Qantas to charge passengers extra for exit row seats

[JohnK]

The more I think about it the more puzzling the decision becomes. If I cannot get exit row pre-allocated as usual (as an unwritten benefit of having Platinum status) then Qantas will be losing my long haul business. Simple.

If I am going to be sitting behind some recliner half way back in the WHY cabin it may as well be on BA (while still earning QF SCs and QFF points) or using my Amex MR points on SQ flights.

Keep in mind that this is a business decision, and the amount of non-WP's and the revenue they bring would most likely amount to a higher sum. So you may lose a few WP's, but gain overall in terms of "common folk".

If you don't allow Platinums to pre-allocate exit rows (free of charge as a privilege of being a Platinum) what is the bet that most of the time exit rows will be allocated at the airport.

 

[Flashback]

If you don't allow Platinums to pre-allocate exit rows (free of charge as a privilege of being a Platinum) what is the bet that most of the time exit rows will be allocated at the airport.

I believe the decision is to now sell the exit rows, there has been no comment as to whether or not WP will be able to request the seats or not.

IMHO there is really no *major* change to Platinum's as it was not something advertised as a perk of membership, and on any given flight they still have to battle with other WP's for the seat anyway; all QF are doing is adding another group of people that can vie for the seat.

 

[Commuter]

Which airline will you move to that will give you an exit row when requested, based on status? SQ?

SQ? No.

The answer is BA. Some BA config has no exit row in economy but I prefer BA WT+ to QF premium economy anyway so I'd travel on BA WT+ in that case.

The main reason why QF have had my long haul business is 'almost guaranteed' access to an exit row seat in economy. If that is gone, I might as well go somewhere else.

 

[Commuter]

IMHO there is really no *major* change to Platinum's as it was not something advertised as a perk of membership, and on any given flight they still have to battle with other WP's for the seat anyway

I can't remember not getting an exit row seat as a WP. It is a major change to me if I have to compete with everyone to get it.

all QF are doing is adding another group of people that can vie for the seat.

Potentially a rather large group of people, especially at the lower end of reported price ($80-160).

I don't care if I have to pay, as long as my chance of getting them as a WP is maintained at the present level or gets better through other WPs being reluctant to pay. It's not the question of money to me - it's more about the accessibility (although I of course prefer not to pay).

 

[JohnK]

IMHO there is really no *major* change to Platinum's as it was not something advertised as a perk of membership, and on any given flight they still have to battle with other WP's for the seat anyway; all QF are doing is adding another group of people that can vie for the seat.

This is a major change. Written or unwritten it was a benefit that was of most use to me and most of the Platinums posting on this thread.

What is the point of me staying loyal to Qantas when they have opened up seat selection at time of booking (reserving the 1st row for Platinums but do take note that most times the first row is bulkhead/bassinet row anyway) and now taking away the benefit of pre-allocating exit rows. If I am going to be unhappy I may as well be unhappy with an airline that has not taken away any benefits from me and has cheaper, more than likely, airfares anyway....

 

[tuapekastar]

As has been alluded to, it is not yet confirmed, or even stated, that WPs will lose the ability to pre-allocate exit row seats, be it for $$$ or not. The press release is naturally aimed at the masses and does not get into detail.

Sounds like there may be some cause for alarm (if I was WP the warning bells would certainly be a'clangin), but we probably need to see the details before making any definitive assessments.

 

[Alanslegal]

Maybe QF believes through their research / analysis that a WP is likely to be flying up front rather than an exit row in Y? And even though its an unpublished WP benefit for this type of request, guess it may not be as frequent as to the number of exit seats on offer?

 

[Commuter]

Maybe QF believes through their research / analysis that a WP is likely to be flying up front rather than an exit row in Y? And even though its an unpublished WP benefit for this type of request, guess it may not be as frequent as to the number of exit seats on offer?

Maybe not, especially considering that I can't remember not being able to get it as a WP.

I'd be happy for QF to sell the general public the exit row seat at OLCI time (but not at the time of booking), as long as WPs have been able to pre-allocate them, preferably free of charge.

 

[Cabbage]

Qantas to Sell Exit Seats

Duplicated thread...

 

[cove]

Re: Qantas to Sell Exit Seats

That really is a good idea.

I know so many who feel dejected when they miss out.

Lining up 3 hours or more was harsh.

 

[NM]

Re: Qantas to Sell Exit Seats

Please follow the discussion in the original thread on this topic.

http://www.frequentflyer.com.au/community/travel-news/qantas-charge-passengers-extra-exit-17740.html

 

[Cabbage]

Maybe not just exit row seats they are going to charge for, but for any seat with more than your standard 31"

Legroom to London is no longer going begging - Plane Talking

 

[medhead]

I imagine also that WP will be able to 'request' an exit row still, just that they'll now have to contend with the paying customer..

Exactly, this just puts a value on the WP benefit. WPs won't pay and still get the benefit, but others will be given the option to pay for the benefit

 

[Dave Noble]

Exactly, this just puts a value on the WP benefit. WPs won't pay and still get the benefit, but others will be given the option to pay for the benefit

Assuming that they plan to maintain the unpublished benefit. When they started offering WT+ awards at 25% over regular economy, the unpublished benefit to Platinum members was discontinued

Dave

 

[Flashback]

How about this for an idea, then.

QF may consider implementing a scheme such as SQs PPS which measures spend on QF and value to QF and provides additional benefits to those in that regard.

The current scheme fails to differentiate between someone who regularly generates decent revenue to QF vs someone who does a DONE4 out of some cheap place and then flies around the USA just to get Platinum status.

Those that are then valuable to QF as some of you have mentioned you are, would then be happy.

 

[serfty]

... Its been a long time since I requested or sat in an economy exit row on a Qantas international flight. I can understand Qantas' reasons behind such a move and I am not overly concerned by it.

The ONLY time I have been in Coach/Economy and not sat in an exit row seat on a 744/388 in the last two years is when I have been in 80A on a 388.

 

[JohnK]

The ONLY time I have been in Coach/Economy and not sat in an exit row seat on a 744/388 in the last two years is when I have been in 80A on a 388.

I have also been sitting in exit rows on every long haul flight since I became a Platinum and found out on AFF we can ask for pre-allocation of exit row. You may have to start paying extra soon for the privilege of pre-allocating an exit row.

For what it is worth I have already sent feedback to Qantas on the seating changes/enhancements and my displeasure at the news article and why I should remain loyal to Qantas if I cannot get preferential seating as that is the main benefit I can see from Platinum status. Will be interesting to see whether I get a phone call or a generic form reply....

 

[NM]

The ONLY time I have been in Coach/Economy and not sat in an exit row seat on a 744/388 in the last two years is when I have been in 80A on a 388.

The ONLY Qantas flight have taken in economy on the last three years I was seated in the bulk head of an A333 both directions (23B SIN-BNE and BNE-SIN). Can't complain since the SIN-BNE leg was only booked the morning of the flight and still managed to get 23B.

 

[Commuter]

How about this for an idea, then.

QF may consider implementing a scheme such as SQs PPS which measures spend on QF and value to QF and provides additional benefits to those in that regard.

The current scheme fails to differentiate between someone who regularly generates decent revenue to QF vs someone who does a DONE4 out of some cheap place and then flies around the USA just to get Platinum status.

Those that are then valuable to QF as some of you have mentioned you are, would then be happy.

That would be quite fine by me - I don't do DONE4, I don't fly around the USA for the sake of status. I give Qantas at least 16 long haul sectors a year (some years more), with another 30-40 short haul QF sectors a year on average (plus around 60 'normal' oneworld sectors a year) already planned for the next 3-4 years. That's despite my not even living in Australia.

 

[AnonymousCoward]

If they charge $80 per exit row seat, they'd need to sell quite a lot of them (250-400 depending on the year) to recoup what they lose through loss of my custom alone.

The $80 is pure profit. Are you saying you deliver $20,000-$32,000 in profit to QANTAS per year that you'd take somewhere else because of this? That's a lot flying, especially in economy...