QF now charging WP for all Exit Row economy seats [CL/WP1 exempt]

[AviationNZ]

Not good news...another lost benefit

https://www.ausbt.com.au/qantas-will-now-charge-you-for-all-extra-legroom-seats

 

[Simo]

Just money grabbing!!!!

 

[I love to travel]

The golden days of flying are over, we all just need to adjust our expectations. Business is the new economy, economy is the new LCC product. Buying miles is getting far more riskier. It was good whilst it lasted

 

[Ansett]

So based on the changes will row 4 on the 737 be available at t-80 and will we need to pay or is that row being reserved now purely for P1 and CL?

A sad sad day for any one other than P1 and CL

 

[bPeteb]

Not good news...another lost benefit

https://www.ausbt.com.au/qantas-will-now-charge-you-for-all-extra-legroom-seats

I must have got in just in time yesterday for next week's BNE-MEL commute. Super annoyed by this latest enhancement.

And what will happen when someone has paid and isn't actually 'fit and able'? Are they refunded when they're moved? I watched someone be very politely moved out of an exit row a few weeks back. I think they knew it was going to happen.

 

[Simo]

I must have got in just in time yesterday for next week's BNE-MEL commute. Super annoyed by this latest enhancement.

Same as me... I booked flights late last week and got to select exit row for no extra $$$ #winning

 

[Happy Trails]

And what will happen when someone has paid and isn't actually 'fit and able'? Are they refunded when they're moved? I watched someone be very politely moved out of an exit row a few weeks back. I think they knew it was going to happen.

12. If your seat is changed by Qantas for operational, safety or security reasons or you are affected by a flight disruption, you may apply for a refund after departure by completing the refund form. Refunds can only be requested after departure of the affected flight. Refund requests must be lodged at qantas.com no later than 3 months after the affected flight.


http://www.qantas.com/travel/airlines/seat-selection-conditions/global/en

 

[Pleb Status]

Only six weeks ago, VA used to charge their WP for exit row seating and now they get it for free. QF used to give their WP free exit row seating on the 738 and now they are going to charge them for the privilege.

Things can change very quickly in the FF world and luckily I have backed the right 'horse' on this one...

 

[therudies86]

At 193cm tall WP this is a material loss for me, and will influence my flying choices.

 

[Ansett]

Why not stand up and shout as a group.

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....ld-we-form-lobby-group-83705.html#post1659986

 

[liamg]

This is a really coughpy downgrade to the perks of Gold. I wonder if they crunched the numbers and thought "relatively few passengers use this so it's not a big deal" or "lots of Gold/Platinum folks use this, let's make some money off them". Either way, really disappointing.

 

[Sdtravel]

Another unwritten benefit lost. My shinny WP card is getting much less worth keeping.
A move in the BA direction? Charge for whatever we can.

As i noted in a thread a week or so ago i was on an AA flight in a MCE exit row. Due to status i had it for free. But all 4 exit doors were empty i was the only one in either of the 2 exit rows.
When i asked if some colleagues could join me the answer was "No, you need to pay extra for these seats". Generally i have found that exit rows are generally status heavy since no one pays for them. Will be interesting to see if they still move pax to exit rows now or adopt the AA "Pay or else" stance.

 

[docjames]

As a 6'4" SG, seriously disappointed at this move.

 

[amaroo]

Timing! Just as the youngest amaroo is approaching exit age.... what a bummer!

 

[TonyHancock]

A move in the BA direction? Charge for whatever we can.

Interestingly BA has taken a step back from its HLO fare seat selection charge to Gold Members. (...but not the buy on board M&S fodder. )

What next at QF - will they stop us platinum types wearing thongs and singlets in the international [-]RSL[/-] First Lounges? No more Bintang served in champagne flutes that we can hold by the bowl?

 

[snabbu]

As someone who is not interested in exit rows my only concern is this:

However, the very front rows of the economy cabin – which also boast extra legroom, at row four on Boeing 737s and rows 23 and 24 on Airbus A330s – will continue to be reserved at no cost for Platinum One and Chairman’s Lounge members and other high-value frequent flyers, and not offered to other travellers under the ‘extra legroom’ banner.

I read that as you can't buy row 4 on the 738 like you can the exit rows and they will be available as normal to the P1/CL crew. Will the T-80 continue for WP is my only question...

 

[Kendall Roy]

Now I don't feel so bad for dropping down to LTS last month after 10 years as SG/WP.

EDIT: Just checked a booking I have SYD/BNE in 10 days. I've been booted out of the exit rows I already had pre-selected. That's piss poor!

 

[Ansett]

As someone who is not interested in exit rows my only concern is this:



I read that as you can't buy row 4 on the 738 like you can the exit rows and they will be available as normal to the P1/CL crew. Will the T-80 continue for WP is my only question...

I too asked this question earlier in the thread

 

[Bundy Bear]

That is not the best news to wake up to.

When I was Gold usually I couldn't get row 4 so was happy to get row 13,

On flights to Perth exit row of $60 was worth paying for, but short flights to Melbourne where exit row was nice I don't think I bother paying for it.

Maybe not check in and take your chances at the lounge.

 

[kevrosmith]

Now I don't feel so bad for dropping down to LTS last month after 10 years as SG/WP.

EDIT: Just checked a booking I have SYD/BNE in 10 days. I've been booted out of the exit rows I already had pre-selected. That's piss poor!

Oh dear.. I'd better go check all my forward bookings. QF really aren't wanting to make friends with their Status pax, are they.

Edit: none of the seat maps are available for my future bookings, so that doesn't bode well.