Let's talk about Economy X

[danintas]

Thou shalt not pass the magic rope

Many try and just as many succeed

 

[pauly7]

Thou shalt not pass the magic rope

If the crew remember to get it from the magic storage place! Sometimes they forget

 

[muppet]

I'm flying Brisbane Sydney middayish on Wednesday and got a call today which offered Economy X for $17.50. I said yes - this probably means the flight is very full and they want my standard economy seat....

Seems like an inefficient and costly way to raise $17.50.....

 

[cqtiger]

I love the magic rope when I am on the front side of it

 

[GSP]

Many try and just as many succeed

There is an art to this that almost always succeeds...with blessing. When there is a food trolley somewhere from Rows 6 to 30, you then stand up, motion to the flight attendant that you can't get through - they see you are "economy x", so usher you through to the lav at the front.

Without a food trolley in the aisle, it is a bit mischievous asking in my opinion.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

I love the magic rope when I am on the front side of it

I tend to be behind it, a lot of the time.
But will be in front of it, on my trip to NZ, will be going in Dec.

 

[glasszon]

Is Economy X worth it for MEL-DRW at half price? Me and my wife is on a separate booking, so I got complimentary Economy X due to Platinum status but would need to pay for her seat, else we could seat at row 6 and avoid the charge altogether.

 

[Rubix]

Is Economy X worth it for MEL-DRW at half price? Me and my wife is on a separate booking, so I got complimentary Economy X due to Platinum status but would need to pay for her seat, else we could seat at row 6 and avoid the charge altogether.

Get there early. Ask politely. You should get seated together in X (pending availability of course). If not, try again with someone nicer.

 

[Denali]

Is Economy X worth it for MEL-DRW at half price? Me and my wife is on a separate booking, so I got complimentary Economy X due to Platinum status but would need to pay for her seat, else we could seat at row 6 and avoid the charge altogether.

Are they separate bookings? Ive booked X when hubby was WP and we both got to select row 3 but our bookings were on one reservation

 

[babysun]

Or ring the call centre and ask nicely. I did recently when my son was on a separate booking as I used the Amex reward flight for him. They moved him to economy X but I was given a bit of a scalding by the staff member telling me I should've booked myself on that etc. She said she has to put a REASON for the freebie so think of something good before you call.

 

[Rubix]

Are they separate bookings? Ive booked X when hubby was WP and we both got to select row 3 but our bookings were on one reservation

"Me and my wife is on a separate booking, "
2nd line...

 

[Must...Fly!]

I have always been refused on separate bookings. Quite rudely on several occasions

 

[jase05]

I have always been refused on separate bookings. Quite rudely on several occasions

I don’t think seperate bookings should be eligible for Economy X but there is no reason for them to be rude about it

 

[hydrabyss]

Is Economy X worth it for MEL-DRW at half price? Me and my wife is on a separate booking, so I got complimentary Economy X due to Platinum status but would need to pay for her seat, else we could seat at row 6 and avoid the charge altogether.

I was able to get my partner into an economy x seat when I asked in the lounge and heard them mention they need to be at a certain amount of either seats sold or checked in. I was not able to hear exactly which but I gathered at a certain number they could.

 

[mikenz]

In answer to the original question, I think at half price this is definitely worth it for a flight as long as that.

 

[Harthagan]

Free YX selection is the main reason I wanted to get WP. I hate row 3 though, the narrow seats kill me.

I've never noticed any difference. Why would they be any narrower?

 

[danintas]

I've never noticed any difference. Why would they be any narrower?

Because the tray table is in the arm rest.

 

[Stealthflyer]

I've never noticed any difference. Why would they be any narrower?

In my experience, they can actually be roomier because the solid armrest discourages potential manspreading from inconsiderate neighbouring passengers.

 

[Bagpuss]

I don’t think seperate bookings should be eligible for Economy X but there is no reason for them to be rude about it

I agree. Allowing seperate bookings suddenly opens up loop holes.

 

[Deleted member 62084]

Had an interesting experience with Economy X this week. My wife and I flew MEL - MCY return and when the announcement was made to commence boarding for those with priority boarding privileges, it did not refer to Economy X passengers, only the usual business/plat/gold fliers. This is despite the signage on the purple barriers surrounding the priority boarding lane still allowing Economy X passengers to join that lane for priority boarding. So, we joined the short priority lane queue anyway and were allowed to board.

Returning from MCY the announcement again called for business/plat/gold to board first, not YX despite the same signage at the purple barriers stating that we could. We fronted up in the priority lane but got told to wait in the red lane until the others had boarded!

Have Economy X benefits been unofficially watered down recently?