Big development! Qantas seat selection!

[Grooba]

I agree, MEL-SYD or SYD-BNE being only 1 hour flying time not a huge difference, but being based in BNE, where BNE-MEL, BNE-ADL, BNE-TSV, BNE-CNS are all 2 hour flights I do regularly, there is a BIG difference being able to get a seat in row 4 on a 738 (exit row leg room with out the exit row).

Seconded. I don't really care too much with the hour or less flights eg SYD-MEL-SYD, SYD-BNE-SYD, SYD-CBR-SYD (er well actually the CBR run I do like to be at the front as the taxi's are a nightmare out of CBR) and I will normally get an aisle in the first 3 rows.

Anything longer than that, especially SYD-PER-SYD I'll really try and get the seat I favour.

 

[N860CR]

Sorry if this has been covered before... but I just logged into my other halves (a NB - no Qantas Club) account to send myself some points. On the "seat preferences" tab, one can select both of the preference options eg: window AND forward... I thought it previously was only an option for those with status? Or am I totally wrong.

 

[JohnK]

Sorry if this has been covered before... but I just logged into my other halves (a NB - no Qantas Club) account to send myself some points. On the "seat preferences" tab, one can select both of the preference options eg: window AND forward... I thought it previously was only an option for those with status? Or am I totally wrong.

I vaguely remember setting my seat preference as a Bronze when I joined the QFF program. I was always allocated an aisle seat.

Also I think the changes surrounding the ability to select aisle & forward or forward & aisle are only recent. Previously the options were much simpler like forward aisle or forward window....

 

[docjames]

danielribo - I can confirm (as a recent NB, now PS) that NB have been able to list a preference for seating for ages (years).

Didnt seem to make much difference re: forward - seemed to be scattered around the cabin anyways, but did usually get aisle 90% of the time.

 

[oz_mark]

Also I think the changes surrounding the ability to select aisle & forward or forward & aisle are only recent. Previously the options were much simpler like forward aisle or forward window....

This changed when the new system was brought in last year.

 

[Will]

Is this feature currently down? I booked a flight last night and wasn't given the option to choose seats.
I did pay by Bpay, so the booking isn't finalised yet - maybe that's why?

 

[oz_mark]

It only survived around a day in 'live' mode and got pulled due to technical issues. It will be back at some point!

 

[Grooba]

It only survived around a day in 'live' mode and got pulled due to technical issues. It will be back at some point!

Fingers crossed it's sooner rather than later!

 

[pauly7]

Fingers crossed it's sooner rather than later!

Ditto that I liked it for the mere 1 day it was live!!

 

[Sequel]

For a flight that I managed to pre-select exit rows seats before they pulled the option , when I went to OLCI those seats were still allocated to me. Unfortunately I can't say whether it will let you complete OLCI with the exit rows, as when I viewed the seat map, row 4 was free, (so I moved to my favorite 4A) , and as soon as I did the exit rows were greyed out so I could't re-select.

 

[Tooner]

For a flight that I managed to pre-select exit rows seats before they pulled the option , when I went to OLCI those seats were still allocated to me. Unfortunately I can't say whether it will let you complete OLCI with the exit rows...

You can OLCI, but you don't get a boarding pass, just a voucher which you take to the counter (check-in or QP) to get a real boarding pass (and after they've checked you are able).

 

[Groundfeeder]

Following the completion of a booking a select seats button can be accessed through Manage Your Booking on qantas.com. Upon clicking 'select seats' as a Platinum Frequent Flyer with a seat preference in your profile, you will be presented with a seat map and a pre-selected seat aligned with your seat preference [emphasis added]. If you wish to change your seat selection to another available seat you will then be able to do so.

This still ain't available as a SG for my Dom bookings.

Maybe QF were just sampling this forum when the system was introduced ..AND .. got a heap of free feedback.
Note to QF BackRoomBoys: I hope you got the message.

 

[skeeo]

there was the option a few weeks back but not this week when i've had to manage a few bookings

-chairmans lounge for the boss

 

[nlagalle]

I received an FAQ from Qantas today. It's a PDF so if anyone wants it, please let me know via PM and I'll email it to you.

But i did notice this:

Who is eligible for Advance Seat Selection?
Frequent Flyer’s who are eligible to use Advance Seat Selection include Frequent Flyers
with Platinum, Gold or Silver status. Bronze, non Frequent Flyers or oneworld equivalent
Frequent Flyers travelling in the same booking as an eligible Frequent Flyer will also be
able to request their seat with the eligible Frequent Flyer.

So it appears that you can only select a seat based on your tier..

 

[aus_flyer]

I'm wondering if Qantas have changed their mind and this is now dead.

When I used it, I did not encounter "technical difficulties" so perhaps this is just a cover for "we'll turn it off and hope everyone just forgets it ever existed".

 

[pauly7]

I'm wondering if Qantas have changed their mind and this is now dead.

When I used it, I did not encounter "technical difficulties" so perhaps this is just a cover for "we'll turn it off and hope everyone just forgets it ever existed".

Well I was on the phone today allocating some international seats and I said 'can't wait to the online seat allocation is back!' and the QFF rep said, 'yes we have had quite a few people asking us when it will be back online so they can use it', I asked when and she said they have been told officially the line is they are sorting out some bugs and more information will be communicated later, but unofficially they reckon in a few weeks! Yay Take this with a grain of salt I suppose as normal!

 

[estate]

Well, I flew QF for the first time since this was introduced on the weekend. I'm a NB and I find the new system absolutely cough - to the point where I may choose to fly DJ for domestic from now on.

I was in row 24 on a 737 on the way up to BNE from SYD. I had to sweet-talk the lady at the checkin counter (it worked, she gave me an exit row aisle) - but that was very lucky. But 24E was the best I could get by the time online checkin opened up for me 24hours out from departure.

Coming back I was in 51E on a 767. Great. For the past three years I've been about 80% of the way to PS. Sure, I'm not a big flyer, but I'm consistent and when I fly domestic I always fly QF.

I used to be able to grab something near the middle of the plane, on an aisle, so long as I checked in 24hours out. Now I get a centre-seat, or maybe a window, right down the back.

As someone who flies regularly if not routinely, almost always short-haul domestic with maybe one TT trip a year, wants to get off quickly because they always fly carry-on only, and always flies Qantas, but not enough to reach Silver, this really gives me pause to think if I'm not better off just flying DJ.

 

[simongr]

Well, I flew QF for the first time since this was introduced on the weekend. I'm a NB and I find the new system absolutely cough - to the point where I may choose to fly DJ for domestic from now on.

On line seat selection was only available for 24 hours. Nothing else has changed in relation to seat selection recently. The change to pre-allocation at T-25 came in last year.

As such your most recent flight might not be a good reflection of the "new system". Have you flown much in the past year?

 

[Flashback]

On line seat selection was only available for 24 hours. Nothing else has changed in relation to seat selection recently. The change to pre-allocation at T-25 came in last year.

As such your most recent flight might not be a good reflection of the "new system". Have you flown much in the past year?

And to add to that, you're an NB. Whether you're 5% of the way or 95% of the way to PS, you're still classed the same as all NB's. If you want to achieve better seating, then earn the status.

 

[estate]

Sorry simongr, I don't quite understand the distinction you're making for me, could you rephrase?

Yes, I've done four Brisbane returns (ex Syd), one Syd-Melb-Bne-Syd and one Hobart return, plus a TT trip as well. I flew alone on all trips except the Melb-Bne one, that was with my folks who have higher status.
I got good seats on all those flights, by simply logging in 24 hours out and picking what I wanted.

I did it this time and they were all greyed-out except for the last 5 or 6 rows.

Flashware, I understand that they don't distinguish between those 95% of the way to PS and those with no SCs at all, I'm simply pointing out that this new system, on first appearances, greatly disadvantages those of us who fly "a fair bit", but not quite enough to make PS.