New Allegiant Seating Procedures

[JLB Please excuse me, I'm a Dick. Not a moron just a Dick Find all posts View Profile Close JLB]

Previously if you did not purchase pre-assigned seating, when you checked in they assigned them.

Now they give you a number according to the order of arrival, and then call groups, 1-20, 21-40, etc.

If I remember our Southwest days right, that's the way they have always done it.

[Luanne Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Luanne]

Previously if you did not purchase pre-assigned seating, when you checked in they assigned them.

Now they give you a number according to the order of arrival, and then call groups, 1-20, 21-40, etc.

If I remember our Southwest days right, that's the way they have always done it.

But wouldn't this be a little different? With Allegient, if you purchase pre-assigned seating, you get it. So those who don't would have fewer seats to choose from when they board. And wouldn't it stand to reason that the seats that would be left would all be middle seats?

With Southwest all seats are available, but the early boarding group has a better selection.

[dougp26364 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close dougp26364]

When allegiant started, there was a considerable price difference between them, the legacy and the low cost carriers serving our market. Now, not so much. Once you add up all the extra fee's, there's not enough difference to serously consider them except that they're a non-stop flight.

For us they're not longer worth it for several reasons.

1. Not a lot of price difference

2. No FF miles or loyalty rewards

3. If they leave town, all you get is a refund and you have to book with another carrier at their current prices.

4. We have a choice of only ONE flight time each way and they usually aren't very convenient for us.

5. Delays can be tough as they don't have a lot of spare planes. If there's a mechanical issue, it can take a long time to get it fixed. They don't have their own mechinics and, if the part can't be found locally, it has to be flown in on another airline at that airlines convenience.

There's just to many disadvantages for us to really consider them anymore. A few years ago, when they were significantly cheaper and didn't offer all the add on options with fee's, they were simple, direct and a good deal. Now there are to many fee's, to many options, to confusing and to high of risk for not so much savings. We've been sticking with the legacy carriers for the last several years.

[JLB Please excuse me, I'm a Dick. Not a moron just a Dick Find all posts View Profile Close JLB]

Yeah, that is the difference compared to SW . . . that there are some seats already assigned.

I was referring to the numbering system as being similar.

We make do with Allegiant since there are no nearby SW flights. We pack light, one bag and a set of golf clubs, plus copious carry-ons.

We have never been on an Allegiant flight with even one empty seat (busy season) and have never had a delay.

Airtrans flies from nearby, too, but has a stop on the way.

Of course, we don't like the nickel and diming and I have carefully mentioned that to them. I also don't like not being able to talk to a real person by phone, no tollfree number and no Allegiant employees at the airports. It's a major hassle to take care of a luggage problem, lost or damaged.

[JLB Please excuse me, I'm a Dick. Not a moron just a Dick Find all posts View Profile Close JLB]

This year we are going down during the heavy holiday season, 12/31, but coming back will be a normal day.

I booked fair fares, not the highest and not the lowest.

$216 RT

Searching the lowest future fares (February), I can get $112 RT with just carry-ons.

The lowest on Air Tran right now is $196, also February. They do fly on Saturdays, which coincides with most check-ins, but the flights are 5 1/2 hours, with a stop in Atlanta, not getting to Orlando til 6:20 PM. That would make Gulf checkins tough to make, but late checkins are common for us anyway.