Oneworld - Sapphire - Seating privileges
Sep 10, 2015 | 11:41 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Paynesville, Vic
Programs: BA Gold AVIS Presidents Club
Posts: 363
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
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
Last edited by OldFruity; Sep 10, 2015 at 11:43 am Reason: cant read without my glasses
Sep 10, 2015 | 12:24 pm
#2
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: NYC, ORD
Programs: AA EXP, AS 75K, SPG Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 280
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
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
Sep 10, 2015 | 4:24 pm
#4
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: NYC, ORD
Programs: AA EXP, AS 75K, SPG Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 280
Sep 11, 2015 | 1:03 am
#5
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Sydney, Australia
Programs: QF Gold LTG (ow Saph), HHon Silver, Marriot Gold
Posts: 3,007
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)
(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)
Sep 11, 2015 | 2:26 am
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 22,913
When your top tier status is equivalent to oneworld Sapphire, you are entitled to the following oneworld benefits, no matter which oneworld airline or cabin class you are flying:
- Access to priority Business Class check-in
- Priority boarding
- Access to preferred or pre-reserved seating (where offered)
- <snip>
- Access to priority Business Class check-in
- Priority boarding
- Access to preferred or pre-reserved seating (where offered)
- <snip>
Sep 11, 2015 | 12:50 pm
#8
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Helsinki, Finland
Programs: Finnair (AY) Platinum, Air France Silver, Tallink Club One Silver :)
Posts: 1,655
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...).
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...).
Sep 11, 2015 | 12:53 pm
#9
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Helsinki, Finland
Programs: Finnair (AY) Platinum, Air France Silver, Tallink Club One Silver :)
Posts: 1,655
Originally Posted by Finnair website
You can select a seat free of charge in the following cases:
Youre travelling with a Business Class ticket.
Youre travelling with a PRO/fully flexible ticket.
Youre travelling with a Finnair Plus award ticket (window/aisle seats).
Youre a Finnair Plus Platinum or Gold member.
Youre travelling to or from Japan on a Finnair operated flight (window/aisle and front row seats).
You are a oneworld Emerald or Sapphire member (reservations through Finnair Customer service).
Sep 11, 2015 | 7:07 pm
#11
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Sydney, Australia
Programs: QF Gold LTG (ow Saph), HHon Silver, Marriot Gold
Posts: 3,007
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,.
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,.
Sep 12, 2015 | 12:26 am
#12
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Helsinki, Finland
Programs: Finnair (AY) Platinum, Air France Silver, Tallink Club One Silver :)
Posts: 1,655
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.
Sep 12, 2015 | 11:01 am
#13
Join Date: May 2012
Location: SIN
Programs: JL Global Club | GHA Titanium | Marriott Gold (LT Silver) | Global Entry
Posts: 6,869
Yep, I understand that Economy Comfort is similar to UA's Y+ and CA's PE product.