Swapping seats w/ travelling partner. Maintaining WP/FFPL. Things.

[reductionist]

My domestic leisure travel is always in discount-Y, and in the future will almost always be with my g/f.

So, what's the skinny on swapping seats before or after take-off?

I'm wondering if, for our leisure trips & family visits, can I book JASA for myself and discount Y for my girlfriend then swap with her after we've boarded?

Do different airlines have different rules on this? I'm mainly interested in QF dom & int obviously

My work travel is going to weighted towards domestic for the next year or so (it's usually international). I may have difficulty maintaining WP status without self-funding some of it.

 

[docjames]

Whilst technically against the rules, (and I'd not be widely posting that you're doing this), you could approach the bookings as you suggest, and "tell" (really, ask) the FAs when you board that you are swapping seats. It'll be up to them if it's allowed. You might find it hit and miss however it may be workable if the goal is to improve your staus. As your status improves, you can always list for an ODU and use the "failue to get UG" as reason for on board swap.

Worst case scenario you get some J time!


Qantas accounts wise, you'll get the SCs from the JASA but as long as the FAs are aware and are ok with the swap, it shouldnt be a problem.

 

[NM]

I once swapped with my daughter. Both were award bookings, one in economy and one in business class. All up we had 6 people travelling, 3 in Y and 3 in J all on award tickets. I approached the ground staff (cabin crew waiting to start the boarding) at the gate to explain our desire to allow my daughter to experience business class with her two brothers and I would sit in her economy seat next to Mrs NM and mini#4.

They were ok with our request. We used our own boarding passes at the gate scan then again noted our intention to the CSD at the door of the aircraft and swapped boarding passes there. This was a SYD-BNE domestic flight, so not long-haul.

So I do suggest requesting the seat swap politely before boarding if you are able to speak with the gate staff before boarding commences. Also let the CSD know when entering the aircraft. In the business class the cabin crew will often carry a copy of the flight manifest and address passengers by name during meal service etc. That is not the time for them to find out you have taken it on your own undertaking to swap seats!

 

[tuapekastar]

Whilst technically against the rules, (and I'd not be widely posting that you're doing this), you could approach the bookings as you suggest, and "tell" (really, ask) the FAs when you board that you are swapping seats. It'll be up to them if it's allowed. You might find it hit and miss however it may be workable if the goal is to improve your staus. As your status improves, you can always list for an ODU and use the "failue to get UG" as reason for on board swap.

Worst case scenario you get some J time!


Qantas accounts wise, you'll get the SCs from the JASA but as long as the FAs are aware and are ok with the swap, it shouldnt be a problem.

I think he will improve his status both with the airline and with his g/f.

@ OP, I concur with the other posters that you must politely 'ask' rather then 'tell' or even 'do', and see what happens. I suspect you may be pleasantly surprised, but of course no guarantees.

 

[drross]

Jetstar and qantas have both allowed our family to swap classes.. Never had a request turned down. Starclass gold coast to narita the cabin crew brought my 2 daughters up to the front end for the whole flight without me asking. There were only 2 other travelers .. Lovely gesture

 

[reductionist]

Airline status doesn't need improving. Just maintaining.

Actually, my g/f would have absolutely no problems sitting in Y; leaving me to enjoy the pointy end. But, I'd like to avoid it if possible.

It sounds like a bit of the old please and thank you is in order here.

Thanks for responding guys.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

shouldn't be any problem swapping seats... I've done it before. just let the cabin crew know what you're doing and you'll be fine

 

[flyingfan]

My domestic leisure travel is always in discount-Y, and in the future will almost always be with my g/f.

So, what's the skinny on swapping seats before or after take-off?

I'm wondering if, for our leisure trips & family visits, can I book JASA for myself and discount Y for my girlfriend then swap with her after we've boarded?

Do different airlines have different rules on this? I'm mainly interested in QF dom & int obviously

My experience echoes the others and I was interested in this for exactly the same reason as yours, on domestic QF. On two occasions I've politely asked the CSM and both times my request has been granted. When I initially asked an FA he referred me to the CSM (who was at the door greeting and directing passengers so they had to break off), so best talk to them. The CSM did ask if I was on an industry fare.

 

[Brisbane Flyer]

Have done this many many times with my wife, she uses my seat in J and I take her Y seat. Almost every time we get the comment from the female FA's that its great gesture and more men should do it! Quite a few times, we've both ended up in J

Cheers
BF

 

[JohnM]

I've also done it once PER-SYD (both on paid fares) as we were going SYD-LHR later in the day with me in J on a DONEx and PartnerJohnM in whY. It was a peace offering for dragging her via SYD to max my SC earn . I must say I informed the FA/CSM what I was doing rather than specifically asking permission, so that they didn't get confused with the manifest. Maybe my bad not actually asking their approval but the response was 'how nice is he' for PartnerJohnM .

Then SYD-LHR I swapped PartnerJohnM into 12K out of 80K on the A380 for a few hours during the night so she could get a few hours solid sleep. I also wanted to check out 80K as I haven't travelled whY internationally since the A380 was introduced. I gave advance notice to the FA that we would quite possibly swap during the night for a bit and she was cool with that. Almost seemed to encourage it if I recall correctly.

The biggest bummer for me was I missed getting an upgrade to F - but if I'd been in F there would be no way a mid-journey swap would be allowed, I'm sure :shock:.