Virgin/Qatar seat selection

[Wondoola]

Booked 2 business class seats thru Virgin on Qatar to find out had to pay Qatar an extra $860.oo for seat selection and virgin never mentioned seat selection as an option on there site,Virgin needs to be more upfront with there customers.

 

[Rayesfeg]

Qatar practice 'unbundling' their business class product and its likely your ticket is a "Business Lite" fare, meaning your ticket will not get you into a lounge and seat selection is not included.

I don't know your full itinerary, but I am taking a guess that you are flying from Aus - Doha - Europe, return. That's 4 x flights in total, times that by 2 people.
If my assumptions about your journey are correct, the $860 / 4 flights / 2 people works out to $107.50 per flight. Thats $107.50 that you need to pay to select a seat...

While I can't speak from experience, that figure sounds about correct from when I looked at the Business lite fare seat selection a few months ago (I ended up booking Emirates as the cost was similar but also out of principal of not paying for a seat in business class - it's a stupid concept).

Regardless, I do agree that if seat selection and lounge access is not included, then Virgin need to be upfront about these fare rules in the booking pages as it is a hidden cost and, as you have experienced, adds up costs that you would have not expected!

 

[clifford]

I booked a Qatar business class reward ticket (ATH-ADL) with VA a month or two ago, and seat selection was complimentary.

So not sure why you had to pay for seat assignment.

Please advise if it was a paid or reward ticket and what your VA status is. It probably makes a difference.

 

[Hunter4vr]

That's normal on Qatar, even booking directly they don't allow you to select your seats unless you purchase a Business Comfort (I,D) fare or pay up.

Most likely you've got yourself an R fare (Business Classic).

All award tickets however do come with seat selection.

 

[Wondoola]

I booked a Qatar business class reward ticket (ATH-ADL) with VA a month or two ago, and seat selection was complimentary.

So not sure why you had to pay for seat assignment.

Please advise if it was a paid or reward ticket and what your VA status is. It probably makes a difference.

I am a Platinum member the problem is i phoned Virgin before I paid and was told because of my status seat selection was free (BNE-MUN)

 

[CorporateFlyerMEL]

the QR/VA relationship is far from perfect - wait till you get to Doha and try and access the (corect) lounge (hopefully being in J will make it easier than in Y with VA status...)

 

[Rayesfeg]

That's normal on Qatar, even booking directly they don't allow you to select your seats unless you purchase a Business Comfort (I,D) fare or pay up.

Most likely you've got yourself an R fare (Business Classic).

All award tickets however do come with seat selection.

Good to know that award seats come with seat selection, not too sure how OP was quoted $860.

Do you know if there is a definitive way to tell which fare class award seats will be allocated before booking on an award ticket? (i.e. how to tell if lounge access is included as part of the booking?)

 

[Hunter4vr]

Good to know that award seats come with seat selection, not too sure how OP was quoted $860.

Do you know if there is a definitive way to tell which fare class award seats will be allocated before booking on an award ticket? (i.e. how to tell if lounge access is included as part of the booking?)

Award tickets on QR always book into the "U" fare class but annoyingly it is not listed on their website showing which fare classes come with lounge access.

 

[clifford]

Award tickets on QR always book into the "U" fare class but annoyingly it is not listed on their website showing which fare classes come with lounge access.

In my experience it does come with full lounge access (al Mourjan) and no seat fees.

 

[Wondoola]

That's normal on Qatar, even booking directly they don't allow you to select your seats unless you purchase a Business Comfort (I,D) fare or pay up.

Most likely you've got yourself an R fare (Business Classic).

All award tickets however do come with seat selection.

My tickets are business (D) BNE-MUN

 

[Wondoola]

Qatar practice 'unbundling' their business class product and its likely your ticket is a "Business Lite" fare, meaning your ticket will not get you into a lounge and seat selection is not included.

I don't know your full itinerary, but I am taking a guess that you are flying from Aus - Doha - Europe, return. That's 4 x flights in total, times that by 2 people.
If my assumptions about your journey are correct, the $860 / 4 flights / 2 people works out to $107.50 per flight. Thats $107.50 that you need to pay to select a seat...

While I can't speak from experience, that figure sounds about correct from when I looked at the Business lite fare seat selection a few months ago (I ended up booking Emirates as the cost was similar but also out of principal of not paying for a seat in business class - it's a stupid concept).

Regardless, I do agree that if seat selection and lounge access is not included, then Virgin need to be upfront about these fare rules in the booking pages as it is a hidden cost and, as you have experienced, adds up costs that you would have not expected!

My tickets are business (D)

 

[clifford]

My tickets are business (D) BNE-MUN

Are you really going to José Tadeo Monagas International Airport in Venezuela (MUN)?

​

 

[Wondoola]

Are you really going to José Tadeo Monagas International Airport in Venezuela (MUN)?

​

One letter can make a big difference sorry BNE-MUC

 

[Johnxx]

I can't use either of the 2 flight references or the e-ticket number to get my velocity reward booked Qatar flights to show on the Qatar app. Is this normal? And i just use the velocity app for online check-in etc?

 

[bcworld]

I can't use either of the 2 flight references or the e-ticket number to get my velocity reward booked Qatar flights to show on the Qatar app. Is this normal? And i just use the velocity app for online check-in etc?

No you won't be able to check in via Virgin / Velocity.

 

[jase05]

I can't use either of the 2 flight references or the e-ticket number to get my velocity reward booked Qatar flights to show on the Qatar app. Is this normal? And i just use the velocity app for online check-in etc?

That doesn’t sound right. I’ve booked QR reward seats only recently with Velocity points and the PNR they give you allowed me to easily select seats on the QR website

 

[Vic]

Just back from a Qantas award in economy on Qatar - Seat selection was free.
Paid Qatar Economy booked via Virgin last year had to pay for seat selection.
Virgin Awards in Business on Qatar, last year no problem with seat selection.

In business there is no bad seat, except for 18D/F on SQ A350... loved hearing the toilet flush all night.

The other experience with VA platinum is at a secondary, capital city european port - no lounge access for Virgin Platinum ("what is that"). No problem when I flash my Qantas platinum card - this was economy on Qatar booked via virgin...

the QR/VA relationship is far from perfect - wait till you get to Doha and try and access the (corect) lounge (hopefully being in J will make it easier than in Y with VA status...)

IMO there isn't much difference between the platinum lounge and AL Moujan. Go out to the C satellitte area and use the platinum lounge there, it is as good as the Al Moujan next door.
The dining room in the central Al Moujan, might be nicer but I've never had the time to use it. The central platinum lounge is a bit small and ordinary.

Last trip I had 7/8 hours each way in Doha, plenty of time to experience the lounge.

 

[bcworld]

The other experience with VA platinum is at a secondary, capital city european port - no lounge access for Virgin Platinum ("what is that"). No problem when I flash my Qantas platinum card - this was economy on Qatar booked via virgin...

This should not be the case...QR allows access to partner / 3rd party lounges for Velocity Gold & Plat (unlike e.g. SQ where you only get access to SQ operated lounges). Where possible you should get a lounge invite at check in, if lounge eligibility is not shown on the boarding pass.

 

[CorporateFlyerMEL]

recently flew Y on QR. It was a non-earning QF class, so I used my VA number. Entering VA number meant no seat selection without fee, but changing to QF Plat then full seat selection for free including exit rows. So did that and then changed back to VA number for earning, seat selection would 'stick' for a day or so and then disappear. So had to do this each time just before check in to get the exit row and then change back to VA before checking in (so to ensure VA earn).

Lounge access was a mess as there is no status printed on boarding pass for VA - was denied entry multiple times and then upon showing Qantas card, grudgingly let into lounge, with usual queries, why is your QF number not in the booking...

 

[bcworld]

As I mentioned above...there's a suggestion you should collect an invitation at check-in...whether or not in the real world contract check in staff at outstations have ever heard of this, or have these to hand out I can't say. Of course you'd assume this isn't required at DOH where QR staff would be aware of the various partnerships.

International lounge access

Discover our network of partner airline-operated lounges, available for access when traveling on flights operated by our esteemed international partners.

www.virginaustralia.com

Velocity Frequent Flyer guests who are eligible to enter Qatar lounges & Qatar third party lounges will need to collect an invitation to enter the lounge from Qatar check-in staff at the international departure port prior to clearing immigration.

*this note doesn't appear for any other Velocity partner.