QF128 - Unable to select row 5 as WP [A380, F sold as J]

[patrickw]

QF blocks rows 1-5 for P1/CLP1 however these seats may open at T-80h if there's not many P1/CLP1s.

Assume this doesn't include OWEs?

 

[RealtimeY]

Did this change since a couple months ago? I was able to select rows 4-5 as OWE back in May

 

[Fergo747]

I understand it to be a newer thing which is why those that booked previously were able to select. They are now withholding rows 1-5 for P1/CL until T-80 when it's a free for all (I believe that this is the right approach, particularly if they are going to put the unrefurbed bird on that route).

 

[kangarooflyer88]

I would say that the entire F cabin is blocked for P1 based on what @defurax can see.

I would disagree with that assessment given the fact that Platinum and Platinum One get the same priority seating benefits per the Qantas site.

 

[Princess Fiona]

I would disagree with that assessment given the fact that Platinum and Platinum One get the same priority seating benefits per the Qantas site.

No they do not regardless of what the website says.

 

[RichardMEL]

I would disagree with that assessment given the fact that Platinum and Platinum One get the same priority seating benefits per the Qantas site.

Not correct.

P1 get basically every seat available to preallocate at time of booking. Platinum's get a reduced availability. For example, on a 737 typically, P1 will get to select row 1, WP will get 2 and 3 in J, and in Y, Only P1 (and I guess CL) can pre-allocate rows 4-6 (IIRC). definitely row 4 prior to T-80. Plats get slightly less options and so on down the chain of status.

The website may say they have the same "priority seating benefits" but P1 most certainly are able to pre-allocate more.

Of course this relates to seat pre-allocation at time of booking. Most of this goes out the window at T-80 and when a flight is under airport control.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Not correct.

P1 get basically every seat available to preallocate at time of booking. Platinum's get a reduced availability. For example, on a 737 typically, P1 will get to select row 1, WP will get 2 and 3 in J, and in Y, Only P1 (and I guess CL) can pre-allocate rows 4-6 (IIRC). definitely row 4 prior to T-80. Plats get slightly less options and so on down the chain of status.

I think we both stand corrected here. Platinum One gets every seat available complimentary at time of booking for flights departing Australia. Platinums seem to get slightly more access to complimentary seating (but it's an unpublished benefit). However, if the flight is departing from overseas, they need to pay out of pocket for the extra legroom seating.

-RooFlyer88

 

[RichardMEL]

I think we both stand corrected here. Platinum One gets every seat available complimentary at time of booking for flights departing Australia. Platinums seem to get slightly more access to complimentary seating (but it's an unpublished benefit). However, if the flight is departing from overseas, they need to pay out of pocket for the extra legroom seating.

-RooFlyer88

Now you've changed the goal posts of the discussion by mentioning "extra legroom seats"

In the beforetimes, Both Platinum and P1 had free extra legroom and exit row seats on sectors where they were charged for. At some point, I think prior to the pandemic this changed such that only P1 retained this benefit (and personally I think that's unfair to WP given most OW airlines excuse OWE's from such charges, but QF can do what they like of course).

Anyway, I'm curious as to how you declare a difference between where flights originate and this policy. I've never seen anything to indicate this distinction being made.

Of course QF does enjoy being Consistently Inconsistent(tm) so anything's possible I guess.

I don't believe your assertion regarding flight origin is correct though.

 

[wowmaybenot]

Data point: I was able to select a row 1-5 seat T-80 as a WP on QF127.

Another interesting thing - they switched out the 2-2-2 seat map to a 1-2-1 the day after.

 

[TheDefenestrator]

Probably a less useful data point:
Was on QF128 recently, VH-OQB.
Business Classic Reward booked back in July as PS - was auto-assigned a seat in row 3 and unable to select any other F seats, but some J seats in the upper deck were selectable.
Forgot to check closer to T-80 and pretty much all F and J seats taken when OLCI opened.
Aside from a few minor things, it was nice to get an experience close to F since I'm not really planning on going anywhere that has a plane with F available any time soon.

 

[TheDefenestrator]

I'm not really planning on going anywhere that has a plane with F available any time soon.

Welp, gonna have to eat my own words. A more useful data point now:
Decided I would try for another Business Classic Reward, this time for QF127 for early Jan 2024, which should still be an A380. Again still a PS (but getting close to SG).
Auto-assigned row 3 again! Fingers crossed I can keep this seat (or can nab a better one).

All other F seats blocked (rows 1 to 5), but can pick from a fair chunk of J seats (1-2-1) to change to (rows 22 to 28).

 

[Flyfrequently]

Data point: I was able to select a row 1-5 seat T-80 as a WP on QF127.

Another interesting thing - they switched out the 2-2-2 seat map to a 1-2-1 the day after.

Good one @wowmaybenot and a great first post!
Welcome to AFF-
Happy travels

 

[Quickstatus]

WP

I suspect this is the problem. Its missing a "1" despite what others have been about to achieve.
WP is the new Gold