Seat Selection Fee

[Flying Fox]

OK its been a while since I last booked a flight for me and the Mrs.

Did this last night and in my joint booking (ADL-SYD return), when I went to select seats I got mine for free (Gold) and Mrs (Bronze) was to be charged $5/seat selection.

Previously, I thought that there was no charge for her as she was booked with me.

Am I doing something incorrectly or have I missed a another new revenue generating opportunity for QF?

TIA

 

[Captain Halliday]

Doesn’t sound right if you’re all on the same PNR on Qantas metal.

The QF site says:
Standard seat selection is complimentary when:
- travelling on any Qantas operated domestic service,

See here: https://www.qantas.com/au/en/travel-info/seat-selection.html

That link also includes caveats for extra leg room seats and international. I’m assuming you’re originating in AU?

Even the $5 sounds odd, I thought it was around $15 on the short sectors for exit rows/ extra leg room.

 

[Flying Fox]

Yes it very odd. Not sure what's happening here. Trying to get into row 9.

Yes, originating here in ADL.

Just tried seat selection again and still asking for $10 via Manage My Bookings.

I think that I will have to get in touch with the call centre.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Yes it very odd. Not sure what's happening here. Trying to get into row 9.

Yes, originating here in ADL.

Just tried seat selection again and still asking for $10 via Manage My Bookings.

I think that I will have to get in touch with the call centre.

Row 9 is a preferred row? You have to pay extra for that, as well as exits.

 

[Flying Fox]

According to the QF seat map, row 9 is a Standard Seat.

 

[dylarr]

Yep Row 9 on QF 737 is a "preferred" row.

It is arguably one of the worst rows on the plane as well since there is no window.

Qantas Charges $10 Extra for Worst Seat on Plane

When selecting a seat on the Qantas website, you may be offered the opportunity to purchase a "preferred" seat for an extra $10. Qantas advertises these

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

 

[Flying Fox]

What? Row 9 is now a 'Preferred Row'?

Oh no, how the standards have fallen. So sad.

 

[oz_mark]

Doesn’t sound right if you’re all on the same PNR on Qantas metal.

The QF site says:
Standard seat selection is complimentary when:
- travelling on any Qantas operated domestic service,

See here: https://www.qantas.com/au/en/travel-info/seat-selection.html

That link also includes caveats for extra leg room seats and international. I’m assuming you’re originating in AU?

Even the $5 sounds odd, I thought it was around $15 on the short sectors for exit rows/ extra leg room.

Preferred seats start at $5. Extra legroom starts at $15. They are different things!

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Row 9 is a preferred row? You have to pay extra for that, as well as exits.

Isn't preferred seating complimentary for QF Gold or is that only for World Platinums and above?

-RooFlyer88

 

[jpp42]

World Platinums

lol that's not what the W in WP stands for...

 

[RooFlyer]

lol that's not what the W in WP stands for...

We've had this discussion before

 

[Captain Halliday]

Preferred seats start at $5. Extra legroom starts at $15. They are different things!

Yep, fair call. But that fee doesn't apply to companions of status pax on the same PNR does it?

I have seated PS & NB family members in Row 4 with me as recently as last month without a fee.

Unless the OP has stumbled upon an unpublished "enhancement".

 

[TheInsider]

Yep, fair call. But that fee doesn't apply to companions of status pax on the same PNR does it?

I have seated PS & NB family members in Row 4 with me as recently as last month without a fee.

Unless the OP has stumbled upon an unpublished "enhancement".

Row 9 has been a 'preferred' seat for many years now.
Free for WP and above, like exits.

 

[Jurahn]

I have an upcoming QF flight for HBA-CBR (booked about 6 weeks ago, travelling solo), took the same flight last year, Bronze on both occasions and wasn't charged anything for selecting an exit row seat on both flights, which surprised me.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I have an upcoming QF flight for HBA-CBR (booked about 6 weeks ago, travelling solo), took the same flight last year, Bronze on both occasions and wasn't charged anything for selecting an exit row seat on both flights, which surprised me.

At time of booking or online checkin or at the airport? I believe they become free at one of the later stages. A t-80 they still charge.

 

[Jurahn]

At time of booking or online checkin or at the airport? I believe they become free at one of the later stages. A t-80 they still charge.

At time of booking on both occasions. The one last year was booked about 3-4 months in advance. The exit seat/s were showing as available, each time I selected one and the charge came up as $0.00 (checked CC statements afterwards to make sure). I’ve never had anything higher than Bronze status with QF.

 

[PERLHR]

Why is row 9 on the 737 preferred? QF having a laugh?

 

[Captain Halliday]

Why is row 9 on the 737 preferred? QF having a laugh?

I think this refers to Row 9 being as far forward as WPs can pre-select from time of booking until T-80.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

I think this refers to Row 9 being as far forward as WPs can pre-select from time of booking until T-80.

For those wondering what is meant by T-80, what that means is that anytime between flight departure and 80 hours prior to departure, seats "reserved" for Platinums and Platinum Ones gets released to lower level elites like Gold. Consequently for those of us who haven't yet reached the upper echelon of QF status, we've got reminders set at T-80 to tell us to go back to re-select seats. This can be particularly useful when yours truly is flying business on QF, as I will accept nothing less than 1A!

And for those wondering why row one is objectively the best row on the airplane, let's have Tom Stuker who flew over 20 million miles with United Airlines explain that one:

 

[madrooster]

I think this refers to Row 9 being as far forward as WPs can pre-select from time of booking until T-80.

https://www.qantas.com/agencyconnect/au/en/policy-and-guidelines/seating-inflight-dining-and-cabin-upgrades/select-a-seat.html#preferred-seating

QF introduced this as a means for low/no status members to get into a row further forward.