Linking PNR's to get seating together... not working for me!

[munitalP]

Q. Two of us are on the same flight next week SYD/CBR/DRW/BNE/SYD. As each overhead is a cost center at the company, bookings for flights and accommodation are made for individuals with internal tracking on spend. He's silver.

Today, I rung QFF the first time and enquired regarding linking the 2 separate PNRs so I could choose our seats. Would seem simple enough, and after explaining my intent, providing some "secure" answers, the lady said it was all done.

I got off the phone and into a meeting to return an hour or so later to choose seats. Hmmm, travel partner not there.

I ring QFF back and the IDIOT on the phone told me to book my mates seats first then mine, then I could sit next to him. I explained in slow concise manner that row 17 (my mates closest forward selection) didn't thrill me especially since I had row 3 and 25's held.

He put me on hold then 5 minutes or so later came back, told me it was too hard (WTF!) and transfered me to the "book an exit row seat" option in some phone menu! I hung up fuming...

Before trying again, I thought I would ask my learned AFF friends if this is actually possible, or just leave it and do it at the lounge on Tuesday AM?

munitalP

 

[m_ratt]

In my experience, a TCP of the PNRs doesn't allow you to actually select seats, rather it has simply been a flag to the Qantas system to seat the parties together when allocations are made by the system.

 

[Timba-Jet]

Encountered similar issues with linking PNR's last week, but had better customer service.

After reading advice on AFF, I called QF, the agent ended up giving my 2 NB travel companions the exit row seats next to me for outbound leg. On return leg as I was in row 4, was told that zone is n/a for NB selection, and she can put in a 'request' to seating to move them up.

Was advised the bookings were linked for combined check-in. They do not appear in my booking when I go to online seat selection. Oh well

 

[Homer]

I had this too just last week. My wife and I in company-paid seats but daughter, a PS, in an award J seat. I couldn’t get her seated with us despite the fact our separate bookings were “linked” by a QF agent over the phone. I called back and was told that they would put me through to “Brisbane” because they have the appropriate access to resolve this !. So they did and I spoke to somebody who sorted it all out and put us together in row 3. So maybe ask for, um, somebody in Brisbane...?

 

[MatF]

I've had the Platinum desk link 2 PNRs for me on QantasLink, and been able to select seats for both of us at OLCI time, but being QantasLink, not before - so that not be much help?

 

[Aus ATC]

I have had some success, but all done through QFF Premium.

Self and Miss Aus ATC on 1 booking (YASA BNE-HKG-LHR-HKG-BNE). Mrs Aus ATC (PG) on the same routing(paid $$). I was able to pre-select front row WhY for Miss and I, and QFF placed Mrs Aus ATC in adjacent seats. Mrs Aus ATC can't select in this area via the website.

Then along comes Miss Aus ATC's friend for the BNE-HKG-LHR leg (not even a QFF member yet). It took a while but eventually Miss's friend was also seated with us in Rows 23/24 (A330) and Row 40 (B744). Could have been a problem otherwise if she was seated on her own in Row 60something!!

 

[Joshua]

I have had similar issues and it has never worked out for me. Often I just selected the seats apart then left fingers crossed the WP shadow worked its magic. Moved onboard once. Another time the gate agent pulled us up and gave us some new BP's - so sometimes staff are proactively looking at things (even when the QP some 15 metres away couldn't help either).

Was all domestic I might add. Next time I might just push harder on the phone if it's a problem.

 

[AnonymousCoward]

Linking PNRs isn't going to get you the ability to select seats for your colleague online. At best it's a flag for QF to move both of you if one of you has to be moved.

Call back, and try to get them to allocate both of you. Dunno if that's possible for domestic flights anymore with the new seat allocation system.

 

[serfty]

SWMBO and I were on the same PNR for a LONE4 but halfway through the Journey AA decided to separate the bookings.

I was able to TCP the new bookings but this did not permit her SG'ness to access WP seating adjacent to me.

So calling was the go, and as described 'requests' were put though to "Seating" and the adjacent allocations happened.

This caused no end of issue for our QF22 segment as this was originally a 333, a 2 class 744, a 4 class 744 (sold as three), back to a 2 class and finally a 3 class (new J/W/Y config).

Each time we were separated and each time I had to call to get adjacent seat and each time I had to explain the whole story.:evil:

 

[Andyzx]

It was explained to me for an intl booking.

There is a system for the booking AND a system for the boarding. The two systems do not update each other. Therefore unless you have BOTH systems updated then they will not be linked when you board etc [end]

If you want to have a PRN linked then both systems need to be seperately updated, I beleive that this is where the Brisbane comment comes in but not 100% positive on this.

I also have had limited (read no) sucess unless the seating was manually updated for both. :arrow:

 

[anchew]

My experience is that when PNRs are linked, then you can select seats for both travelers at T-24 using OLCI. But before then, I usually just select where I want to sit, making sure that there is a spare seat next to me, then ring QF and ask for my traveling companion to be seated next to me.

BTW - OT - how do you know when you get put through to the Premium Desk? Do they say "Hello Premium Desk, how may I help you?" when they pick up? If so then I've never been put through to them at anytime I called. Not complaining though - I've always had excellent service whenever I called QF.

 

[nlagalle]

I've done this about 3 times in the last 2 months.

Everytime I rang the premium desk and and they linked the bookings. However I never saw it til i did a check in where i could select myself and my companion. It was a very simple task. The QF rep said the TA could do it as well to link the bookings.

 

[ChrisBNE]

Q. Two of us are on the same flight next week SYD/CBR/DRW/BNE/SYD. As each overhead is a cost center at the company, bookings for flights and accommodation are made for individuals with internal tracking on spend. He's silver.

Today, I rung QFF the first time and enquired regarding linking the 2 separate PNRs so I could choose our seats. Would seem simple enough, and after explaining my intent, providing some "secure" answers, the lady said it was all done.

I got off the phone and into a meeting to return an hour or so later to choose seats. Hmmm, travel partner not there.

I ring QFF back and the IDIOT on the phone told me to book my mates seats first then mine, then I could sit next to him. I explained in slow concise manner that row 17 (my mates closest forward selection) didn't thrill me especially since I had row 3 and 25's held.

He put me on hold then 5 minutes or so later came back, told me it was too hard (WTF!) and transfered me to the "book an exit row seat" option in some phone menu! I hung up fuming...

Before trying again, I thought I would ask my learned AFF friends if this is actually possible, or just leave it and do it at the lounge on Tuesday AM?

munitalP

You were so close! Linking the pnrs will work only for seating with online checkin and at the airport.

If you call QF seating back, and select the exit row seating option, they can assist you in regards to what you are trying to do.

 

[yohy?!]

This worked a treat today - had 3 seperate bookings travelling HKG-SYD, called QF HK and asked them to link (Extremely helpful).

Travelling there were were an SG, PS and nothing - I selected row 24 and then at OLCI the system had automatically retained seats in the same row for the other travellers.

 

[Mal]

You were so close! Linking the pnrs will work only for seating with online checkin and at the airport.

My understanding is that you get a shadow when moving seats through theonline booking. Have certainly seen that behaviour myself.

Sent from my GT-I9100 using AustFreqFly

 

[Joy6328]

I have just had this same scenario while travelling with our au pair, I am silver she is bronze. Linked PNR meant nothing until check in when it allowed me to check in all 3 of us (inc baby).
Maybe keep your seat 3 & 25 then call and ask for your partner to be seated next to you? Sorry, I just jumped on at T24 and got us the best available seats