AC charging for seat selection during OLCI (launched, then paused)
Apr 24, 2024, 12:23 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2023
Location: YDF
Programs: AC 50K
Posts: 99
AC charging for seat selection during OLCI (launched, then paused)
Adam, please move if there's a more appropriate thread already.
I'm seeing reports on social media today that AC has started charging for seat selection during check-in. In one case, this anecdotally happened to someone travelling on a standard fare. Initially I dismissed this as user error, but the AC website now says, under "When you check in: To change your assigned seat, choose from the remaining seats. A fee may apply depending on the seat you have selected and the fare you purchased".
If true, my non-status family members traveling on standard fares will want to know there's no benefit to waiting until OLCI if this is the case. Can anyone on FT confirm if this is indeed a new policy?
I'm seeing reports on social media today that AC has started charging for seat selection during check-in. In one case, this anecdotally happened to someone travelling on a standard fare. Initially I dismissed this as user error, but the AC website now says, under "When you check in: To change your assigned seat, choose from the remaining seats. A fee may apply depending on the seat you have selected and the fare you purchased".
If true, my non-status family members traveling on standard fares will want to know there's no benefit to waiting until OLCI if this is the case. Can anyone on FT confirm if this is indeed a new policy?
Apr 24, 2024, 12:39 pm
#2
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 616
It seems like people on Reddit are experiencing the same thing, which CS confirmed
https://www.reddit.com/r/aircanada/c...ange_on_check/
https://www.reddit.com/r/aircanada/c...ange_on_check/
Apr 24, 2024, 1:18 pm
#3
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, BA Gold, SQ Silver, Bonvoy Tit LTG, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond
Posts: 44,398
Adam, please move if there's a more appropriate thread already.
I'm seeing reports on social media today that AC has started charging for seat selection during check-in. In one case, this anecdotally happened to someone travelling on a standard fare. Initially I dismissed this as user error, but the AC website now says, under "When you check in: To change your assigned seat, choose from the remaining seats. A fee may apply depending on the seat you have selected and the fare you purchased".
If true, my non-status family members traveling on standard fares will want to know there's no benefit to waiting until OLCI if this is the case. Can anyone on FT confirm if this is indeed a new policy?
I'm seeing reports on social media today that AC has started charging for seat selection during check-in. In one case, this anecdotally happened to someone travelling on a standard fare. Initially I dismissed this as user error, but the AC website now says, under "When you check in: To change your assigned seat, choose from the remaining seats. A fee may apply depending on the seat you have selected and the fare you purchased".
If true, my non-status family members traveling on standard fares will want to know there's no benefit to waiting until OLCI if this is the case. Can anyone on FT confirm if this is indeed a new policy?
But I guess it's interesting. You buy a fare that doesn't include seat selection, why should that change at T-24?
TBH, as someone who often books extremely last minute flights, this is finally a positive for me. All the good seats won't be gone at T-23:59.
Apr 24, 2024, 1:56 pm
#5
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Victoria, B.C.
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Posts: 1,942
Apr 24, 2024, 2:05 pm
#6
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: YVR - MILLS Waypoint (It's the third house on the left)
Programs: AC*SE100K, wood level status in various other programs
Posts: 6,242
I'm not surprised. AC certainly wasn't the first airline to do this. It's all part of unbundling to make fares look cheaper. Until we force consumer-friendly disclosure of these fees in Canada, expect more of these 'surprises'.
Apr 24, 2024, 2:11 pm
#7
Join Date: Jun 2022
Posts: 27
Apr 24, 2024, 2:12 pm
#8
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: SFO
Programs: *G^2, Bonvoyed, NEXUS
Posts: 3,520
When I flew AY J last year, you had to pay for seat selection, and it was the same experience during OLCI .. you were assigned a seat and if you wanted to move you had to pay. Be thankful AC doesn't charge for seat selection in J (yet).
Apr 24, 2024, 2:32 pm
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2023
Location: YDF
Programs: AC 50K
Posts: 99
I can't say I'm surprised either, and I don't necessarily disagree with it in principle, for reasons discussed upthread. But it's a rather significant policy change that hasn't been communicated, and that's what's confusing/surprising/annoying people.
Apr 24, 2024, 3:21 pm
#10
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 616
WestJet gets around it by assigning you the seat prior to the start of OLCI. You'd open OLCI to see 29B (or whatever), then you need to pay to change it to anything else.
Apr 24, 2024, 4:09 pm
#12
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: YYZ
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YYZ-PUJ tomo, asked to pay $30 to select a seat at OLCI
I guess one less reason to pick AC over West Jet in some cases.
I guess one less reason to pick AC over West Jet in some cases.
Last edited by Jumper Jack; Apr 24, 2024 at 4:20 pm
Apr 24, 2024, 4:19 pm
#13
Formerly known as tireman77
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 5,562
Apr 24, 2024, 4:20 pm
#14
Join Date: Jan 2016
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