Obi - a question

[ppow]

Wondered if you could help explain why Virgin Holidays have just informed me I cant have flight locator until 11 months from our return date?

We are going out in July next year for 3 weeks returning mid August. Today is 11 months until we depart from Manchester but they say VA wont release locator until 11 months from return date..... surely then this means that all those going out for 7 or 14 days will be able to pre-allocate their seats before I can so by going for longer we end up at the bottom of the pile.

If it were just DH and myself I really wouldnt care but we are taking DS and DD

Due to fly out VS075 23 July 08
Return VS076 13 August 08

 

[AliceGardner]

Hi

Sorry, I am not Obi - I hope it isn't against the forum rules for me to try to answer a question specifically addressed to him...

You reallly have NOTHING to worry about... there isn't a mad rush for people to book seats now for next July/August. Many people have not booked yet for next July/August. Of those that have, many will not be aware that you can choose seats online. So you will not be "at the bottom of the pile".

An airline seat is an airline seat: except for exit rows and bulkhead seats (which can't be allocated before check-in anyway), there isn't a huge amount of difference provided you are sitting together. And 11 months out, you will NOT have a problem getting 4 seats together...

Just hold tight, don't panic and be patient. There is nothing that you can do until you get your locator and, besides, you will have a good choice of seats when you do get it.

Alice

 

[Shazzie B]

We had this last year-we were told the same, we were going for 18 days so those folks going for 14 days 'bagged' the seats befor we had chance to. We were then later told this was rubbish-so I'd advise to speak to Virgin again.

 

[Claire L]

With a return ticket the seats cannot be booked until the return flight is set number of days away. The only way round it is to book two single fares! Don't panic as not many people book dead on the 11 months window or thereabouts and also alot do not pre request seats.

Claire

 

[AliceGardner]

We had this last year-we were told the same, we were going for 18 days so those folks going for 14 days 'bagged' the seats befor we had chance to. We were then later told this was rubbish-so I'd advise to speak to Virgin again.

So when you chose your seats (4 days after those who only booked for two weeks), there were NO decent seats left at all? 11 months out?

Alice

 

[Dimplenose]

Alice is right not everyone is aware that they can prebook their seats and even if you do "bag" a good seat there's no guarentee that they won't be reassigned before you check in (as has happened to us). It's easy to say but try not to get too worried about the seats - yes, some are better than others, but you do not have complete control and everyone on the plane arrives at the destination at the same time. (Online check-in can also help you to get good seats.)

Libby

 

[wicket2005]

I wouldn't worry about it. We booked through a TA and didn't get a locator till I rang Virgin up about a week before our flight on 1st August. Our seats had already been assigned. 3 together and one across the aisle which was fine. Coming back we hadn't booked any seats at all. Just went down to Downtown Disney at 9 am on the day of the flight (6.15 pm flight) and got 4 seats in the centre altogether without even asking.

Other people have said here that their seats have been reassigned for kids or they couldn't check in online the day before and their seats were reassigned. So even if do express a preference it is no guarantee you will get the seats in any case.

Also remember not all the seats are available for preferences, I think it is 40% are released the day before the flight or something like that. Also remember that a lot of TAs book a certain amount of seats on each flight (like TCS) and these people do not have access to locator seat numbers unless their TA has passed all their details over to VA and also if they are aware that they can express a preference or check in online. Our info from TCS didn't say anything about seat preferences, online check in or anything.

 

[ppow]

thanks everyone - will try to calm down - first trip to WDW and want everything to be as perfect as possible for kids. Having found and read these forums i thought it must be common knowledge about seat allocation but obviously only to those in the know!!

Obi has PM'd me - thanks Obi

 

[AliceGardner]

Having found and read these forums i thought it must be common knowledge about seat allocation but obviously only to those in the know!!

It isn't THAT common knowledge... when eventually you go, look how many (lots and lots!) of people use the regular Economy check-in (and not the "fast bag drop" - which you can use if you have checked-in online)... you will realise that many do not have a clue about either "Manage My Booking" or "Online Check-in"....

Also as I said, even if everyone knew about it about used it, many many people don't book their holiday/flights 11 or 12 months out. So none of those people will be clambering for seats either...

thanks everyone - will try to calm down - first trip to WDW and want everything to be as perfect as possible for kids.

Just a big piece of advice that will make the next 12 months so much better... "don't sweat the little things". Yes research, plan and pre-book etc... but don't stress trying to make everything "perfect". Few things in life are 100% perfect and if you try to achieve that, you are likely to stress yourself out considerably by trying... . Your kids, and you, will have the most FANTASTIC holiday... so relax a bit and enjoy the anticipation

Best Wishes,
Alice

 

[ppow]

thanks ALice

All good advice and will try to calm but me and DD have been trying to get DH to agree to WDW for past 4 years and finally I took bull by horns and booked it and then told him!!! Now all he has to do is pay for it

I have promised him that besides paying all he has to do is be there as I will research, organise, book, reserve etc.etc. and havig found this forum has proved already to be a god send (thank you everyone)

So many great people on here all with first hand advice and knowledge (especially Obi re: Virgin)

11 months and counting (I feel like a big kid again myself)

 

[AliceGardner]

ppow, I absolutely promise you - no matter what happens (i.e. little hiccups etc) - you will all have the most FANTASTIC holiday...

I do the same - I do all the researching and booking etc. (husband just pays for it and turns up - he never has any complaints ).

The 11 months will fly by (honest) and I also gaurantee that the planning and anticipation can be a large part of the fun too

Just go with the flow and have fun. If anything bothers you then come on here - someone will be able to calms your nerves

Alice