OW Emerald Exit Row Seat Unavailability ?

[Baysider]

I've just booked seats on Cathay Pacific LAX-HKG-BNE departing LAX 13/01/2013. On doing seat selection all exit row seats are greyed out (unavailable). If I cannot select these seats with OW Emerald status, exactly who can? Isn't this supposed to be a benefit of having OW Emerald status?

 

[Joshua]

Have you tried calling them? It is not unusual that exit rows aren't available online. We had the same problem with AB yesterday.

Previously I have called CX to get onto a flight the next morning, they've moved people around first, unblocked seats and got us into exit rows (maybe because was full Y ticket, J0) and called us back twice to confirm things were okay. So IME they'll take care of you.

OWE gives you 'preferred' seating, what that means is entirely up to the airline ala QF no exit rows. Generally free preselection at a minimum.

 

[Baysider]

OWE gives you 'preferred' seating, what that means is entirely up to the airline ala QF no exit rows. Generally free preselection at a minimum.

Usually I've been able to select exit rows (or at least bulkheads) on QF. Will try phoning Cathay.

 

[Baysider]

Have you tried calling them? It is not unusual that exit rows aren't available online. We had the same problem with AB yesterday

So I spoke with CX on the phone. They tell me it is because the others don't have OWE status. I will only have access to select Exit Row seats if my ENTIRE PARTY has OWE status !! So basically because my family members don't travel as much as I do I don't qualify for any perks with CX .

Note to self - CX goes from #1 on my list to last !!

 

[JohnK]

For what it is worth I cannot select exit rows on CX flights. Or AA flights. As usual you guys must have a different Emerald status to mine.

Usually I've been able to select exit rows (or at least bulkheads) on QF. Will try phoning Cathay.

QF International? Please let us know the secret as usually requires payment for me.

 

[Baysider]

For what it is worth I cannot select exit rows on CX flights. Or AA flights. As usual you guys must have a different Emerald status to mine.

OneWorld for some and AnotherWorld for the rest of us . Luckily Turkish Airlines gave me a status match so I can choose to flee to *A.

 

[ermen]

I am always to choose blocked seats on CX (exit row / J mini cabin/ selected bulkheads in J) if not taken by someone already. Obviously needed my QF WP number in the booking (for exit row, I can't remember if I had to phone up to request the seat or not).

I've had bulkhead seats in the regional J cabin blocked out for my wife online (travelling on seperate booking), however, a call to the service centre fixed that and she was able to get there. But note that those blocked seats were not available for an extra fee unlike the emergency exit rows - which is probably why OP's request to move his family into the exit row seats was declined.

 

[Princess Fiona]

My initial experience with online booking with CX has been pretty poor. No apparent recognition in the online system of OWE, almost the entire cabin in J blocked out and had to make two phone calls to the Web Service people in HKG to have my seat moved from a middle one to the front window
Not enthused to book CX again and I have yet to fly those sectors

 

[Happy Trails]

I've never had a problem in J and a phone call has always worked for blocked seats and exit rows in Y.

 

[JohnK]

I have the same problem in business as I do in economy. I do not have access to exit rows and I am definitely a Oneworld Emerald.

How this inconsistency can exist within the same Oneworld status level is beyond my comprehension.