Oneworld - Sapphire - Seating privileges
 

G'day All

According to the small print

Sapphire status earns:

Access to preferred or pre-reserved seating (where offered) FOC

I recently flew with FINNAIR and was charged for selected seating in their Comfort Plus program - which I was happy with .. but later had the monies refunded due to another query (flight HKG -HEL cancelled).

Ive just paid fot additional legroom on a Qantas ticket LHR-DXB (Y) and was just wondering if this could / should also be FOC for Sapphire members under the preferred seating arrangement - its not that I particularly care about the A$90 - rather that I was just wondering if anyone else has had any experience with this type of charge for preferred seating.

OF

When I have flown on their partner, I have never been charged, and unless they have some special exemption for this type of seating based on the way they classify it - like BA counting the Concorde Room as separate from its "official" F lounge - I don't think you should have to pay for these seats, per OW rules. I could be missing something, as US charges even AA's own elites for some Y seats, which is truly ridiculous.

You may have to call the airline directly to get the preferred seats assigned for free with your status.

Has this been established as an issue for others? It's never been one for me.

Qantas also charge its own elites for the access to extra leg-room and upfront seats in Y.
(only exception to this is for QF Platinum1 members - a level above Emerald (requires approx 3x the flying of Emerald)
http://www.ausbt.com.au/qantas-to-se...on-airbus-a380

I believe the oneworld benefits extend to provision of seat selection, not that all seats be made available (without charge)

https://www.oneworld.com/ffp/sapphire-privileges

So if I book AY in Y, I can call up to select seats in Economy Comfort for free?

I have Finnair Gold (OWS) card and have an upcoming trip with AirBerlin. They did charge me for the exit row seat (XL seat as they call it) 19.99€. But apparently that is already a "discounted" price, as normally according to the customer service it would cost 25.99€.

So I guess at the end it is up to the individual airline's policy. Finnair (AY) allows free seat selection for all OWS/OWE, but if they are not AY status pax, they'll have to call the customer service, to get it for free.

So far w/ AA I could choose any of the "Main cabin extra" seats FOC, using the online seat selection. Also BA allowed me to choose any of the economy seats (obviously could not choose a premium economy one...).

Yep, if you have a OWS / OWE status, through customer service you'll get the economy comfort seat for free

Interesting, thanks.

Access is provided - its just not free. It is on the same terms as to its own elites.

I too wish this was a benefit, but with so few of these 'special' seats that are substantially different to a normal seat and everyone in the Y cabin wanting them, I don't begrudge the airlines making some money off the,.

Just keep in mind to have your expectations at the right place, that w/ AY the Economy Comfort is not a different class. Same seat as for normal Y, just a bigger seat pitch, a small amenity kit and better (noise cancelling) headphone. Otherwise service is normal Y.

Yep, I understand that Economy Comfort is similar to UA's Y+ and CA's PE product.