JQ seat changes in Qantas Club

[D&D]

Hi Everyone

I've been getting to know you all through watching your posts over the last few months and finally have the need to ask a question, so here goes.

In a couple of weeks my partner and I are flying from SYD to AVV on JQ and being such a short flight didn't think it was worth paying the extra $30 for exit row seats. In the past, with a big smile and nice attitude on QF flights, we've asked at check-in and generally been given them, no problems.

This time we don't have any checked baggage. To avoid the painfully long and slow JQ checkin process at SYD T2 we intend to check-in online and head straight through to the Qantas Club.

My question is, are the staff in the Qantas Club able to change seat allocations for JQ flights, in particular allocate exit rows? I've read here recently that there's been a policy change and they no longer do it but just wanted to confirm if anyone's had any luck, or if any insiders can give me some tips. Otherwise, should we not bother checking-in online and just head straight to the Qantas Club to check-in there, even though we've already asked for certain seats (coughpy ones at that) when we used the seat selector at the time of purchase.

Any tips would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in anticipation.

D&D

 

[serfty]

Yes, it can be done. My B-I-L was able to change to an exit row seat last year in the SYD T2 QP.

BTW, D&D, welcome to AFF

 

[comint]

My question is, are the staff in the Qantas Club able to change seat allocations for JQ flights, in particular allocate exit rows?

The new processes seemed to come in a couple of months ago, around the time JQ started selling exit row allocations to Jet Saver customers.

The Qantas Lounge staff can apparently see that the seats in the exit rows are empty, but are now unable to allocate them. I am unsure if this is a deliberate attempt by JQ to stop QF allocating exit rows to their "priority customers" or if the QF staff have not received updated training about how to allocate these seats using a new process.

JQ is still seating people in the "choice seats" who have not paid the extra fee. It appears this is being done at JQ human assisted check-in (if not before). [More in line with how Virgin Blue seem to do it?] Please report back with your experience.

FYI: The Qantas Clubs at PER & DRW have not been trained in any JQ systems, and are unable to issue BPs/allocate seats.

 

[munitalP]

Check through and ask at the gate 53 or 54 at T2 before going into the Qantas Pub - generally the JQ Dragons are accommodating when I ask for 1A, C D or F if I haven't already been allocated the front row.

BTW, the front row is a better choice by far! Fast service for drinks and first off the plane!


Mr!

 

[comint]

BTW, the front row is a better choice by far! Fast service for drinks and first off the plane!

Oddly, JQ row 1 seems available to Qantas Lounge staff for allocation... it's just the exit rows they have problems with.

 

[D&D]

Thanks for your replies. I'll let you know how it goes.

 

[munitalP]

Let me know when you are winging it - I am frequently in the T2 pub


Mr!

 

[D&D]

Let me know when you are winging it - I am frequently in the T2 pub


Mr!

Late afternoon on 31 Dec

 

[D&D]

Happy NY to you all. Just wanted to give you a quick update re: my original question and let you know the result.

We checked in on-line about 10 hours before the scheduled departure time and were allocated our original seats in row 29 (seq 16 & 17). There were very few options available to change to other seats, only the odd single middle seat and and couple of seats together in row 9.

In the end we decided to pack one suitcase rather than carrying everthing in two backpacks (purchased jetsaver fares so no problem there) so on arrival at airport went straight to bag-drop. Politely asked the not-so-friendly lady at bag drop if there was any chance of sitting in row one. Was told there was nothing available closer than row three, so we asked if an exit row was available. Met with glare, then "you're meant to pay for those" but were given boarding passes for 13A/B anyway. Smiled with appreciation and said thanks and Happy New Year, no response from her, so off we went to the QP.

Approached the reception staff in the QP and asked if we were able to change seats already allocated for JQ flights. One of the staff didn't know how but the other did and asked where we wanted to sit. We asked for row one and magically two boarding passes popped out for 1A/C (no-one in middle seat!!!), coupled with a bit of training for her colleague in JQ systems, together with a really nice attitude from both of them to us. As we were walking off to enjoy our first New Year's drink we overheard them talking about some changes that are going to be made to the JQ systems which will make things more difficult for them but didn't get any more than that.

Came back QF on a points upgrade to J from Tulla and all in all had a wonderful time away. Unfortunately it's back to work now - all seems exactly the same except for the last number in the year.

Enjoy your travels.