JQ Check-in Seat Allocation

[gizzard]

This was discussed quite a while back and although that thread is now closed JQ have apparently brought in new procedures that may warrant some discussion:
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....ssion/jetstar-ultra-early-check-in-42869.html

It's been about 3 months since I flew with JQ and my habit is always to check-in online when I would check and probably move my pre-allocated seat.
I have a domestic flight with them tomorrow but on trying to choose my seat I found that they have changed their procedures.

A 90 minute online chat resulted in the following outcome. Some of it I find very hard to believe is true. The CSR had to keep checking with colleagues and I'm pretty sure that it cannot be how it works.

- it is no longer possible to select a seat without charge using online check-in. You either pay specifically or you have the option included with a bundle etc

- it's not possible to select a seat at a check-in kiosk (I'm not sure about this but I think that option had already been removed)

- it IS possible to get "airport staff" to select a seat for you. Presumably either check-in staff or the service desk

- if you have not selected a seat at all by the time you reach the gate then you will be allocated one when you have boarded. Seriously, that's what I was told even after double-checking.

My guess would be that your boarding pass would show an seat allocating one when you check in but this is not what I was informed.

Apparently these changes were introduced in "late May".
As far as I am concerned the only advantage that I would have in checking in online is in the hope that I just happen to have been allocated a seat that I was happy with. If I don't like it then I'd be going to the airport staff to change it anyway.

Does anyone know whether, in those QP's where they can check-in JQ passengers such as MEL, they are also able to allocate a seat for you?

 

[yohy?!]

OLCI still allows you to change seats (did so last night), albeit the front of the cabin was full selected/blocked but plenty of seats to choose down the back (which is usually good on JQ as there will be free seats and quick rear stairs boarding.

 

[gizzard]

OLCI still allows you to change seats (did so last night), albeit the front of the cabin was full selected/blocked but plenty of seats to choose down the back (which is usually good on JQ as there will be free seats and quick rear stairs boarding.

For what class of ticket? Have you pre-paid for allocation or a bundle?

My booking, and it was checked by the CSR, is showing no seat allocation. Perhaps it's just a glitch for my flight where they haven't got around to allocating seats.

Alternatively, perhaps they've restricted it on certain routes.

 

[yohy?!]

For what class of ticket? Have you pre-paid for allocation or a bundle?

My booking, and it was checked by the CSR, is showing no seat allocation. Perhaps it's just a glitch for my flight where they haven't got around to allocating seats.

Alternatively, perhaps they've restricted it on certain routes.

starter, no bundle or seat prepayment (could only select a seat at OLCI)

 

[gizzard]

starter, no bundle or seat prepayment (could only select a seat at OLCI)

In that case it's looking more like a glitch for my particular flight and a CSR taking me on a not so merry dance or, perhaps, the route.

I can do OLCI but still have to pay $5 for standard seat allocation.
I have just checked again with my flight 26 hours away and there's no change to the situation. I will check in another couple of hours too.

 

[yohy?!]

In that case it's looking more like a glitch for my particular flight and a CSR taking me on a not so merry dance or, perhaps, the route.

I can do OLCI but still have to pay $5 for standard seat allocation.
I have just checked again with my flight 26 hours away and there's no change to the situation. I will check in another couple of hours too.

try the mobile site

 

[Awesom Andy]

I just chose seats an hour ago for a starter fare at OLCI for a 3K flight, but they may have a different system.

 

[gizzard]

try the mobile site

When I tried your suggestion my middle seat (yuk) is now showing up. I went back to the original site and it's showing as allocated on there too.

However, it is still wanting to charge me $5 to move from that middle seat to one that I want even if I choose a standard seat. No freebie as it used to be.

Grrrrr!


Update: This is nuts. If I use the standard check-in site then it will charge $5. If I use the mobile seat there is no charge. Seriously!
(I can't get the screen shots in the post)

 

[ozbeachbabe]

I was doing a dummy domestic booking on the JQ site to test if they now charge the $8.50 cc fee if using a debit card on the mobile site on a pc - they do & noted the following things re seat selection.

If you don't select the plus bundle when you get to the seating select the system will automatically pre-allocate a seat 'for your convenience', although the trouble is with that it defaults to the most forward seat which in my test case was 17E, despite there being plenty of window or aisle seats further back in the cabin!

You can of course change your seat from 17E to a window or an aisle or hit the clear button and it will delete the seat allocation plus the $5.00 basic seat selection fee then you can choose your seat free of charge at T-48 when OLCI opens (once the bug is fixed).

If you do select the plus bundle, when it comes to the seat selection part the system doesn't allocate a seat for you it's something you need to actually select yourself or skip the process altogether which I wouldn't recommend as you'll forget to go back and do it otherwise.

 

[gizzard]

A further update based on checking in for my return flight with JQ. When check-in was open 48 hours before the planned departure time I had the following experience:

1. Visited the standard check-in site https://book.jetstar.com/retrievebooking.aspx and found that, again, no seat had been allocated. To select a seat would cost $5

2. Immediately went to the mobile site https://mobile.jetstar.com/#/check-in to try check-in there (thanks yohy?!). Now a seat had been allocated! (middle seat again, yuk)

3. Didn't check in but returned to the standard check-in site and now the seat that was seen on the mobile site could be seen at the standard site. However, $5 was still required to change the seat.

4. Returned to the mobile site, changed seat for free and completed check-in requesting an sms boarding pass

5. Check-in completed successfully but no sms bp received

6. Returned to standard site to try and get sms resent but it was only possible to reprint the boarding pass that had never been printed.

7. Tried the mobile site instead but now got an error message "Due to a special requirement in your booking we are unable to check you in via the mobile website. Please proceed to a Jetstar Check-in Desk at the airport."

The main thing to take from this is:
- a seat is allocated when successfully accessing check-in online and this is currently only possible via the mobile site
- only the mobile site allows free seat selection at check-in

ie use the mobile site (unless you want to reprint a BP!!)

 

[aikman]

I checked in online yesterday and can confirm I was not able to select a seat for free on the desktop website. No doubt this new functionality will be replicated on the mobile website soon enough.

 

[MH_fan]

I hate Jetstar...

 

[dajop]

Some inconsistencies: Recently flew from SIN to HKT on 3K. On the SiN-HKT sector I was unable to select a seat without paying. On the return from HKT I could select seat. I put it down to the checkin kiosk requirement at SIN (no agent checkin other than when problems with kiosk).

 

[gizzard]

5. Check-in completed successfully but no sms bp received

The sms eventually arrived overnight the morning before the flight.

Having complained to JQ about all of the problems a CSR phoned me but clearly didn't understand at all and was repeating the same lines of the original CSR that I would not be able to change my seat as I had not paid for it. I was not able to complete the phone call so am expecting a follow-up.

It's quite possible that free seat allocation is no longer possible and that the mobile site is a workaround until they close the loophole. From my experience talking to the CSRs they seem to think that it's no longer possible to change for free.

 

[N860CR]

I was unable to select a seat using OLCI yesterday without paying for it. Allocated a B seat on a fairly empty ($69 fare two days before departure) flight.

I'm guessing that if you don't pay, you'll get a middle seat to prompt you to do it next time.

 

[gizzard]

I was unable to select a seat using OLCI yesterday without paying for it. Allocated a B seat on a fairly empty ($69 fare two days before departure) flight.

I'm guessing that if you don't pay, you'll get a middle seat to prompt you to do it next time.

That's the same experience as mine. You should be fine if you check in using the mobile site....https://mobile.jetstar.com/#/check-in

 

[ozbeachbabe]

So I take it that these issues are only experienced by those individuals who don't select plus bundles.

 

[Mattg]

Bloody hell, another "enhancement" at JQ. This is exactly what easyJet and Ryanair do - you have to pay to select a seat (even at check-in) or have one allocated for you. (I took the risk and ended up with middle seats twice.)

 

[Awesom Andy]

Not sure if this was there before, but if I want to skip the seat choice at the booking stage, there's a note which states:
"You have not selected a seat. If you do not wish to pre-select a seat one will be assigned for you randomly from what is still available at check-in." So I guess that is a departure from the previous "choose at check-in" process?

 

[gizzard]

So I take it that these issues are only experienced by those individuals who don't select plus bundles.

It's when you haven't paid for a seat prior to check-in whether that is as part of a bundle or paying for seat selection.