Seat reservation changed [Moved from Paid Exit seats ($360 all up)]

[MEL_Traveller]

I'm just wondering.. these 'non-extra leg-room' extra leg-room seats... like at bulkheads (no real extra leg room but they are designated/charged as such)...

Do you think they have been designated that way to allow QF to move non-status pax into those seats and tell them they are getting extra leg room? This would, for example, allow QF to move someone from an exit row, give the exit row to a platinum... and shunt the non-status passenger to an 'equivalent' seat.

Except it's not really equivalent is it?

 

[x'tine]

We have a result!!!! Qantas have apologised, they will be giving me a refund and they contacted me to discuss alternative seating. I have chosen 33J & K - taking all your comments on board, I hope that we have made the best choice - if not, don't tell me! I'd like to thank all of you that have given me help and advice, especially "serfty" for alerting Red Roo to our plight. Just like to add, even the best of companies make mistakes - it's how they are dealt with that counts and Qantas have stepped up to the mark. Perhaps their best move is having Red Roo as part of this forum. Anyway, all's well that ends well, as they say and when we get to Melbourne we will be HAVING A BALL. Thank you all once again.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

We have a result!!!! Qantas have apologised, they will be giving me a refund and they contacted me to discuss alternative seating. I have chosen 33J & K - taking all your comments on board, I hope that we have made the best choice - if not, don't tell me! I'd like to thank all of you that have given me help and advice, especially "serfty" for alerting Red Roo to our plight. Just like to add, even the best of companies make mistakes - it's how they are dealt with that counts and Qantas have stepped up to the mark. Perhaps their best move is having Red Roo as part of this forum. Anyway, all's well that ends well, as they say and when we get to Melbourne we will be HAVING A BALL. Thank you all once again.

Did Qantas explain why your seats were taken away?

I appreciate you see the offer of a refund as the airline 'stepping up to the mark', but in reality it was their legal obligation, nothing more, nothing less.

Have they charged you for selecting seats 33J and K? These would normally attract a charge of $25 per person. If you have not been charged, I'd be closely monitoring your booking as they system might think you're not entitled to them and boot you out.

 

[kevrosmith]

If you have not been charged, I'd be closely monitoring your booking as they system might think you're not entitled to them and boot you out.

If you have an iPhone, then you can use the MyFlights app to monitor your booking and it will tell you when there are any changes, such as seat selection changes.

 

[x'tine]

Thanks for the concern, no extra charges will be levied - should have clarified, the refund is for all my seat selections. Yes, I do have the iPhone app so I can monitor our flights.

 

[RooFlyer]

Did Qantas explain why your seats were taken away?

I appreciate you see the offer of a refund as the airline 'stepping up to the mark', but in reality it was their legal obligation, nothing more, nothing less.
<snip>.

Without begrudging what RR has done, I think this is a very valid comment. Companies are keen on 'damage limitation' when the poo hits the fan, in the media or on a travellers forum such as this. But what of the poor blighters who don't have access to RR? "Discuss it at the airport" ? "Beg for a refund" ? "Stiff cheese" ?

Seriously, if this was me, I'd approach whoever got 'my' exit row seats and engage them in a friendly manner and ask them what their secret was to getting seats which had already been allocated to me. (BTW, if you do spot them, and its a former rugby and soccer executive, let us know! - he has form)

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Thanks for the concern, no extra charges will be levied - should have clarified, the refund is for all my seat selections. Yes, I do have the iPhone app so I can monitor our flights.

you got back the whole $720 (outbound and return), kept your exits free of charge for one flight, and other non-exits seats free of charge for the other flight?

Or you got back $360 (for one way) and the exits on the other are still paid?

Again, I'd be looking closely to make sure the seat assignments hold for those that are free of charge!

 

[x'tine]

Confirming, we have the full refund, our exit row seats for the return flight remain intact and the non-exits free of charge. Yes, I will be monitoring our return seats. Have to say, I have flown Qantas LHR - MEL every year since 2008 (twice in 2012!) and have never experienced any problems. I guess there's always a first time but I am satisfied with the outcome. I don't think that confronting the occupants of our initial seat allocation is appropriate or fair, after all, they are not to blame.

 

[RooFlyer]

<snip> I don't think that confronting the occupants of our initial seat allocation is appropriate or fair, after all, they are not to blame.

Fair enough - it was half in jest and I wasn't suggesting any confrontation! It may or may not have been their active request for the seats though.

 

[x'tine]

That's OK - I know 'cause you did say in a "friendly" manner - but then, who knows what I will feel like a few hours into the flight with a few red wines "down the hatch?"

 

[Flying mermaid]

That's OK - I know 'cause you did say in a "friendly" manner - but then, who knows what I will feel like a few hours into the flight with a few red wines "down the hatch?"

Enjoy your flight and I am glad it worked out well for you. If some of us sound a bit sour about it, it is probably because we have seen one stuff up too many.

 

[JohnM]

As a curious person, I'd still like to have an 'explanation' of how this stuff-up could have happened. I think it will leave a lot of people feeling nervous that it could happen to them.

Did QF offer any (plausible) 'explanation'?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Enjoy your flight and I am glad it worked out well for you. If some of us sound a bit sour about it, it is probably because we have seen one stuff up too many.

Indeed. On reflection of my earlier post - it is exactly that.

In isolation, someone may not see this as a major issue. But when we hear on AFF recurring issues around downgrades, unfair compensation, withdrawal of flights without timely notice, withdrawal of services without compensation... it kind of presses the need to get these issues sorted, and try and prevent them happening in future.

 

[JohnK]

As a curious person, I'd still like to have an 'explanation' of how this stuff-up could have happened. I think it will leave a lot of people feeling nervous that it could happen to them.

This resolution does not make me feel any better at all. In fact I am expecting to have issues with row 23 on A330 in a few weeks. I have had these seats allocated since July last year.

Did QF offer any (plausible) 'explanation'?

I would expect a randomly chosen explanation from the excuses book.

 

[Pushka]

This resolution does not make me feel any better at all. In fact I am expecting to have issues with row 23 on A330 in a few weeks. I have had these seats allocated since July last year.


I would expect a randomly chosen explanation from the excuses book.

It is why I keep refreshing 'My Flight' on my phone now. Exit row. We do have an upgrade request in from Y+ to J but won't accept any other move. And yes - booked and selected last August.

 

[NM]

x'tine, glad you were able to get it sorted out before check-in and before boarding. And glad that Red Roo was able to assist. In my example noted previously, the change was made sometime between check-in and boarding and by then it was too late for contact with Red Roo or anyone other than the cabin crew who were dumped with the task of sorting it all out on-board.

Enjoy your flight and I hope the only future seat changes are to a higher cabin class.

 

[x'tine]

I am grateful for the outcome - just wish that I could have had my original seats! I have to say though, I am checking "My Flight" on a daily basis! Re you final comment, a couple of phrases come to mind - "In my dreams," & "Flying Pigs!"

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I am grateful for the outcome - just wish that I could have had my original seats! I have to say though, I am checking "My Flight" on a daily basis! Re you final comment, a couple of phrases come to mind - "In my dreams," & "Flying Pigs!"

Are you able to shed any light on Qantas' explanation as to how this happened? Your input will be valuable for others who might have secured exit rows.

 

[JohnM]

Are you able to shed any light on Qantas' explanation as to how this happened? Your input will be valuable for others who might have secured exit rows.

Exactly. This is the great unknown here. How could it possibly happen, especially when it was a paid-for service.

 

[crum]

Selected seat 4C at T-80 at 10:35pm on Saturday night for my QF502 flight tomorrow morning. Now notice that I've been bumped back to my original seat at 7C. Not impressed...