I was sniffing around on the Delta website. Ticket price from LA to Miami is $109 but price does not include seat allocation. Someone explain?
I think it just means that you don't get to choose the type of seat you sit in, so you might get stuck in the middle.
I wonder if it's an industry-wide thing, globally? If it's the same as in the UK, seat allocation refers to the ability to book a specific seat. The alternative is to be seated by crew when you board and wherever they choose.
It's likely space available. But read the fine print. Most airline tickets have a clause on the back that clearly states that if you are bumped from the flight then you are entitled to sometimes up to four times the value of the ticket AND afree of charge ticket on the next available flight OR, AT YOUR DISCRETION, a free of charge ticket on the next flight and accommodations (hotel and food). But do NOT leave the airport as that can be taken as activation of the accommodations clause. It's worth knowing. Although some airlines have a little bit different way of handling things.....READ THE FINE PRINT. Hope that helps.
Hi Bilby, I've worked in the industry for over 25 years. Thankfully, it is in the past and I am now a happier healthcare worker for the government. Once upon a time, airline tickets were printed on paper. There was no such thing as an electronic (e-) ticket. The total price of the airline ticket included the base fare, quite a number of taxes, the cost to check baggage, the cost to select a seat from available seats at the time, the cost to be served a meal (if meal service were available) and--in some instances--the cost of a headset to listen to music. Some airlines have never offered pre-assigned seating. SOUTHWEST Airlines, for example, seats folks on a first-come, first-served basis. Back in the day there wasn't pre-checkin over the phone. Your showed up and you lined up. Now airlines nickel and dime folks for everything. Baggage, seat assignments, upgrades, early checkin. I recently went to San Juan, Puerto Rico from Los Angeles and spent $60 round trip just to give the airline my baggage. Welcome to airline travel in the new millennium!
Sounds like they are taking leaf out of Ryanair's book. The now defunct Tiger Air used to impose a credit card surcharge, but it was the only way to pay. It is lean, mean business.Virgin Atlantic is the latest to discontinue the kangaroo route.
