Aircraft changed - to Exit or not?

[serfty]

Well yesterday Qantas subbed a 744 for the 388 I was to be flying in Jan back to MEL. Gone was my 80K seat, replaced with 53A. :shock: I have now moved to a more palatable 52D - very little choice other than paid exit seats.

The flight is showing zeroes in all fare buckets, so as a WP I don't think I'll be actually travelling in the WHY cabin.

 

[notzac]

The flight is showing zeroes in all fare buckets, so as a WP I don't think I'll be actually travelling in the WHY cabin.

If you end up in something other than whY, surely that's gotta be better than flying in 80K?

 

[serfty]

If you end up in something other than whY, surely that's gotta be better than flying in 80K?

True, but 1) Always expect to travel in the cabin booked (that way one can't be disappointed) and 2) Last year I would have moved to 58C/H, but this year I won't fork out $160 for the privilege (especially with a reasonable chance of being upgraded).

FWIW, QF26 is no longer operating that day.

To bring this OnT, it appears my original 388 is doing QF9 instead ...

 

[aus_flyer]

I won't fork out $160 for the privilege (especially with a reasonable chance of being upgraded).

You can obtain a refund if you're upgraded

 

[serfty]

You can obtain a refund if you're upgraded

Hmmm, looking at this that is not obvious: (Exit Row Seat Bookings)

Conditions of Exit Row Seat Bookings

Non-refundable unless (a) there is an aircraft change or you are not able to sit in an exit row for Qantas operational reasons or (b) there is a flight disruption causing you to be moved to another flight and Qantas is unable to seat you in an exit row seat on your new flight.​

I guess an involuntary upgrade may be considered as being for "Qantas operational reasons".

Certainly not from points upgrades: (Pre-Purchase of Exit Row Seating - Frequently Asked Questions)

17. What happens to an Exit Row seat booking, if my passengers’ Frequent Flyer upgrade is successful?

If a passenger has requested an upgrade using Frequent Flyer points and also paid for an Exit Row seat, the Exit Row seat will be forfeited if the upgrade is successful. The passenger will not get a refund of the amount paid for the Exit Row seat.​

 

[Mal]

Certainly not from points upgrades: (Pre-Purchase of Exit Row Seating - Frequently Asked Questions)

That does seem a bit nasty, although an exit row is a perishable item, and an upgraded pax does make it difficult to be resold.

 

[notzac]

On the last couple long haul QF services I took, I gambled that no-one would buy the exit rows -- and won. I think a few ended up sold but most didn't. If the seat maps show plenty of exit rows available, I'd just wait until getting to the airport for a freebie exit row (assuming that a complimentary cabin upgrade is not forthcoming!)

 

[Dave Noble]

I would pay for the exit row; guarantee some reasonable comfort for a reasonable price

 

[serfty]

... If the seat maps show plenty of exit rows available ...

All 4 such saleable exit seats are still available. Qantas do no pre-sell the A or K seats on 744. Unfortunately this is a pacific configuration and those in row 58 are it! I don't like the B and J seats*, so that only leaves the C and H seats.

*To often, COS sit in exit rows - the middle seat in the rows of three is often quite squishy.

 

[Dave Noble]

All exit seats are available. Qantas do no pre-sell the A or K seats on 744. Unfortunately this is a pacific configuration and there are only 4 such seat saleable - these are in row 58. I don't like the B and J seats*, so that only leaves the C and H seats.

*To often, COS sit in exit rows - the middle seat in the rows of three is often quite squishy.

If the aisle seats are available, then I would grab one

Dave

 

[Tooner]

True, but 1) Always expect to travel in the cabin booked (that way one can't be disappointed) and 2) Last year I would have moved to 58C/H, but this year I won't fork out $160 for the privilege (especially with a reasonable chance of being upgraded).

On the basis of 1), you would pay for the exit seat (aisle as Dave suggested), and if, as you surmise, you end up being upgraded, you can seek the refund on the basis it was an op-up.

I would always go for comfort on a flight like that (says the man who is flying to JFK with Mrs Tooner and 3 kids)

 

[JohnK]

The flight is showing zeroes in all fare buckets, so as a WP I don't think I'll be actually travelling in the WHY cabin.

I wish I had as much confidence as you. With my luck I would end up in WHY-. :-| But then you do fly a lot more that I do so you should get more than your fair share of benefits.

*To often, COS sit in exit rows - the middle seat in the rows of three is often quite squishy.

I am not on your flight so your are safe.

By the way since my experience with QF premium economy with WHY service recently I would now gladly pay to sit in an exit row if my "forward aisle" allocated seat was not adequate. But it will be a while before I get back on a QF long haul aircraft....

 

[aus_flyer]

Certainly not from points upgrades: (Pre-Purchase of Exit Row Seating - Frequently Asked Questions)

The link you refer to is, in some respects, out-of-date.

If you refer to a version dated 5 November 2009 http://www.qantas.com.au/agents/dyn/qf/policies/FAQExitRowSeating211209.pdf you will see the following:

14. Once a passenger has purchased an Exit Row seat, can the passenger request a
refund?
Purchased Exit Row seats are non-refundable unless:
(a) there is an aircraft change or a passenger is not able to sit in an exit row for Qantas
operational reasons; or
(b) there is a flight disruption causing a passenger to be moved to another flight and
Qantas is unable to seat the passenger in an exit row seat on the new flight, or
(c) Qantas assesses the passenger as not meeting ATSB guidelines and the passenger
is seated in a regular Economy seat, or
(d) if after purchase the passenger becomes unable to fulfil the requirements to sit in an
Exit Row, or
(e) the customer receives an upgrade to a higher cabin.

and to specifically address the issue...

17. What happens to an Exit Row seat booking, if my passengers’ Frequent Flyer
upgrade is successful?
If a passenger’s request for an upgrade to a higher cabin using Frequent Flyer points is
successful, they may apply for a refund of the amount paid for the Exit Row seat.

 

[JohnK]

That appears to specifically refer to a points upgrade request and not an op-up.

If one was given an op-up from paid exit row to premium economy or business class then I would not be expecting a refund....

 

[serfty]

The link you refer to is, in some respects, out-of-date.

If you refer to a version dated 5 November 2009 http://www.qantas.com.au/agents/dyn/qf/policies/FAQExitRowSeating211209.pdf you will see the following:


and to specifically address the issue...

Sweet!

Changes things somewhat.

FWIW, I have not travelled in a pre-selected exit row seat this year - in each case when I had preallocated an exit seat, I(/we) was(/were) op-upped on check-in..

 

[aus_flyer]

That appears to specifically refer to a points upgrade request and not an op-up.

If one was given an op-up from paid exit row to premium economy or business class then I would not be expecting a refund....

Paragraph #17 is specific, but I would argue that #14 is sufficiently broad.

But yes, if I was given a free upgrade I probably wouldn't try for a refund of the exit-row fee.

 

[serfty]

Paragraph #17 is specific, but I would argue that #14 is sufficiently broad. ...

Actually, 14.(e) is as specific as 17., it simply mentions "upgrade to a higher cabin", so any purchased exit row seat should be refundable in the event of an "involuntary upgrade". (Maybe 14.(e) and 17. represent a minor form of tautology.)

So, If I paid for the exit row and was subsequently upgraded for any reason, I would go for the refund.

Anyway, the point is now moot as while I mulled over this yesterday the C and H seats were snaffled.

Flight is showing: F0 A0 J0 C0 D0 I0 W0 R0 T0 Y0 B0 H0 K0 M0 L0 VC SC NC QC OC XC E0

 

[wijomas]

As I said on FT, I'll never, ever, ever pay for an exit seat. Sure the comfort is slightly better than a standard Y seat, but not worth hundreds of dollars.

I'm in 54H on that flight - if you get op-up'd and I don't, there'll be trouble! :mrgreen:

 

[JohnK]

Paragraph #17 is specific, but I would argue that #14 is sufficiently broad.

But yes, if I was given a free upgrade I probably wouldn't try for a refund of the exit-row fee.

Perhaps paragraph 14 (e) could be interpreted as being entitled to get a refund after an upgrade but who would ask for a refund under those circumstances and jeopardise the updrade?

 

[serfty]

Perhaps paragraph 14 (e) could be interpreted as being entitled to get a refund after an upgrade but who would ask for a refund under those circumstances and jeopardise the updrade?

... So, If I paid for the exit row and was subsequently upgraded for any reason, I would go for the refund. ...

I would take images of my BP showing upgraded seats and make my claim for the refund after the flight.

Hmmm ... would a paid Exit seat allocation affect one's position on the "proactive onload" list? Ptobaly not.