Originally Posted by aa73

Yowzers that's a tough one. I think it's definitely worth a shot but it's my understanding that most of our captains wouldn't even know if they have the authority to do that. In any case, your situation would have to rest with the gate agents anyway because when you're on a ZED fare, you have to be accounted for in the cabin - and therefore, the agent has to be the one to assign you a seat. Like you said, ZED fares do not exist for premium cabins, they are only based on the lowest unrestricted coach prices (I think.)

At the very least, buy the ZED fare and give it a shot. Weirder things have happened, maybe you'll get a really cool agent and/or F/As who will work with you. (it's been rarely known to happen at AA...) Good luck.

73