Getting Row 3 as a Gold

[Jousams]

Have a SYD-BNK flight coming up and have not had any Y flights since changeover to Sabre, currently seated in 5A:evil::!:. Would someone please advise me the easiest way to secure row 3 as I would be willing to bet $$ that there will not be 4 platinums on the flight.
TBH im hoping to be placed in row 1 or 2 upon boarding, but going on peoples recent travel experiences I'm not holding any hope.

Many Thanks

J

 

[Deleted member 29185]

TBH im hoping to be placed in row 1 or 2 upon boarding,

Are anyone getting op-ups these days?

The easiest way to get row 3 is to get plat. first!

 

[Saab34]

Yes after something like 30 flights as a Gold around the east coast I certainly have never been given an op-up.

 

[moa999]

As a Plat have never had op-up on something like 40 flights .

 

[Jousams]

even on routes with no J?

 

[Jousams]

The easiest way to get row 3 is to get plat. first!

Unlikely for me.
haha.

 

[Plutonus]

I did BNK-SYD on Tuesday and got row 3 as gold, and I certainly wasn't the first to check in. J seats were 7/8, quite shocked if 7 platinums but don't know how else they would choose to allocate them...

 

[Jousams]

I did BNK-SYD on Tuesday and got row 3 as gold, and I certainly wasn't the first to check in. J seats were 7/8, quite shocked if 7 platinums but don't know how else they would choose to allocate them...

How early did you check in?

 

[Plutonus]

Checked in 1530, flight schedule is for 1605 departure. Worst terminal to wait in...

 

[JohnK]

I have been told as a Gold praying helps to get row 3 but I have not tried it yet....

 

[Jousams]

Checked in 1530, flight schedule is for 1605 departure. Worst terminal to wait in...

Tell me about it.
I avoid departing from BNK,
I go to OOL.

 

[grubbidok]

willing to bet $$ that there will not be 4 platinums on the flight.

As an aside, I'd say you're actually probably more likely to see plats on this flight than most other regionals. With QF not (until recently) at OOL or BNK the vast majority of university travel there is through VA (whereas for most other unis it's QF) so most FT academics at SCU will have Gold status at least. Although no town stands out it's far more densely populated than most areas in Oz with quite a large catchment (250k+) and it is a hub for 'work from homers' and successful tree changers, many of who run large and successful businesses from Northern Rivers with large travel reqs to the majors. It's not just a leisure route, though often looks like one (a bit like OOL really).

 

[Jousams]

As an aside, I'd say you're actually probably more likely to see plats on this flight than most other regionals. With QF not (until recently) at OOL or BNK the vast majority of university travel there is through VA (whereas for most other unis it's QF) so most FT academics at SCU will have Gold status at least. Although no town stands out it's far more densely populated than most areas in Oz with quite a large catchment (250k+) and it is a hub for 'work from homers' and successful tree changers, many of who run large and successful businesses from Northern Rivers with large travel reqs to the majors. It's not just a leisure route, though often looks like one (a bit like OOL really).

Most SCU staff (Lismore based) use REX.

 

[grubbidok]

Most SCU staff (Lismore based) use REX.

Interesting. I could see why if they live in Lismore probably, and if they're not connecting. We work closely with two very different schools, and fly SCU academics down to SYD or MEL for collaborative grant projects at least once per month (and fly up ourselves at least 4x per year). We've only ever been asked to arrange VA. Though to be fair most of our collaborators prefer to work at Lismore but live closer to the coast (having moved for the position and not being from the area originally), and are as obsessed with FF points as the rest of us (as well as JQ averse). Perhaps we're getting a biased sample.

 

[Jousams]

Interesting. I could see why if they live in Lismore probably, and if they're not connecting. We work closely with two very different schools, and fly SCU academics down to SYD or MEL for collaborative grant projects at least once per month (and fly up ourselves at least 4x per year). We've only ever been asked to arrange VA. Though to be fair most of our collaborators prefer to work at Lismore but live closer to the coast (having moved for the position and not being from the area originally), and are as obsessed with FF points as the rest of us (as well as JQ averse). Perhaps we're getting a biased sample.

I also forgot that 2/3 Rex flights are now via NTL.
So maybe it's different now.

 

[BrentH]

Checked in 1530, flight schedule is for 1605 departure.

Again, we see someone checking in just before closing gets Row 3.

Looks like last-minute check in is the only way for non-Plats to get it.

Disorganised and late > SG's

 

[Plutonus]

Again, we see someone checking in just before closing gets Row 3.

Looks like last-minute check in is the only way for non-Plats to get it.

Disorganised and late > SG's

Thanks for your in-depth analysis of my travel preparation, however, as indicated in my earlier post I am SG. However, I do apologise that I am obviously inferior and do not deserve row 3 because I did not arrive two hours early, and will try to not be so tardy in the future.

 

[Qld flyer]

I'm SG and have secured Row 3 on 2/5 flights since the new system. There is no magic bullet that I can see will guarantee Row 3 - turn up early and hope there aren't too many WP on the flight and/or other SG who have checked in at the desk before you get there. Maybe as the staff get better with the system they could pre-allocate an SG Row 3 but I've asked at the Lounge to allocate seats on upcoming flights (booked before 12/1) and they can't give me anything better than Row 7 due to the new WP Row 3-6 block out.

It's sad to have lost this great benefit for being VA SG but I can completely understand that Row 3 should be for WP in preference to SG - I only hope they find some way to allow SG to select Rows 3-6 from say T-24 so we can do online or mobile checkin and still get Row 3 if it's not already been nabbed.

The term 'first world problem' does of course come to mind

 

[BrentH]

Thanks for your in-depth analysis of my travel preparation, however, as indicated in my earlier post I am SG. However, I do apologise that I am obviously inferior and do not deserve row 3 because I did not arrive two hours early, and will try to not be so tardy in the future.

Thanks for your snark.

Yes, I read your posts.

Another way to interpret what I said ("Disorganised and late > SG") might be "you should have been able to book it in advance as an SG, but instead Virgin are offering it first to people based on check-in times rather than based on status - advantaging the disorganised and late over Gold FF's like yourself. After all, again it seems more people are having more luck getting row 3 checking in later than those who check in online."

...or I could have been blighting your character and saying that anyone who doesn't check into Ballina International Airport 2 hours early deserves to be placed in the cargo hold, irrespective of status. (Actually, that interpretation is more fun... Pick that one.)

 

[EuroFlyer]

30 as a plat and 20 as gold and not gotten a upgrade once.

As a Plat have never had op-up on something like 40 flights .