Seat Selection: Aisle or Window Only

[Tazza_0712]

Hi all,

I did a quick search but was unable to find any information about this little issue.

My business partner and I are reserved on a MEL to SYD flight on December 1st, both business reward seats with the same booking number. When we booked, the flight was aboard an A332 and we selected our seats.

Fast forward, and after logging into the Qantas app, I noticed our seat selection had disappeared. I looked into it and realised that the plane has been switched out for a 738, which is fine (I was kind of expecting this). Now however, we can't select seats. The only selection we can make is a preference of either window or aisle.

I have queried this with Qantas via online chat, and was told that it's just the way it is and seating should open closer to the flight. I thought this was strange, in respect of the fact that I was able to select seats on the A332 flight further out from the scheduled flight than we are now.

Just wondering if anyone knows the reason for this, or if they've experienced similar? I am not worried about the seating, it's a short flight, but I am curious as to the reason. I can't see the logic.

 

[Hvr]

I wonder if this is related to the matters raised in this thread?

International WP Seat Selection Enhanced ™

 

[eminere]

Do you have status? Rows 1 and 2 in business on the B738 are blocked for status passengers so if you don't have a high enough status, and there are other passengers on your flight that have already selected seats in row 3, you won't be able to allocate a particular seat until the rest of the seat map opens up at T-80.

 

[mviy]

Reward seats are pretty much at the bottom of the priority list for seat selection. Well they are ahead of upgrades.

Do either of you have status with QF?

You may need to check for seats around T-80 (80 hours before the scheduled departure time).

 

[mannej]

I wonder if this is related to the matters raised in this thread?

International WP Seat Selection Enhanced ™

Absolutely nothing to do with that.

Equipment changes can bring about these issues.

Would be worth checking the EF seat map to see what is available. I'd be trying to sort it currently and best bet would be Twitter/phone.

 

[Tazza_0712]

No status with QF for either of us.

Ok so, it makes sense that we can't allocate seating based on the lack of status with regard to the first two rows being blocked. However, I can't even see a seat map. Perhaps that's because all 12 seats would possibly appear blocked to me?

My most recent business reward flight with QF was in May this year, again on a 738 and I was still able to select a seat in row 3 when I booked and to check the seat map via the app or website. I eventually switched to row 1 via the seat map at T-80.

Seems strange I can *only* select a seat preference, window/aisle.

 

[mviy]

As eminere mentioned if row 3 is taken then you can't select row 1 or 2 still. Login to ExpertFlyer and enter your flight details and look at the seat map it shows there (you can do this for free). It'll probably show that the row 3 seats are occupied (or at least 3 of the 4 seats occupied) and that row 1 and 2 seats are either occupied or blocked.

 

[Tazza_0712]

As eminere mentioned if row 3 is taken then you can't select row 1 or 2 still. Login to ExpertFlyer and enter your flight details and look at the seat map it shows there (you can do this for free). It'll probably show that the row 3 seats are occupied (or at least 3 of the 4 seats occupied) and that row 1 and 2 seats are either occupied or blocked.

I've understood that I'm unable to select rows 1 or 2 on account of my no status.

It does appear that there is one seat vacant in row 3.

This has been cleared up for me, thanks for everyone's input.

 

[eminere]

I've understood that I'm unable to select rows 1 or 2 on account of my no status.

It does appear that there is one seat vacant in row 3.

This has been cleared up for me, thanks for everyone's input.

Just log back in again at T-80 and you'll be able to select from the remaining seats available at that time in rows 1 and 2.

 

[Tazza_0712]

Just log back in again at T-80 and you'll be able to select from the remaining seats available at that time in rows 1 and 2.

Thanks, will do!

 

[Hvr]

Absolutely nothing to do with that.

Equipment changes can bring about these issues.

Would be worth checking the EF seat map to see what is available. I'd be trying to sort it currently and best bet would be Twitter/phone.

My comment was about the fact that when there are changes in policy such as the one I quoted, original seating allocations will hold but if there is a change for any reason, including equipment change, then the Enhanced policy applies even to the detriment of the passenger.

I suggest the OP does note their preference of window/aisle, contact QF and if still unresolved log in at T-80 and even T-24 to get the desired seat.

 

[UP4014]

With no status you'll be waiting until the end of days to select a seat. You'll need it leave until as others have said 2 to 4 days out.

 

[mviy]

Worst case if you can't get seats together you may be able to ask on the plane if someone is willing to swap e.g. if one of you is in row 2 and the other in row 3, the one in row 2 could see if a passenger in row 3 is willing to swap.

If I was in a row 3 aisle seat and someone in row 2 aisle asked to swap with me I think I'd do it.

 

[blackcat20]

I've had similar issues after equipment swaps and their usual reply is "call us and we'll select a seat for you". I argued that that defeats the purpose of online seat selection and logged an IT request for it to be fixed. And it was. They can fix it, they just seem to want to take the lazy option.

However in your case, it sounds like the seats available to you based on status are already taken, hence no seats available...

 

[SYD]

Reward seats are pretty much at the bottom of the priority list for seat selection. Well they are ahead of upgrades.

In my experience, award seat selection is identical to revenue seat selection as a WP.

 

[Tazza_0712]

In my experience, award seat selection is identical to revenue seat selection as a WP.

Hmm. In which case it makes less sense that I can’t see a seat map when I view my reservation.

I’ll give Qantas a call as soon as I have a spare moment, or hour as it may be.

 

[mannej]

Hmm. In which case it makes less sense that I can’t see a seat map when I view my reservation.

I’ll give Qantas a call as soon as I have a spare moment, or hour as it may be.

Again, it's nothing to do with Award/revenue ticket, it's the fact that there aren't enough vacant seats available for you in the zone that's available for your status.

 

[Tazza_0712]

Again, it's nothing to do with Award/revenue ticket, it's the fact that there aren't enough vacant seats available for you in the zone that's available for your status.

My post was in response to SYD's, as per the quote.

Irrespective of that, I would enjoy knowing who at Qantas decided it was a great idea to not display a seat map on a booking.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Hmm. In which case it makes less sense that I can’t see a seat map when I view my reservation.

I’ll give Qantas a call as soon as I have a spare moment, or hour as it may be.

Yeah. If there are no seats available to you for selection the seat map disappears. Just had a party of three flying MEL-SYD and the same thing. Once row three filled up the seat map went. It never came back, so I'm guessing rows 1+2 got filled with status pax.

Same applied for the onward connection to the USA. Seat map very full (one open), and (presumably) when that went the seat map disappeared.

 

[mannej]

My post was in response to SYD's, as per the quote.

Irrespective of that, I would enjoy knowing who at Qantas decided it was a great idea to not display a seat map on a booking.

If a seat map was displayed in your situation, you wouldn't have enough available seats for everyone on your booking. This is the reason why the seat map doesn't show, as it cuts off when a set percentage of seats aren't available for selection.