Need some of your wisdom on row 4's and F upgrades

[gumpy]

First of all sorry for double posts, I did find a couple of threads which almost had the information i required but the thread was closed so i couldn't add to it.

1. For my domestic flights I'm able to book seats anywhere in the plane except the front two economy rows and the exit rows. I generally book red-e deal flights esp on the way to the city. Is this why the first two rows are always grayed out? From reading on the forums I've noted that OLCI is a way to get to the row 4 seats? Would one virtually have no chance of getting the seat if checking in ont he morning of the flight?

2. On a RTW Business class ticket how difficult will it be get into F Class points upgrade on the A380 from LAX to Syd? I should add it's a Sunday flight...

Thanks heaps in advance

 

[anat0l]

Re: Need some of your wisedom on row 4's and F upgrades

1. Exit rows are always unavailable and I believe can only be allocated at the airport. (Or, I think you can pay extra for it).

As for the first two rows, thanks to the recent changes of Advanced Seat Selection, the first two rows are nominally blocked for CLs. At T-80, they are normally opened up for WPs (or whatever is 'leftover' anyway). So if you want to shoot for row 4, try selecting seats at T-80 (or as close as you can to that).

2. It all depends on loadings...as well as the season.

Most people have had success in upgrades recently (at least WPs anyway).... I have no experience as to whether weekend flights from the US are more popular than weekday flights or vv.; someone else can advise on typical loads etc. that might help you.

 

[gumpy]

Re: Need some of your wisedom on row 4's and F upgrades

1. Exit rows are always unavailable and I believe can only be allocated at the airport. (Or, I think you can pay extra for it).

As for the first two rows, thanks to the recent changes of Advanced Seat Selection, the first two rows are nominally blocked for CLs. At T-80, they are normally opened up for WPs (or whatever is 'leftover' anyway). So if you want to shoot for row 4, try selecting seats at T-80 (or as close as you can to that).

2. It all depends on loadings...as well as the season.

Most people have had success in upgrades recently (at least WPs anyway).... I have no experience as to whether weekend flights from the US are more popular than weekday flights or vv.; someone else can advise on typical loads etc. that might help you.

Thanks

I just got an answer on the Row 4's, they're grayed out for CL's =)

my trusty QBT guy found out for me... seems fair enough...

 

[markis10]

Re: Need some of your wisedom on row 4's and F upgrades

Different seat allocations are greyed out for different levels, so that last minute status passengers dont find themselves down the back of the bus in an area the are not familiar with . SG cannot get closer than row 11 by comparison to the row 6 for WP on a 737.

 

[nlagalle]

Re: Need some of your wisedom on row 4's and F upgrades

Different seat allocations are greyed out for different levels, so that last minute status passengers dont find themselves down the back of the bus in an area the are not familiar with . SG cannot get closer than row 11 by comparison to the row 6 for WP on a 737.

It's a long way down there too.. it's almost like going downtown!

On a more serious note, I've been able to get Emergency row seats at the QP when i arrive. and I can generally snag Row 4 at T-80 (I set an outlook reminder to check!). I'm only SG too.

I also recently took out an expert flyer subscription and set up seat alerts and I am running 2 for 2 for getting row 40 on the 747! So to me it already paid for itself!

 

[gumpy]

Re: Need some of your wisedom on row 4's and F upgrades

It's a long way down there too.. it's almost like going downtown!

On a more serious note, I've been able to get Emergency row seats at the QP when i arrive. and I can generally snag Row 4 at T-80 (I set an outlook reminder to check!). I'm only SG too.

I also recently took out an expert flyer subscription and set up seat alerts and I am running 2 for 2 for getting row 40 on the 747! So to me it already paid for itself!

I gather row 40's the best for the 747 for econ?

 

[NM]

Re: Need some of your wisedom on row 4's and F upgrades

I gather row 40's the best for the 747 for econ?

For certain 4-class configurations, yes is as good as it gets for economy.

 

[NM]

Re: Need some of your wisedom on row 4's and F upgrades

I also recently took out an expert flyer subscription and set up seat alerts and I am running 2 for 2 for getting row 40 on the 747! So to me it already paid for itself!

There is a difference between domestic and international flights. I was offered 737 row 4 on two trans-Tasman international flights several months out. But for domestic 737 flights the seem to hold back rows 4 and 5 until T-80.

 

[QF029]

Re: Need some of your wisedom on row 4's and F upgrades

Domestic exit rows can be booked in advance by calling the premium desk. Once I was told it couldn't be done but I called back straight away and it was done.

 

[anat0l]

Re: Need some of your wisedom on row 4's and F upgrades

Once I was told it couldn't be done but I called back straight away and it was done.

The inconsistency principle? i.e. one person says no, try again and one person says yes?

 

[QF029]

Re: Need some of your wisedom on row 4's and F upgrades

I've only ever had one person say they can't do it so the strike rate is pretty good.

 

[Tooner]

Re: Need some of your wisedom on row 4's and F upgrades

There is a difference between domestic and international flights. I was offered 737 row 4 on two trans-Tasman international flights several months out. But for domestic 737 flights the seem to hold back rows 4 and 5 until T-80.

Absolutely agree NM. I've most often been pre-allocated row 4 on TT, yet have to run the T-80 gauntlet domestically/

As for row 40 on a 747 - agree it is the best. For the config with more J, Row 53 is OK, but lacks the peace & quiet of row 40

 

[nlagalle]

Re: Need some of your wisedom on row 4's and F upgrades

As for row 40 on a 747 - agree it is the best. For the config with more J, Row 53 is OK, but lacks the peace & quiet of row 40

I've got Row 40 again tomorrow.. So happy too. I'd be happier if i get an upgrade as well!!

 

[MatF]

Re: Need some of your wisedom on row 4's and F upgrades

A little off topic ... but how are the double seat rows "down the back" in Y on a 747?
Long way from the pointy end, but Mrs MatF has a desire not to sit next to anyone (apart from me) if possible we're on one later this year, and I refuse to give up my window seats

 

[Fantic125]

Re: Need some of your wisedom on row 4's and F upgrades

A little off topic ... but how are the double seat rows "down the back" in Y on a 747?
Long way from the pointy end, but Mrs MatF has a desire not to sit next to anyone (apart from me) if possible we're on one later this year, and I refuse to give up my window seats

There's a reasonable sized gap between the window seat and the window, so if you usually use the wall/window when sleeping you'll be disappointed.
It can get crowded down there as well, with people waiting to use the toilets.
But if SWMBO doesn't want to sit next to anyone else, then they're an option.

(And with this post I hit 100!)

 

[medhead]

Re: Need some of your wisedom on row 4's and F upgrades

1. Exit rows are always unavailable and I believe can only be allocated at the airport. (Or, I think you can pay extra for it).

I was pre-allocated exit row seats for about 3 or 4 flights on 737s earlier this year, before domestic seat selection came in, as a Silver. I haven't had that since making gold.
I have noticed that my selected seat on a 738 hasn't changed the couple of times that they have switched aircraft to a 734. Usually, I've used T-80 to get in to a lower row. However, I have wondered if I stayed in row 11 whether I would then find myself in an exit row after the equipment change. Of course, the changes don't happen that often to risk sitting in row 11.