Cathay now also bans OW FF from pre-selecting seats

[RealtimeY]

Although I've heard that tip a lot, as someone with a 7 digit QFF number I've never had to do it with CX. Good to be reminded that it's still relevant.

 

[SYD]

Although I've heard that tip a lot, as someone with a 7 digit QFF number I've never had to do it with CX. Good to be reminded that it's still relevant.

Not sure, but seven digit is probably ok.

Mine’s technically seven digits BUT has a leading zero. The physical cards show the zero but the app doesn’t…

 

[clifford]

I always add the zero when booking direct with partner airlines but first time ever I think I’ve seen it drop off like that…. I just assumed it would have carried over correctly.

Yes, those zeros (I have 2) are crucially important. Leave them off and you're a nobody.

I'm flying to TPE J in feb and it will be interesting to see how it goes. I'm expecting it to be quite seamless with lounge access....

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Has anyone actually confirmed this is a real ongoing issue?

Currently sitting on a CX plane. First time ever in whY (from many, many CX flights) and although we’re front row, the CSM made a beeline up to us, greeted by name and told us the entire row of 4 seats adjacent was free if we wanted to move!

Unfortunately, she didn’t offer an IFU to J!

Now, the interesting bit was at check in, the agent told us we wouldn’t have lounge access before this flight! I said we’re OWE and he asked to see our cards.

All very strange since the flight was booked as a CR via QF and our FF# were in the system since I was able to select EL / forward seats…

He tried entering the numbers from our vCards without success. I suggested he add a leading zero to the numbers and Bingo. Group 1 boarding, lounge pass and First priority bag tag.

I always add the zero when booking direct with partner airlines but first time ever I think I’ve seen it drop off like that…. I just assumed it would have carried over correctly.

If all on the one ticket, you should have had lounge access under oneworld connecting rules anyway, regardless of status.

 

[SYD]

If all on the one ticket, you should have had lounge access under oneworld connecting rules anyway, regardless of status.

But who wants to argue with brand new staff at a brand new 3rd Party lounge at a brand new airport?

The key issue was the “No lounge access” was a warning sign that something had gone wrong with the CX system - we knew we ought to have access to the Plaza Premium First lounge (which is very nice BTW).

It wasn’t just lounge access, we started with Group 6 boarding, not Group 1. No priority bag tags, no OWE on BPs to show at lounges etc.

Fixed by simply adding a leading zero to our QF FF numbers….that for some reason hadn’t copied across correctly from QF…

I don’t recall ever having that issue ever before flying multiple mixed QF + partner itineraries before. Hence why I was speculating that it may have been related to the recent CX system changes

 

[MEL_Traveller]

But who wants to argue with brand new staff at a brand new 3rd Party lounge at a brand new airport?

The key issue was the “No lounge access” was a warning sign that something had gone wrong with the CX system - we knew we ought to have access to the Plaza Premium First lounge (which is very nice BTW).

It wasn’t just lounge access, we started with Group 6 boarding, not Group 1. No priority bag tags, no OWE on BPs to show at lounges etc.

Fixed by simply adding a leading zero to our QF FF numbers….that for some reason hadn’t copied across correctly from QF…

I don’t recall ever having that issue ever before flying multiple mixed QF + partner itineraries before. Hence why I was speculating that it may have been related to the recent CX system changes

Totally agree, and the ‘leading zero’ is a very useful tip!