QF codeshare/AA operated flight – Main Cabin Extra Seating

[dmw]

My first post! I haven’t been able to find an answer to this online so I was hoping someone else may know the answer and this thread could also help others in the future.

I am looking at purchasing tickets SYD-LAX (return) for next year. Qantas & AA booking sites both currently have the same price for discount economy. I am leaning towards the AA operated flight so I can also purchase Main Cabin Extra seating.

I would prefer to book the QF codeshare (AA operated flight) as this earns significantly more Qantas points than booking the AA flight number.

I understand it may be possible to select the Main Cabin Extra seats on the AA site after booking the flight but concerned if I purchase the QF codeshare that the Main Cabin Extra seats may be blocked to the Qantas codeshare customers. If this is the case I would prefer just to buy the tickets from AA even though I would earn several thousand less Qantas frequent flyer points.

Does anyone have any experience with purchasing Main Cabin Extra seating on AA after booking the QF codeshare?

Thanks in advance for your help.

dmw

 

[defurax]

As a WP I have flown JFK-LAX on a QF codeshare on AA metal and I had access to all MCE seats for free.
Although, for PAX without status who are required to pay for MCE seating I'm not sure how it works.

 

[dmw]

As a WP I have flown JFK-LAX on a QF codeshare on AA metal and I had access to all MCE seats for free.
Although, for PAX without status who are required to pay for MCE seating I'm not sure how it works.

Thanks defurax

I read that Qantas Silver is able to get half price Main Cabin Extra seating but again, Im not sure if this would apply to the QF codeshare flight or only if booked through AA.

 

[Himeno]

I don't think QF understands what Main Cabin Extra is. I asked them this question last night, their reply was "do you mean Exit row seats?"

 

[defurax]

What happens if you get the AA PNR for your flight and access your booking on aa.com? Can you select and pay for your MCE seat there?

 

[Himeno]

QF just replied to me again.They just said what amounts to "we don't know. ask AA".

 

[dmw]

What happens if you get the AA PNR for your flight and access your booking on aa.com? Can you select and pay for your MCE seat there?

This looks to be the only way to know for sure. I haven't actually booked yet as I didn't want to end up buying the QF codeshare and not be able to select MCE seating. Looks like I may have to just buy directly from AA rather than QF to ensure I can choose MCE. Only downside is nearly 9,000 less QFF points for the return trip.

 

[dmw]

QF just replied to me again.They just said what amounts to "we don't know. ask AA".

Thanks Himeno

I called Qantas today and got the same response. I also called AA who could only check this if I had an AA PNR which I don't as I haven't booked anything yet.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

As a QF WP I've had no issues getting free MCE & exit row seating gratis on AA flights within the USA & Canada, however it was on an AA marketed flight.

A friend recently booked QF BNE/LAX/ORD on QF and she couldn't select seats via AA.com for the QF codeshare flight LAX/ORD as the AA site wouldn't display the select seats button like it does for AA marketed flights.

Do you have the option of doing an AA booking and selecting the seats at the time of booking?

Not sure whether it will let you put a 24 hour hold on the booking for trans-Pacific flights.

Basically I wouldn't be booking QF or AA codeshare flights when it's operated by the other airlines' metal. Either book a QF marketed and operated flight eg QF11 or QF17 and get free seat selection as a PS.

Ditto for AA book as the AA marketed and operated flight and reserve the best seats you can as QF PS or OWR.

 

[Sdtravel]

My experiences are here http://www.australianfrequentflyer....aadvantage/main-cabin-extra-not-so-69104.html

As has been mentioned
Book flights even with a QF flight number if available / wanted. Call up QF and get the AA PNR. Login to AA website and pay for the MCE seats.