Each airline’s boarding pass has a different design, but the basics are all there. Your seat number, departure time, airline and flight number, frequent flyer number, and class of service are all standard practices to provide the information travelers and airline staff need. A lot of that is stored within a scannable bar code.
The first thing that most travelers look for when handed their boarding pass, though, is their seat assignment. Perhaps you want to confirm if you're sitting by the window or the aisle, or are eagerly checking to see if you have been upgraded. But on occasion, your boarding pass might say something like "see agent" or “seat assigned at gate."
If you see language along these lines on your boarding pass, there's no need to be overly concerned. This doesn’t necessarily mean that you are getting bumped from your flight—even if the flight is oversold, airlines will first request volunteers to give up their seats before bumping people involuntarily, and in both cases, the airline will pay you compensation for the inconvenience. As long as you have a confirmed flight reservation, there can be several other reasons for why your boarding pass might say “see agent,” and most of the time it just takes a few minutes to sort it all out. Below, we break down all the different reasons why an airline may request you to see an agent before take off.
This article has been updated with new information since its original publication date.
You bought a basic economy fare
Some airlines—like American, Delta, and United—do not assign seats for basic economy fares until you reach the ticket counter, or in Delta’s case, the gate. These ultra-restrictive fares are usually the cheapest and come with limitations, even if you have top-tier elite status with the airline. If you bought one of these fares and you see a note asking you to see the agent, you'll likely be assigned a seat before boarding. You won’t be able to choose where you sit, but you do have a confirmed seat on the plane. In some cases, there is no need to even see the agent in person, as many airports will display your seat assignment on the gate information screen, allowing you to use the existing boarding pass to board. Or, if you have the airline's mobile app, your digital boarding pass may update automatically. Either way, it doesn't hurt to ask.
If you change your mind, or didn’t mean to purchase this bargain-basement fare, most airlines let you “buy up,” paying either the fare difference or a small fee to upgrade to the next fare offering so that you can select a seat before getting to the airport. If you’re worried about getting a middle seat, it’s worth taking a look at the seat configuration beforehand. If you are flying on a regional jet where seats are in a 2-2 configuration with no middle seat, you’re safe no matter which fare you purchase or seat you get assigned.
You’re booked on a codeshare flight
Airlines sometimes partner with other carriers to allow them to sell seats on each others’ planes. Airlines must disclose if your flight is operated by another carrier, and on occasion with a codeshare, it is not possible to assign a seat in advance. This could be because the airlines use different computer systems and don’t have access to each other’s seat maps. Or it could be because the airline didn’t receive advance information on the seat you thought you had selected. If you find yourself flying another airline than the one from which you bought your ticket, try calling that airline in advance of your flight to make a seat assignment. Typically, they assign one on their end to help you avoid the “luck of the draw” at the gate.
Another important tip: if you book a codeshare flight, the airline operating the flight might have a different reservation code (or record locator) for your trip. If you have that information, you might be able to assign a seat on that carrier’s own website. For example, you booked an American Airlines-coded ticket, but it is operated by British Airways. Check your airline app or contact the airline with whom you bought your ticket to find out the other airline’s record locator so that you have a better chance of assigning a seat directly with them.
You need to show additional documents
Another reason that your boarding pass may say “see agent” is that certain travel documents need to be verified in person. If you had not previously selected a seat, some airlines cannot automatically issue a boarding pass with a seat assignment until the documents are checked. These can include everything from destination entry visas to passport expiration dates. If you have the right documentation, it shouldn’t be an issue to handle it at the gate and get the seat you previously assigned yourself.
Your ticket needs to be re-issued
When you make a change to a reservation or there was a disruption to your travel plans, some tickets may need to be re-issued by the airline. If this is the case, you normally wouldn’t be able to print a boarding pass at all, but online check-in or an airport kiosk may print a document that says to see an agent. It may require some additional keystrokes by a ticketing agent on the phone or at the airport to correct any problems. If you changed voluntarily to a different flight or upgraded your ticket using miles or an upgrade certificate, there may be a difference in fare you owe, but in most cases, it’s just a simple computer glitch that needs addressing.
The airline has blocked seats
Airlines often block seats to assign closer to departure. These are reserved for travelers that require infant bassinets (bulkhead seats), frequent fliers with elite status, are crew rest seats, or those with armrests that can raise for people with reduced mobility or passengers with requirements for additional space. On the day of departure, the airline begins to release these seats.
If you were not able to make an advance seat assignment because the cabin was full, keep an eye on the seat map as these seats will begin to open up once check-in begins and then once the gate opens for the flight. If you see a note to see the agent on your boarding pass, you may be in luck. As these “preferred” seats get “unblocked,” you may be able to score one of them without having to pay extra or holding elite status with the airline. Be friendly (but not pestering) to the gate agent, and you could be at the top of their list.
Another favorite hack of frequent fliers is to use subscription-based websites like Expert Flyer, which allow you to set a seat alert for a notification if a particular seat (window or aisle, for example) opens up before a flight—so you can grab it. If a seat were to become unblocked, the website would send you a notification. The site can also alert you if the aircraft changes or provide details on whether a flight is oversold before you reach the airport.
Your aircraft changed before departure
When airlines change the aircraft type to one with a new configuration, some seat assignments may get kicked out of the system or swapped. You may be automatically assigned a new seat or left with a note to see the agent. Sometimes, when an airline switches to a smaller plane, some passengers will have to be bumped (although the airline will ask for volunteers first). Keep an eye on the seat map of your flight to watch for any changes in advance so you can manage expectations before you reach the airport.
If you booked your ticket more than three months before the flight, it is common for airlines to make minor changes to the times or the aircraft as they tweak their schedule around demand closer to departure. It can pay off to be vigilant and monitor your reservations because you could be able to change to a different or more convenient flight without paying extra if the flight change is significant enough.
Your flight is oversold
Sometimes, airlines end up with too many passengers for a flight. Overselling flights is an accepted practice since airlines rely on historical data to account for passengers that do not show up for a flight. Still, if you have a note to see the agent on your boarding pass, it could (but does not always) mean there are no more seats to assign if everyone else shows up. If you are confirmed on the flight, you are entitled to a seat. If the flight is oversold, the airline will ask for volunteers to take another flight first. If no one agrees to do that, those left without a seat assignment could be among the first to be involuntarily bumped, which includes someone with the note “see agent” on their boarding pass. If that happens, you will be awarded flight compensation in the form of gift cards, airline vouchers, or cash.
While there are a lot of other factors involved, it is prudent to check in as soon as you are able to for a flight. If your boarding pass mentions seeing a gate agent, it does not mean you’re destined for a bump. While there is no reason for alarm, it helps knowing why it may appear and what you can do about it.
