limited seat choice
Feb 2, 2013, 2:11 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 89
limited seat choice
Hi all
I am a Gold FF and since the change over to the new booking system I can no longer choose seats in the first few rows of economy? Is this a glitch or a permanent feature. This is a significant down ground. At least with Qantas (I am Platinum) I can choose the emergency exits with no charge! Might have to move my business back to them!
Cheers
I am a Gold FF and since the change over to the new booking system I can no longer choose seats in the first few rows of economy? Is this a glitch or a permanent feature. This is a significant down ground. At least with Qantas (I am Platinum) I can choose the emergency exits with no charge! Might have to move my business back to them!
Cheers
Feb 2, 2013, 6:46 am
#3
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: LON BCN SYD
Programs: BA, OZ, A3, VA, VS, DL, QF, former BD and others
Posts: 1,074
4 rows seems a bit excessive in a small plane.
BA does it well, with the first row reserved for Golds (Platinum equivalent) until T-72. I think that's fair enough. Blocking rows 3-6 seems a bit over the top. Flying QF you at least get the chance to get the equivalent blocked seats at T-80
Also, it's not ideal that this change was made without any notice.
BA does it well, with the first row reserved for Golds (Platinum equivalent) until T-72. I think that's fair enough. Blocking rows 3-6 seems a bit over the top. Flying QF you at least get the chance to get the equivalent blocked seats at T-80
Also, it's not ideal that this change was made without any notice.
Last edited by wyvern; Feb 7, 2013 at 8:06 am
Feb 7, 2013, 6:53 pm
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Melbourne
Programs: ►QFWP/LTG►VA WP►HyattExpl.►HiltonGold►ALL Silver
Posts: 21,994
Changes to Advance Seat Selection and introduction of Preferential Seating ¹
You can now select your seat at the time of booking free of charge, or at the time of check-in. Following a booking, you can make a seat selection by calling the Guest Contact Centre.
On flights marketed and operated by Virgin Australia you can also select your preferred seat from reserved zones, which are determined by your Velocity membership level and the fare class booked.
When making a flight booking with Virgin Australia, including any bookings using Points, you will need to login to your Velocity Account via the panel on the right hand side of the page when selecting your preferred flights. This will ensure the appropriate seats available for your level of membership are displayed correctly.
...
¹ Preferential Seating and Advance Seat Selection is at all times subject to availability of requested seats.
You can now select your seat at the time of booking free of charge, or at the time of check-in. Following a booking, you can make a seat selection by calling the Guest Contact Centre.
On flights marketed and operated by Virgin Australia you can also select your preferred seat from reserved zones, which are determined by your Velocity membership level and the fare class booked.
When making a flight booking with Virgin Australia, including any bookings using Points, you will need to login to your Velocity Account via the panel on the right hand side of the page when selecting your preferred flights. This will ensure the appropriate seats available for your level of membership are displayed correctly.
...
¹ Preferential Seating and Advance Seat Selection is at all times subject to availability of requested seats.
Feb 7, 2013, 7:47 pm
#7
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Sydney and Christchurch
Programs: Skywards Platinum, Qantas Platinum, Velocity Platinum, Air New Zealand Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 38
Hi all
I am a Gold FF and since the change over to the new booking system I can no longer choose seats in the first few rows of economy? Is this a glitch or a permanent feature. This is a significant down ground. At least with Qantas (I am Platinum) I can choose the emergency exits with no charge! Might have to move my business back to them!
Cheers
I am a Gold FF and since the change over to the new booking system I can no longer choose seats in the first few rows of economy? Is this a glitch or a permanent feature. This is a significant down ground. At least with Qantas (I am Platinum) I can choose the emergency exits with no charge! Might have to move my business back to them!
Cheers
Feb 9, 2013, 8:06 am
#9
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: LON BCN SYD
Programs: BA, OZ, A3, VA, VS, DL, QF, former BD and others
Posts: 1,074
It's definitely not an enhancement if you are gold. Opening up the plat seats at T-80 or T-72 that would be an improvement - but then you can't seem to change seat selection after booking (this is a major flaw with the new arrangements).
It is a shame because until recently I got a lot of row 3 seats - which suggests that there are not so many plats flying in Y on some of these flights, and perhaps reserving one row until T-72 might be more appropriate than reserving 4 rows until check-in...
Some of VA's advantages over Qantas seem to be disappearing.
It is a shame because until recently I got a lot of row 3 seats - which suggests that there are not so many plats flying in Y on some of these flights, and perhaps reserving one row until T-72 might be more appropriate than reserving 4 rows until check-in...
Some of VA's advantages over Qantas seem to be disappearing.
Feb 11, 2013, 7:11 am
#10
Join Date: Dec 2011
Programs: QFF Velocity
Posts: 42
First VA trip post Sabre implementation. Im Platinum, so was able to select 3C on the E190 at time of booking. All good. Go to do online check-in T-18 and notice i've been booted to 4C. Was able to move myself back to another free seat in row 3. But why the boot? Ive heard reports of people being shuffled after pre-selecting, but this was the first for me.
Post script: i was moved because a man and his guide dog required the seats. yes, I feel like a dill and am taking my humble pie with extra cream. Very happy to be moved again in future should similar circumstances arise.
Post script: i was moved because a man and his guide dog required the seats. yes, I feel like a dill and am taking my humble pie with extra cream. Very happy to be moved again in future should similar circumstances arise.
Last edited by Dontprocrastinateaviate; Feb 12, 2013 at 3:43 am Reason: because i'm a dill sometimes
Feb 12, 2013, 2:52 pm
#11
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Melbourne, Mostly
Programs: VA Plat, TK E, HH Dia, IHG Gold
Posts: 487
First VA trip post Sabre implementation. Im Platinum, so was able to select 3C on the E190 at time of booking. All good. Go to do online check-in T-18 and notice i've been booted to 4C. Was able to move myself back to another free seat in row 3. But why the boot? Ive heard reports of people being shuffled after pre-selecting, but this was the first for me.
Post script: i was moved because a man and his guide dog required the seats. yes, I feel like a dill and am taking my humble pie with extra cream. Very happy to be moved again in future should similar circumstances arise.
Post script: i was moved because a man and his guide dog required the seats. yes, I feel like a dill and am taking my humble pie with extra cream. Very happy to be moved again in future should similar circumstances arise.
Feb 18, 2013, 2:17 pm
#12
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Sydney and Christchurch
Programs: Skywards Platinum, Qantas Platinum, Velocity Platinum, Air New Zealand Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 38
I travelled on Saturday SYD – MLB and back MLB – SYD. The night before departure I was able to select 4C from chekin, on the way back I was able to select 3E upon checkin. So it seems you can choose a closer seat just before departure.