Platinum (Possibly Gold?) Trick: Row 3 For Anyone!

[mannej]

I'd stop worrying. Virgin are going to close the loophole now that its been blabbed all over the web.

There have been those on here who have suggested a number of updates to the website to fix bugs, yet VA (and QF for that matter) have chosen not to take action...

 

[Ausbt]

I was about to come in with a "how dare you seat your NB-status mum/dad/girlfriend in my 3A/3F?" when I realised that over the holidays I twice flew in row 3 ...with my NB children sitting next to me. Now was it really fair that my kids (13 & 10 y.o. and hardly needing the leg room) took up those prized row 3 spots from other WPs who may have been flying?

 

[Kieran2274]

Seems to me that pax (of all statuses) often use everything they know (or share - whether publicly or privately) to maximise their chances of preferred seats/op-upgrades/cheap redemptions/good SC runs/etc for themselves and their travelling family.

Therefore doesn't seem like there is anything "new" here. I can't help but wonder if this was about something publicly shared vs exchanged via PM. And as has been remarked, if a Platinum is travelling with his non-status family in Economy you already have people who aren't Platinums already in the first row of Economy (and of course, people other than Plats end up in these seats for other reasons at times).

As I travel Business always on VA I guess I'm not 'invested' in the whole first row of Economy thing (or exit row or whatever seats people think are "special" in the Y cabin), especially since most people don't just fly at the last minute and generally book ahead anyway. And at the end of the day, the only entity that owes a seat/row/etc is the airline itself and no airline I know guarantees seating in a preferred/self-selected spot - even when in mid-air - so has much changed?

 

[ywwol]

I was about to come in with a "how dare you seat your NB-status mum/dad/girlfriend in my 3A/3F?" when I realised that over the holidays I twice flew in row 3 ...with my NB children sitting next to me. Now was it really fair that my kids (13 & 10 y.o. and hardly needing the leg room) took up those prized row 3 spots from other WPs who may have been flying?

At least you are flying, and you're all on the same PNR. -Instead of 'I'm not flying, but here, take my FF card and exploit the perks of being me.'

 

[JohnK]

What is the big issue about "the type of person" who takes a row 3 middle seat. I'm not following this. What's wrong with taking the middle seat?

The Platinums in row 3 aisle and window would like a vacant seat next to them so cannot understand why someone would move from 8D to 3B.

Personally I cannot understand that decision as I love to be off the aircraft as quickly as possible but I will take any aisle seat over front middle any time and if there are no aisle seats then I would rather go on another flight. But that is me.

 

[TSOOBI]

CLOSED - Attempted with row 3 for MIL got to the end showed in row 3 and then spat back with "seat selection unconfirmed" so its looks like its gone.

 

[Intra]

CLOSED - Attempted with row 3 for MIL got to the end showed in row 3 and then spat back with "seat selection unconfirmed" so its looks like its gone.

And let that be the end of it...

Can we have another Plat confirm this? I would try myself, but haven't reached such lofty heights (Yet)

EDIT: Just gave it a whirl as a Gold, selected 7C at first, went back and changed the details to someone else I know, back into Seat Selection and while the seat 7C was still attached somewhat to the booking it seemed, couldn't select Row 7/8/9 ect. anymore....

 

[Velocity Frequent Flyer]

Just thought we'd drop a note here to say that we are aware of this 'quirk' and have sent it to Sabre for a response.

(cue witty responses about timelines....)

 

[OzEire]

Just thought we'd drop a note here to say that we are aware of this 'quirk' and have sent it to Sabre for a response.

(cue witty responses about timelines....)

Actually I was thinking about a witty response adding "quirk" to the "enhancement" lexicon

 

[grubbidok]

Just thought we'd drop a note here to say that we are aware of this 'quirk' and have sent it to Sabre for a response.

(cue witty responses about timelines....)

Can you send them a quick note about multi-city bookings while you're at it?

 

[samh004]

Hi All, thought I would share a trick that I use quite often as VA Platinum.

I guess the reason lots of people are upset is that it seems like you're basically giving away something. This site isn't just viewed by thousands of frequent flyer members and non-members, but also people that work for airlines. People who will 'spoil the fun'.

Generally, members come to social events to share tricks 'offline'. The trick may then be passed on to many, but it wont be overused as quickly as a publicly searchable website would allow for. I'm sure if you came to an event, you'd learn of a few other tricks that haven't been mentioned online... so long as you didn't then publish it online, of course

I'll be in ADL on Valentines Day, and the day after, as might a few other AFFers, so if you're free perhaps come for a drink?

 

[bullerdude]

Just thought we'd drop a note here to say that we are aware of this 'quirk' and have sent it to Sabre for a response.

(cue witty responses about timelines....)

Thanks for the update VFF.

I prefer that Platinum benefits remain benefits for ONLY platinum members.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I was about to come in with a "how dare you seat your NB-status mum/dad/girlfriend in my 3A/3F?" when I realised that over the holidays I twice flew in row 3 ...with my NB children sitting next to me. Now was it really fair that my kids (13 & 10 y.o. and hardly needing the leg room) took up those prized row 3 spots from other WPs who may have been flying?

Difference I see with this, is your experience is part of the platinum perk, ie allowing you as a platinum flyer being permitted to sit your family and friends with your when travelling together and booked on the same PNR and is sanctioned by VA. The other has nothing to do with a platinum flyer but instead potentially prevents a genuine plat from getting the coveted row 3 over a red member and it may be possible to have every row 3 seat with a red, or in fact, not even VFF members whilst genuine plats languish further back. One doesn't have to be a Rhodes scholar to understand that's an undesirable outcome for people who genuinely earn the right to perks offered.

 

[kevrosmith]

Has anyone had any recent experience trying to use this method for securing Row 3 (for non-Platinum travellers)? A friend tried it recently and reported that when they went back to reset the name, the seats are now showing as "N/A". Perhaps they have fixed the bug....?