Why the lies QF?

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Daver6

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SWMBO is a WP. We have some flights to ADL booked around Xmas time, but different booking references. Given I'm a lowly SG, she rang up to get the two bookings linked (we are on the same flights). While she was on the phone she asked the WP line people if they could allocate us seats in row 4 (they have done this for us previously). However, this time she was told "they are locked by the airport and she can't do anything". EF of course showed they were unallocated.

So, why this blatant lie? Why on previous occasions with the same QF membership level could they be allocated? If they can't because they are reserved for P1 and CL, why not say as much? What's the point of a rubbish answer?

</rant>

David
 
Well they cant usually be booked for platinum before T-80 so I think you're over-reacting. If they're blocked to her they're blocked.
 
Given that EF isn't always accurate, you don't have proof that you were lied to.
Row 4 is generally unavailable to those below P1 level up until T-80.
 
This is a classic example of why QF should not break their rules for anyone. As soon as they are broken once, people will demand they are broken all of the time. Just take your previous experiences as wins and move on.
 
But the OP's issue is not that they are not available, but that his DW was told that the airport had blocked them. It is nothing to do with not being able to have the seats allocated - she asked and was given a very dodgy answer IMO.
 
But the OP's issue is not that they are not available, but that his DW was told that the airport had blocked them. It is nothing to do with not being able to have the seats allocated - she asked and was given a very dodgy answer IMO.

The real answer is that the OP is not important enough to be preallocated the seats. Is that what they want to hear? Like with a lot of things in life, a little white lie is better than the truth.
 
It appears the OP's wife was told she could not get row 4 seats allocated, and there was a reference to airport control. I'm thinking what the CSA was intending to communicate was that:
a) the row 4 seats could not be allocated to her now - "they are locked" by the system for CL/P1
b) once the seats are released to airport control, they could be allocated then (if still available).

At T-80, the seats may become available, or then again they may not - I've had some instances lately when some of these types of seats have not been released to WPs until T-24.

So probably an example of poor wording/explanation on behalf of the CSA - hardly "lies".
 
It was T-24 exactly for me today for a flight tomorrow to BNE for row 4. I have found for the last 3-4 flights I've had they have all been T-24 for row 4
 
Wouldn't you call the plat line again to seek clarification in the first instance?
 
To clarify. I have no issue that they are blocked for more important people than us. That's fair enough. My original post wasn't to complain about not getting what I wanted. The request for seating was the minor reason for contacting QF on this occasion. Two main issues:

1) Consistency. On a couple of other occasions its not been an issue at much greater than T-80. Either it can or can't be done. Stick to one.
2) Just be honest with the reason. Previously when travelling after SWMBO tore her ACL and other knee ligaments and required her leg be kept straight. We asked about moving to row 1 in J for a return flight. We were told they are reserved for P1 and CL, but they would see what they could do (for the record QF were hugely accommodating). That's honest and totally acceptable. Why couldn't they just be honest with the reasoning rather than making up something that we know to be a lie? Really? Airport control? What's gained by the lie? Far more damage is done IMHO.
 
To clarify. I have no issue that they are blocked for more important people than us. That's fair enough. My original post wasn't to complain about not getting what I wanted. The request for seating was the minor reason for contacting QF on this occasion. Two main issues:

1) Consistency. On a couple of other occasions its not been an issue at much greater than T-80. Either it can or can't be done. Stick to one.
2) Just be honest with the reason. Previously when travelling after SWMBO tore her ACL and other knee ligaments and required her leg be kept straight. We asked about moving to row 1 in J for a return flight. We were told they are reserved for P1 and CL, but they would see what they could do (for the record QF were hugely accommodating). That's honest and totally acceptable. Why couldn't they just be honest with the reasoning rather than making up something that we know to be a lie? Really? Airport control? What's gained by the lie? Far more damage is done IMHO.

It's not a lie, generally the seats are blocked for P1 and CL until the flight goes to airport control at T24, the only way they can be allocated is using a special request. When I travelled with QF WP to Dubai last year, Qantas Corporate had to get special permission for him to steal my shadow in an exit row in PE. Access to removing blocks has been reduced lately as a result of more P1s and their typical last minute bookings.
 
It's not a lie, generally the seats are blocked for P1 and CL until the flight goes to airport control at T24, the only way they can be allocated is using a special request. When I travelled with QF WP to Dubai last year, Qantas Corporate had to get special permission for him to steal my shadow in an exit row in PE. Access to removing blocks has been reduced lately as a result of more P1s and their typical last minute bookings.

I've always been able to select them at T-80.

So if it goes to airport control at T24, why is it "locked by the airport" now which is many months away?

Just seems like a strange explanation to me.
 
I've always been able to select them at T-80.

So if it goes to airport control at T24, why is it "locked by the airport" now which is many months away?

Just seems like a strange explanation to me.
Perhaps the explanation was not worded properly but row 6 is the furthest forward they can allocate a Platinum until OLCI.

Don't quote me on it but I have a feeling T-80 is unofficial. Many consultants are unable to allocate row 4 seats for me when I have had issues with some bookings.
 
When were you last able to get Row 4 as a Plat only.
Since the introduction of P1, they have definitely been blocked to WPs, albeit do sometimes open at T-80
 
To clarify. I have no issue that they are blocked for more important people than us. That's fair enough. My original post wasn't to complain about not getting what I wanted. The request for seating was the minor reason for contacting QF on this occasion. Two main issues:

1) Consistency. On a couple of other occasions its not been an issue at much greater than T-80. Either it can or can't be done. Stick to one.
Be careful what you wish for, consistency may remove your ability to sit in Row 4 full stop. Be grateful you have had other operators go above and beyond for you.
2) Just be honest with the reason. Previously when travelling after SWMBO tore her ACL and other knee ligaments and required her leg be kept straight. We asked about moving to row 1 in J for a return flight. We were told they are reserved for P1 and CL, but they would see what they could do (for the record QF were hugely accommodating). That's honest and totally acceptable. Why couldn't they just be honest with the reasoning rather than making up something that we know to be a lie? Really? Airport control? What's gained by the lie? Far more damage is done IMHO.
I've always been able to select them at T-80.

So if it goes to airport control at T24, why is it "locked by the airport" now which is many months away?

Just seems like a strange explanation to me.

You are saying be truthful, yet you don't fully understand the processes involved, I am sorry but I think you are making a mountain out of a molehill here.
 
You are saying be truthful, yet you don't fully understand the processes involved, I am sorry but I think you are making a mountain out of a molehill here.

Yup, already admitted to that in an earlier post. My general grumpy hat was on earlier.
 
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It's not a lie, generally the seats are blocked for P1 and CL until the flight goes to airport control at T24, the only way they can be allocated is using a special request. When I travelled with QF WP to Dubai last year, Qantas Corporate had to get special permission for him to steal my shadow in an exit row in PE. Access to removing blocks has been reduced lately as a result of more P1s and their typical last minute bookings.

On a similar note, to be voluntarily denied boarding in DXB for QF10 DXB-MEL due to being oversold, they had to seek special permission to be able to offload me (WP). The system wouldn't let them do it until the offload was done on their behalf by QF SYD ops.
 
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