New system: extra leg room/bulkhead/exit row seats

I haven't read all the fine print, so I'm not sure whether this is meant to happen, but:

I'm Au and just used my miles to buy a couple of flights (full mileage redemption) for a friend of mine, who is not Au, in June next year. There is no UC or PE availability on the date, so the ticket is currently economy while I look for some Gs...

The system defaults to putting my FC number on his booking, so I thought I'd see whether I could pick his seat (I could, gratis).

I could also pick extra leg room/bulkhead/exit row seats for him gratis.

I am not on the flight, so it's just his flight, not a single booking for two pax.

Is this a quirk of the new system, or is that meant to happen?

Hi Nylon
I believe this is the case. AU holders can now select these seats in economy for free. That's what it said the email I regarding the new seat selection.

AU holders can now select these seats in economy for free.

Thanks! I assumed that meant Au holders can select these seats for themselves (and their party, if made as one booking) in economy.

I didn't realize it meant Au holders can book the seats for free on behalf other pax on separate bookings.

Good to know, though!

Actually, I see what you saying. In this case perhaps a quirk of the system. Good news!

A positive quirk of the new system but I wouldn't be surprised if VS identify the issue and try to back out!

Over on the Dark Side... all our family went to France back in Feb - admittedly all on one booking ref. My Dad has OneWorld status that allows free advance seat selection & additional baggage allowance. We all got to select our seats in advance for free & we all got the extra free baggage, which was very useful as it was a skiing holiday.

Back on Virgin - I made a reward booking a few years back when I was a Silver FC Member. Between booking the flight and flying I dropped back to Red. It was the Silver FC number that was on my BP when I flew. So I don't think Virgin's system is clever enough to check the FC number is still valid when the passenger flies & update it in real-time as appropriate. (Yes, I know all the FC numbers you have held are "linked" in the background somewhere).

Good to know, Kraken.

So here's a (loaded) question re VS. Is it that you just have to be logged in with an FC Au account to make free seat selection regardless of the status (or identity, in fact) of the pax in the reservation you're looking at?

This I cannot answer... However, based on my experience with the Silver number on the BP when I had dropped to Red, I *suspect* that if the VS system sees a valid FC number on the booking [i.e. the validation checksum on the number is met] then it lets it through. Reward booking = no miles / TP's, so not as though VS are going to lose out... unless the crew hand out UC champagne to "gold card" holders in PE or Y (the bean counters will be turning in their graves!)

Therefore, if you book a flight for someone else from your FC account - which is 100% legit to do - pay the taxes etc, but just fail to remove your FC number from the booking... it sounds like the VS system is allowing you free selection of seats / exit rows in Y based on the Gold FC number tagged onto the booking.

How long will it take them [VS] to realise this - or - more significantly get their IT people to do some code that validates the passenger name against the FC number? I suspect it will take some time!

Very interesting, Kraken!

So we just need SRB's FC number and maybe we can select any seat we want regardless of class!

SRB's only Ag - he doesn't buy enough revenue tickets to make Au...

Post by Daffodil » 18 Nov 2014, 07:27

Mine sorted too. Was able to choose 2 PE from a wide open seat map for March. 2 economy for January, logged in to Mr D's MMB as he is a Au and although I'm only Ag I wasn't charged the £25. Does this mean the rest of the family travelling with the Au member also have seat requests free of charge in economy?

Does this mean the rest of the family travelling with the Au member also have seat requests free of charge in economy?

I think it means anyone on the planet with a VS booking can reserve their seats for free if MMB is accessed via an Au FC log-in.

Does this mean the rest of the family travelling with the Au member also have seat requests free of charge in economy?

I think it means anyone on the planet with a VS booking can reserve their seats for free if MMB is accessed via an Au FC log-in.

Love it!

How does it work if a Au member books a bulk head seat but then a passenger needs it - either for medical reasons or for a bassinet? Who would get the seat?

Medical reasons (should) trump status.

Not sure about the bassinet seats. I think they are not always considered bulkhead seats, and they are often not available online anyway.

Medical reasons (should) trump status.

Not sure about the bassinet seats. I think they are not always considered bulkhead seats, and they are often not available online anyway.

Medical reasons do trump status. There is even a clause in the T&C's that states if you are asked to move seat (possibly during the flight) as a passenger with a medical condition needs your [exit row] seat then you get a refund of the booking fee paid. (If you paid).

That's interesting to know. Thanks.

Just out of curiosity, is this still holding true? (that a FC gold can book a seat for someone on a separate reservation without having to pay the fee if the FC gold is logged in while looking at the reservation)

I don't think this still holds true. The last few times I've traveled in economy ( including January this year ) I have had to pay £40 for an emergency exit seat when traveling with my husband on his booking he is Au. He is able to choose an emergency exit for free. I'm Ag.

No it does not hold true. I just tried to book a friends seats for them whilst logged into my account and it wants payment

Thank you. I figured it didn't, but thought I would ask. I did assume it applied to anyone on the same reservation. I am thankful to find out now that it doesn't than to be surprised later.