Seats together on different PNRs - who to ask?

[MandM]

I'm travelling with my parents MEL-OOL. They are on one PNR, I'm on another. They are red, I am gold. We will all be checking luggage.
So what do people recommend as far as asking for (good) seats together? Should we all check in on line, drop bags and then ask at the lounge? Or all go to priority counter for check in and ask for the seats there?
My parents fly once per year and have never experienced any of the 'good stuff' that we all enjoy to make flying a little more enjoyable. I'm obviously taking them to the lounge, but if I can treat them (aka show off a little) and get them some good seats too, that would be great.

 

[kiwi1972]

Gday,
i just did this. My niece is joining us on a family holiday to the Gold Coast in July school holidays.
I called velocity today, although my niece could not be added to my pnr the lady linked the two bookings and put notes on my and her booking.
I would suggest you get your parents flight details and you call velocity. They pre booked our seats on the plane together.
great service!!

 

[JessicaTam]

I agree with kiwi1972. Ring Velocity and ask them to link the bookings. I am sure they get this sort of request all the time, so should be no problem.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I think saying "linked" the PNRs is a bit too strong, but like kiwi1972, I've had the GCC select seats together and then "add notes" to remain seated together (row 3) and it has happened. Like anything in life though.....no guarantees!

Good luck and I hope it does work for you and your family!!!

(FWIW, I personally get much more satisfaction from watching the joy of other family members enjoying the occasional niceties, than I get from receiving them myself.)

 

[bullerdude]

The linked PNR's is a just a fairy tale... It doesn't in Sabre to my knowledge. Simply call Velocity Gold Desk and have them pre-allocate seats for your and your travelling companions.

The different booking scenarios no longer matters for seat requests, as a Gold/Plat member you are now entitled to have travelling companions (regardless of what booking REF) to sit with you in the Gold/Plat seating zone.

 

[MH_fan]

To the OP: Do you intend to guest both your parents into the lounge? As a SG, you are only allowed 1 guest...

 

[MandM]

To the OP: Do you intend to guest both your parents into the lounge? As a SG, you are only allowed 1 guest...

Thanks MH_fan. Fortunately I have some single passes too so I won't need to play favourites.

 

[serfty]

The linked PNR's is a just a fairy tale... It doesn't in Sabre to my knowledge. Simply call Velocity Gold Desk and have them pre-allocate seats for your and your travelling companions.

The different booking scenarios no longer matters for seat requests, as a Gold/Plat member you are now entitled to have travelling companions (regardless of what booking REF) to sit with you in the Gold/Plat seating zone.

Not so much a fairy tale, as indeed PNR's cannot be combined.

However, PNR's can have TCP's applied which should ensure the other PNR is brought up when accessing either.

(TCP stands for "To Complete Party".)

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Thanks MH_fan. Fortunately I have some single passes too so I won't need to play favourites.

And don't forget that there may be willing AFFers with spare guesting rights when you may need them.

 

[MandM]

Not so much a fairy tale, as indeed PNR's cannot be combined.

However, PNR's can have TCP's applied which should ensure the other PNR is brought up when accessing either.

(TCP stands for "To Complete Party".)

It is nice to know that function exists. It sounds a little more reliable than on the previous system.

So just to change this up a little, any suggestions on how I might go about getting us into the platinum zone? The flight is midday on a Saturday so I doubt the plat load will be very high. All reports are that gold can select row 3 at online check-in. If we have TCP applied any guesses as to if we will we all be able to select plat zone at t-48?

 

[Deleted member 29185]

All reports are that gold can select row 3 at online check-in. If we have TCP applied any guesses as to if we will we all be able to select plat zone at t-48?

The lounge would be your best bet. My experience was that I could occasionally select row 3 on checkin, but only if not already allocated a seat. When I chose a seat on booking, that option seemed to diasappear but the lounge was still able to do it if spare seats existed. Mind you, my experience was during an absolute turmultuous time with seat selection and others will almost certainly have differing experiences (and perhaps more up to date anecdotes).

 

[kiwi1972]

It is nice to know that function exists. It sounds a little more reliable than on the previous system.

So just to change this up a little, any suggestions on how I might go about getting us into the platinum zone? The flight is midday on a Saturday so I doubt the plat load will be very high. All reports are that gold can select row 3 at online check-in. If we have TCP applied any guesses as to if we will we all be able to select plat zone at t-48?

MandM, you could try the call centre, I have received row 3 when I was gold. Worth a go for the extra leg room. They can only say no!

 

[MandM]

MandM, you could try the call centre, I have received row 3 when I was gold. Worth a go for the extra leg room. They can only say no!

Called up today. Pressed the wrong options and didn't end up with the gold line. Best they would/could do was row 8 for us. Asked to be put through to the gold line but got cut off. Called back and managed to get the right button sequence for the gold line. They got us all into row 5, saying 3 and 4 were saved for plats (however before I called I started the check in process and I could chose a row 4 seat, and only one other seat in that row was taken). I didn't argue and will see if anyone has take row 3 once we get to the lounge.
Thanks all for the advice - mum and dad were happy they originally had row 15 so row 5 (at worst) should get me some good daughter points