Seat selection in new system?

[ROTR]

Just to clarify - you did OLCI on the VA web site? Were you able to select your seat on the Virgin Australia web site and print a boarding pass before you got to the airport?

Yes, using the mobile site (not the full one), seat selection was available. I didn't print the BP since I sent it to Passbook (which in the end was pointless since they printed a BP for me at the gate when they swiped my phone)....

 

[smatho10]

Meh.. Rang to marry a red and gold booking.. You would think you can do better than 20E and 20F HBA to MEL then 19A and 19B MEL to SYD next week... Should I change it at the checkin desk?

 

[medhead]

Meh.. Rang to marry a red and gold booking.. You would think you can do better than 20E and 20F HBA to MEL then 19A and 19B MEL to SYD next week... Should I change it at the checkin desk?

Yes try to change it. There is a known glitch were the system only gives you the options available to the lowest status member. Also consider removing the red velocity number from the booking. That will then give gold options. Velocity number can be added later.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Given I believe I read someone say that they recently could do 1A at OLCI as a SG (non J route), for my Ejet BNE-ROK, should I seat select on booking (row 1,2,3 blocked), leave it and hope 1,2,3 becomes available at OLCI or try a move in the BNE lounge?

I'd be as happy as a pig in mud with a single J seat, even without the J product!

 

[blackcat20]

Yes, using the mobile site (not the full one), seat selection was available. I didn't print the BP since I sent it to Passbook (which in the end was pointless since they printed a BP for me at the gate when they swiped my phone)....

I did OLCI and printed boarding passes for a flight yesterday. Not sure if being a Red had anything to do with it, but there were no changes in seating available between booking and check-in...

 

[VMC73]

Booked a flight today BNE-SYD no problem getting row 3 being Plat but was the first time I have seen the emergency exits offered for an additional $35, is this new or just me not noticing in the past?

 

[straitman]

I guess we will agree to disagree then .
My argument it that a customer focussed organisation does not behave this way, they provide certainty and clarity for their customers. I have worked in a number on industries, all B2B admittedly, & this would not be accepted.

Vague, err, yes cant get much more opaque - it tells me nothing. How about tell me what the zones are (seems to be only two) and if they differentiate between fair types tell me what that is (does any exist at present?).

Seriously, how hard would it be to write: "The first four rows of economy are reserved for Platinum FF's, other passengers can choose from the remaining seats when your booking is made. The Platinum area may be available when you checkin." Not that hard & they can update it when they change their policy in the future. As best I can understand that is their current policy - I don't like it, but at least tell me the policy, why the need for secrecy?

Read my post #320.

Maybe airlines (plural, not just VA) do this as it aids them in their flexibility. As soon as you tighten things up the way you suggest, you get a whole different subset of people complaining when they make an exception.

 

[tickthelist]

Read my post #320.

Maybe airlines (plural, not just VA) do this as it aids them in their flexibility. As soon as you tighten things up the way you suggest, you get a whole different subset of people complaining when they make an exception.

Err, yep, read your 320, my response (323) was a reply to that. I get you have a different point of view to me, you've now said the same thing a couple of times - I am hearing you but i simply disagree with you.

 

[medhead]

Consider this a strongly worded rant about the seat selection system. Can't say what I want to say because it's not family friendly.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Consider this a strongly worded rant about the seat selection system. Can't say what I want to say because it's not family friendly.

Clues?

You're VA plat, so couldn't you pre-select row 3? With family, I assume you know to leave any lower status VFF numbers off the booking? Or is it just another system stuff-up.

 

[medhead]

Clues?

You're VA plat, so couldn't you pre-select row 3? With family, I assume you know to leave any lower status VFF numbers off the booking? Or is it just another system stuff-up.

I didn't want to make a specific whinge. BUT.... Checked in for Monday, sequence number 6, velocity profile with aisle preference - given 4A. row 4 fine but not a window. First aisle seat is 8D. So as sequence number 6 there are [-]15[/-] 11 people checked in before me? With the BS sabre change over I would be surprised if people have called in to select those seats.

Turns out row 8 is beyond my limit to take a 3 middle seat, and I look forward to meeting the velocity reds in 3A/C on Monday morning. Given expert flyer is saying Y7B7H7K7, it could be pretty full.

I've deliberately not bothered calling about seat selection to save their workload during the change over but this is just rubbish. Sabre has undone all the goodwill I built up during the Borghetti period.

 

[serfty]

...

Turns out row 8 is beyond my limit to take a 3 middle seat, and I look forward to meeting the velocity reds in 3A/C on Monday morning. Given expert flyer is saying Y7B7H7K7, it could be pretty full....

What does yon E/F seatmap show?

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Sabre has undone all the goodwill I built up during the Borghetti period.

I think this is the most telling post yet about the depth of the Sabre issues. Medhead has for a long time now, been one of the most supportive VA pax and has been often quick to point out VA positives in response to negative criticisms and always keeps a level-headed and optimistic viewpoint. To read that comment, is troublesome for me. Many of us hurl grenades at VA when we consider ourselves poorly done by (including me) but when their most open minded supporters make statements like this, I truly hope VA are listening.

 

[medhead]

What does yon E/F seatmap show?

E/F seat map is all solid seats for the entire plane. Way too many than what I'd expect to be check in or selected at this stage. I'm assume both assigned, selected and check in seats all show solid with no X's being used. :?:

There are about 7 seats taken off screen, Maybe I should have went for the back....

View attachment 13397

just realised I can't count. 11 seats not 15!

 

[medhead]

I think this is the most telling post yet about the depth of the Sabre issues. Medhead has for a long time now, been one of the most supportive VA pax and has been often quick to point out VA positives in response to negative criticisms and always keeps a level-headed and optimistic viewpoint. To read that comment, is troublesome for me. Many of us hurl grenades at VA when we consider ourselves poorly done by (including me) but when their most open minded supporters make statements like this, I truly hope VA are listening.

Then again maybe I just need to get over myself. It is only a seat...

 

[tickthelist]

I didn't want to make a specific whinge. BUT.... Checked in for Monday, sequence number 6, velocity profile with aisle preference - given 4A. row 4 fine but not a window. First aisle seat is 8D. So as sequence number 6 there are [-]15[/-] 11 people checked in before me? With the BS sabre change over I would be surprised if people have called in to select those seats.

Turns out row 8 is beyond my limit to take a 3 middle seat, and I look forward to meeting the velocity reds in 3A/C on Monday morning. Given expert flyer is saying Y7B7H7K7, it could be pretty full.

I've deliberately not bothered calling about seat selection to save their workload during the change over but this is just rubbish. Sabre has undone all the goodwill I built up during the Borghetti period.

Well said, I like your well articulated reasoning. I encourage you to write to V with these details, I would hope it would help them to get this thing right reasonably soon. If you read my earlier complaint/response with V where I gave them an example of a non-FF getting allocated 3C, their response was that they don't know how that would occur (therefore they ignore the comment). The reality is that their policy is not being executed properly and I think if a bunch of people point it out they are more likely to fix it.

For my part I intend to keep writing to the where I have specific instances of the system failing that way they can't say they haven't been told.

 

[eastwest101]

Well said, I like your well articulated reasoning. I encourage you to write to V with these details, I would hope it would help them to get this thing right reasonably soon. If you read my earlier complaint/response with V where I gave them an example of a non-FF getting allocated 3C, their response was that they don't know how that would occur (therefore they ignore the comment). The reality is that their policy is not being executed properly and I think if a bunch of people point it out they are more likely to fix it.

For my part I intend to keep writing to the where I have specific instances of the system failing that way they can't say they haven't been told.

All good points - I think feedback is required. However we can't make the assumption that Velocity or VA are receiving the feedback or even know that they may actually have a problem with seat selection/missing SC's/broken OLCI or any one of the numerous post-Sabre issues. They may in fact be completely ignorant of all of them for all we know. Certainly, as 777 has pointed out - their social media team has gone awol here.

Although they are probably wondering why the volume of calls made to VA and Velocity have exploded expedentially since Jan 13th :shock:, and may be wondering why there are hundreds of rants appearing on the Virgin Australia facebook page.

Anyway - I am doing my bit now tickthelist by giving online feedback to both Velocity and Virgin Australia pointing them to a summary of all the numerous complaints here in AFF about all the post-Sabre issues (including links to the numerous threads in AFF).

Stay tuned for their response - it has ended up being quite a laundry list of problems once I started looking into it.

 

[anat0l]

Sabre has undone all the goodwill I built up during the Borghetti period.

I know this isn't a small issue by any means, but I have to say that is a big call. And I mean a really, really big call.


My guess is that for someone who isn't on AFF (even if a frequent traveller), these recent changes have had some lumps (the worst is probably some very, very sporadic reports of overcharging), but otherwise there is little ill will. Certainly for most people not on AFF, selecting a seat is not a big deal, unless they are travelling in a party of more than one (and then they will not care much as long as they get seats together). They are usually the ones who won't care if they get a middle seat, and seat 18A is just as good as 4A.

 

[medhead]

I know this isn't a small issue by any means, but I have to say that is a big call. And I mean a really, really big call.


My guess is that for someone who isn't on AFF (even if a frequent traveller), these recent changes have had some lumps (the worst is probably some very, very sporadic reports of overcharging), but otherwise there is little ill will. Certainly for most people not on AFF, selecting a seat is not a big deal, unless they are travelling in a party of more than one (and then they will not care much as long as they get seats together). They are usually the ones who won't care if they get a middle seat, and seat 18A is just as good as 4A.

2 small points. It was the goodwill that I built up. That is a personal statement and doesn't reflect on the feelings of others. I also did not say that there was ill will. Simply that I have lost my good will to tolerate and accept those lumps that you mention.

I agree that 4A and 18A seats are the same, and like most window seats that are absolutely the worst seats for me.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

for someone who isn't on AFF (even if a frequent traveller), these recent changes have had some lumps (the worst is probably some very, very sporadic reports of overcharging), but otherwise there is little ill will.

I wouldn't be quite so sure. AFF is a good barometer of client feelings. Since the JB changes mostly great, since the Sabre thing, mostly distain. A guy I work with came in the other day ranting and raving about VA. He was attempting a fare purchase (somehow) to go to SYD to see his daughter and had a heap of problems. I didn't hear the story, but he's not an AFF member, nor is he an overly frequent flyer (I'd say <10 short sectors a year), but certainly enough to know when he's being done over.