[rosesplus]

I arrived in SYD from IAD yesterday, I have status with both AA (PLT) and QF (PS) but I was ticketed AA all the way. When I checked in at IAD I received my 2 boarding passes (IAD-LAX, LAX- SYD), my IAD - LAX I was upgraded (thanks!!) but my LAX- SYD which I had booked 4 months prior and had an itinerary showing my seat as 71A somebody in Qantas had reassigned me to 56H opposite the galley. the reason I want 71 is it's on the taper where you have 2 seats instead of 3, the seat is not unique I could have been moved to 70A/70K, 71K, 72A/K or 73A/K. I complained to the agent, she phoned QF and they told me to try in LA, I said no that won't work because by the time I got to LA all the boarding passes would be issued. QF told me tough, AA agent called for a supervisor and after 15mins waiting she said she would have a supervisor talk to me at the gate (I was going to miss the flight). I get to the gate, no superviser.

In LAX I went to the AC/QF club, again AA agent told me to talk to the QF agent, QF agent told me "tough the flight was full, all BP's had been issued/assigned". I again pointed out my status with both airlines and the fact I had checked in for the LAX-SYD leg 9 hrs before the flight. I was waved away.

Last year when I was ticketed QF with a registered QFF nu the reverse would occur and AA would bounce me out of my preassigned exit row on the LAX- IAD legs. I understand both AA and QF have the right to change seating what I can't comprehend is why both airlines treat each others Elites with such contempt. Aren't they supposed to be parters in these flights. The person that had been assigned to seat 71A had no status with either airline, I know because I asked.

I do this run alot, to the point where I can tell if somebody else has been sitting in my seat ( I hate it when somebody spills something or messes up my magazines/info sheets). I have spoken today with Qantas Customer Care and guess what, they don't care. They refused my request to speak with management and claimed that there was no "Superviser" to speak with. I have 6 further flight similar flights booked this year and they all currently show me in 71A but now I guess I can end up anywhere and nobody gives a stuff.

Other than switching over to UA has anybody got any other constructive ideas other than changing around FF numbers?

[clifford]

Originally Posted by rosesplus

Other than switching over to UA has anybody got any other constructive ideas other than changing around FF numbers?

Switching to UA is your only hope. Never had UA change an assigned seat on me (except to upgrade). As for Qantas...

I've been around UA and QF quite a bit over the years (I'm Mileage Plus 1K and a Million Miler, and have also been a Qantas frequent flyer since 1985).

[ronone69]

QF haven't cared about customers for a long time.

I have had assigned seats changed on a number of occasions. One time 5 of us were travelling (including 3 kids) to BKK in business an old 747-300. I booked 5 seats in the back row which they changed to seats in different 3 rows on different sides of the cabin I have even had them change seat assignments in First.

Basically QF don't care about customers - all they care about is bums on seats and that is generally the way you get treated.

I have also spoken to their Customer (we don't) care department - especially about the quality of seats in business and the inconsistency of service on some of their domestic services. All they ever give me is excuses. This attitude starts at the top and gets no better as you move down the ranks.

The executives only care about their bonuses. Cutting service or not providing any cuts costs. This is really all QF cares about.

With the success of Jetstar and the other low cost carriers, my bet is you will soon see Jetstar flying on most QF routes and then preassigned seats and service will be gone for ever

wow..sure sucks to be you dude...
every single time i have been to LAX aa/qf lounge i go straight to the qantas agent and say "i would like a better seat please". 50% of the time ive been handed back an upgraded (yes..FREE UPGRADE) boarding pass (QF to syd/mel/bne).

100% of the time i have done this when travelling on an AA flight (same lounge), i have been told that the flight is quite full and there is nothing they can do for me. I have always had to ask for an exit row, or bulkhead row on AA, despite being oneworld emerald...even on qf codeshares.

so, i agree with you to some extent....but still sucks for you

[JohnK]

Originally Posted by rosesplus

I have spoken today with Qantas Customer Care and guess what, they don't care. They refused my request to speak with management and claimed that there was no "Superviser" to speak with. I have 6 further flight similar flights booked this year and they all currently show me in 71A but now I guess I can end up anywhere and nobody gives a stuff.

Why am I not surprised that the airline does not care.

I normally book flights 4-6 months in advance and have seats pre-allocated. Based on your story though this means nothing as your assigned seat could be taken away from you without any explanation. I don't mind losing a seat for a better one but not when I am inconvenienced with a less desirable seat. I have flown at the back of the plane and have had terrible headaches for days after the flight.

[NM]

Last QF flight SIN-BNE I was allocated 23D and had it printed on my itinerary. When I checked in at Transfer Desk D at SIN I was handed 23B. Seems someone thought the two were interchangeable :roll: . The checkin agent tried to call someone but could not get an answer, so said he would call ahead to the lounge and to ask there.

At the lounge the agent confirmed that 23D has been allocated to someone else. She picked up the phone and tried to speak to someone about it. No answer. Then she checked the computer again and made a comment that it looked like someone had noticed their mistake and she printed me out a BP for 23D as pre-allocated. I have no idea what happened or why the computer suddenly allowed her to issue me my preferred seat. I just accepted the new BP and thanked her for her efforts.

The only other time I was moved was in J from 1E/F to 3E/F (travelling with a colleague). But I think that may have been something to do with a last minute cancellation and rebooking due to a need to change a 4 continent RTW into a standard return with a nested 3 continent RTW. I suspect that process messed up the reserved seating.

I can understand how annoyed you would be having been moved from a pre-allocated preferred seat. You had very good reasons for selecting that seat and there are few good reasons to move you. The only good reason I can think of is that those 2 abreast rear seats are sometimes used to accommodate stretchers if needed for special passenger needs. But it sounds like that was not the case with you.

I also think that they treat their highest level elites much better than other FF members. QF knows that AA Plat can be attained in one flight (Platinum Challenge) and I think their attitude toward AA Plat members sometimes reflects this. Similarly, QF Silver is not highly regarded by either airline. But in my opinion, anyone regularly flying SYD-LAX-IAD in economy deserves a medal as well as FF recognition.

For example, on my recent BNE-SIN flight, they needed to move me from my pre-allocated 24D seat to permit a family of 4 to sit together. So instead of moving me into seat 99W, I was offered the choice of 1B or 5E - I opted for 5E. I am sure they looked for a Platinum member to move forward rather than someone of lesser FF status.

[BlacKnox]

Originally Posted by rosesplus

Other than switching over to UA has anybody got any other constructive ideas other than changing around FF numbers?

This may or may not help. On two occasions in recent years I have been dissatisfied with seat allocation on check-in. When fed the line "we can't do anything" I asked for the Gate Supervisor's name. On both occasions the lounge agent moved me when asked whether they or Mr/ Ms X (Gate Supervisor's name) could change my seat.

[serfty]

Originally Posted by NM

Last QF flight SIN-BNE I was allocated 23D and had it printed on my itinerary. When I checked in at Transfer Desk D at SIN I was handed 23B. Seems someone thought the two were interchangeable :roll: . The checkin agent tried to call someone but could not get an answer, so said he would call ahead to the lounge and to ask there.

At the lounge the agent confirmed that 23D has been allocated to someone else. She picked up the phone and tried to speak to someone about it. No answer. Then she checked the computer again and made a comment that it looked like someone had noticed their mistake and she printed me out a BP for 23D as pre-allocated. I have no idea what happened or why the computer suddenly allowed her to issue me my preferred seat. I just accepted the new BP and thanked her for her efforts.
...

Hmmm, methinks there may be another force at work with that one.

A similar thing happened to me this year; I waitlisted for an upgrade MEL-AKL eveing flight. It came through 3 days before hand and I was initially allocated 2K, not my preferred aisle seat. (763 Tasman Configuration). A check of allocated seating showed all 6 Single seats gone, but I was able to request and obtain preallocation for inner aisle 2F.

When I checked in, I was given a BP for 3K I asked about 2F and was told it was gone. I asked about the single seats, but they were all 'taken' as well. Eventually I was able to change to 3E. OK, no real damage done.

At the J lounge I checked my allocation via www.checkmytrip.com and it was still showing 2F .

After boarding, it became apparent that this 'force' must have been at work as the cabin was just over ½ full, notably withboth 2E & 2F empty as well as the single seats 3A & 4K.

[rosesplus]

Originally Posted by NM

I can understand how annoyed you would be having been moved from a pre-allocated preferred seat. You had very good reasons for selecting that seat and there are few good reasons to move you. QF knows that AA Plat can be attained in one flight (Platinum Challenge) and I think their attitude toward AA Plat members sometimes reflects this. Similarly, QF Silver is not highly regarded by either airline. But in my opinion, anyone regularly flying SYD-LAX-IAD in economy deserves a medal as well as FF recognition..

Given QF controlled the seating this was their call. I have difficulty understanding why anybody regularly flying to the US from Aus would bother being with QF. AA gives me a free upgrade to F LAX- IAD and charges 145K miles for an award F SYD- IAD return. QF wants 382K for the same.

I don't expect QF to value me highly but I do expect not to be treated like a total idiot. I was nearly half way to QF PLT when I saw the light with AA and I can't see myself going back to the dark side any time soon. With regards to receiving medals for a lot of Y travel, I now have a 2002 911 Porsche in the garage in the US which I wouldn't have if I'd gone totally to J or F travel this year. I'm still trying to work out next years prize!!

[NM]

Originally Posted by rosesplus

I'm still trying to work out next years prize!!

A 2005 model, perhaps?

Good to see someone has their priorities right :P .