Seat assignment woes

[CPMaverick]

I am on VA1 tomorrow and just went to check-in, my seat assignment was gone. I had 29K yesterday.

I tried to select the lone window seat available, but the app errored. So I called in and got a slightly rude agent (usually the agents are great). I was very nice about everything, I mentioned that I was disappointed in losing my seat but mainly I just wanted to grab the only remaining window seat. She went on a ramble about how full the flight was and then said I was moved for 'weight and balance' issues. Ok, sounds wrong but whatever.

She said I was in 46K but it still didn't show on screen, when I told her that, she brushed it off and said to just wait awhile. 45 minutes later, still no seat assignment and 46K is still available.

So I call again and get a very nice agent, who put me on hold for a long time. According to her, they tried everything but the flight is under airport control, but I should call back 'in about 3 hours'.

All quite strange and basically I don't have a seat assignment for my long-haul flight tomorrow. Any advice or similar experience? As WP on a freedom fare, not the experience you'd expect.

 

[AIRwin]

Potential upgrade?

 

[CPMaverick]

Potential upgrade?

I was hoping so I am waitlisted for a J upgrade (points). But the agents said no upgrade space available. Have others seen this happen before an upgrade?

 

[jazza1971]

Looks like there are 4 revenue seats left if you try to do a dummy booking, so maybe you'll be in luck!

 

[CPMaverick]

I called back and got another really good agent (2 out of 3 ain't bad). He managed to get me in the window seat, although he had to call Sydney airport to do it.

I check my seats almost every day. I have a hard time flying if I'm not in a window seat. About 3 days ago, I moved myself from 1A to 2A on my MEL-SYD flight. According to this agent this was when I lost my seat SYD-MEL. I checked the app yesterday and it still showed my seat assignment, so maybe it wasn't refreshing? A couple lessons, if you do anything in your reservation check back a few minutes later to make sure you still have your seat. And make sure you refresh the app if you are checking your seat assignments.

Hopefully I still get the upgrade but i will definitely sleep better tonight!

 

[serfty]

Good luck - I suspect it was your seat move on the other flight that resulted in this dilemma.

Eperince has told me to reselect new seats on every segment when changing a single seat and then going strait back in and selecting again.

I dont trust VA systems.

 

[clipped_wings]

How did you end up @CPMaverick - hope the upgrade eventuated......

 

[CPMaverick]

I did get the upgrade in the end.

I asked at MEL check-in. They told me to check in the lounge. I asked at MEL lounge. They told me that SYD lounge would have to process it. I asked at SYD domestic lounge (since my arrival gate was close by). They told me to ask at the transfer desk at gate 46 (bus). I asked at the transfer desk. They told me to ask at the SYD check-in. I asked if I could ask at the int'l lounge, because I didn't want to wait in line at SYD check-in. At that point the nice transfer desk attendent called SYD int'l and got my upgrade processed over the phone. Took almost 15 minutes, but I was waiting for the bus anyway.

Another lesson learned, don't ask domestic staff about an international upgrade.