Plat+ & Plat getting booted from Econ X seats.

[IainF]

So after 3 flights in a row of getting punted out of row 3 for “operational reasons” (Bne-Mel, Mel-Bne & Bne-Syd) I’d had enough.
I asked at Bne lounge and it seems now that if they can sell an Econ X seat that they will move Plat + & Plats to another seat.
If you want row 3/4 then you will have to pay for it
Interesting move given current disquiet over the Velocity status program.

 

[RooFlyer]

I'm not surprised at Plat (who are the new NB), but Plat+? That would surprise.

 

[IainF]

yeah the lounge staff were pretty surprised to see it.
Had the original booking with the seat selection on my Melon app.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

So it would be interesting to test that theory…

Next time you have a confirmed seat in economy X, perhaps create a dummy booking and see if your assigned seats are indeed available for someone else to purchase!

If the seat map for the dummy booking shows your seat occupied… i wonder how they are then selling those?

 

[Mattg]

Surely, if you have already selected a seat, it would not be possible for someone else to buy that same seat. Something doesn't add up here.

 

[RooFlyer]

Surely, if you have already selected a seat, it would not be possible for someone else to buy that same seat.

I see your point, but having a selected seat has never prevented someone else from 'buying' that seat (being assigned to it) and you getting punted from it.

 

[Mattg]

So it would be interesting to test that theory…

Next time you have a confirmed seat in economy X, perhaps create a dummy booking and see if your assigned seats are indeed available for someone else to purchase!

If the seat map for the dummy booking shows your seat occupied… i wonder how they are then selling those?

I just tested this and the Economy X seat I've selected on an upcoming flight is not available to buy if you purchase a new ticket.

Not saying I don't believe that this happened to @IainF - I don't doubt it did. Just wondering how it actually would be possible. Perhaps airport staff are overriding seat selections?

 

[IainF]

Surely, if you have already selected a seat, it would not be possible for someone else to buy that same seat. Something doesn't add up here.

All I have been advised was “operational reasons such as a person with a medical need may facilitate a need to move seats”

 

[Harrison_133]

Next time you have a confirmed seat in economy X, perhaps create a dummy booking and see if your assigned seats are indeed available for someone else to purchase!

Just tested that theory on a few of my upcoming flights. Every single one shows my selected seats as occupied and unavailable to purchase.

So after 3 flights in a row of getting punted out of row 3 for “operational reasons” (Bne-Mel, Mel-Bne & Bne-Syd) I’d had enough.
I asked at Bne lounge and it seems now that if they can sell an Econ X seat that they will move Plat + & Plats to another seat.

Whenever they give you the "operational reasons" excuse, it usually means an airport staff member has moved your seat on purpose. What doesn't make sense is why it happened to you 3 flights in a row. That really is odd.

 

[IainF]

I just tested this and the Economy X seat I've selected on an upcoming flight is not available to buy if you purchase a new ticket.

Not saying I don't believe that this happened to @IainF - I don't doubt it did. Just wondering how it actually would be possible. Perhaps airport staff are overriding seat selections?

Seat I am currently in….
Versus seat I was booked in for this flight.

 

[Harrison_133]

Seat I was originally booked in….
Versus seat I am currently in.

Looks like the exit row? Which is still Economy X...

 

[IainF]

Looks like the exit row? Which is still Economy X...

I was originally put into 19c.
The lounge staff moved me to exit row.

 

[Mattg]

I was originally put into 19c.
The lounge staff moved me to exit row.

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[Flyerwin]

Interesting. WP with VA, and have never been "punted" from an EconX seat yet. About to go in row 3 this Friday, let's test that theory. I'm also on the upgrade to J waitlist, so that may yet happen.

 

[Happy Dude]

Three flights in row!?!? What did ya do - make fun of Jane Hrdlicka's surname??

I'd have made a trip to the front or boarded last to have a squizz at what was the reason for this malfunction.

 

[Scarlett]

All I have been advised was “operational reasons such as a person with a medical need may facilitate a need to move seats”

Ye have angered the VA gods… somehow.

Based on your spend patterns (and what VA and VFF must surely know about you) that seems a particularly dumb thing for them to do.

 

[trisreed]

Got moved last year from 1C to 2F as a WP at the gate for what I later found out was "operational reasons" (so a couple could sit together)... not a problem as they still had my meal preference and I couldn't eat the other one, but complaining on the form afterwards was just met with a series of ChatGPT-generated messages when I tried to investigate their reasoning reiterating that they reserved such a right.

You would hope for a better outcome when you have been effectively downgraded (YX to Y) but based on my latest experiences in the last year or two with VA (e.g. fighting to get rebooked after missing a connection from a reward seat to a paid seat on a separate booking), I would sadly not expect it!