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Old Oct 25, 2009, 2:34 AM
Tampa Flyer Tampa Flyer is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 2
Default AirTran - Be prepared for hidden charge for seat selection

After completing and paying for my non-refundable reservation (at what I thought was a final price) I attempted to make a seat selection. Seat selection required an additional $6 per seat per flight segment ($20 for front economy or exit row seats - $69 for business class upgrade).

On the outward bound flight, I let AirTran assign seats. My wife and I were seated in middle seats on opposite sides of the aircraft. On the return flight, I paid the extra $6 each to avoid being jammed between two large people, again (I'm 5'8", 165 pounds, so I fit okay). Advance selection showed all center seats reserved, so I couldn't get seats together without paying for both. Apparently, most people chose to forfeit the extra $6, because the flight had several center seats open after all. The amount doesn't bother me -- $6 is not that much money. I am, however, very bothered by the failure of AirTran to disclose the extra cost before the ticket purchase is completed.