WP unable to access seat allocation

[QFFBNE]

I thought one of the benefits of WP would be earlier access to seat allocation but have been a bit dissappointed. Back in April we booked to fly QF 27 SYD/SCL, 2 x J (tomorrow) and were allocated 11/12K. Every other J seat was blocked except for two in the forward cabin and three in the rear. We have have been trying to move to the forward cabin since the booking was made but have been unable to do so either on line or through service desk. This is despite confirmation from the service team that the forward cabin sesats were available. . The same thing is happening for the return QF28 in early February. Allocated 11/12K again with most of the J seast blocked out again (this was in April 2024) and have been unable to changedespite numerous attempts dut=ring the year. Made a few more attempts today with some success on the fourth. First three calls was told nothing they could do. "Code share" was muttered but no other explanation given and that was that. Last call the operator took probably 25 minutes, but was able to select the seats we wanted for the return journey at least. Kudos to him for persistence, but whats wrong with Qantas IT that the seats had been blocked since April? I thought maybe T80 might be a chance but no go on either the app or online. First world problem I know and I still have J both ways but still frustrating and makes a mockery of the Qantas status system.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

You have another shot when check-in opens, at the 24 hour mark.

 

[QFFBNE]

You have another shot when check-in opens, at the 24 hour mark.

Thats what I hoped but no dice. In fact after checkin our 11/12K allocation had now disappeared altogether. That prompted the second call of the day to the FF line to gey them reinstated.

 

[nancypants]

Are the QF SCL flights a block codeshare with LATAM?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Are the QF SCL flights a block codeshare with LATAM?

i believe they are. And LATAM’s seat allocation is untouchable.

 

[nancypants]

i believe they are. And LATAM’s seat allocation is untouchable.

I thought expertflyer used to demonstrate this quite nicely but when I went looking just now neither the LA800 or QF27 for tomorrow showed it. Maybe I need to search a bit further out to find one outside of airport control

 

[RooFlyer]

Are the QF SCL flights a block codeshare with LATAM?

The OP is of course on QF27, but separately, QF and LATAM do hold blocks of a proportion seats on each others flights. Sold exclusively by the airline holding the 'block'; not really 'codeshare' in the usual sense. The other airline has no input or bearing on seating in the others' blocks..

 

[QFFBNE]

Are the QF SCL flights a block codeshare with LATAM?

No, I'm transferring to a KLM flight to EZE (same booking), not LATAM.

 

[nancypants]

No, I'm transferring to a KLM flight to EZE (same booking), not LATAM.

You misunderstand but I didn’t explain myself properly. Essentially Qantas and latam each sell (or sold?) a defined block of seats on these flights. Not like a standard codeshare where all seats are fair-ish game. At one point it was one side of the plane (left or right) was for sale by only one of the two airlines. Then it was specific rows (so for example rows 1-3, 6-9 might be only for sale by QF with the other rows for sale by LATAM). Eventually the remaining seats would be open for anyone to allocate to and folk just had to duke it out for the remaining seats

There are (or were?) positives and negatives to this arrangement, the negatives are fairly obvious but the positives include(d?) the ability to upgrade using Qantas points on the LATAM flight if booked under a QF code, which isn’t possible on any other codeshares*

I am uncertain if this block codeshare arrangement persists since LATAM left oneworld

*I am told select SB services also

 

[QFFBNE]

The OP is of course on QF27, but separately, QF and LATAM do hold blocks of a proportion seats on each others flights. Sold exclusively by the airline holding the 'block'; not really 'codeshare' in the usual sense. The other airline has no input or bearing on seating in the others' blocks..

If this arrangement also exists with KLM that might explain it. Still makes a mockery of the Qantas' loyalty scheme. QF metal, QF route, 9 months out and a WP is in the same position as non-FF passenger.

 

[QFFBNE]

You misunderstand but I didn’t explain myself properly. Essentially Qantas and latam each sell (or sold?) a defined block of seats on these flights. Not like a standard codeshare where all seats are fair-ish game. At one point it was one side of the plane (left or right) was for sale by only one of the two airlines. Then it was specific rows (so for example rows 1-3, 6-9 might be only for sale by QF with the other rows for sale by LATAM). Eventually the remaining seats would be open for anyone to allocate to and folk just had to duke it out for the remaining seats

There are (or were?) positives and negatives to this arrangement, the negatives are fairly obvious but the positives include(d?) the ability to upgrade using Qantas points on the LATAM flight if booked under a QF code, which isn’t possible on any other codeshares*

I am uncertain if this block codeshare arrangement persists since LATAM left oneworld

*I am told select SB services also

Sorry yes, I did misunderstand and it's certainly possible this may apply. But surely QF is able to/should be able allocate seats somewhere in rows 1 to 7 to its own WP passengers? Not put them literally out the back. I booked 9 months out after all. As I say first world problem but indicative of the very, very deep hole QF has fallen into. I'll hit P1 and LTG in the middle of the year and I'm starting to wonder what's the point?

 

[RooFlyer]

Sorry yes, I did misunderstand and it's certainly possible this may apply.

If you are on QF27, on Qantas metal, purchased from Qantas, it doesn't apply.

If this arrangement also exists with KLM that might explain it.

No, doesn't apply there either.

I can't see any reason why you shouldn't be able to choose the seats you want.

 

[marki]

I thought one of the benefits of WP would be earlier access to seat allocation but have been a bit dissappointed. Back in April we booked to fly QF 27 SYD/SCL, 2 x J (tomorrow) and were allocated 11/12K. Every other J seat was blocked except for two in the forward cabin and three in the rear. We have have been trying to move to the forward cabin since the booking was made but have been unable to do so either on line or through service desk. This is despite confirmation from the service team that the forward cabin sesats were available. . The same thing is happening for the return QF28 in early February. Allocated 11/12K again with most of the J seast blocked out again (this was in April 2024) and have been unable to changedespite numerous attempts dut=ring the year. Made a few more attempts today with some success on the fourth. First three calls was told nothing they could do. "Code share" was muttered but no other explanation given and that was that. Last call the operator took probably 25 minutes, but was able to select the seats we wanted for the return journey at least. Kudos to him for persistence, but whats wrong with Qantas IT that the seats had been blocked since April? I thought maybe T80 might be a chance but no go on either the app or online. First world problem I know and I still have J both ways but still frustrating and makes a mockery of the Qantas status system.

The same thing happened to us on QF10 and calls to Qantas operator could not change it. Unable to allocate a full Y class fare. Only at check in - at Qantas First lounge - were we able to allocate a seat. But our upgrades classic were ignored. I am of course finding it harder and harder to justify the spend on QF with this abhorrent treatment of a P1.

 

[SYD]

If this arrangement also exists with KLM that might explain it. Still makes a mockery of the Qantas' loyalty scheme. QF metal, QF route, 9 months out and a WP is in the same position as non-FF passenger.

Not exactly. Lower status PAX will see even less available seats. We had similar challenges flying QF metal (QF code) SYD-SCL (ret) last year. The “block system” can be a PITA.

The KL sector is potentially another can of worms being a non-OW partner (so things like seat selection aren’t guaranteed at all).

*I am told select SB services also

Yes.

I thought expertflyer used to demonstrate this quite nicely but when I went looking just now neither the LA800 or QF27 for tomorrow showed it. Maybe I need to search a bit further out to find one outside of airport control

Yes, you can see quite clearly on EF the different blocks of seats allocated to each of QF and LA.

 

[nancypants]

[snip]



Yes, you can see quite clearly on EF the different blocks of seats allocated to each of QF and LA.

I’m struggling to make this work at present- can you post an example?

 

[SYD]

I’m struggling to make this work at present- can you post an example?

No, I’m seeing the same (full seat map now)! Maybe the “block” BS has been enhanced? And the OPs problem was just a very full flight?

It was definitely still “block” allocation on QF this time last year. I did post screen shots from EF around the time but don’t recall which thread.

 

[QFFBNE]

The KL sector is potentially another can of worms being a non-OW partner (so things like seat selection aren’t guaranteed at all).

The funny thing is I could select pretty much any seat I wanted on the KLM legs. We are J (2/3A) on the SCL/EZE segment , then Y (17K/J) on the return EZE/SCL three weeks later.

 

[SYD]

No, I’m seeing the same (full seat map now)! Maybe the “block” BS has been enhanced? And the OPs problem was just a very full flight?

It was definitely still “block” allocation on QF this time last year. I did post screen shots from EF around the time but don’t recall which thread.

EF is playing the game now but some days show the full seat and some days show “Block” seat. Here’s QF28 on 2Feb:

Note: rows 4 to 6 (and part of 7) are MIA. They should appear on EF using the LA codeshare.

A WP with 2x PAX on a booking might even be seeing only “Window/Aisle” seat selection because there aren’t 2 or more vacant seats to move/select.

The forward blocked seats should free up at T-80.