Should I get "Seat Plus"?

My boyfriend and I are travelling to Cancun on 4 June and returning on 13 June. We are in economy and really want a row of three to ourselves, so I am considering seat plus.

Is it worth it? And what if the plan is only half full - is that just a risk we have to take?

Is it better to try and snap up one of the rows of two at the back of the plane?

Thanks for any advice!

If the plane is half full, tough nuts I am afraid, no refund will be given per their T&Cs. A risk perhaps but you could lower the odds of this happening slightly.. seat plus bookings are taken 72 hours before departure, a quick load check should tell you how busy the cabin is for your flight, then you can make a more informed guess.

Unfortunately the T&Cs do stipulate that seat plus cannot be purchased at the airport... odd but I am sure there is a reason. I cannot recommend going after the twos at the back, when disembarking nearly the entire plane will be before you in the customs and passport check queue - take a very good book if so. ][|) ][|)

As for the question as to whether or not it is worth it.... in my view no, but then again I do like having chats with random people that I am seated next to. I have been lucky with seat mates in the past with only a few exceptions, one a few years back was particularly disturbing :0 but makes that journey all the more interesting.

If space is what you are looking for without the premium price tag, how about the bubble? Rows 75-80 on the upper deck should afford a good space and you get to disembark first too... sorry I have rambled on haven't I

Is seat plus cheaper than upgrading to PE where a lot of the seats are in 2's anyway?

Is seat plus cheaper than upgrading to PE where a lot of the seats are in 2's anyway?

Yes, normally.

Prices here state "starting from...." so I assume a fuller flight would warrant a higher price, or perhaps distance travelled Both are factors that would also push the PE seat price up.

I thought the Cancun flights were generally pretty full?

I thought the Cancun flights were generally pretty full?

Yep, this program is completely load dependant... although a fuller flight may give the OP the 'opportunity' to upgrade into PE if available

Thanks all. I booked it. It was £75 each way.

Question - how does it work in terms of seat requests and OLCI? Should I now have three "dots" to place on the seat map? It seems that adding Seat Plus has frozen out the seat maps on my booking - when I view our seats all other seats are shaded grey as unavailable (and it only shows our 2 original seats, not the extra one?).

looks like you cant do OLCI

2. Passengers purchasing Seat Plus must check in at a manned airport check in desk in order for their extra seat to be assigned and boarding pass issued. Other check in facilities including on line, kiosk or mobile will not be available for Seat Plus passengers

WHAT?! That is very annoying. The woman on the phone told me specifically that I would be able to use OLCI. Not happy!

[Neil]

WHAT?! That is very annoying. The woman on the phone told me specifically that I would be able to use OLCI. Not happy!

Just highlights how important it is to ensure you fully read the T&C's for things before buying, especially if it affects something that is important to you as it does quite clearly state in them that OLCI is not an option with this, as Penny has highlighted.

WHAT?! That is very annoying. The woman on the phone told me specifically that I would be able to use OLCI. Not happy!

Just highlights how important it is to ensure you fully read the T&C's for things before buying, especially if it affects something that is important to you as it does quite clearly state in them that OLCI is not an option with this, as Penny has highlighted.

And also how important it is to have adequately trained staff in call centres.

[Neil]

WHAT?! That is very annoying. The woman on the phone told me specifically that I would be able to use OLCI. Not happy!

Just highlights how important it is to ensure you fully read the T&C's for things before buying, especially if it affects something that is important to you as it does quite clearly state in them that OLCI is not an option with this, as Penny has highlighted.

And also how important it is to have adequately trained staff in call centres.

Of course, but speaking personally, if I am spending money, I will ensure I spend as much time as possible researching, checking, double checking and then one final review of any information I can find, plus any T&C's before purchasing, especially if it could affect something that is important for me.

It is ultimately my money and responsibility so I would rather take my own findings and knowledge as fact and query if I am told different, than take something someone else says, only to find out later they are wrong and I could have prevented the situation.

Agree with Neil.... Buyer Beware..... Make 5 calls to any airline on ticketing and you could end up with 5 different fares / options !!!!

So since I can't do OLCI what is the chance I will lose the seats I have currently got "reserved"?

Will these be offered up to pax who are using OLCI, meaning we could end up at the back of the plane?

Currently have row 33 reserved on the way there and row 37 on the way back. The operator at reservations told me there was a free seat in the set of 3, so that would be fine for seat plus.

A Seating is a service we offer free of charge. Seats can be pre-allocated after you have booked your flight, by logging into 'My Booking' online, or via your travel agent. We offer this service up to 24 hours before your flight departs. Please use our 'Online Check In' facility, within 24 hours before your flight departs, to reserve your chosen seat. Where you have pre-assigned a seat online, check in needs to be completed no later than 2 hours before departure time to enable us to honour this request. The exception are flights out of London Heathrow, when check in must be completed 13 hours prior to departure to retain pre-assigned seats.

Whilst we will always try our best to meet your requirements please note that seat numbers are never guaranteed and are subject to operational changes.

So since I can't do OLCI what is the chance I will lose the seats I have currently got "reserved"?

Will these be offered up to pax who are using OLCI, meaning we could end up at the back of the plane?

Currently have row 33 reserved on the way there and row 37 on the way back. The operator at reservations told me there was a free seat in the set of 3, so that would be fine for seat plus.

If you'd already requested (NOT reserved) seats there's a very good chance you'll get them, and the agent you spoke to has blocked out the adjacent seats to stop anyone else requesting them.

As ever though, seat requests are never guaranteed and I would recommend checking in nice and early - certainly no later than 2 hours before departure.

http://virginatlantic.custhelp.com/app/ ... il/a_id/74

Seat Plus online check in and seat assignment

Seat assignments for Seat Plus customers are made and confirmed during check in at the airport by an airport agent, which means online seat assignments and online check in are not available.