Seat allocation First Choice Star Premier

[profolly]

Thought any guys travelling on First Choice Star Class Premier would like to see this


"All the seats on First Choice Airways flights are pre-allocated prior
to
the flights departure and are based on booking date order. Due to this
it's not possible for certain seats to be requested."

Kind Regards

Alison J Moore
Customer Services Executive
First Choice Holidays

That's a bit of a pain my DD is a nervous flier and I wanted to get seats in a good place for her

Viv x

 

[RachaelC]

Annoying, but this is the best way for them to co-ordinate the seating plan without splitting too many parties.

When we flew out with FC at Xmas (2 of us) we had a window and aisle seat. On the return it was aisle and centre middle seat which was a bit annoying as I don't particularly like being in the middle. The space was v good though, so not as bad as it could be....

 

[kristieuk]

This was my biggest complaint about flying Star Premier. I hate aisle seats - I like to fly so that I can see the plane isn't falling out of the sky for some illogical reason. However, you not only cannot request your seat of choice, you also cannot even request a window (or aisle seat).

I can see that logistically, it helps them to pre-allocate seats, but I do think that passengers should at least be given some choice (especially when you are paying for the upgrade).

 

[profolly]

I do tend to agree my daughter is a nervous flier and I am concerned we not be able to sit together

 

[RachaelC]

I do tend to agree my daughter is a nervous flier and I am concerned we not be able to sit together

They will endeavour to seat you together - otherwise kick up a fuss on check-in.

How old is she?

 

[Bellybee]

If they are booked based on booking dates I wonder what that means.
We booked the day before the brouchure came out and about two weeks before the internet went up so will that mean we are in like seet 1 a and b or just wherever.
Also if the seats are pre allocated they should be able to give you your seat numbers surely?

 

[profolly]

All of a bit of a mystery to me, I thought that the whole idea of paying more money for something meant more flexibility. my DD is 24, we had a very bad experience flying when she was 11 we were hit by lightning, she has not flown since so this is a really bit deal to us. We booked at the end of February so I'm hoping that everything will be ok. The only place that would get her back on a plane again was WDW lol

Viv x

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

British Airways have also gone someway down this road, thet you cannot pre book seats until 24 hours before your flight these days

 

[profolly]

Thing is we are flying from Bristol stopping at manchester for fuel top up then on to Sanford from there . now I booked Bristol because we live 40 mins away and I thought it would be less stressful but you can't do an early checkin at Bristol !! so my plans have backfired a bit lol

 

[RachaelC]

All of a bit of a mystery to me, I thought that the whole idea of paying more money for something meant more flexibility. my DD is 24, we had a very bad experience flying when she was 11 we were hit by lightning, she has not flown since so this is a really bit deal to us. We booked at the end of February so I'm hoping that everything will be ok. The only place that would get her back on a plane again was WDW lol

Viv x

I'll keep my fingers crossed that you are together - if you're not and kicking up a fuss at check-in doesn't help, then ask once more when you're on the plane. I would hope that there will be some other nice people on the flight.

On the positive side, I think your odds of sitting together are pretty good. I've never chosen to pay extra for it and been fortunate to sit with my OH each time

Also, as she doesn't like flying then you've done well to book the SCP as it's got the interactive games where you can play against other people on the plane and start your films whenever you want. I was almost disappointed when we landed back from Mexico as I had to stop playing who wants to be a millionaire and I really dislike flying too!

 

[kristieuk]

Thing is we are flying from Bristol stopping at manchester for fuel top up then on to Sanford from there . now I booked Bristol because we live 40 mins away and I thought it would be less stressful but you can't do an early checkin at Bristol !! so my plans have backfired a bit lol

If your booking was made at the same time, you do qualify for 'group seating' - ie you will all be sat together, although I think this means also either side of an aisle or in front / behind your travelling companions. But we booked on the same day but separately to dh's parents, and they were sat rows behind us.

What I think is wrong is the inflexibility of it.

I don't think the day before check in makes any difference, so I wouldn't regret booking to fly from Bristol. We did night before check-in at Manchester, and were the first people to check in for the flight. Yet we were told our seats were fixed (I had an aisle and wanted a window), and the check in staff have no ability to alter the seats. It was sit in that seat or don't fly basically.

How many of you are going? As the configuration is 2-3-2, they tend to put even numbers of people behind each other in window seats, and 3's into the middle. That was the problem with us - dh dd and I were given the middle seats going out and coming back.

I hope this works out for you as I know how anxious your daughter must be

 

[kristieuk]

British Airways have also gone someway down this road, thet you cannot pre book seats until 24 hours before your flight these days

I think it's a great shame they have decided to go backwards on this, when for years you could book seats at the time of booking (in most cases). It at least gives people an incentive to book early, and for those of us who fly at the same time of year and book 11 months or so in advance, I didn't necessarily mind if the prices came down during special offers. I prefer to pay more and know I am getting what I want.

However, at least everyone (except Club / Gold Executive Club members) are in the same boat, and there is still a choice of seat selection, just much closer in time to the flight. I'm working on the basis that even if the row I prefer isn't available, I should still be able to opt for aisle or window.

What is annoying about First Choice is that it doesn't matter how much you have paid, that you have paid to upgrade, that you are first to check in, you have no choice at all in the matter.

 

[profolly]

Ther is only 2 of us so I'm hoping that might mean we will be together

Viv

 

[gbrchill]

With only 2 of you I'd put money on you being window and aisle.

We (me + DW and DS) are traveling with FC in August and I expect us to be sat in the three across the centre aisle, which is fine by me as that way we get two aisle seats with DS in the middle. I'd much rather have an aisle seat so I don't disturb (have to climb over someone) to get to the loo.

As for FC not letting you choose it just makes it easier (and cheaper) for them. They can run their seat allocation algorithm and that's job done.

Chris

 

[profolly]

Fingers crossed. I notice you are going to be at POFQ, we are staying there in October . We are going to try to get our park and DDP tickets at check in and not wait for the morning welcome as we want to hit MK as soon as possible lol

 

[Bellybee]

I am getting really worried about first choice now especially this pick up your tickets at the welcome meeting as I am so not doing that I want my tickets on my room key.
I starting to wish I hadn't booked with them

 

[gbrchill]

I did query this at the end of last year. This is the answer that I got back:

Dear Mr Hill,

Thank you for contacting First Choice Holidays.

I have looked at your booking and have the following information
regarding this package.

All documents/tickets necessary for travel will arrive with you 2-3
weeks before departure.

Your Disney Dining Plan vouchers will be issued at check-in to your
accomodation and your Attraction tickets will be given out at the
Welcome Meeting.

Kind regards,
​

I plan to follow this question up, pointing out that we have an ADR booked in a park on the evening we arrive and hence need our attraction ticket (or the voucher to get it added to our room keys) before we check into at PORFQ. I was waiting until I actually see what paperwork we get with our tickets.

Chris.

 

[profolly]

I queried it to as the day we arrive is the only evening we can see Wishes as it changes to Hallowishes after that. I emailed them and they assured me that my tickets will be at checkin and to go into First Choice 2 weeks before I leave to confirm this. I also am going to get the telephone number of the FC rep in WDW so I can phone if I have any problems. I think because this is a charter they want you at that welcome meeting to flog you things. But I will be persistent I WANT THOSE TICKETS !!!!!!! lol

 

[tigger137]

With only 2 of you I'd put money on you being window and aisle. Chris

I'm afraid I wouldn't. When we flew with them in Feb 2006, they sat us both in centre aisle seats, one behind the other. When we complained at check-in, pointing out that Star Class Premier should include sitting together, they insisted that one behind the other does count!

The ridiculous seating situation really does let this airline down.

 

[profolly]

getting worried again now !