Virgin seat allocation expiry

[UpInTheAir:)]

I selected my seat (7C) when I booked my flight (in this case BNE to MEL) as I have done many times and printed a record of it.
When I went to check-in they told me that they only had middle seats available.
I explained that I had an allocated seat and they said that it "dropped off" and other people who have actually checked in (before me) have taken it.:evil:
Can someone please tell me when does the seat allocation expire?
I have not had a problem with seat allocation in the past and it has always been there when I checked in.
They also told me that I couldn't upgrade in the lounge as it was a saver fare but that is a whole other can of worms...
It would have been nice if they had upgraded me anyway considering what I consider to be a mistake in their seat allocation system.
If I was cynical I would think that someone was given my seat by the check-in staff as a way to appease another traveler... but I am interested to know what has actually happened.
Thank you

 

[lovestotravel]

Someone with a higher status than you likely took the seat or they wanted to move a family together etc etc

This is not unique to VA it's happened to me on QF twice in the past year

Seat requests are never guaranteed unfortunately

 

[williamsf1]

when selecting a seat in the booking process..... says

Every attempt will be made to accommodate your seat request. Due to operational considerations or changes to aircraft type, we cannot guarantee that your seat allocation or aircraft type will be the same as your request.

Its always recommended to check in online the day before ( and sometimes a better seat is available) than leaving it to the airport arrival .....

As for upgrades from saver, this has never been allowed in the lounge ..

On Virgin Australia Domestic flights, all members with confirmed reservations in the Economy Cabin booked in Saver fare types (E, N, V, Q or T classes) can upgrade to Business Class with Points. All upgrades are subject to availability. Flights must be marketed and operated by Virgin Australia, and issued on Virgin Australia ticket stock (featuring a ticket number beginning with “795”). Saver Lite fares are not eligible for an upgrade. UpgradeMe Points from Saver fares can only be requested from the Membership Contact Centre from time of booking, up to 3 hours prior to scheduled departure, and cannot be requested at the Virgin Australia lounge.

 

[Intra]

Aircraft swap (ie E190 to B738); Very unlikely, but that was the first thing that came to my mind?

My seat allocations have never "dropped off" the system; Having said that, I always have checked my seat allocation T-48 even as a Plat before I check in, or played the game of "Get a closer seat at random times during mobile check-in" when I was a Gold.

 

[UpInTheAir:)]

I actually don't choose a seat when I fly with QF but they always give me my preference (in my profile).. never had a middle seat with QF except when they have kindly slipped me into an earlier flight at the gate

 

[UpInTheAir:)]

Yes they told me all that at the lounge... doesn't make me feel any better though...
And to think I am only 40 status credits away from platinum

 

[hydrabyss]

Being Platinum will just make it feel even worse when this happens.
Flying out of Newcastle I always check my seat allocation regularly in the days leading up to the flight. As there's nothing worse than boarding the plane to find it has been swapped to a 737 from an E190 and no one has mentioned this at checkin and someone has taken the middle seat between my partner and I.

 

[UpInTheAir:)]

True.. was looking forward to the upgrade credits.
I do love VA business class MEL-PER so will probably get over it and check in earlier