Qantas Neighbour Free seating: Worth paying for?

[AFF Editor]

Qantas Trials Neighbour Free Seat Reservations is an article written by AFF editorial staff:

Qantas Expands Neighbour Free Seat Reservations

Qantas Neighbour Free allows customers on selected domestic flights to reserve an empty neighbouring seat for a fee, starting from $30.

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

You can leave a comment or discuss this topic below.

 

[jakeseven7]

Yes please would pay, although my shadow usually does the job for me anyway, if this made it more likely to be free that would be great.

Virgin and Jetstar should also do this, I’d pay on them too.

 

[mrsterryn]

This article mentions the old Platinum shadow. I didnt have a shadow to Hawaii, don't appear to have one for my upcoming flight to USA
I do on occasions buy a shadow (I am fat) but would the opportunity to buy a non points/credits seat for international for less than current

 

[muppet]

I really like this idea ... looking forward to some reports on prices.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

This article mentions the old Platinum shadow. I didnt have a shadow to Hawaii, don't appear to have one for my upcoming flight to USA
I do on occasions buy a shadow (I am fat) but would the opportunity to buy a non points/credits seat for international for less than current

If the offer as in the OP does not earn QFF points and QFF SC, then its a downside to the whole thing(o).
At least with the comfort seat booking, we know we can earn the QFF points and QFF SC for self, and also for the shadow/"invisible friend".

 

[SYD]

Curious how this will work. Do you end up being moved with a shadow elsewhere or do they bump someone else?

Not sure I’d take this up if they’re only inviting from 48hrs out (inside T-80), there’s probably a high chance that someone with free seat selection has come to join you? Does someone get moved or in that scenario you don’t win?

Could be handy for couples on narrow body. Choose window and aisle and hope you can get middle free. We just go for two adjacent aisles - effectively no neighbour - for free!

 

[Cossie]

Had a shadow in y going Sydney to Bangkok as a wp.

Missed out going Sydney to Auckland in y, but the 2 rows in front and the 2 rows behind did have an empty seat.

I would be tempted to pay for a spare seat to guarantee this. Doubt it would on the Q400 out of and into Canberra though, all I have been on recently have been chockers.

 

[RooFlyer]

Curious how this will work. Do you end up being moved with a shadow elsewhere or do they bump someone else?

This from the web site covers this:

Neighbour Free cannot be guaranteed as seats may need to be changed for operational, safety or security reasons, even after boarding the aircraft.

... as in, pay your money but we'll fill that seat if we want to (and of course, as before we'll move you anywhere if we like). If you lose your neighbour-free seat, we may give you a refund, but you'll have to apply for it and you'll have to wait months for it.

 

[pauly7]

This from the web site covers this:



... as in, pay your money but we'll fill that seat if we want to (and of course, as before we'll move you anywhere if we like). If you lose your neighbour-free seat, we may give you a refund, but you'll have to apply for it and you'll have to wait months for it.

Incorrect. Did you even read the terms?

You get it automatically within 2 weeks and if not, fill a form out, response in 3-5 days and refund within 2 weeks.

 

[Gold Member]

…if not, fill a form out, response in 3-5 days and refund within 2 weeks.

This is Qantas we’re talking about, right?

 

[Daver6]

Incorrect. Did you even read the terms?

You get it automatically within 2 weeks and if not, fill a form out, response in 3-5 days and refund within 2 weeks.

Are you drunk?

 

[RooFlyer]

Incorrect. Did you even read the terms?

You get it automatically within 2 weeks and if not, fill a form out, response in 3-5 days and refund within 2 weeks.

Yes, I read the web page. <wipes tears from eyes> Do you really, honestly believe everything Qantas writes/says (or any large corporate, for that matter)? There's this bridge that I have for sale. Great Harbour views ...

 

[aikman]

If travelling solo, would you tell the other person sitting in your row that you have paid for the middle seat, to avoid the awkwardness of who gets to put their stuff on it?

 

[pippen_2k]

If travelling solo, would you tell the other person sitting in your row that you have paid for the middle seat, to avoid the awkwardness of who gets to put their stuff on it?

I'd just be happy with no one bumping my elbow

 

[RooFlyer]

If travelling solo, would you tell the other person sitting in your row that you have paid for the middle seat, to avoid the awkwardness of who gets to put their stuff on it?

I think an idea would be to take a little "Reserved" card, and place it on the seat. Or, if you want to be a little more low-key, put your BP on it.

 

[muppet]

If travelling solo, would you tell the other person sitting in your row that you have paid for the middle seat, to avoid the awkwardness of who gets to put their stuff on it?

I think if you're genuinely trying to avoid awkwardness you'd just share ... I mean how much stuff are we talking? A book and some rubbish from the in-flight snack that's yet to be collected?

I can see the upcoming threads next to the ones about Y pax using the J lav ... Aisle pax put his newspaper on my Neighbour Free seat

Also, who's to say Qantas won't sell the "Neighbour Free" seat to both pax either side...

 

[Cossie]

……
Also, who's to say Qantas won't sell the "Neighbour Free" seat to both pax either side...

Not such a bad idea, done by a few airlines in Europe for their narrow bodied J class passengers.

 

[aikman]

I mean how much stuff are we talking?

I remember once when the other person immediately put their jacket and handbag on the entirety of the middle seat where it stayed the entire flight. I'd be annoyed if someone did that on a seat that I paid for.

Also, who's to say Qantas won't sell the "Neighbour Free" seat to both pax either side...

Apparently the seat that you purchase will be written on your boarding pass.

 

[muppet]

Apparently the seat that you purchase will be written on your boarding pass.

Good point, I guess we'll have to wait to see how it's implemented in practice to determine whether it's really practical to enforce a Neighbour Free seat purchase noting this thread:

Qantas to Remove Boarding Pass Printing from Kiosks

The domestic kiosks that are being used have now been around for 10 years without any hardware updates! By saying that, wait until mid-year. The machines will only be printing bag tags - no longer will check-in (from some reports).

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

 

[DC3]

Apparently the seat that you purchase will be written on your boarding pass.

How does your neighbour find that out? DYKWIA time?