BA Seat Selection as QFF

[justinbrett]

I may have mentioned in another thread I have a RTW with QF which involves several BA routes.

The BA flights are:

MXP - LHR
LGW - KEF
KEF - LGW
LHR - JFK

When booking (at the local Qantas office) he said he couldn't pre-assign BA seats (though he did for the QF flights) however I could do it online on the BA site.

When I logged in the site says I can only change seats when I check in.

a) is the correct - should I be able to change seats?
b) if not - am I still elligable for pre-allocation like QF domestic?

While I've got you - what's the best OW club to go to in SIN?

 

[NM]

When booking (at the local Qantas office) he said he couldn't pre-assign BA seats (though he did for the QF flights) however I could do it online on the BA site.

When I logged in the site says I can only change seats when I check in.

a) is the correct - should I be able to change seats?
b) if not - am I still elligable for pre-allocation like QF domestic?

BA recently changed their policy for seat pre-allocation. It is now only available to OneWorld Emerald status members. You can use BA's On-Line check-in to select a seat once the flighth is available for on-line check-in.

While I've got you - what's the best OW club to go to in SIN?

There are only two, being BA/QF (with both J and F) and CX. The CX lounge is smaller and caters for regional flights (e.g. SIN-HKG), while the BA/QF lounges are larger and cater for mostly long-haul customers. Use the BA/QF lounge if flying with them.

 

[simongr]

BA recently changed their policy for seat pre-allocation. It is now only available to OneWorld Emerald status members. You can use BA's On-Line check-in to select a seat once the flighth is available for on-line check-in.

Ahh - so that's what is wrong with my manage my booking....

 

[serfty]

Ahh - so that's what is wrong with my manage my booking....

As an AAPLAT you are oneWORLD Sapphire and SHOULD be able to pre-select seats.

 

[NM]

Is that still the case under the new BA seating allocation policy that came into effect in early January?

I believe it now depends on what type of fare you have purchased unless you ar BA Gold or OneWorld Emerald status, but I don't have the policy defined in front of me.

 

[Dave Noble]

Is that still the case under the new BA seating allocation policy that came into effect in early January?

I believe it now depends on what type of fare you have purchased unless you ar BA Gold or OneWorld Emerald status, but I don't have the policy defined in front of me.

Passengers travelling in First
Passengers in booking classes J,C,W,Y
Passengers with infants
Passengers with Oneworld Emerald status (plus others in the same booking) and
Passengers with Oneworld Sapphire status (plus others in the same booking)

are entitled to pre-select seats using MMB

Passengers travelling with children aged 2-11
Unaccompanied minors
Specialised groups ( such as school groups or sporting teams )


will be allocated seats approximately 3 days before departure


If you have sapphire/emerald status but find that you are unable to pre select seats then it is likely that your status has not been correctly assigned to the booking , so phone BA and get them to re-enter the FF number and ensure that the status is correct

The only special benefit that is available to an Emerald member is that 1A and 1K in First are only available for pre-selection by Emerald members. Note: *both* passengers must have emerald status

Note also, that it is only possible to pre-assign seats for a non-status travelling companion if they are in the same PNR; TCP'ing a separate booking will not enable the pre-selection

Dave

 

[justinbrett]

Does this apply to all international flights, including intra-European flights?

 

[straitman]

Does this apply to all international flights, including intra-European flights?

This applies to all BA flights.

I have a similar dilemma. I can book seats yet my wife can't because her business class trip booking doesn't fall into the magic J, C, W or Y classes.

BA won't even confirm that we MAY sit in the same section of the aircraft :!: :evil:

 

[Dave Noble]

I have a similar dilemma. I can book seats yet my wife can't because her business class trip booking doesn't fall into the magic J, C, W or Y classes.

This is a reason for trying to ensure that they book into the same reservation. I doubt v much that if you check in at T-24 that you will find any issue getting sat together

Dave

 

[justinbrett]

So if you are unable to pre-select a seat, for whatever reason, are you still considered for automatic allocation based on status, as per QF domestic?

 

[Dave Noble]

So if you are unable to pre-select a seat, for whatever reason, are you still considered for automatic allocation based on status, as per QF domestic?

Not necessarily. Seat selection is available at check in. Check in for most routes opens at T-24 online.

I have found that when I book a BA flight I get auto allocated a decent seat at booking time. If you don't get one auto allocated then, then I don't think that one will be preassigned for you later on

Dave

 

[justinbrett]

I think the QF system is much better.

 

[NM]

So if you are unable to pre-select a seat, for whatever reason, are you still considered for automatic allocation based on status, as per QF domestic?

I believe their policy is that at the 24-hour mark, all unallocated seats are available for selection by everyone (according to the class of service purchased) for on-line check-in.

 

[Dave Noble]

I think the QF system is much better.

The BA system is very good for those entitled to pre-seat selection.

The QF system only benefits those who have status

Personally I like the new BA system and think it beats the QF international system. Those with high status or full fare tickets have the choicest pick available

Dave

 

[justinbrett]

While we're on the topic, I managed to log into the AA site and assign the seats for the AA flights - however one is a QF flight operated by AA - and neither site will let me select a seat.

Should I ring up AA and see if they'll do it over the phone?

I know the JQ flight I'm on (DRW - SIN) can't be preselcted even though it has a QF number - but if we booked on JQ direct we could have selected seats.

 

[NM]

however one is a QF flight operated by AA - and neither site will let me select a seat.

Your travel agent should be able to make the seat request for you. Or call QF since the flight is sold by them.

 

[Dave Noble]

While we're on the topic, I managed to log into the AA site and assign the seats for the AA flights - however one is a QF flight operated by AA - and neither site will let me select a seat.

The QF site , to my knowledge, doesn't offer access to pre-select seats. The AA site won't do it because you are not on an AA flight.

Try phoning QF and seeing what they can do

Dave

 

[straitman]

This is a reason for trying to ensure that they book into the same reservation. I doubt v much that if you check in at T-24 that you will find any issue getting sat together

Dave

Dave,
I fully understand and appreciate this however on this (and many) occasions this is simply not practical.

 

[justinbrett]

The QF site , to my knowledge, doesn't offer access to pre-select seats. The AA site won't do it because you are not on an AA flight.

Try phoning QF and seeing what they can do

Dave

I booked the flight in person at the Qantas Darwin office. He said he could only allocate the QF flights on QF metal (specifically said he couldn't allocate the JQ flight, but didn't mention the AA site specifically). He said to log on to the BA and AA sites to do it. (looks like I'll have to wait until next month when I get upgraded to gold/saphire for BA)

I might phone and see if QF can do it on the phone.

It's not a big deal - the two longest flights (SIN - LHR and LAX - SYD) we have awesome seats.

 

[NM]

Dave,
I fully understand and appreciate this however on this (and many) occasions this is simply not practical.

You could possibly have someone else do it for you. Perhaps give the instructions to Mrs Straitman to do the OLCI at the T-24 mark for you.