QF now charging WP for all Exit Row economy seats [CL/WP1 exempt]

[DavidFlynn]

If it was a glitch people could go ahead and book seats free of charge. Raising it with the airline potentially reduces the window of opportunity.

So your concern is really just on a media call raising a red flag with Qantas which could see this 'glitch' (if it a glitch) corrected?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

So your concern is really just on a media call raising a red flag with Qantas which could see this 'glitch' (if it a glitch) corrected?

Exactly.

A passenger contacting the call centre may or may not raise a flag depending on the knowledge or interest of the agent. A blog or media site making contact through dedicated channels potentially has a chance of getting attention and action. And sooner rather than later.

From the post above (silver able to choose seats for free) it looks like this may be a glitch, and I can't understand any action to shut it down earlier than it needs to be. There doesn't seem to be any advantage to calling it in.

 

[DavidFlynn]

Exactly. A passenger contacting the call centre may or may not raise a flag depending on the knowledge or interest of the agent. A blog or media site making contact through dedicated channels potentially has a chance of getting attention and action. And sooner rather than later. From the post above (silver able to choose seats for free) it looks like this may be a glitch, and I can't understand any action to shut it down earlier than it needs to be. There doesn't seem to be any advantage to calling it in.

Understood, and I do get where you're coming from – especially if it's an anomaly in the system allowing seemingly random seat selections.

However, part of our role as media (and something which readers expect of us) is to report any major change which will affect frequent flyers, be that change good or bad – and in just the same way that we reported (in fact broke the news) the decision by QF to charge Platinums and Golds (among others) for pre-selecting an emergency exit row, if QF is reversing (even in part, with Platinums) that decision then this is also a story which should be shared – and part of determining this is to seek the official word from Qantas (again, in the same way that Qantas didn't announce the change to emergency exit row seat selection, we got a tip-off and then had this confirmed).

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Understood, and I do get where you're coming from – especially if it's an anomaly in the system allowing seemingly random seat selections.

However, part of our role as media (and something which readers expect of us) is to report any major change which will affect frequent flyers, be that change good or bad – and in just the same way that we reported (in fact broke the news) the decision by QF to charge Platinums and Golds (among others) for pre-selecting an emergency exit row, if QF is reversing (even in part, with Platinums) that decision then this is also a story which should be shared – and part of determining this is to seek the official word from Qantas (again, in the same way that Qantas didn't announce the change to emergency exit row seat selection, we got a tip-off and then had this confirmed).

I'd be surprised if your readers expect you to take action which could potentially disadvantage them to the tune of hundreds of dollars.

 

[DavidFlynn]

Don't worry, there's quite a bit of info which we keep under our hat for various reasons

 

[kamchatsky]

Another data point: As QF Red, I was able to select 4A 1 day before flying SYD-ADL on QF741 yesterday. I even have a shadow next to me. Whilst I have no complaints about this, I guess someone won't be happy.

However I also noted that ALL J seats are taken. Could it be QF upgrading all the WPs and SGs?

 

[Pushka]

Another data point: As QF Red, I was able to select 4A 1 day before flying SYD-ADL on QF741 yesterday. I even have a shadow next to me. Whilst I have no complaints about this, I guess someone won't be happy.

However I also noted that ALL J seats are taken. Could it be QF upgrading all the WPs and SGs?

I suspect it isn't your shadow but 4C

 

[oz_mark]

Exactly.

A passenger contacting the call centre may or may not raise a flag depending on the knowledge or interest of the agent. A blog or media site making contact through dedicated channels potentially has a chance of getting attention and action. And sooner rather than later.

From the post above (silver able to choose seats for free) it looks like this may be a glitch, and I can't understand any action to shut it down earlier than it needs to be. There doesn't seem to be any advantage to calling it in.

If it is a rule change then that would be worth knowing. I don't actually recall getting any notice from Qantas about the introduction of the changes.

I think this is a bit more than just a normal glitch, but I'm not sure exactly what...

 

[Pushka]

And good luck getting the shadow to stick!

Just about every bloody time my 4E shadow is taken by one of the final passengers to board who asked for a better seat at the gates whilst 5/6/7E etc remain unoccupied.

This is why we NEVER pick row 4. A monty to get selected by anyone when it opens up. It's usually chockers whilst rows 5-9ish usually have free middle seat unless plane is full.

We also don't select exit rows as I hate having luggage wanted during the trip 'up top'. So thankfully all this is a non issue for us. Much prefer the shadow.

 

[oz_mark]

This is why we NEVER pick row 4. A monty to get selected by anyone when it opens up. It's usually chockers whilst rows 5-9ish usually have free middle seat unless plane is full.

I'm the same. I actually prefer a bit more width than legroom, so tend to try my luck a few rows back!

 

[Mattg]

We also don't select exit rows as I hate having luggage wanted during the trip 'up top'. So thankfully all this is a non issue for us. Much prefer the shadow.

I'm the exact opposite - one of the reasons I prefer bulkhead and exit rows is that I don't like having to put my things under the seat in front. By sitting in these rows I know that I'm guaranteed some overhead locker space. YMMV.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

If it is a rule change then that would be worth knowing. I don't actually recall getting any notice from Qantas about the introduction of the changes.

I think this is a bit more than just a normal glitch, but I'm not sure exactly what...

Why is it worth a confirmation? At the moment we can book exits free of charge. Do we really need confirmation from QF that this is legit? Why not just take the seats while we can?

If this continues for an extended period, we get the benefit for longer. And it either stays, or goes.

All that contacting QF does, especially through dedicated contacts that bloggers/media might have, is have someone look at it and get it closed.

This really is akin to the person who calls the airline to ask if a low fare is an error. Once you do that the airline can close it down.

Agree - going the other way - it is important to know about changes. When QF introduced this it would have caught many by surprise. Informing the public means they can make their choice of carrier accordingly. But in reverse, let sleeping dogs lie. QF might already be aware of it. Or perhaps they weren't and would have discovered it by themselves sometime next week, or the week after. But in the meantime a lot of people would have saved a lot of money.

 

[Sprucegoose]

And good luck getting the shadow to stick!

Just about every bloody time my 4E shadow is taken by one of the final passengers to board who asked for a better seat at the gates whilst 5/6/7E etc remain unoccupied.

Agree with this. I get a lot of riff raff next to me in the middle seat in row 4 and you can tell they are blow ins. A glance at their BP confirms the worst.

I am looking at this economy X seating on VA to split my short haul Y domestic spend. Its time VA and I made up........

 

[OzEire]

Agree with this. I get a lot of riff raff next to me in the middle seat in row 4 and you can tell they are blow ins. A glance at their BP confirms the worst.

I am looking at this economy X seating on VA to split my short haul Y domestic spend. Its time VA and I made up........

EconX on VA is hardly implemented (patchy, very VA) but when actually available, then for WPs its beautiful. Quite the opposite of QF's punishment of high tier FFs discussed in this thread.

 

[pauly7]

Agree with this. I get a lot of riff raff next to me in the middle seat in row 4 and you can tell they are blow ins. A glance at their BP confirms the worst.

I am looking at this economy X seating on VA to split my short haul Y domestic spend. Its time VA and I made up........

Yes on VA you can buy a rock bottom airfare and pay 29 to get a better seat. Lots of non status people able to do this.

 

[Danger]

Understood, and I do get where you're coming from – especially if it's an anomaly in the system allowing seemingly random seat selections.

However, part of our role as media (and something which readers expect of us) is to report any major change which will affect frequent flyers, be that change good or bad – and in just the same way that we reported (in fact broke the news) the decision by QF to charge Platinums and Golds (among others) for pre-selecting an emergency exit row, if QF is reversing (even in part, with Platinums) that decision then this is also a story which should be shared – and part of determining this is to seek the official word from Qantas (again, in the same way that Qantas didn't announce the change to emergency exit row seat selection, we got a tip-off and then had this confirmed).

MEL_Traveller is all over this like a fat kid on a cupcake - and for all the right reasons.

It had been, what, a day at most before you decided to contact QF? There was absolutely no reason whatsoever to contact QF (unless, of course, your driving desire was to have some kind of "breaking" story).

As pointed out, it's exactly the same rule for so-called "error" fares.

You haven't done anyone any favours here.

 

[juddles]

Thanks to all this I am finally feeling like my P1 is worth something. Am enjoying the chaos at the "other" levels.

Not that it will affect me as I mainly do international. But my P1-tainted view of the world (P1 vs all those myriad bronze-like levels) is a good feeling.

 

[oz_mark]

MEL_Traveller is all over this like a fat kid on a cupcake - and for all the right reasons.

It had been, what, a day at most before you decided to contact QF? There was absolutely no reason whatsoever to contact QF (unless, of course, your driving desire was to have some kind of "breaking" story).

As pointed out, it's exactly the same rule for so-called "error" fares.

You haven't done anyone any favours here.

I don't know specifically for Qantas, but everywhere I have worked has daily performance reports of some sort that would quickly pick up that some channel suddenly had no income. Doesn't need anyone to call it in. I'd be surprised if QF didn't monitor how much this was bringing in on a daily basis.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I don't know specifically for Qantas, but everywhere I have worked has daily performance reports of some sort that would quickly pick up that some channel suddenly had no income. Doesn't need anyone to call it in. I'd be surprised if QF didn't monitor how much this was bringing in on a daily basis.

Agree they might (probably do). But even if they pick up on the issue they have to work out what the problem is and then look for a solution. Does it just affect platinums? Or golds as well? and how about silvers? And how far in advance does the system allow booking exits for free? Someone calling with all those answers on a platter would potentially make the investigation easier. Maybe the income stream hadn't dropped much at all if platinums were refusing to buy exits?

 

[benjy]

As a Silver, I was able to change my seats to Exit Rows free of charge for flights that are a week and a month out, very happy