Seat selection in new system?

[muppet]

That doesn't sound promising. I hope this does not become commonplace. FFers being restricted whilst once-a-yearers holding hands with plats because they were running late for the flight.

It will just make it like QF (QLink is a particular offender), where front seats are blocked for CL/P1 and then released once the plane is full on checkin.

 

[JohnK]

That doesn't sound promising. I hope this does not become commonplace. FFers being restricted whilst once-a-yearers holding hands with plats because they were running late for the flight.

My past 2 flights since the changes resemble that sort of scenario.

Unless something changes drastically it will be free for all at airport and pot luck as to which Platinum gets a shadow, if any at all.

 

[Bolthead]

That doesn't sound promising. I hope this does not become commonplace. FFers being restricted whilst once-a-yearers holding hands with plats because they were running late for the flight.

Yes, we have to watch those once-a-yearers , they may have germs.....:mrgreen:

I have a solution.... a bottle of that disinfectant hand gel for all Plats

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Yes, we have to watch those once-a-yearers , they may have germs.....:mrgreen:

I have a solution.... a bottle of that disinfectant hand gel for all Plats

He, He.......I'm not a plat, so they won't be holding hands with me!

Sorry all. I wasn't trying to be derogatory to infrequent flyers (I sleep with one of those grubby reds and gave life to three more). I'm more commenting on my belief that status flyers only bother giving their loyalty for the perks. An airline actively disadvantaging those pax who are organised and the least trouble due to their air travel experience over those who run late due to their inexperience seems like a backward step to me.

 

[bullerdude]

Well I tried.... They got all three of us in 4A, 4B, 4C which is expected if there is already 2 x plats in row 3 (either side) .... but wait for it... she said she could not do the return seat allocation as it was before the T14 period. I didn't want to argue with her because my flight going up is not even at the T14 point and I don't blame her. This is a training or communication problem with VA. I will wait until we are closer to the date to worry about the return leg.:?:

Next time you ring - point them to the velocity website - as is now says you can select seats at any point in time.


Seating Preferences

• Enjoy a preferred selection of seats from reserved zones according to your Velocity status on flights marketed and operated by Virgin Australia.
• Advance Seat Selection can be accessed at time of booking or at time of check-in for your flight, and is at all times subject to availability of requested seats.

Preferential Seating

• Enjoy a preferred selection of seats from reserved zones according to your Velocity status on flights marketed and operated by Virgin Australia.
• Advance Seat Selection is at all times subject to availablility of requested seats.

 

[bullerdude]

My past 2 flights since the changes resemble that sort of scenario.

Unless something changes drastically it will be free for all at airport and pot luck as to which Platinum gets a shadow, if any at all.

I hope they fix this once things are running more smoothly... I would be very somewhat to find row 3 occupied by once-a-year flyers as it massively degrades the Plat benefit.

More preferably, if they have to reallocate people to the premium rows last minute, then they should bump up a silver/gold flyer and put the non-FF further back.

 

[hydrabyss]

For the first time I have not bothered nor cared to ring velocity to allocate my seats for up coming flights.Seeing as though asking at the airport for what is left is the only way to get beyond row 7 I have decided to take the gamble and see what the angels give me.Plus one of the flights is on an ATR so no benefit to having a front row for the that one.

 

[jazza1971]

Out of curiosity, are Golds able to select the exit row without fee? I never had the need with row 3 always previously available.

 

[bullerdude]

It appears that both Gold/Plat can select the first exit row on the 737-800's (i.e. the one with no recline) but are charged for the second row (the one with recline). On other planes with only one exit row this is obviously not the case.

However, you can request exit row seating at checking at the airport for free as a gold. I have a friend who is gold and has received the exit row on multiple occasions when checking in a the airport.

 

[Shano]

However, you can request exit row seating at checking at the airport for free as a gold. I have a friend who is gold and has received the exit row on multiple occasions when checking in a the airport.

As a silver I was able to you select first exit row last week.

 

[jazza1971]

It appears that both Gold/Plat can select the first exit row on the 737-800's (i.e. the one with no recline) but are charged for the second row (the one with recline). On other planes with only one exit row this is obviously not the case.

However, you can request exit row seating at checking at the airport for free as a gold. I have a friend who is gold and has received the exit row on multiple occasions when checking in a the airport.

Not having sat in a VA 737-800 exit row, so the first exit row is not reclineable at all even in cruise? Glad I found that out, I would have assumed it was just like a QF 737-800 exit row which you can recline.

 

[bullerdude]

Not having sat in a VA 737-800 exit row, so the first exit row is not reclineable at all even in cruise? Glad I found that out, I would have assumed it was just like a QF 737-800 exit row which you can recline.

Yep, it cannot recline as it would impede the 2nd emergency row in an emergency.

 

[Brooke01]

Hi all,

I have a few bookings in the system at the moment. 2 were made after the migration to Sabre, 1 was made prior. I rang up last week to seat allocations for all 3 intinerys. The two that were made after the migration - no problem (3A allocated - I am Platinum - for all flight legs). I asked for 3A on the booking made prior to Sabre migration and was assured it was allocated.

Had a nagging feeling today - so rang up Velocity just to confirm. Seems that the seats hadn't been allocated for my itinery. I could get 3A for the return journey - but only 6A (**SHOCK**) for the outward one. Apparently all other seats forward of this were already taken ? I must admit, I was a little stunned - ever since I hit Platinum I have always been allocated 3A Have certainly never been in Row 6.

Yeah, I know - First World Problems !

Cheers,

Brooke

 

[robd]

Hi all,

I have a few bookings in the system at the moment. 2 were made after the migration to Sabre, 1 was made prior. I rang up last week to seat allocations for all 3 intinerys. The two that were made after the migration - no problem (3A allocated - I am Platinum - for all flight legs). I asked for 3A on the booking made prior to Sabre migration and was assured it was allocated.

Had a nagging feeling today - so rang up Velocity just to confirm. Seems that the seats hadn't been allocated for my itinery. I could get 3A for the return journey - but only 6A (**SHOCK**) for the outward one. Apparently all other seats forward of this were already taken ? I must admit, I was a little stunned - ever since I hit Platinum I have always been allocated 3A Have certainly never been in Row 6.

Yeah, I know - First World Problems !

Cheers,

Brooke

You poor thing Have a couple of extra drinks in the lounge before you board and make sure you listen very carefully to the crew member when they're giving you directions all the way down to row 6 - you'll be fine

 

[Brooke01]

You poor thing Have a couple of extra drinks in the lounge before you board and make sure you listen very carefully to the crew member when they're giving you directions all the way down to row 6 - you'll be fine

I know ! I don't know how I will survive ! LOL Considering it is an 8am flight - drinks in the lounge probably won't work. Hehe

PS - I will also be scrutinizing all those in front of me trying to ascertain their "status". I will probably get kicked off the plane for being a weirdo !

 

[kpc]

Rang to allocate seats for my parents for a flight in 9 days; as VA Gold, they could only get seats in row 15 and back...which is just b..l; she even checked with her supervisor:shock:. According to Expert Flyer, as a VA gold on a 737, seats from row 7 onwards are available on that partic. flight. Really frustrating experience....might call back on another day!

Did OLCI tonite, and row 7 was the most forward row available for a VA Gold member.

 

[JohnK]

More preferably, if they have to reallocate people to the premium rows last minute, then they should bump up a silver/gold flyer and put the non-FF further back.

That would more than likely not happen as it would be too much shuffling around and I am sure mass confusion trying to get the right boarding pass to everyone.

 

[kevrosmith]

Some friends of mine have had some interesting experiences regarding seat selection, and it's making me wonder if the system applies a "lowest common denominator" approach when bookings have people with different statuses.

Friend A (Platinum) and Friend B (Gold) are travelling together on same booking, flexi fares, and the furthest forward they could select on 737 was row 7, and EF shows me that there is absolutely no one in rows 1-6 at the moment. From what others are reporting, Platinum members are usually able to select rows 3-6 also.

Same booking, on the return on an E90, furthest forward is row 4 (row 3 is occupied), so seems that is a bit better and what I would expect.

On the 737, it appears Platinum could not select row 1-6 as there was a Gold member on the booking!! If this is what is standard, that is terrible.

Another instance, Friend B (Gold) has booking with wife (Red), and on a separate booking, the grand-kids booked using Friend B's points. Okay, they are on separate bookings, but the furthest forward the Call Centre would allocate them all together was row 16! EF shows me there are plenty of rows free between 1-12, including rows 6-12 which a Gold member would normally be able to select. Okay, I appreciate that the grand-kids are on a separate booking, but surely something better could be done here for a Status member!

If this is how the seat allocation is happening with mixed-status level bookings, then I think it is poor form. Something to watch out for, and I'd be interested to hear the experience of other Platinum and Gold members when making bookings with their non-status level significant other-half etc.

 

[bullerdude]

Some friends of mine have had some interesting experiences regarding seat selection, and it's making me wonder if the system applies a "lowest common denominator" approach when bookings have people with different statuses.

Friend A (Platinum) and Friend B (Gold) are travelling together on same booking, flexi fares, and the furthest forward they could select on 737 was row 7, and EF shows me that there is absolutely no one in rows 1-6 at the moment. From what others are reporting, Platinum members are usually able to select rows 3-6 also.

Same booking, on the return on an E90, furthest forward is row 4 (row 3 is occupied), so seems that is a bit better and what I would expect.

On the 737, it appears Platinum could not select row 1-6 as there was a Gold member on the booking!! If this is what is standard, that is terrible.

If this is how the seat allocation is happening with mixed-status level bookings, then I think it is poor form. Something to watch out for, and I'd be interested to hear the experience of other Platinum and Gold members when making bookings with their non-status level significant other-half etc.

This is a system bug, which can be overcome by only entering the highest level FF number when booking. Additionally, the velocity call centre can allocate everyone on your booking to the highest row you as the FF are eligible for.

Another instance, Friend B (Gold) has booking with wife (Red), and on a separate booking, the grand-kids booked using Friend B's points. Okay, they are on separate bookings, but the furthest forward the Call Centre would allocate them all together was row 16! EF shows me there are plenty of rows free between 1-12, including rows 6-12 which a Gold member would normally be able to select. Okay, I appreciate that the grand-kids are on a separate booking, but surely something better could be done here for a Status member!

Separate booking technically aren't covered... but as a Plat I have manage to have other people allocated to row 3 with me - however I'm not sure if they extent the 'unwritten' benefit to Gold members.

Plus, as there are on a separate booking, there is a good chance that they could be moved out of rows reserved for status passengers - this has also happened to people travelling with me.

 

[james4321]

I'd be interested to hear the experience of other Platinum and Gold members when making bookings with their non-status level significant other-half etc.

OOL-SYD Me (Plat) my wife (Red) Called up and got 3a 3b no problem.