Significant differences between EF and Qantas seat maps

[wafliron]

I'm booked onto QF821 (CBR-MEL) on 26/07 in Y and thought it was strange that my EF Seat Alert hadn't triggered any results, given we're within T-80 and it was a very broad alert (any window seat further forward than row 19).

I just checked on Qantas's website and there are now lots of seats which should have triggered my alert (in fact the plane appears to be almost completely empty), so I re-checked the seat map on EF and it's still showing almost every Y seat on the plane as being blocked. Current fare availability according to EF is:

J9 D9 I0 U8 Y9 B9 H9 K9 M9 L9 V9 S9 N9 Q9 O9 G0 X9 E9

Is it "normal" (or common) for there to be significant differences between Qantas's and EF's seat maps? I'm thinking not, but thought I would double check here as I'm a new EF subscriber. Yes, I have my QFF number entered into my EF profile.

Also, as a possibly interesting aside, I stumbled across this AFF thread whilst searching for prior threads on this topic: http://www.australianfrequentflyer..../seat-map-not-showing-availability-27110.html. The OP of that thread had exactly the same problem as me on exactly the same flight (number) ~6 months ago... coincidence?

 

[medhead]

Not coincidence. I often see significant differences as well on other QF flights.

 

[mannej]

I found the same for my parents booking on 481 last Friday. Could hardly find a seat together on the QF site, yet EF showed a pretty open flight.

The QF site did not open up at T-80 nor did the first operator Barry want to help. Funny the consistency issue as the next operator was able to get the issue sorted with pleasure and it wasn't a drama for her.


Sent from my iPhone using Aust Freq Fly app

 

[ExpertFlyer Voice]

I'm booked onto QF821 (CBR-MEL) on 26/07 in Y and thought it was strange that my EF Seat Alert hadn't triggered any results, given we're within T-80 and it was a very broad alert (any window seat further forward than row 19).

I just checked on Qantas's website and there are now lots of seats which should have triggered my alert (in fact the plane appears to be almost completely empty), so I re-checked the seat map on EF and it's still showing almost every Y seat on the plane as being blocked. Current fare availability according to EF is:

J9 D9 I0 U8 Y9 B9 H9 K9 M9 L9 V9 S9 N9 Q9 O9 G0 X9 E9

Is it "normal" (or common) for there to be significant differences between Qantas's and EF's seat maps? I'm thinking not, but thought I would double check here as I'm a new EF subscriber. Yes, I have my QFF number entered into my EF profile.

Also, as a possibly interesting aside, I stumbled across this AFF thread whilst searching for prior threads on this topic: http://www.australianfrequentflyer..../seat-map-not-showing-availability-27110.html. The OP of that thread had exactly the same problem as me on exactly the same flight (number) ~6 months ago... coincidence?

Qantas may be marking unassigned seats as blocked because of recent changes to their pre-reserved seat process. Looking at a seat map in the process of selecting a seat for a specific PNR vs not may be the difference. To compensate, you can select the "Treat Blocked seats as available" option when creating the Seat Alert. However we can see that Qantas is taking account the status of the QFF# we send with the seat map request for these intra-AU flights as well, so that doesn't seem to be the issue.

Also, comparing a seat map to Flight Availability results can be misleading as the availability results show which class of tickets the airline is willing to sell, not necessarily how many seats are available.

 

[wafliron]

Thanks for the info everyone.

I haven't checked in detail, but AFAICS the EF vs QANTAS seat maps for the other flights I've taken recently have been much closer... hopefully just an anomaly.

 

[muppet]

I have had many an issue with the seat maps on EF. For QF all they do is tell you which seats are occupied - even the blocked seats are different for me on MMB.

Also, the Award Availability is wrong too. EF showed no P for QF29 on Dec 29 11 yet QF award search does. So now those alerts are worthless. I'll cancel my subscription again I think - until I'm flying international again at least.

m.

 

[ExpertFlyer Voice]

Also, the Award Availability is wrong too. EF showed no P for QF29 on Dec 29 11 yet QF award search does. So now those alerts are worthless. I'll cancel my subscription again I think - until I'm flying international again at least.

m.

The QF Award availability on EF is and has always been accurate. Can you please email us with the details of your search as, QF29 has 2 segments, thanks.

 

[serfty]

The QF Award availability on EF is and has always been accurate. Can you please email us with the details of your search as, QF29 has 2 segments, thanks.

I often see a discrepancy with E/F generated Qantas classic award availability and what I see as a Qantas Platinum FF.

This is due to Qantas making more award seats available to their status'ed frequent flyers. This is true only for classic awards, not for discounted "any seat awards" that book into the U/P/X/Z fare buckets.

 

[MelUser]

There are domestic glitches at the moment though with the QF system for seat allocation - I am looking at something for tomorrow and seeing (QF) issues.

I have nothing but praise for E/F.

It is very good for my AA upgrades and picking correct flights to get an upgrade.

It is excellent for qf domestic upgrades as accurately shows how much (U) is available for upgrade. EG - On friday I saw U8, then upgraded 4 pax and then checked and it had dropped to U4 on E/F.

I would be completely lost without E/F! In fact the more you use E/F the more addictive it becomes.