QF new seat selection policy?

[kreuky]

Previously (as recent as 4 weeks ago) I called QF to link our bookings and get a seat selected for my mum who was travelling together with me in Y on QFi but on a separate ticket and had no issues selecting her a seat for free. I've done this many times without any issues (though always as WP) and have even done it before for travelling companions on three separate tickets.

Called up yesterday to do the same thing (I am still WP, she is bronze, flight is this Sunday the 22nd), and was told I had to pay $30 because of a "new policy". Refused to pay and was told it would be waived for this "one time" and in future, it had to be on the same booking for it to be free.

More penny pinching by QF and probably more erosion of WP benefits to P1 only. What's the bet WP will soon lose the ability to request classic award seat releases...

 

[madrooster]

QF will lose a decent amount of custom with this, given that it's a common thing for the passenger with status to be on a ticket paid for by work, with their partner accompanying on a separate ticket.

 

[Buzzard]

Seems as though Qantas customer service is going down hill with a we don't care attitude.
Shame really, as I like Qantas.

 

[cmon0005]

I think this may have just been a case of getting the wrong agent on the phone, as I have had hit and miss when trying to do as you are now, some agents just link the bookings and place my relative (Bronze) next to me free of charge, where other agents are insistent about charging the seat selection fee.etc.

In the latter cases I just hung up and called again.

 

[yohy?!]

annoying if it has changed, i did this only a month or so ago successfully

 

[BAM1748]

I think this may have just been a case of getting the wrong agent on the phone, as I have had hit and miss when trying to do as you are now, some agents just link the bookings and place my relative (Bronze) next to me free of charge, where other agents are insistent about charging the seat selection fee.etc.

In the latter cases I just hung up and called again.

Yes, even though it shouldn't metter.

A Red Roo fail.

Matt

 

[mviy]

In the latter cases I just hung up and called again.

No wonder there's so many complaints about long call wait times when calling QANTAS when actions by their agents may force people to ring multiple times to get problems like this resolved.

 

[Conrad_S]

You might have just been unlucky. I've called a couple of times this week (including today) and no mention of a fee for seating someone next to me. Call again probably. It's not unusual to get a different response.

 

[Mattg]

I was unable to select my grandmother a seat next to me (NB, travelling on a separate ticket on same international flight) for free when I called up last year. Agent was able to put her in the seat next to me, but the system would not confirm it unless we paid the seat selection fee.

I didn't pay the fee in the end, but the seat selection did stick and we got to sit together.