Strange seat selection and online chat experience

[bPeteb]

We booked flights to Japan on the weekend for next May BNE-NRT. A revenue J for me and an award J booking for my partner. I was auto allocated 2A in both directions. Looking forward to trying out the business suites on the A333.

I tried to allocate seats for partner but system just cycled around. I've now seen the 'unable to request a seat' thread so might have been to do with that.

Later on I tried again and still no luck so thought I'd try online chat. We decided that going over Al would sit behind me in 3A but coming back on the overnighter 4A away from the aisle would be better. I also wanted to link our bookings

The online chat was bizarre.

I've re-read the transcript and I couldn't have been much clearer that I wanted to keep 2A and requested specific seats allocated for Al. Was told that 3A and 4A couldn't be allocated to Al's booking. Then for some reason I was told I'd been confirmed 4A and Al put in 6A in both directions. I said I wanted to stay in 2A but was told I couldn't have 2A as it was blocked. When I said that's what I had already been auto-allocated it got no response.

I gave up and said 4A was fine and I suppose it is. I managed to get Al moved to 5A for BNE-NRT and kept 6A coming back. I just wanted us both away from the galley for the overnighter. Maybe I'll try on my iphone app. It worked for me today for next week's MEL commute.

At least the bookings are linked, I think/hope.

What a very odd experience.

 

[donovan301]

If ur able to make a early early approach to check-in, then this is prolly will be ur best chance to rectify,...as in, First in First Served.

Or, maybe try, dare I say it, the call and wait centre?

Machines fail by default,

People...well, at least u have a possible Chance.

 

[kermatu]

Given the flights are next year I'd definitely try calling (when you are happy to wait a while) to get it rectified. Granted 4A is basically the same as 2A (particularly if you pre-order the food) and in many instances you'll actually depart the plane quicker -- but it is the principle, and will give you peace of mind re the linked bookings.

 

[RichardMEL]

Is 2A still showing as unavailable?

I'd be willing to bet when the agent (screwed up) changed you to 4A that 2A had not been cleared out at that point, so showed as occupied(sort of by you but not really). Could be something like that.

That may have since cleared in the system and 2A may be back.

It may bw worth calling back, enduring the hold (maybe off peak time) and talking to a human to get resolved.

One other thought re 3A and the award booking. I know award bookings for folks with no status do get blocked from allocating in forward rows (I had the absurd example of a friend on a reward ticket for an A332 being only offered row 5 and back when my P1 status seat map of the entire cabin showed I think 1 seat allocated in row 2 and everything else empty) - it could well be that that reward seat simply doesn't have the ability to allocate forward? (assuming no status). This is more for dom flights... not so sure how it applies to the international sectors.

With that in mind, the chat agent may have actually tried to be "helpful" to move you to 4A to get you both closer together rather than you in 2A and partner in 6A, though to move without clarifying is a no no in my book - so it probably was a misunderstanding on that part.

I'd try talking to a human agent. Good luck!

My other

 

[bPeteb]

Is 2A still showing as unavailable?

I'd be willing to bet when the agent (screwed up) changed you to 4A that 2A had not been cleared out at that point, so showed as occupied(sort of by you but not really). Could be something like that.

That may have since cleared in the system and 2A may be back.

It may bw worth calling back, enduring the hold (maybe off peak time) and talking to a human to get resolved.

One other thought re 3A and the award booking. I know award bookings for folks with no status do get blocked from allocating in forward rows (I had the absurd example of a friend on a reward ticket for an A332 being only offered row 5 and back when my P1 status seat map of the entire cabin showed I think 1 seat allocated in row 2 and everything else empty) - it could well be that that reward seat simply doesn't have the ability to allocate forward? (assuming no status). This is more for dom flights... not so sure how it applies to the international sectors.

With that in mind, the chat agent may have actually tried to be "helpful" to move you to 4A to get you both closer together rather than you in 2A and partner in 6A, though to move without clarifying is a no no in my book - so it probably was a misunderstanding on that part.

I'd try talking to a human agent. Good luck!

I thought the same Richard about it maybe still being 'me' in 2A. Still shows blocked. Al is silver so only 5 and back was what the system 'allows' him. I also agree that the agent may have been trying to be helpful moving us together.

If only the booking system was smart enough to allow me to book both revenue and points seats in one transaction I could have selected seats for both of us. I know, way too hard!!