QF 29/30 Pay J Sit Rows 1-4

[rambisyouth]

I'm flying QF29 on 28/1 and returning on QF30 on 7/2. One of the reasons i chose these flights was I am hoping to scrape into the first 4 rows which are the F seats being used for J. I'll be PS going over and SG coming back.

I realise being PS puts me down the list. Is there anything I can do to increase my chances? I called QANTAS and the guy said he'd "get yelled at if he requested that for a PS" and said he would put in a "check-in remark". There are 4 seats blocked out as per ExpertFlyer.

On the way beack, EF is showing one seat as available (not blocked) but he couldn't see that (he said) so he put in a "check-in remark" as well.

I'm less worried about the trip back as I can ncall up again as Gold and see if I get a better response.

Any tips appreciated!

 

[NM]

Re: QF 29/30 Pay J Sit 1-4

On the way beack, EF is showing one seat as available (not blocked) but he couldn't see that (he said) so he put in a "check-in remark" as well.

What does the QF seat map show when you go into Seat Selection under Manage Your Booking? That is the list of seats available for you to select. It may change, so keep checking. Otherwise ask at check-in and again at the lounge.

 

[meesie]

We've just returned on QF30 last week - we had an infant with us so had to choose either 4A or 4K for Mrs Meesie and Junior, and I went for 3K just in front. The cabin was empty bar two other fliers so we moved around a bit, played some basketball, that kind of thing.

The service was excellent, and we took advantage of sitting opposite each other for dinner and generally enjoyed the quiet first class cabin.

Here is the best bit though: we booked economy, used points to upgrade to Business and flew (basically) First. I have Gold status but it looked like there was nothing 'special' about these seats in the check in process. They weren't blocked and could be selected during on-line check-in, and this mirrored the seatmap on Expert Flyer (even 1A and 1K were available, and remained empty during the flight)

It seems people are so fixated on geting the upper deck that they look past the really good seats at the front.

One tip: if you don't get the seats all the way LHR-MEL, ask at the gate if they can re-seat you on just one leg, say HKG-MEL. They did this for us at Heathrow not so long ago. This should up your chances.

Good luck, it's worth it!

 

[benhadi]

Does anybody know if QF29/30 is likely to remain a 4-class aircraft selling as a 3-class (without F)?

 

[garyjohn951]

I think for a while.

I had a points booking for Feb 23 as F. Someone told me about them currently not flying F. So I rang to check and was told yes, that is the case, you will be refunded the difference in points !!!!!!!!!

As it happened I asked if Q9 had a points F seat and "Oh yes they do, would you like to change. Yes please, That will 2500 points Sir " !!!!!!!!!

 

[djfuzz]

Here is the best bit though: we booked economy, used points to upgrade to Business and flew (basically) First. I have Gold status but it looked like there was nothing 'special' about these seats in the check in process. They weren't blocked and could be selected during on-line check-in, and this mirrored the seatmap on Expert Flyer (even 1A and 1K were available, and remained empty during the flight)

We did this from HKG-MEL too - though ours was PE saver to J (seated in F).

Does anybody know if QF29/30 is likely to remain a 4-class aircraft selling as a 3-class (without F)?

Until April I believe?

 

[benhadi]

I think for a while.

I had a points booking for Feb 23 as F. Someone told me about them currently not flying F. So I rang to check and was told yes, that is the case, you will be refunded the difference in points !!!!!!!!!

As it happened I asked if Q9 had a points F seat and "Oh yes they do, would you like to change. Yes please, That will 2500 points Sir " !!!!!!!!!

sorry i'm a little confused to your second paragraph. What's Q9?

 

[mannej]

sorry i'm a little confused to your second paragraph. What's Q9?

QF9 perhaps?

 

[garyjohn951]

QF9 perhaps?

Yes QF009 it is

 

[rambisyouth]

Re: QF 29/30 Pay J Sit 1-4

What does the QF seat map show when you go into Seat Selection under Manage Your Booking? That is the list of seats available for you to select. It may change, so keep checking. Otherwise ask at check-in and again at the lounge.

Seat Selection doesn't allow me the chhose them which is understandable. I guess my query was more around even though I am lowly PS at this stafe, can I 'force' QF to take a specific seat request for me?

 

[rambisyouth]

We've just returned on QF30 last week - we had an infant with us so had to choose either 4A or 4K for Mrs Meesie and Junior, and I went for 3K just in front. The cabin was empty bar two other fliers so we moved around a bit, played some basketball, that kind of thing.

The service was excellent, and we took advantage of sitting opposite each other for dinner and generally enjoyed the quiet first class cabin.

Here is the best bit though: we booked economy, used points to upgrade to Business and flew (basically) First. I have Gold status but it looked like there was nothing 'special' about these seats in the check in process. They weren't blocked and could be selected during on-line check-in, and this mirrored the seatmap on Expert Flyer (even 1A and 1K were available, and remained empty during the flight)

It seems people are so fixated on geting the upper deck that they look past the really good seats at the front.

One tip: if you don't get the seats all the way LHR-MEL, ask at the gate if they can re-seat you on just one leg, say HKG-MEL. They did this for us at Heathrow not so long ago. This should up your chances.

Good luck, it's worth it!

Thanks meesie. Some excellent feedback there.

 

[serfty]

Does anybody know if QF29/30 is likely to remain a 4-class aircraft selling as a 3-class (without F)?

Currently sold as 3 class (J/W/Y) until March 31.

 

[serfty]

We've just returned on QF30 last week - ...

Thanks for the information - good post

I have a PE booking on QF29 to HKG; 2 months out loadings seem to indicate op-ups will be happening. As for points upgrades, the loadings indicate general success is likely.

I was going to hold back for an op-up, but have decided to spend the 25K QFF point on the possible opportunity for a row 1-4 seat.

(Last time I used on of those seats was SYD-SIN on a 60,000 QFF point 1-way QFF first class award around the turn of this century ...)

 

[kpc]

ooh....our Qf17/18 flights booked in J (one award, one paid) is a 4 class plane, but only sold as J,Y+, Y...we have seats in the UD but I need to ring QF first thing in the morning to see if we can change to somewhere in rows 1-4!!!

 

[benhadi]

Currently sold as 3 class (J/W/Y) until March 31.

thanks for the info.

 

[kpc]

ooh....our Qf17/18 flights booked in J (one award, one paid) is a 4 class plane, but only sold as J,Y+, Y...we have seats in the UD but I need to ring QF first thing in the morning to see if we can change to somewhere in rows 1-4!!!

Allocated 2E,F outbound, 3E,F inbound:mrgreen:

 

[simongr]

I am just planing my UK trip and have the A380 out (putting in a F upgrade but unlikely as currently at F2 A2).

Unfortunately the A380 is flying on the Friday I plan to come back so I managed to grab QF30 to HKG and have allocated seat 1A. I only have a 1 hour connection time at HKG to QF88 which is a little worrying but a single itinerary and ticket so am protected at least...

 

[drewbles]

Thanks for the information - good post

I have a PE booking on QF29 to HKG; 2 months out loadings seem to indicate op-ups will be happening. As for points upgrades, the loadings indicate general success is likely.

I was going to hold back for an op-up, but have decided to spend the 25K QFF point on the possible opportunity for a row 1-4 seat.

(Last time I used on of those seats was SYD-SIN on a 60,000 QFF point 1-way QFF first class award around the turn of this century ...)

I've got a QF29 in May. Here's hoping op-ups are happening that late too. I'm on a points redemption in Y+ though, so i'm not sure if paid status pax in Y would be ahead of me for a bump to J. The mysteries of Altea

Loadings this far out are far too wide for my flights. One still shows X4 and at least 2 in J/A/T.

 

[rambisyouth]

Sorry to be a pest and bring this back to my original question! Is the "check-in remark" the best I can hope for at this stage or can I push for a formal seat request in a different department?

Originally I phoned 131313 and put in my FF ID (currently PS).

Thanks for the info to date!

 

[garyjohn951]

Sorry to be a pest and bring this back to my original question! Is the "check-in remark" the best I can hope for at this stage or can I push for a formal seat request in a different department?

Originally I phoned 131313 and put in my FF ID (currently PS).

Thanks for the info to date!

The answer is Yes. They will be blocked until 24hrs out to allow SG and WP to reserve them.