Why do I have to pay for a seat assignment?

The short answer is . . . you don't

As I shared in the "why do I have to pay for checked baggage" discussion. This is another ancillary revenue stream for air carriers that have helped drive recent profits. Just because the program may be here to stay does not mean you need to pay.

HOW DO I GET A SEAT ASSIGNMENT FOR FREE

Check-in online at your respective air carriers website or mobile application. Subject to the terms of your airfare, purchase portal (see Danger Will Robinson below) and availability, you should be able to proceed through check-in, select a seat assignment and receive your boarding pass.

Although most carriers and fares allow unrestricted seat assignments at the 24-hour check-in mark, some restrict this further to airport check-in. Again, no problem, arrive at the airport early, utilize the kiosk positions, select your seat assignment and receive your boarding pass.

BUT ALL THERE IS LEFT ARE SEATS I NEED TO PAY FOR!

If you still do not have a choice for complimentary seats, continue check-in without seat selection and you will be placed on the "need seat list". Passengers on the need seat list are confirmed and have all the same rights of passengers with seat assignments. In the event of an oversale, you are still eligible to volunteer and you are still compensated in the event of an involuntary denied boarding. You are not standby even though you may hear this term and in the event all there remains are "paid" or "premium" seating, you are assigned these complimentary anywhere from 45-10 minutes prior to departure.

DANGER WILL ROBINSON

There are some pitfalls to the process depending on how full your flight is and how you purchased your ticket(s).

When using Orbitz, Travelocity, Expedia and many other 3rd party websites to purchase tickets, you are directed to a seat assignment page right after flight selection. You may see the entire aircraft map and even be able to make a selection; but, note the message that says the carrier may restrict assignment of priority seating. Translated, if you select a premium economy seat and you do not have Elite Status, your seat request will not be honored.

Bypassing several opportunities for select seat assignments (reservation, online, airport kiosk) could result in a middle seat onboard your flight if this is all that remains. So, there is a personal choice you should consider, is the process and result worth the savings.