SkyTeam Elite+ - AF no longer opening up seat maps?
Dec 19, 2018, 8:16 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Rome
Programs: Alitalia MilleMiglia
Posts: 118
SkyTeam Elite+ - AF no longer opening up seat maps?
Hi Everyone
I have SkyTeam Elite Plus status through Alitalia, I currently travel with AF every couple of weeks on European flights to and from Paris. I have noticed in the last three weeks that when I go to check-in online, the full seat map is not now available for me as it used to be, to select a seat, and I am often placed in row 12 or further back. Has something changed recently with AF and the ability to select a seat for SkyTeam Elite Plus members of other programmes?
I have SkyTeam Elite Plus status through Alitalia, I currently travel with AF every couple of weeks on European flights to and from Paris. I have noticed in the last three weeks that when I go to check-in online, the full seat map is not now available for me as it used to be, to select a seat, and I am often placed in row 12 or further back. Has something changed recently with AF and the ability to select a seat for SkyTeam Elite Plus members of other programmes?
Dec 19, 2018, 3:04 pm
#5
Moderator: Aegean Miles+Bonus
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: AMS / ATH
Programs: AFKL Plat, A3 Gold
Posts: 7,342
I noticed that my seat reservation for an AF flight AMS-CDG in early Jan was changed; From 7C to 9C and now to 12C. Now the seat map does not let me choose anything before row 11 (exit row). What's going on 
Dec 19, 2018, 3:53 pm
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Rome
Programs: Alitalia MilleMiglia
Posts: 118
It happens to me on both AF and JOON. I’ve just checked the seat map again for my flight tomorrow to Birmingham from CDG and I have now been given a middle exit row seat and the rest of the seat map is blocked out. There is no possible way that this flight is full, it never is and even though we are in the run-up to Christmas, I very much doubt tomorrow’s will be. Therefore I can only assume that there is a fault with the AF system regarding seat access for STE+ members or they’ve changed the rules. Not good.
Dec 19, 2018, 11:29 pm
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Paris, France
Programs: AF/KL Flying Blue Platinum for life/Club2000 Ultimate, Accor ALL Diamond
Posts: 21,928
Dec 20, 2018, 4:48 pm
#8
Moderator: Aegean Miles+Bonus
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: AMS / ATH
Programs: AFKL Plat, A3 Gold
Posts: 7,342
Dec 23, 2018, 4:55 am
#10
Join Date: Mar 2017
Programs: FB Ultimate, Accor Diamond, HH Diamond, BW Diamond,Avis President, Hertz President Club
Posts: 137
In some flights, mostly on "La Navette" flights they used to place the Platinum members on the first rows of the cabin. Now, they have a policy where if you are "Abonné" and paid full fare or just normal passenger and paid full fare, they have right to the seats on the front of the cabin. Therefore, the Platinums having paid basic fare or weekend fare or other are kicked to the back of the cabin...Proof that if you are Platinum who spent a lot on travelling during the year but you bought a low fare ticket, they don't care...Not really nice as the loyalty counts less and less...
Dec 23, 2018, 8:43 am
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Paris, France
Programs: AF/KL Flying Blue Platinum for life/Club2000 Ultimate, Accor ALL Diamond
Posts: 21,928
In some flights, mostly on "La Navette" flights they used to place the Platinum members on the first rows of the cabin. Now, they have a policy where if you are "Abonné" and paid full fare or just normal passenger and paid full fare, they have right to the seats on the front of the cabin. Therefore, the Platinums having paid basic fare or weekend fare or other are kicked to the back of the cabin...Proof that if you are Platinum who spent a lot on travelling during the year but you bought a low fare ticket, they don't care...Not really nice as the loyalty counts less and less...
Dec 23, 2018, 2:26 pm
#12
Join Date: Mar 2017
Programs: FB Ultimate, Accor Diamond, HH Diamond, BW Diamond,Avis President, Hertz President Club
Posts: 137
Thanks for your reply. Interesting as it happens to me lately on ORY-MRS-ORY flights. Maybe is because you're Ultimate Platinum? I'm Platinum since 4 years now and fly quite a lot. Every time I experience this I call the Platinum line and get such answer as mentioned above (which has been inconsistent as they say also is a weight and balance issue, airport blocking the seats, or simply they can't move you to another seat because...) I've reported this to the agents at the airport, Platinum Line, and even to the purser when he/she approaches to say hi.
In any case I feel this not really nice from them.
Cheers,
Alex
Dec 24, 2018, 2:52 am
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Paris, France
Programs: AF/KL Flying Blue Platinum for life/Club2000 Ultimate, Accor ALL Diamond
Posts: 21,928
Hi Goldorak,
Thanks for your reply. Interesting as it happens to me lately on ORY-MRS-ORY flights. Maybe is because you're Ultimate Platinum? I'm Platinum since 4 years now and fly quite a lot. Every time I experience this I call the Platinum line and get such answer as mentioned above (which has been inconsistent as they say also is a weight and balance issue, airport blocking the seats, or simply they can't move you to another seat because...) I've reported this to the agents at the airport, Platinum Line, and even to the purser when he/she approaches to say hi.
In any case I feel this not really nice from them.
Cheers,
Alex
Thanks for your reply. Interesting as it happens to me lately on ORY-MRS-ORY flights. Maybe is because you're Ultimate Platinum? I'm Platinum since 4 years now and fly quite a lot. Every time I experience this I call the Platinum line and get such answer as mentioned above (which has been inconsistent as they say also is a weight and balance issue, airport blocking the seats, or simply they can't move you to another seat because...) I've reported this to the agents at the airport, Platinum Line, and even to the purser when he/she approaches to say hi.
In any case I feel this not really nice from them.
Cheers,
Alex
Dec 25, 2018, 12:23 pm
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: London, UK and Southern France
Posts: 18,364
My experience matches that of Alexbelt on a recent cheapo (€50 o/w) MRS-ORY flight, where I was shifted way back despite being Plat and no seat available to me in the first 15 rows. Later on, however, they did move me much further forward.
Dec 26, 2018, 12:49 pm
#15
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Amsterdam DT, The Netherlands
Programs: FB Plat, SQ*G, OW Emerald, Hertz PC
Posts: 170
Last week, CDG-LYS on a “mini” fare. Nothing available in front of row 11 for me (A321). Also during check-in, not became available. The seats in front (row 4-10) got occupied by -from my own judgement- a very random selection of passengers incl. small children/families.