Big development! Qantas seat selection!

[Grooba]

FYI QC Bronze can not pre-allocate seats (well at least I can not, even when the system was working)

This feature was only available for PS and above.

 

[moa999]

is this still down for everyone else?

 

[Grooba]

is this still down for everyone else?

Yep still down.

 

[Brettmcg]

Qantas Advance Seat Selection - UPDATED 28 May 2009

Due to a technical issue that was experienced in the release of Advance Seat Selection, the service has been temporarily suspended until the technical issue is rectified.

Domestic online check-in is not affected and is still available to passengers checking in online up to 24 hours before their flight.

Travel Agents will continue to view seat maps in the same format and there are no changes to existing handling processes for seat requests via QIC or Telesales.

Further information on the reintroduction of Advance Seat Selections will be communicated as soon as possible.

taken from Latest Qantas News

 

[dede]

I wonder whether it has anything to do with exit row seats being allocated open slather!
I'm sure there are quite a few bugs that became apparent during those first couple of days.

 

[Grooba]

I don't think it was closed down specifically because of exit row seats. The feature looks like it was opened up for some sort of Beta testing, a bit like Windows 7 for example.

After a few days of stress testing the system they would have gathered a whole heap of data/bugs/logs/etc, so it's now closed down for redevelopement.

Just an opinion of course.

 

[oz_mark]

I don't think it was closed down specifically because of exit row seats. The feature looks like it was opened up for some sort of Beta testing, a bit like Windows 7 for example.

After a few days of stress testing the system they would have gathered a whole heap of data/bugs/logs/etc, so it's now closed down for redevelopement.

I don't think so, the site was up for only a day (if that), so something must have been clearly wrong.

 

[JohnK]

I don't think so, the site was up for only a day (if that), so something must have been clearly wrong.

Any sort of system where someone is rewarded for booking early over status is in my opinion totally wrong.

 

[Danger]

I've just read through this thread in its entirety and I'm still not 100% clear on where I stand as a WP and seat allocation. If I've understand correctly both JohnK and v8Statesman are less than impressed with what the new system seems to be. I whole-heartedly join them, based on the somewhat limited information available. Earlier this week I sent the following to Qantas through their online feedback:

As a Qantas Frequent Flyer Platinum one of the benefits I value most is the premium seating I enjoy, without having to do anything special. That is, I very much appreciate the fact that even when in economy I am seated in the first two or three rows of the cabin 95% of the time I fly.

I am currently overseas but understand Qantas has introduced a system whereby passengers can select their exact seat once they book.

I would be most grateful for information on this process (I don't recall seeing a media release or email). Specifically, does this mean that, as a QFF Platinum, I could be seated anywhere on the plane, including 'undesirable seats', if I don't chose my seat when I book? What about if I book just a few days before flying. Does this mean I could be faced with chosing only seats at the rear of the plane, or centre seats?

As I said, I appreciate the fact that as a Platinum FF I enjoy priority seating, without having to do anything, even without checking in online. If Qantas is opening up the seat selection to everyone - including non-status passengers - and allowing them to chose any seat on the aircraft, I view this as a significant reduction in the benefit of Platinum status.

I look forward to your reply with clear, concise information on how this seating process works and, specifically, how it effects me as a Plaintum FF."

The response was short and not very informative:

"Thank you for your email,

Seat selection for International travel has not changed. The information you have been seeing pertains to Domestic flights only. This new facility will only be available to Silver members and above, bronze members and the general public will not have access to seat assignment.

Kind regards"

Interesting that this Qantas employee states that seat selection for international travel has not changed yet the PDF FAQ that a couple of members have posted recently suggests otherwise. The only thing the person did clarify is that non-status passengers do not have access to the facility.

I'm going to re-send my email to Qantas requesting some clarification. I think this person skipped over some pertinent parts.

As I mentioned above, as a WP I very much appreciate being automatically allocated 'very desirable' seats on the great majority of flights and it requiring nothing from me. In fact, I've only ever checked-in online once so even when simply booking (a couple of days or a couple of months out), when I arrive at the check-in counter I'm very pleased with what the Qantas computers have done for me.

If I've missed any pertinent information in the previous posts than please put it out to me. In the meantime, further to sydbloke's post (140), I'm hoping QF have received such a backlash they're pulling the planned implementation.

Any sort of system where someone is rewarded for booking early over status is in my opinion totally wrong.

Agreed and this is my fear with what this new system will turn out like.

 

[oz_mark]

You do have an advantage in that many folk (the once a year flyer)booking months out will likely not be silver or above. In addition, as a gold, it did not look as though I was being offered anything particularly enticing as my seat options.

Now it may be, and there was some anecdotal evidence, that fares higher than the 'O' fares I have in the system do give some forward seats.

In the end, I think it will be more about the business rules that are put in place around seat selection, rather than opening it up that will be the deciding factor.

 

[strewthbut]

Any sort of system where someone is rewarded for booking early over status is in my opinion totally wrong.

Agreed and this is my fear with what this new system will turn out like.

Agreed x 2, the allocation of 'premium seats' should be left out of seat selection for Silver & below (Even though it looks like Im to be stuck with Silver this year). Ordinary seats fine but Qantas dont de-value the status system any further ....

 

[serfty]

Any sort of system where someone is rewarded for booking early over status is in my opinion totally wrong.

So you have never like the Qantas international allocation system employed for the past several years?

 

[JohnK]

In the end, I think it will be more about the business rules that are put in place around seat selection, rather than opening it up that will be the deciding factor.

The business rules proposed for now appear to be wrong. We cannot guess how many of each status are going to be any given flight and as a Platinum I do not want to take a risk of sitting in a middle seat or row 17 on a 737 or row 42 on a 767.

The current system of allocating seats at T-25 hours appears to be working quite well and even though I do not exactly agree with it at times as a Platinum I am generally in the firtst few rows of WHY. By introducing the new system all you are doing is helping out Silver, possibly Qantas Club members, and to a lesser extent Golds and their entourage get a better seat. Why?

So you have never like the Qantas international allocation system employed for the past several years?

It appears to be working quite well so I am against change in that respect. Also the two systems appear to be totally different and work independently of one another.

Not sure exactly how the old system worked but I had decent seat allocations before asking for complimentary exit rows. Now Qantas is discussing keeping the first row of WHY for Platinum and the 2nd row for Golds while the rest of the rows are available for Silver and above. I cannot see how this is going to keep me in the first few rows of WHY booking late if I cannot get complimentary exit row. And no I do not believe a Platinum should be paying extra for exit row and I won't be paying extra for exit row....

 

[AnonymousCoward]

The business rules proposed for now appear to be wrong. We cannot guess how many of each status are going to be any given flight and as a Platinum I do not want to take a risk of sitting in a middle seat or row 17 on a 737 or row 42 on a 767.

The current system of allocating seats at T-25 hours appears to be working quite well and even though I do not exactly agree with it at times as a Platinum I am generally in the firtst few rows of WHY. By introducing the new system all you are doing is helping out Silver, possibly Qantas Club members, and to a lesser extent Golds and their entourage get a better seat. Why?

QC members do not get access to this benefit. Why are you being disingenuous?

I'm sure that people paying for K and Y class fares - at $300 for a oneway SYD-BNE (or vv) would like to be up the front to.

Your contention is that you, flying the cheapest possible fare, should have seating priority over those that make QF the most profit (for example).

I'm sure it's a fine balancing act.

And no I do not believe a Platinum should be paying extra for exit row and I won't be paying extra for exit row....

Please go fly someone else - that will be a win for you, a win for QF and a win for everyone else here. No one loses out. This continual posting of the same objections over and over again is becoming tiresome.

 

[AnonymousCoward]

I'm curious as to why people on these boards feel so threatened by Silver members sitting up near the front

I think there is only one (or maybe two - in any case only a small handful) that feel threatened. But they post a lot, amplifying the impression that there are many people concerned.

Personally, I feel that I might end up with a worse seat every so often. But it's a seat to get from A -> B. In general I'm sure I'll be taken care of. And if I really want a good seat, then I'll stump up the cash to fly in a different COS

 

[JohnK]

I'm sure that people paying for K and Y class fares - at $300 for a oneway SYD-BNE (or vv) would like to be up the front to.

Your contention is that you, flying the cheapest possible fare, should have seating priority over those that make QF the most profit (for example).

You mean their employer paying for K and Y class airfares. At least I pay for my own airfares, not tax deductible, and I am Platinum and I get to sit in 4C with 4AB vacant. Why would I want a Silver, Gold who's employer does not know any better and pays for flexible airfares get better seats than me?

And yes there was a time a previous employer paid for domestic travel but we were on red e-deals and if we finished work a few hours earlier it was a bonus.

Please go fly someone else - that will be a win for you, a win for QF and a win for everyone else here. No one loses out. This continual posting of the same objections over and over again is becoming tiresome.

It is my opinion and I will continue to post it. Please stop insulting me and stay away from my posts. This is the last time I reply to anything you post....

 

[Alanslegal]

Firstly, about time QF implements seat selection. Even lcc-JQ offers this feature!!!

I have no qualms over this new feature - then again I'm not a WP - but the fact is there are only a handful of seats which are worthwhile in Y such as bulkhead, exit rows, and the occasional specific seat like 80A/K on the 380. If they blocked all these for CL & WP, then so be it, that's fine with me and QF is looking after their elites. But everything else should be free for PS and above from Row 2 and backwards.

I guess being closer to the front is advantageous for getting off the plane, but not every single John or Jane Do wants to be up front. Some may want to be closer to friends/family, others nearer to the toilets, others want the back because its more likely to be full etc. And seat selection will be a handy tool to decide where you want to be seated esp. if its long haul. As a SG would I be wanting the 3rd row of economy which is clearly full, knowing Row 1/2 is full of WPs, or would I choose for Row 66 or 67 which the seat maps reveal is absolutely empty?

 

[oz_mark]

As a SG would I be wanting the 3rd row of economy which is clearly full, knowing Row 1/2 is full of WPs, or would I choose for Row 66 or 67 which the seat maps reveal is absolutely empty?

I have moved myself down there before. Can be good flights with only a handful of other pax scattered around

 

[serfty]

You mean their employer paying for K and Y class airfares. At least I pay for my own airfares ...

It does not matter who pays for your airfares ...

... At least I pay for my own airfares, not tax deductible ...

OT: I tried to give you advice on how you could ensure such travel would be quite legally tax deductible as well as applicable for input tax credits - your choice.

 

[serfty]

Any sort of system where someone is rewarded for booking early over status is in my opinion totally wrong.

So you have never liked the Qantas international allocation system employed for the past several years?

... It appears to be working quite well so I am against change in that respect. Also the two systems appear to be totally different and work independently of one another.

Not sure exactly how the old system worked but I had decent seat allocations before asking for complimentary exit rows. Now Qantas is discussing keeping the first row of WHY for Platinum and the 2nd row for Golds while the rest of the rows are available for Silver and above. I cannot see how this is going to keep me in the first few rows of WHY booking late if I cannot get complimentary exit row. And no I do not believe a Platinum should be paying extra for exit row and I won't be paying extra for exit row....

My response was specifically in relation to your quote: "Any sort of system where someone is rewarded for booking early over status is in my opinion totally wrong.".

Currently for international flights, the first ~10% of sets at the front of the WHY cabin is "Q-Blocked" (reserved) for QP/PS/SG/WP/CL and oneworld equivalents (elites). Any Q-Blocked seat can be pre-allocated by said elites .

The earlier you book, the more likely you are to get your preferred seat (e.g. Bulkheads, 24F on 763's).

So, effectively, the current system is one "... where someone is rewarded for booking early over status ..." and so, in your opinion, is "totally wrong".