Seat selection - blocked seats on Qantas site vs Expert Flyer

[devlin]

When selecting a seat for QF73 (flight 1), EF is showing rows 1-4 blocked, with the rest available (unless taken), however Qantas site has rows 5 and 6 blocked. I'm happy to sit in 7K, just find it curious that there's a discrepancy, is that normal? I've used EF for a while and hadn't noticed before.

Even more curious, when I logged into MMB to screenshot these seat maps, I noticed my domestic seat (flight 2) had been changed from 2F to 3A (not by me, I always book 2F). I assumed I was shafted by a WP, but again when I check EF, row 3 is showing as free?

These are both CR fares and I am SG, for what it's worth.

Cheers,
Dev

 

[RooFlyer]

Re your flight two, someone else reported something like that recently. They found they were moved from their selected seat at check-in then on board discovered that their originally selected seat was in occupied so they got allocated back there.

 

[devlin]

Re your flight two, someone else reported something like that recently. They found they were moved from their selected seat at check-in then on board discovered that their originally selected seat was in occupied so they got allocated back there.

So strange. These flights are five months away, which is why I'm so confused.

 

[madrooster]

This behaviour happens when your FF number is not in the PNR in the correct format.

 

[devlin]

This behaviour happens when your FF number is not in the PNR in the correct format.

You are correct! For some reason the FF number was there, but not the QF prefix. Thanks so much.

 

[RichardMEL]

See? No Platinum shafted you....

 

[clifford]

See? No Platinum shafted you....

I'm not even sure if they could..

 

[RichardMEL]

I'm not even sure if they could..

That was my point....

 

[SYD]

I’m curious if the Flight 2 seat situation improved? Or do WPs and SGs both fight over row 2? I know everyone else below is relegated to row 3 until T-80.

 

[clifford]

Or do WPs and SGs both fight over row 2?

Yes, IME.

 

[devlin]

That was my point....

Can't WPs choose any seat unless taken by another WP? I always thought that was one of the benefits...

 

[devlin]

I’m curious if the Flight 2 seat situation improved? Or do WPs and SGs both fight over row 2? I know everyone else below is relegated to row 3 until T-80.

I was able to rebook 2F. I still don't understand why it changed in the first place. Unless I forgot to hit save or something when originally chose. Entirely possible I suppose.

 

[RichardMEL]

Can't WPs choose any seat unless taken by another WP? I always thought that was one of the benefits...

No.

A seat that is allocated is allocated and a higher status can't just point and say "I want that one!" (or click) and boot them out. That is not a benefit.

The benefit of higher status such as P1/CL and WP is earlier access to more seating (ie: closer to the front of the plane) - but still only unallocated seats.

(of course QF staff can move whoever they like but you'd hope that was for a VERY good reason and not just because some entitled person demanded it).

 

[devlin]

No.

A seat that is allocated is allocated and a higher status can't just point and say "I want that one!" (or click) and boot them out. That is not a benefit.

The benefit of higher status such as P1/CL and WP is earlier access to more seating (ie: closer to the front of the plane) - but still only unallocated seats.

(of course QF staff can move whoever they like but you'd hope that was for a VERY good reason and not just because some entitled person demanded it).

My mistake.

 

[HirafuHeartAttack]

Just some other data. EF isn't always correct. Back when the A380s were running SYD-HKG and first seats were sold as business EF would advise them as available to me as a WP. That's not the case as only P1 and CL could select them at booking and everyone else had to wait until T-80. I even called QF Hobart call centre and they confirmed the above. Interestingly the Royal Jordanian site would show them as available and allowed me to select them but constantly had an error message at the end of the process and it would unselect all seats.

 

[equus]

That's not the case as only P1 and CL could select them at booking

That changed during the time the flights were on sale - so I can understand the confusion. Booked those flights in June 2023 for travel in December 2023, and call centre happily assigned seats for WP and SG (had to call up, couldn't do it online). I believe the restriction to only WP1 and CL came in later.

The seats stuck for 6 months, and we flew in them.

EF seems to be accurate as far as seat occupied, but when status and some of the other more dynamic rules come into play, not always so for blocks.