Seat allocations for no status

[takingSydney]

(Warning ... rant) Seriously. Yet again I fly and find a noddy no status (saw the boarding pass) in the middle seat of the supposed priority WP zone in row 4 right next to me. Acres of middle seats back in silver/red.

C'mon VA is there really no benefit being WP any more???

(And yes I'm already cranky as I couldn't get row 3 tonight ðŸ˜

 

[straitman]

(Warning ... rant) Seriously. Yet again I fly and find a noddy no status (saw the boarding pass) in the middle seat of the supposed priority WP zone in row 4 right next to me. Acres of middle seats back in silver/red.

C'mon VA is there really no benefit being WP any more???

(And yes I'm already cranky as I couldn't get row 3 tonight ðŸ˜

I didn't realise that Row 3 & 4 were exclusive WP territory.

ps Qantas do it too.

 

[Marty_]

Only row 3 is "exclusive" WP.

But the zones should be respected IMO. If there are seats at the back, non-status pax should be placed there.

Obviously understand if it's a full flight and people get slotted in where they can be fitted though.

 

[Jet L]

I generally get row 3-5 as gold.. Reds and non Velocity members can just ask check-in to be placed in forward seats and staff will generally oblige if no one is there. (Example my grandmother flew a few days ago and she was given 3A, I was shocked as she in no way needs extra legroom)

 

[DJ737]

Probably seated fwd for weight & balance purposes

 

[drron]

On QF as an NB was nearly always able to select 4,B,E if within 24 hours so it was always "am I in a PO a WP mood".

 

[blackcat20]

Never been able to get row 3 as gold and usually find NBs sitting there when we get on board.

 

[Pleb Status]

I am all for 3B/3E being rigidly blocked to non-WP when other seats are available.

However, what excuse does VA (and QF for that matter as they are just as bad or even worse with 4B/4E) give to passengers who specifically request if these seats are available at check in? They will notice that the seats are empty when boarding, so stating they are 'preallocated' is not going to work.

 

[Caversham04]

The complication is when a non-WP partner is travelling with a WP. I've had someone in 3F on VA throw a hissy fit when my wife (as NB) was sat in 3E. I pointed out that I was WP and that I was sat in 3D. Didn't make much difference to her attitude! Luckily, I've got no problem with ignoring death stares for the duration of SYD-ADL.

Personally, I think Row 3 (or Row 4 on QF) should be reserved for WP and family travelling on the same PNR unless the flight is full. At check-in, "I'm sorry sir/madam, those seats are reserved for our Platinum frequent flyers unless the plane is full" should be all the explanation that's needed.

I'm NB with Qantas and have no issue whatsoever with the forward rows in Economy not being selectable to me.

YMMV, as always!

 

[Pleb Status]

Personally, I think Row 3 (or Row 4 on QF) should be reserved for WP and family travelling on the same PNR unless the flight is full. At check-in, "I'm sorry sir/madam, those seats are reserved for our Platinum frequent flyers unless the plane is full" should be all the explanation that's needed.

That explanation is fine to a Red but it probably is not going to fly with a SG who thinks they are someone important ("but I am almost WP, honest").

 

[Caversham04]

That explanation is fine to a Red but it probably is not going to fly with a SG who thinks they are someone important ("but I am almost WP, honest").

Always a potential problem, I agree, but most SG's are likely to know that there is at least one Platinum Tier above them (plus CL or equivalent). If applied consistently, along with preferential Row 3 / Row 4 access for SG if the plane is full, I reckon it would work......

 

[bullerdude]

Other airlines around the world seem to have competent IT systems that can juggle seating complexities with multiple frequent flyer tiers....

 

[liamsal]

Booked several domestic VA flights as Gold the last week and only row 7 and back were available..

Do these perks work for flights to Nadi? Also couldn't get anything closer than row 7 for these flights in March.

 

[clarkkent]

Booked several domestic VA flights as Gold the last week and only row 7 and back were available..

Check again when online check-in opens.

 

[Milboo]

Over 25 sectors as gold in 2016 and could never select forward of row 7 unless I checked in very late in the piece and could move allocated seat.

On occasion have secured row 3 or 4 when I have flown ahead.

 

[jazza1971]

non status here and I'll happily take a row 3 seat on check in, which it sometimes is. Sorry plats, but I like the leg room

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Probably seated fwd for weight & balance purposes

If anything pax are generall moved aft if there is a problem with trim not forward.

On QF as an NB was nearly always able to select 4,B,E if within 24 hours so it was always "am I in a PO a WP mood".

There's a lady with ff status that does that a lot between SYD & ADL as reported by Medhead.

 

[Buzzard]

The complication is when a non-WP partner is travelling with a WP. I've had someone in 3F on VA throw a hissy fit when my wife (as NB) was sat in 3E. I pointed out that I was WP and that I was sat in 3D. Didn't make much difference to her attitude! Luckily, I've got no problem with ignoring death stares for the duration of SYD-ADL.

Personally, I think Row 3 (or Row 4 on QF) should be reserved for WP and family travelling on the same PNR unless the flight is full. At check-in, "I'm sorry sir/madam, those seats are reserved for our Platinum frequent flyers unless the plane is full" should be all the explanation that's needed.

I'm NB with Qantas and have no issue whatsoever with the forward rows in Economy not being selectable to me.

YMMV, as always!

Was that Julie on the flight home to ADL?

 

[JohnK]

I am not able to pre-allocate forward of row 16 for wife and daughter. When web check-in opens I have seen seats open up in row 12 but nothing further forward.

 

[Jet L]

I am not able to pre-allocate forward of row 16 for wife and daughter. When web check-in opens I have seen seats open up in row 12 but nothing further forward.

T-48 Red gets Silver zones, Silver gets Gold zones and Gold gets Platinum zones, T-12 all seats become available, At least that my understanding and experience