Qantas "Comfort Row"

[Stevo.1702]

Hey all.

I have just relocated with work and my new role requires me to fly to Wichita and Atlanta a few times a year. Unfortunately my employer no longer books business fares and economy only. Almost always on Qantas but I get my choice of routing through Dallas or LA.

Talking to my new colleagues they have mentioned that in the lounge before the flight that it is possible to request a "Comfort Row", being a row to myself, at a cost of around $100 if the loading permits.

I thought I'd ask for some more expertise in this forum. Is this an option readily available? I do have a stash of points saved away and am considering the upgrade to P.E?

Recommendations?

Thanks all.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

original content deleted.

You learn something new everyday!! (see post #4)

 

[donovan301]

G'day Stevo... Happy birthday next Feb ;-)
Welcome to our little underground travel club.

From things I have heard and read from QF staff this is entirely possible....but it depends who you talk to in the Lounges.

This I say because many US Lounges QF staff are 'out of house" Contractors doing the job of QF Lounge Hosts.
There have been several instances of "a little cash under the Table" changing hands.

This is defo not Qantas sanctioned.

I'd suggest not trying it on, as it exacerbates the problem of "crooked" staff ripping the system and making True Qantas employees look bad in the eyes of the Legit traveller/ Frequent Flyer.

The US is a strange world in the way they turn a blind eye on income related sidelines.

Eitherway, if your doing a few trips and sign up to a suitable credit card with bonus and make a few astute purchases then you'll be on your way to Legit upgrades...or even actul Status.

(and like many here often say, " Why Fy Direct, When you can Connect..." Often has benefits in higher status credits.)
Good luck mate.
Donovan

 

[ausfox]

We flew from DFW tu Aus in February and were offered and accepted a full row comfort seat at checkin. It was on the boarding pass from memory. Not a particularly comfortable bed but acceptable at Te price as mentioned earlier.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

We flew from DFW tu Aus in February and were offered and accepted a full row comfort seat at checkin. It was on the boarding pass from memory. Not a particularly comfortable bed but acceptable at Te price as mentioned earlier.

What was the loading like on the rest of the flight? I'm guessing since the offer was made at check-in other pax would have known you paid for the four seats and didn't try to poach them in flight?

 

[ausfox]

Light loading only. No squabbling needed.

 

[Flying mermaid]

It seems everything in the US is for sale! It is open knowledge that slipping the receptionist in Vegas some money will get you an upgrade to a suite (haven't tried it myself, but heard of plenty). I thought this was a Vegas thing, but it appears to extend to Qantas! I would call it corrupt, but then I am probably old fashioned .

 

[Flying mermaid]

We flew from DFW tu Aus in February and were offered and accepted a full row comfort seat at checkin. It was on the boarding pass from memory. Not a particularly comfortable bed but acceptable at Te price as mentioned earlier.

so in this case a legitimate offer, with the money going to the airline?

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

PremY while being more expensive, would that be an option for you?
At the least you do get the extra SC to retain status. OR build up to the next strata.
I have done the purchase of "comfort seat" from the booking stage, and earnt my SC and also that of the empty seat next to me.

 

[bsb]

Hey all.

I have just relocated with work and my new role requires me to fly to Wichita and Atlanta a few times a year. Unfortunately my employer no longer books business fares and economy only. Almost always on Qantas but I get my choice of routing through Dallas or LA.

Thanks all.

you have a cruel employer

 

[Awesom Andy]

so in this case a legitimate offer, with the money going to the airline?

I think there is an official policy somewhere in regards to such seats. I have seen a family of 4 flying out from SIN taking 8 seats, and the FA said they paid for all 8 seats. Not sure if they are willing to sell the whole row though.

 

[milehighclub]

Comfort rows are legit but only ex DFW. It's $250.

This is defo not Qantas sanctioned.

I'd suggest not trying it on, as it exacerbates the problem of "crooked" staff ripping the system and making True Qantas employees look bad in the eyes of the Legit traveller/ Frequent Flyer.
Donovan

Incorrect.

It is 100% offered by Qantas, and the row that you purchase will appear as a remark on your boarding pass, with additional boarding passes printed and given to the crew so they know who has paid (so not to move someone to what may appear to be a spare aisle seat for example)

Just to add: The number of rows available are subject to the loads.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Comfort rows are legit but only ex DFW. It's $250.


Incorrect.

It is 100% offered by Qantas, and the row that you purchase will appear as a remark on your boarding pass, with additional boarding passes printed and given to the crew so they know who has paid (so not to move someone to what may appear to be a spare aisle seat for example)

Thanks for the info.

How often is this facility available? Or are their weight restrictions meaning a (limited) number of these are usually available?

 

[Flying mermaid]

I think there is an official policy somewhere in regards to such seats. I have seen a family of 4 flying out from SIN taking 8 seats, and the FA said they paid for all 8 seats. Not sure if they are willing to sell the whole row though.

Thanks to the Pooch buying comfort seats I have become familiar with that concept, but buying a whole row for $250 seems pretty good. From the sounds of it only available ex DFW.

 

[TheInsider]

I can confirm that ex DFW only offer the extra seats at check-in for a fee. This is because the flight in economy will never be 100% full anyway.
If you want another seat for any other flight it has to be done through reservations and for the cost of another seat (excluding airport taxes for international flights from what I remember).

 

[pauly7]

you have a cruel employer

They need a little court case / worksafe nudge to jilt them out of their cruelty....
Thankfully my employer is quite risk adverse so won't chance flying anyone economy (long haul).
Means less people travel but that's life!

 

[Mattg]

It actually makes a lot of sense IMHO to offer this on QF8. A smart way for Qantas to monetise some of those empty seats (that are intentionally left empty due to weight restrictions on that route).

Good to know that, as a passenger, it's possible to purchase one or two of those extra seats at a reasonable price.

As it happened, I managed to get a whole row(s) to myself the one time that I flew on QF8 as the loads were extremely light. (Not because I purchased extra seats; just luck.) It made for a very pleasant 16 hours in the air.

Does anyone know whether this is only available at check-in, or if it would be possible to pre-purchase a "comfort row" in advance?

 

[milehighclub]

It's offered at check in if available. If you have come from another flight, you can purchase a comfort row at the gate if still available.

 

[kermatu]

Eminently sensible policy. Good to know it is official.

 

[jpk]

It actually makes a lot of sense IMHO to offer this on QF8. A smart way for Qantas to monetise some of those empty seats (that are intentionally left empty due to weight restrictions on that route).Good to know that, as a passenger, it's possible to purchase one or two of those extra seats at a reasonable price. As it happened, I managed to get a whole row(s) to myself the one time that I flew on QF8 as the loads were extremely light. (Not because I purchased extra seats; just luck.) It made for a very pleasant 16 hours in the air.

I see it as a negative for those with status, as Plats and often Golds often get a row to themselves on QF8. Further proof that QF doesn't care about rewarding status when they can monetise something instead - just like they did with exit rows / extra legroom seats.