excluding Basic Economy tickets) and eligible AAdvantage credit card members. Group 5 is also known as preferred boarding.