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Hi aidenr, perhaps you can help me...?
my family is flying out to LA on Saturday with Virgin. we had some flying club points from previous trips, and amassed lots more with a Virgin Amex card, so thought we would use them towards an upgrade to Premium Economy, as we figure this will be the last time my eldest daughter will holiday with us. we only had enough for 3 of us though, so booked (via the phone) as two separate bookings (3 + 1), paying full price for one seat. The operator said she would link the bookings so we wouldn't be split.
we booked last september, on the first day the seats became available, and immediately chose two sets of two seats by the window.
a few weeks ago I checked our booking, and we had been split. my partner and my daughters are now in the last row of three in the middle, and I am placed on an aisle a few rows down. on the way back it's something similar. Actually, the plane has been changed, which is the reason for the seat change, but our linked booking wasn't honoured when they reselected for us.
my partner and I are gutted. we have phoned Virgin but they say it's all allocated (there is apparently another row of seats free but they are not yet allocating them). We were told that Virgin do have a policy of not splitting families, and we can ask at the desk when we check in if we can be moved.
So, what do you think the chances are that we will be seated together...? Do you really try not to split up families, and how much clout will we have for booking so early?
it's a long way to sit next to a complete stranger!
Thanks in advance :cool:
As crew we will always try and sit all families together where ever we can.
Even if the flight is full, we will still try and find a way.
The first thing that you should do is check-in online 24hrs before. When you check-in it will give the option to change your seats and print off your own boarding cards. If the flight is very busy/full then obviously they may not be 2 or 4 seats together.
If you have had no luck online, then when you get to Heathrow, speak to the check-in staff/bag drop desk and they will see what they can do.
Or last option speak to the crew when you get onboard the aircraft and we will try and ask single travellers to move etc to accomodate a family.
I can understand your frustration, considering you selected your seats as early as possible. In relation to the aircraft change, this is something that Virgin really dont have much control over. There are 3 different types of aircraft that are used, each with a different capacity and therefore they may change the seat allocation. The one good thing you have is that you are in the frequent flyer programme and you must have had good mileage to get upgrades, possibly Silver or Gold and you are travelling in Premium.
LA is a really busy business route, but the good thing is that there are a lot of single business men/women flying and they normally are happy to change seat, especially for one of the pretty crew girls :rolleyes:
Good luck and enjoy your trip!
AidenI am a Travel AgentMy company’s ABTA number is V2043. MSE doesn't check my status as a Travel Agent, so you need to take my word for it. This signature is here as I follow MSE's Travel Agent Code of Conduct.
I am also Cabin Crew, my posts are my own and not that of the airline or other company0 -
Aiden, thank you so much for that. TBH, we have only ever had good service from Virgin staff, so I wasn't consumed with worry, but there's always that niggle that we may not be able to change things, and i will have a sleepless 11 hour flight because I struggle to sleep on planes, and wouldn't at all if I was sitting next to someone I didn't know.
Btw, we aren't silver or gold frequent flyers, we paid miles plus money, although did have over 20,000 points, as we use our Amex just for adding to our miles.
Just another quick query, we were told on the phone that the first row of seats in that section is usually held back, but we're not sure until when. could that be until online check-in opens, or even desk check-in?
Thanks again. you've been a star.
DebsBlonde jokes are one-liners so men can remember them...;)0 -
LA is a really busy business route, but the good thing is that there are a lot of single business men/women flying and they normally are happy to change seat, especially for one of the pretty crew girls :rolleyes:
Aiden,
One of my (male) colleagues will do anything for one of the pretty crew boys!The man without a signature.0 -
no offence guys, but i asked for a bit of help and my post has now been lost amongst the banter. i also have pet hates re spelling, but i'm not so condescending that i'd waste time and effort pulling up others...
Hi, Martin’s asked me to post this in these circumstances: While it’s easy to wander off-topic that often prevents newbies finding the information they want quickly and easily (please see this rule). Please keep this thread on topic. If you have any questions about this policy please email [EMAIL="%20abuse@moneysavingexpert.com"]abuse@moneysavingexpert.com[/EMAIL].0 -
Just another quick query, we were told on the phone that the first row of seats in that section is usually held back, but we're not sure until when. could that be until online check-in opens, or even desk check-in?
debs, I am not sure about this one as all seating allocation is done by the ground handling agents.
I am flying in the morning (23/07) from heathrow so will ask and let you know when i get back Friday night if possible
If I dont catch you before hand - have fun
xI am a Travel AgentMy company’s ABTA number is V2043. MSE doesn't check my status as a Travel Agent, so you need to take my word for it. This signature is here as I follow MSE's Travel Agent Code of Conduct.
I am also Cabin Crew, my posts are my own and not that of the airline or other company0 -
vikingaero wrote: »Aiden,
One of my (male) colleagues will do anything for one of the pretty crew boys!
ha ha ha
all bribes and flirting is welcome onboard :rotfl:I am a Travel AgentMy company’s ABTA number is V2043. MSE doesn't check my status as a Travel Agent, so you need to take my word for it. This signature is here as I follow MSE's Travel Agent Code of Conduct.
I am also Cabin Crew, my posts are my own and not that of the airline or other company0 -
Thanks Aiden, but we're out of here teatime Friday so will miss your message back. we fly on the 11.30am flight on saturday.
hope you're going somewhere good and you get to stay a few hours! huge thanks again and happy travels!!Blonde jokes are one-liners so men can remember them...;)0 -
Hi Aiden,
Dont know if you will be able to answer this - but do you know what the chances are of a Virgin holiday to Florida leaving in December 2009 1) being sold out or 2) going up in price between now and December 2008?
Im wanting to book one, but would like to wait until December before booking, but im worried about the prices and availability if i wait!!!0 -
For your BA friends.. do you think they'll give me extra luggage for free, I've written asking as i'm taking stuff out to an orphanage... or are they really mean...OU Student! - ED209, SDK125, DSE212, SK124, DSE141, SD226, DXR222, DD303, DD307 = BSc Psychology0
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Thanks Aiden, but we're out of here teatime Friday so will miss your message back. we fly on the 11.30am flight on saturday.
hope you're going somewhere good and you get to stay a few hours! huge thanks again and happy travels!!
Hope everything went smooth debs !
Just got back from a 2 night NYC, really hot and humidI am a Travel AgentMy company’s ABTA number is V2043. MSE doesn't check my status as a Travel Agent, so you need to take my word for it. This signature is here as I follow MSE's Travel Agent Code of Conduct.
I am also Cabin Crew, my posts are my own and not that of the airline or other company0
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