No seat assignment MEL-LAX, best strategy?

[CPMaverick]

I recently booked a one-way LAX-MEL. Because of high costs of one-way tickets, I used my Delta miles.

My WP number isn't on the reservation, and I can't add it online. Since VA office hours are really inconvenient for overseas, I hadn't called in yet.

I noticed today my seat assignment, which had been a decent window seat, is now gone. No seats are available via Delta agents, except one middle all the way at the back.

Looking at a dummy booking on VA website, there are heaps of Economy X seats available for $119 USD each. No other window or aisle seats. I paid $300 AUD round trip last time for these seats, and found them no better really than the seats I used to get for free as a WP.

What would you do? Wait and see? Seems like they would probably put me in an Economy X seat anyway... but it could be a middle seat and it is a long flight to risk it. Still, I felt I wasted my $$ last time on buying these seats. I'll call VA when they 'allow it' with their opening hours...

 

[Muppet501st]

I recently booked a one-way LAX-MEL. Because of high costs of one-way tickets, I used my Delta miles.

My WP number isn't on the reservation, and I can't add it online. Since VA office hours are really inconvenient for overseas, I hadn't called in yet.

I noticed today my seat assignment, which had been a decent window seat, is now gone. No seats are available via Delta agents, except one middle all the way at the back.

Looking at a dummy booking on VA website, there are heaps of Economy X seats available for $119 USD each. No other window or aisle seats. I paid $300 AUD round trip last time for these seats, and found them no better really than the seats I used to get for free as a WP.

What would you do? Wait and see? Seems like they would probably put me in an Economy X seat anyway... but it could be a middle seat and it is a long flight to risk it. Still, I felt I wasted my $$ last time on buying these seats. I'll call VA when they 'allow it' with their opening hours...

Personally, I wouldn't risk the chance of ending up in a middle seat for 12hrs.

 

[clipped_wings]

What's the date and flight number? I'll go have a dummy look as well. Perhaps the last time you flew, YX hadn't been implemented....

 

[Pleb Status]

I recently booked a one-way LAX-MEL. Because of high costs of one-way tickets, I used my Delta miles.

My WP number isn't on the reservation, and I can't add it online. Since VA office hours are really inconvenient for overseas, I hadn't called in yet.

I noticed today my seat assignment, which had been a decent window seat, is now gone. No seats are available via Delta agents, except one middle all the way at the back.

Looking at a dummy booking on VA website, there are heaps of Economy X seats available for $119 USD each. No other window or aisle seats. I paid $300 AUD round trip last time for these seats, and found them no better really than the seats I used to get for free as a WP.

What would you do? Wait and see? Seems like they would probably put me in an Economy X seat anyway... but it could be a middle seat and it is a long flight to risk it. Still, I felt I wasted my $$ last time on buying these seats. I'll call VA when they 'allow it' with their opening hours...

The VA website states that the call centre is open 24/7. What time are you trying to call and they are not there?

Even the WP team are available ~16 hours a day...

https://www.virginaustralia.com/au/en/help/contact-us/

 

[CPMaverick]

The flight is 14 Jul LAX-MEL. My last flight was definitely in Economy X (it was 6 weeks ago) and I am certain the bulkhead seats are no different whatsoever than before. Maybe the rows behind are a bit more room. Hard to swallow paying $150 for the same seats that used to be free. Especially when as a Delta PM I get free Economy Comfort seats on LAX-SYD.

I called in when WP opened and after telling them what seat I had originally they were able to 'get it back', not sure how but anyway at least I have a seat again.

The VA website states that the call centre is open 24/7. What time are you trying to call and they are not there?

Even the WP team are available ~16 hours a day...

https://www.virginaustralia.com/au/en/help/contact-us/

When I call the number I have (international WP number) during certain hours I get a 'sorry we are closed' message. There is no option or instruction on how to get a real person, just call back later. They didn't open until 6am local time, when I finally called. How do I get directly in contact with anyone during the 'closed' period? I guess I will try this other number next time (from your link +61 7 3295 2296). I do recall some time ago I got some overseas agent during the WP closed period, but they for whatever reason couldn't help me do anything for an international flight and just told me to call when WP opened up. I guess that's why I never tried again.

 

[clipped_wings]

I think the fact that it's a one way flight departing from the USA may have had some relevance, but in any case, it's certainly nice that you updated us with a happy ending.

Safe travels

 

[CPMaverick]

In the end I got an Op-Up to PE. Along with quite a few other people. Economy was oversold pretty hard. Couldn't get a window seat but got an aisle, not complaining. PE was completely full, I bet some PE passengers got pushed up to J.

My second Op-Up to PE in row on this route. Last time was a paid Economy X upgrade, so i thought that might have helped me get the Op-Up. Glad I didn't pay for it this time.

I think the fact that it's a one way flight departing from the USA may have had some relevance

Why would you think that?

 

[Marty_]

This happened to a whole host of people travelling the LAX > MEL route recently. I departed on Tuesday July 18 and has lost my seat assignment in J. I spoke with a bloke next to me in the check-in queue and he had the same issue.

For some strange reason the system briefly reassigned me to an LAX > BNE > MEL (via VA8) itinerary and emailed me the update... It immediately reverted back (I called VA to confirm it just in case), but I lost my seat assignment.

Seems there was some glitch in the system for the LAX > MEL route which affected a lot of people in this way.

 

[CPMaverick]

Interesting Marty thanks for the info. This was indeed the same flight I was on.