Involuntary seat change

[QPProletarian]

Hi,

Just wondering what experiences members have had with having their advance seat selection or online check-in seat not being honoured at the airport and what you can do to avoid it?

I, like many of the people here, use ExpertFlyer and check the Qantas site many times in order to get your desired seat and it's a real kick in the guts when you've been moved. It has happened to me a number of times over the past couple of years, even on my first flight as a newly crowned SG. At least this time I wasn't moved to 9A with the blocked window as has happened before.

 

[dairyfloss]

Hi,

Just wondering what experiences members have had with having their advance seat selection or online check-in seat not being honoured at the airport and what you can do to avoid it?

I, like many of the people here, use ExpertFlyer and check the Qantas site many times in order to get your desired seat and it's a real kick in the guts when you've been moved. It has happened to me a number of times over the past couple of years, even on my first flight as a newly crowned SG. At least this time I wasn't moved to 9A with the blocked window as has happened before.

It's only ever happened to me twice... but thankfully both were for op-ups to J!

 

[MYT105]

Happened to me on Sunday last week, when I was on a flight from SYD-BNE, wasn't happy about loosing my forward window seat to a aisle seat 6 or 7 rows back. Questioned it at the lounge when checking in, and was told it was a CP member traveling with family was the reason I was moved, not sure if it was true as there was a guy and I assume wife in A and B and some one who who didn't look related and couldn't tell if they were traveling together or not. Did get an apology from the lounge person and after I got on board they actually came on board and apologised again and handed me a $20 voucher. So while i would have preferred the seat I selected it was only a short flight and the voucher is some compensation which is better then nothing, at least they made the effort to correct it.

 

[RooFlyer]

Happened to me several times in the past year while travelling J international. Twice the seat was comparable to the one I selected, so I didn't worry, the other time it was quite inferior (as far as I was concerned - right next to galley), so I objected and held my ground. Eventually I got a comparable seat to my original choice. I assume some-one with higher status than me got me bumped and when I pushed back, some-one lower status than me got bumped.

Once I was told it was a CL person in my chosen seat. I would frankly prefer it was a P1 (if they can do that) - so its not just some non FF tosser on holiday who couldn't be stuffed getting organized before the day of flight.

 

[QPProletarian]

Happened to me on Sunday last week, when I was on a flight from SYD-BNE, wasn't happy about loosing my forward window seat to a aisle seat 6 or 7 rows back. Questioned it at the lounge when checking in, and was told it was a CP member traveling with family was the reason I was moved, not sure if it was true as there was a guy and I assume wife in A and B and some one who who didn't look related and couldn't tell if they were traveling together or not. Did get an apology from the lounge person and after I got on board they actually came on board and apologised again and handed me a $20 voucher. So while i would have preferred the seat I selected it was only a short flight and the voucher is some compensation which is better then nothing, at least they made the effort to correct it.

I've had the family excuse a few times. On my last flight it seemed to be exactly as you have described, asked at the lounge, they didn't mention it was a CL or anything, just to seat a family together. I would've thought this would've involved more than two people. I have never received any compensation or even a simple apology when questioning. On one occasion my pass wouldn't scan at the gate (red light), so I had to go to the service desk, get a new boarding pass and line up again.

From the replies, it seems that there's no way to avoid this happening? They're more likely to bump people travelling alone?

 

[sydflyer]

I've had the family excuse a few times. On my last flight it seemed to be exactly as you have described, asked at the lounge, they didn't mention it was a CL or anything, just to seat a family together. I would've thought this would've involved more than two people. I have never received any compensation or even a simple apology when questioning. On one occasion my pass wouldn't scan at the gate (red light), so I had to go to the service desk, get a new boarding pass and line up again.

From the replies, it seems that there's no way to avoid this happening? They're more likely to bump people travelling alone?

In years of travelling, including a two year period where I was doing an interstate/international trip every fortnight, I've never been bumped from my pre-selected seat.

 

[amaroo]

Happened to me SYD-SIN last year. Was told in the lounge that the seat was faulty however, when I got on board I noticed John O'Neill happily ensconced in the "faulty" seat.

Put it down to a CL trumping a lowly WP.

 

[harvyk]

I've been moved a few times, although each one was to an equal or better seat. If I was paying for the privilege of advance seat selection I'd be asking for a refund, otherwise I put it down to you win some you lose some.

 

[Shelf]

I did seat selections for mum and dad on Saturday (for a flight yesterday). I selected exit row seats, but they were punted further back.

 

[Awesom Andy]

I guess I'm one of the luckier ones, always getting the seat I chose (unless it was an op-up).

 

[BadgerBoi]

I've had the family excuse a few times. On my last flight it seemed to be exactly as you have described, asked at the lounge, they didn't mention it was a CL or anything, just to seat a family together. I would've thought this would've involved more than two people. I have never received any compensation or even a simple apology when questioning. On one occasion my pass wouldn't scan at the gate (red light), so I had to go to the service desk, get a new boarding pass and line up again.

From the replies, it seems that there's no way to avoid this happening? They're more likely to bump people travelling alone?

I can never figure out why it's so vital for a family to be seated together. What happens to this sacred and special family if its members are separated on a plane for ninety minutes? Do they spontaneously combust?

 

[Pleb Status]

As a WP, I was once moved involuntarily in F on the A380. I was on a classic award ticket which may have made a difference.

The F lounge staff in SYD made up some excuse that they had promised the seat to someone else as it was closer to the door. Why that should matter I do not know. The new seat was not much different to the old one so I just accepted the change.

 

[docjames]

As a WP, I was once moved involuntarily in F on the A380. I was on a classic award ticket which may have made a difference.

The F lounge staff in SYD made up some excuse that they had promised the seat to someone else as it was closer to the door. Why that should matter I do not know. The new seat was not much different to the old one so I just accepted the change.

There.s no bad seat in F.

 

[wannaflynow]

Yesterday in Dom J was asked by lounge admin if I would mind changing from 2D and 2F to 1D and 1F, as a CL wanted to sit next to his wife. We didn't have any hand luggage so the small space to store mums handbag and my jacket wasn't a problem if that's why they wanted row 2. Was happy to change as they asked, not demanded.

 

[JohnK]

I have been moved a number of times in the past 9 months.

Not happy about it and I can do something about it. Keep sending feedback for them not to move me from my seat and keep being offered compensation.

Some of the excuses have been extremely poor, and a lie in my opinion, and I believe it is staff trying to help out a friend. Not good enough.

And for those that have been moved to a worse seat for a higher status member. That is shocking and should never happen. Chairmans Lounge or Platinum One. If a seat is taken it is taken. I would never want someone moved out of their allocated seat to accommodate my preference.

 

[zimocca]

I have been moved a number of times in the past 9 months.

Not happy about it ... and I believe it is staff trying to help out a friend. Not good enough.

And for those that have been moved to a worse seat for a higher status member. That is shocking and should never happen. Chairmans Lounge or Platinum One. If a seat is taken it is taken. I would never want someone moved out of their allocated seat to accommodate my preference.

I had this done to me occasionally, but never bothered to investigate until last Friday (26th July 2013) when flying LHR-PRG (BA). I only booked it on the Wednesday and was very pleased at bagging 4A For those that don't know - there is no 4B on this A320 conifg and they essentially the same size etc of business class seats with extra legroom. Then when I went to checkin - suddenly my seat was 5A. I was only mildly annoyed until I phoned BA and politely asked if there had been an aircraft or configuration change (I *think* the J curtain can be moved to incorporate row 4 if needed). Answer to this was no. so I asked if someone with higher status had been allowed to take the seat, or perhaps a medical reason? (someone with special needs?). What I was told next annoyed me enough to not be able to just let it go:

I couldn't believe my ears when I was (in no particular order):
1. I had made the change from 4A to 5A myself.
2. Someone else on the booking had made the change (I was the only one on the booking!!)
3. "They don't make changes like this so I cannot remember correctly" (WTF?)

I saw red after being accused of lying, so I asked to talk to the manager on duty and incredibly I got the same BS stories.

I was ready to give up and was noting done their information ready to make a pointless complaint to BA customer care (for their bad attitude and accusing me of lying, not the seat change). As part of trying to be thorough, I asked the "manager" to at least let me know exactly what time my seat was changed "for my records" - a few more minutes on hold and I found out "The seat change was done at 21:52 by someone in London, if you want to find out why you will have to talk to them tomorrow."

So - an admission that they made the change (finally) but no apology - nothing. I pity anyone who needs real help from BA after hours and gets the same two that I did. (and don't care that they were based in India, that doesn't excuse their poor attitude).

I sleep on it and call again in the morning. this time I get a middle aged (and unfortuantely, very surly) english woman - short conversation "your seat has been changed for operational reasons and it is now a protected seat, you cannot have it back. We do not guarantee seat selection." At least she was helpful enough (despite being really surly) to find out the following:
1. The change was made by "Load control" at 21:52
2. the actual notes on the booking said "Operational Reasons"

unfortunately, that is pretty much as far as it got - any questions (no matter how politely asked) was responded with "We do not guarantee seat selection." then she accused me of trying to get a "free upgrade" (something I wasn't interested in - she even confirmed 4A wasn't in business class.

I get to the airport 3 hours early and checkin. I simply said "have you guys changed the aircraft, really odd that my seat was just changed - could you have a look why please?" to which he agreed, I continued "look, it isn't a big deal, but something doesn't seem right, this was done at 21:52 and fair enough if a OW Emerald or whatever has been given priority, I am OK with that, but I just want you to make sure it isn't some non-revenue passenger or "friend" of BA Staff that has "taken advantage".

Ahrooj (name of the guy at checkin desk). Agreed that it looked VERY suspicious - the following was confirmed:

1. No Aircraft change
2. No Config change
3. Person "moved" to 4A had no status.
4. It wasn't a "paid for seat" (BA charge a seat selection fee for non-status pax, sometimes this can override a "free" seat selection)
5. No special needs pax were on the flight at all.
6. There were no issues with load requiring pax to be moved for aircraft trim.



I think he said something like "what you suspected might have happened". He then picked up the phone to someone and said "this operational reasons excuse is not good enough and you are to give this person back 4 Alpha." I got an apology and the promise that there would be an investigation. I then found out BA have change their rules and OW Ruby now get fast track! - that cheered me up immensely.

TL~DR
Staff will "bump" you out of the good seats for their friends. It probably happens all the time. It defintely happend to me.
A few queries in a search engine will confirm that some airlines get away with this more than others.

 

[JohnK]

TL~DR
Staff will "bump" you out of the good seats for their friends. It probably happens all the time. It defintely happend to me.
A few queries in a search engine will confirm that some airlines get away with this more than others.

Good on you for sticking to your guns and a good outcome in the end.

 

[legroom]

I have been moved a number of times in the past 9 months.

Not happy about it and I can do something about it. Keep sending feedback for them not to move me from my seat and keep being offered compensation.

Some of the excuses have been extremely poor, and a lie in my opinion, and I believe it is staff trying to help out a friend. Not good enough.

And for those that have been moved to a worse seat for a higher status member. That is shocking and should never happen. Chairmans Lounge or Platinum One. If a seat is taken it is taken. I would never want someone moved out of their allocated seat to accommodate my preference.

Come to think of it, that behaviour - booking late, demanding already selected seat(s) - is kinda like 'queue jumping' to which I am sure we all detest.

I guess in their own world, QF thinks that keeping a CL on good terms is probably worth upsetting a plain WP (or for that matter, a fully paid non-status pax).

That CL may, however, not even be aware that his/her seat has been requisitioned off someone's wish list.

 

[JohnK]

That CL may, however, not even be aware that his/her seat has been requisitioned off someone's wish list.

I am guessing a few of them know but do not care what happens to the little people.

 

[harvyk]

I can never figure out why it's so vital for a family to be seated together. What happens to this sacred and special family if its members are separated on a plane for ninety minutes? Do they spontaneously combust?

There is a whole thread around sitting with partners / family recently. For the record I would be annoyed if I was placed in a different part of the plane to Mrs Harvyk even if it was only a short flight, and I can assure you that I would certainly be making some noise if Jr Harvyk's where not seated near me (5,3,3 and 1, so all very young)