Seating on SQ metal with a VA booking

[JohnK]

I have the feeling your friend is in for a rude shock. It's not just the seat selection problem, it's the whole SQ whY experience. IME they do not show any recognition to VA platinum and cough service at the back of the bus is the best we could muster. I'm perservering with SQ as I want to try the J/F options, which do sound great, but I'd choose other airlines over SQ in whY.

SQ are not fantastic but they are ok. I also love the fact that VA pays for my lounge access when I fly SQ.

Qantas and SQ would be my first choice in economy for obvious reasons but Qantas is not always cheap especially last minute airfares. SQ is not much better but airfares bearable.

 

[Pleb Status]

It looks like SQ may have disabled the ability to select seats (when you have booked on the VA codeshare) in the latest version of the Android app.

 

[bullerdude]

Seems unbelievable they still can't get basic things like this right...

 

[samas]

I flew on SQ metal with a VA flight number earlier this year for the first time in J (revenue)
I only booked it 4 days out and got randomly assigned seats.

Called up a SQ australian phone number <12 hours and they assigned me seats I asked for (checked on ExpertFlyer). Catch is it was about 3 hours out from my initial domestic departure on VA. VA Crew on my first sector said they couldn't provide my meal choice as I was "catering not assured." I asked VA crew why I was catering not assured and they claimed I was a late booking/change. I said something along the lines of I was flying on the exact flights I booked 4 days prior with no schedule changes. They asked to see my boarding pass. A few minutes later out came my requested desert with no apologies...

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I flew on SQ metal with a VA flight number earlier this year for the first time in J (revenue)
I only booked it 4 days out and got randomly assigned seats.

Called up a SQ australian phone number <12 hours and they assigned me seats I asked for (checked on ExpertFlyer). Catch is it was about 3 hours out from my initial domestic departure on VA. VA Crew on my first sector said they couldn't provide my meal choice as I was "catering not assured." I asked VA crew why I was catering not assured and they claimed I was a late booking/change. I said something along the lines of I was flying on the exact flights I booked 4 days prior with no schedule changes. They asked to see my boarding pass. A few minutes later out came my requested desert with no apologies...

Was it just the desert you were initially denied, or a whole meal? From what you have written, it sounds like the "meal not available" quip may have been an outright lie from the crew ... or was the desert just a sweetener for missing the main meal? I must admit to flying plenty of VA Dom J on a catering not assured basis and seem to always get a reasonable nosh.

 

[Dannyism]

Me tips as follows.

1. Always book direct, never with VA
2. More seats are released with SQ at T- 72, 48
and 24.
3. Ask for bulk head row when you check in.
4. Ask a flight attendant (politely) if you can move to a better seat once the cabin doors close.
5. Always check the fare class (when booking direct). I've found full fare economy SQ for cheaper than discount VA code share. Making it rain status credits.

 

[Jay Cee]

It looks like SQ may have disabled the ability to select seats (when you have booked on the VA codeshare) in the latest version of the Android app.

You are correct there.

cheers

 

[samas]

Was it just the desert you were initially denied, or a whole meal? From what you have written, it sounds like the "meal not available" quip may have been an outright lie from the crew ... or was the desert just a sweetener for missing the main meal? I must admit to flying plenty of VA Dom J on a catering not assured basis and seem to always get a reasonable nosh.

I got my first choice of the earlier options, probably by luck. (this was transcon A332) - it was just the cheese plater I was initially denied for that "catering not assured" reason.