QF INT Seat Selection without Status

[Mrmaxwell]

Last week I booked an international flight for Mum however didn't select a seat due to the $35 rule knowing it would be free and easy closer to check in.

Long story short the $35 fee was applied right up until check in as did restricted seat selection for someone with NB...even at the airport QF refused to budge even though there were numerous free seats and said they could only randomly allocate a seat which happened to be middle seat in the last row on a 330-200.

Is this QF INT standard now? What happened to T-80?

 

[mannej]

T-80 doesn't remove the seat selection charge.

I was under the impression that seat selection charge for a non-status pax on an international sale fare would be removed at OLCI.

 

[Mattg]

I was under the impression that seat selection charge for a non-status pax on an international sale fare would be removed at OLCI.

Agreed. Are they seriously charging $35 now to choose a seat at the check-in counter?! Even British Airways doesn't do this.

 

[serfty]

T-80 doesn't remove the seat selection charge.

I was under the impression that seat selection charge for a non-status pax on an international sale fare would be removed at OLCI.

So was I

More enhancement by Qantas

No[

 

[Jack_OC]

Agreed. Are they seriously charging $35 now to choose a seat at the check-in counter?! Even British Airways doesn't do this.

Hard to imagine that they are charging to choose a seat at the check in counter, but the reality is that when you check in at a counter without previously selecting a seat, you are entirely at the mercy of (a) whatever seats remain available and (b) the agent's willingness to find a seat to your liking. I would never chance this situation if I could help it - aside from whether an agent is going to be helpful, it is clearly possible that there will be nothing but middle seats left by the time you get to the airport.

To the OP - did you try OLCI prior to going to the airport (as opposed to just seat selection via Manage My Booking)?

 

[robd]

Just to be clear, are you confirming that it is not possible at all to select your own seat unless you pay $35?

(I have 3 ppl on the same flight, 2 tickets purchased together and 3rd purchased separately).

 

[eminere]

The Qantas web site still states that "Standard seat selection is complimentary for customers who are checking in within 24 hours of departure." How bizarre. Hopefully it was just a (woefully) misinformed check-in counter agent and not some new enhancement.

It wasn't an extra legroom seat that was being requested, was it?

 

[Mattg]

Out of interest, which airport was this at? Where was your mother flying to?

 

[Jack_OC]

My guess is that there is nothing sinister here, just very few seats available for selection by the time the passenger checked in.

I know the OP said there were "numerous free seats", but what exactly does that mean? Does it mean that there were some empty seats when the plane took off? If so, that doesn't mean those seats were available to select when the passenger checked in. Obviously there are various reasons why seats can be unavailable to select pre-flight but end up being empty - e.g. people get upgrades, people get switched to exit rows, people change flights or simply don't show up, shadows, etc.

 

[mannej]

Just to be clear, are you confirming that it is not possible at all to select your own seat unless you pay $35?

(I have 3 ppl on the same flight, 2 tickets purchased together and 3rd purchased separately).

Someone without status, on a sale fare needs to pay the $35 Seat selection fee to select a seat prior to OLCI.

 

[Mrmaxwell]

Some more details;

I am WP however mum is NB. She was flying on QF19 with Expert Flyer showed several decent seats available and whY showing minimum of 9 seats available (I would guess a little more as J went from half full to full so a few upgrades went through). I spoke to the platinum team the previous night before departure and even they advised they couldn't assist with choosing a seat as I wasn't flying with her (correct however I've been lucky in the past in getting a relative into a decent seat). The help desk suggested seat selection is free once OLCI opens however with NB status only the last 14 rows were showing as available.

I guess the moral to the story is without status you're only bet for free selection on international flights is to choose ASAP at time OLCI opens...

My biggest surprise was a) not getting any decent seat selection right up until closure of flight and b) the J check in agent not being very helpful and advising she needed to call the 'flight manager' to get a seat released which they wouldn't do even though several seats were open

PS. Mum got moved from 57E to 53A so all was not lost...certainly motivation to keep status

 

[love_the_life]

.....

I guess the moral to the story is without status you're only bet for free selection on international flights is to choose ASAP at time OLCI opens...

Either that or just pay the fee if it is important to get a good seat. Think many people probably would be paying the fee - I know my brother did on his last flights as he wanted to be on the aisle as he has a dodgy leg.

Guess it's just another enhancement.

 

[eminere]

Either that or just pay the fee if it is important to get a good seat.

Or don't purchase a Sale fare when flying internationally. Though the seat selection fee is probably cheaper than the difference in fare classes.

 

[mviy]

certainly motivation to keep status

And to build towards Lifetime status. Lifetime Silver isn't sounding so bad reading this thread. I'm looking forward to reaching LTS.

 

[mviy]

Or don't purchase a Sale fare when flying internationally. Though the seat selection fee is probably cheaper than the difference in fare classes.

The other main reason not to book the cheapest fares is to be able to participate in the upgrade lottery.

 

[trooper]

So you were rightly denied seat selection on her behalf because you were not travelling with her.... and there actually WERE seats to select for free at OLCI... "the last 14 rows"...and she could have selected one of those ...but didn't? Because...you don't think any of those are "decent"? I'm confused as to how this is worthy of a complaint.... what am I missing?

 

[mannej]

So you were rightly denied seat selection on her behalf because you were not travelling with her.... and there actually WERE seats to select for free at OLCI... "the last 14 rows"...and she could have selected one of those ...but didn't? Because...you don't think any of those are "decent"? I'm confused as to how this is worthy of a complaint.... what am I missing?

The other question is how did an NB access the J check-in if flying Y?

 

[Mrmaxwell]

Or don't purchase a Sale fare when flying internationally. Though the seat selection fee is probably cheaper than the difference in fare classes.

Correct. The sale fare was $220 less than the saver fare. Her return leg is a saver fare so it will be interesting to see her seating options.

And to build towards Lifetime status. Lifetime Silver isn't sounding so bad reading this thread. I'm looking forward to reaching LTS.

Agreed. LTS is worth the chase just to avoid these seat selection enhancements.

So you were rightly denied seat selection on her behalf because you were not travelling with her.... and there actually WERE seats to select for free at OLCI... "the last 14 rows"...and she could have selected one of those ...but didn't? Because...you don't think any of those are "decent"? I'm confused as to how this is worthy of a complaint.... what am I missing?

You're missing the fact that I haven't mentioned the word complaint once - this is a discussion
Regardless of OLCI or paid seat selection the front of the plane is off limits to NB...this is surprising to me.

The other question is how did an NB access the J check-in if flying Y?

As I escorted mum to the airport upon arrival whY checkin was a mess, several kiosks down so I took mum to J check in as First had a line 5 deep.

 

[JohnK]

I'm surprised that any vacant seat was not availale to be selected even as a Bronze.

Lesson learned is to pay for seat if you have s specific seat preference.

 

[opusman]

If the base fare had been $35 more would you have still booked it? If so, just pay the fee and move on.