I am surprised that some airlines, QF for example, still insist on payment prior to seat selection. Why is this I wonder, as I would say it is a competitive disadvantage. I have been disappointed with seat allocation in the past, so I now only fly with airlines (longhaul mostly) that allow seat selection prior to hitting the Book / Pay Now button. e.g. SQ / BA /CX / QR . Reason being that even when paying a premium fare, PE /J , some seats are better value / more comfortable than others. If flying PE for example it would be very disappointing to be put in the middle of a 2 3 2 config (777) or 2 4 2 (380), when your neighbour is nicely ensconced in a nice aisle / window seat for probably the same price.


Your pills Sir.............. Thank you.

OF

Yes, exactly. I sometimes go to expedia on a different window on my device as they often have the vacant seat plans for the flights I'm trying for. It's not fail safe but it's worked more times than not.

EF can be good for seeing seat maps too, although sometimes you need to interpret the blocked seats.

For flights ex-US, DOT rules require airlines to either allow a full refund within 24 hours of purchase (or a 24-hour fee-free hold, but most carriers I have seen do the former). I realize this doesn't change anything for other international itineraries, however, at least on these flights, if you don't get the seats you want, you can always just call back and refund.

*which they honor at their own discretion regardless of DOT regulation (AA)

As seat assignments are not guaranteed, I don't get the point...

No idea how 'not guaranteed' they are in the US, but in Asia-Africa and Asia-Europe where I do all my flying I've never gotten a seat allocation cancelled / re-assigned (IRROPS notwithstanding).

Most people end up sitting in the seats they select.

I took some flights with Qantas a couple of years ago, and it bugged me that I couldn't see available seats (I wanted to book exit row, and didn't have to fly on a particular date so was flexible). I ended up calling them to ask before hitting the 'book' button!

Agree that seats are not guaranteed, nor is the flight for that matter, but when facing 12hrs+ down the back, seat selection or lack thereof can make all the difference to the experience, and I admit that the further towards the pointy end you go the less the actual assigned seat really matters as most 2 2 2 or 1 2 1 configs will guarantee you that most essential item - personal space - unless if course you are flying BA with their 2 4 2 config in J.
So, before pushing the Pay button I want to be sure that I have done everything in my control to try and get the most space / comfort available to me. Before the advent of the i-net I would be happy to go with the status quo and accept my fate at check in . Middle of the middle at the back allocated.... Doh........ . Note to self - check in at airport earlier! But these days I prefer to at least try and reduce the odds of such an allocation by looking at the seats available prior to payment and making an informed choice; albeit knowing that I may, just may get moved. To date that hasnt happened. And being the shape of Sponge Bob square pants I will continue to avoid the 'pot luck' strategy in an attempt to select and keep aisle/window