Thank you. Sounds like a trap for young players .... and for those who travel on a group booking with LA on a Qantas flight.

Before our homeward journey from Santiago, I will diarise to see if seat reservations can be made online 80 hours before departure, then regularly after that to see if the window opens. I understand Latam group checkin opens 48 hours and Qantas 24 hours before, so, hopefully, that will work.

By the way, our homeward journey commences with Latam in Cuzco>Santiago, a few hours to change planes then back to Sydney on LA 0807. Will we be able to check luggage straight through from Cuzco, and will check in be timed back from Cuzco or Santiago flight for the 747 trip?

Thanks for the replies.