Originally Posted by
gpb_croppers63
If I'm not mistaken, there is the option to add another passenger on a different PNR during the OLCI process. I have never done it but I have a vague recollection of seeing that possibility when doing OLCI for myself. I can check when OLCI opens for my flights at the end of May, as I will be travelling with someone on a different PNR on that trip. Not sure when your flights are so whether that's of any help?
Our flights are 2nd July so, yes that would be really helpful if you could report back.
I also don't see why you won't be able to change your seats during OLCI either, as the ticket will be under A3's control by then. I know there used to be a workaround to select seats on any *A carrier by putting the booking into the LO website but the last few times I have tried this, it seems to no longer work. It would maybe be worth a shot though?
LOT comes back with the error "Secured PNR"
Also try other *A carrier websites to see whether you can pull the booking up there and select seats.
No joy there either, having tried several. The only other site I've found that allows me into the booking is SQ, and the only thing I can do there is select a window or aisle seat preference on each of the bookings (but no way to request that they are together).
Failing that, have you tried actually ringing A3? I find that the information you get from different sources within A3 tends to vary so would always explore all avenues. The phone reservations team have been able to select seats for me on bookings where I couldn't do it online without problems, but they were all ticketed by A3 so maybe it's different on an SQ ticket.
From what they've advised it does appear to be different. Pre-seat selection is apparently only available where the flight is ticketed by A3 or OA, and that is confirmed in the notes in the seat selection policy on their website. Presumably there is a reason for it other than A3 deliberately disadvantaging passengers who have been ticketed through other airlines but it doesn't make for a great customer experience. Having made a number of redemptions over the years on other airlines with BA Avios, I've never come across this kind of issue. Even using some SQ miles to book an Alaska Airlines flight, a non-Star Alliance partner, seat selection was no issue to the point that adding OneWorld status to the booking opens up seating reserved for OneWorld Elites despite it having been ticketed by SQ.
All of that said I would be OK with it so long as I had some confidence that it will likely be resolved at online check-in whilst there are still likely to be sufficient seats available to get two together.
I haven't tried phoning them yet. I probably will over the weekend. Hopefully that will get some more clarity around what will happen at OLCI - I will report back.
Hope that helps somewhat.
That's a massive help. Thank you.