Tech issues - seats no longer blocked for gold/platinum?

[HeavyElectricity]

I noticed today when checking a seat map that all seats (apart from Economy X) now seem to be available for selection even when not logged in to my Velocity account.

I'm guessing this is probably a temporary tech blip, but I guess VA could have just abandoned blocking the forward seats for their Gold/Platinum members maybe?

 

[ozstamps]

Hope not - row 3 is about the best Plat perk out there IMHO.

 

[mannej]

Hope not - row 3 is about the best Plat perk out there IMHO.

Whilst I have seen seat maps that are wide open, Economy X is still not available for selection.

 

[Bagpuss]

Hope not - row 3 is about the best Plat perk out there IMHO.

Anyone can select row 3, just have to pay Economy X fee for it. (Which is free for plat's.)

 

[clipped_wings]

I just tried to manouvre my sons around their Economy X seating on an upcoming trip. But when I move them, I get a warning saying "you are selecting a standard seat and will lose all Economy X benefits if you proceed". It also displays refund I will get into my travel bank. Naturally, I have to abandon the move.

FWIW - I was trying to move them from row 23 into row 22 of a B777. And unless the Earth just fell of its axis - I am pretty sure I am still in the Economy X cabin....

 

[lewyVA]

I had to change a reward booking seat for my partner (no status) on the weekend and was offered a row 6 seat,, I assumed it was because I was WG and talking to the Gold call centre, but perhaps not!

 

[Mattg]

Oh, I was just able to change to row 6 (from row 18) on all of my upcoming VA flights. Thanks OP!

 

[Bagpuss]

Wonder if they are going to make changes and allow (non-status) passengers to pay extra to sit in the forward section of the cabin (like SQ do).
If it's a glitch, they are taking their time in fixing it ... But I guess that's no surprise.

 

[bullerdude]

Just did a dummy booking without logging into my VA account and was able to select up to Row 6 - looks like it is definitely not being reserved for Gold atm.

Hmm...

 

[clipped_wings]

Dummy booking for SYD-LAX return does the same thing. Row 27 and back is freely available for non status pax.

Quite a sensational benefit for anyone who isn't familiar with the usual protocol.

 

[Bagpuss]

Wonder if they are going to make changes and allow (non-status) passengers to pay extra to sit in the forward section of the cabin (like SQ do).
If it's a glitch, they are taking their time in fixing it ... But I guess that's no surprise.

Qantas enters stage left .... Qantas trials preferred seating for passengers wanting a speedy exit

 

[nlagalle]

I noticed today when checking a seat map that all seats (apart from Economy X) now seem to be available for selection even when not logged in to my Velocity account.

I'm guessing this is probably a temporary tech blip, but I guess VA could have just abandoned blocking the forward seats for their Gold/Platinum members maybe?

Economy x has always been available to purchase... regardless of status

 

[HeavyElectricity]

Economy x has always been available to purchase... regardless of status

Yep that's right, and a couple of others have already mentioned this above too. Poor terminology/description on my part in my original post, sorry! (and I can't edit it any more). I meant to describe how "regular" seats previously unavailable to those without status were (or still are?) able to be selected by anyone. Economy X was still the same as before and I wasn't trying to focus/mention on that.

 

[nlagalle]

Ok that makes sense.. I can agree there is something different as I booked flights for my mother in law and I could select row 7 and she is only silver..

 

[Must...Fly!]

Something is definitely wrong. Frustrating because seats toward the front seem to be disappearing quickly.

 

[TomJones]

That explains how I snagged all of 8ABC as a NB for my trip last weekend.

 

[AFF Editor]

Velocity Frequent Flyer has been in touch with us and provided the following comments:

We are currently working to fix a technical error in the booking engine which is causing some seats that are only available to tiered Velocity members to be visible to all guests for booking. There has been no change to our policy on tiered members receiving these exclusive benefits and the error should be rectified shortly.

 

[clipped_wings]

Wonder if this will also fix the inability to move about the Economy X cabin - my booking still tells me I am going back to a standard economy seat when I try to move further forward in the YX cabin.

 

[Thibault]

Hi all,
I was wondering if the forward economy cabin is only reserved for Velocity members ?
I just made a reservation BNE AKL via SYD and MEL and can only choose Y seats from row 15.
I am EY Gold.
Does the front cabin will be unlocked several days prior the flight ?
Thank you

 

[clipped_wings]

Hi all,
I was wondering if the forward economy cabin is only reserved for Velocity members ?
I just made a reservation BNE AKL via SYD and MEL and can only choose Y seats from row 15.
I am EY Gold.
Does the front cabin will be unlocked several days prior the flight ?
Thank you

I just did a dummy booking as a non-status pax and yes, it would seem 15 is the closest you will get until approx T-24. Maybe they will open up earlier - it pays to keep checking