Virgin seat requests and DD / Twighlight check-in

[Hilary]

Does anyone have any thoughts on what (if any) impact the re-introduction of DD check-in will have on Virgin's pre-allocated seat requests?

As I understand it, only a certain percentage of Virgin seats are pre-bookable, with the remainder being allocated on check-in. What really irks me is that pre-booking so often counts for nothing and we get to check-in to find that someone else has been allocated the seats we'd requested. I appreciate these requests are just that - requests - but I don't understand why Virgin offer the opiton if it doesn't work (and in our experience it seems to work about the same number of times as not working!).

Do Twighlight and Downtown check-in present more opportunity for those able and willing to get there to ask for specific seats and get them, even if those seats have already been pre-requested?

Okay, moan over . I know aircraft seating isn't the be-all and end-all of our holiday, but I wonder why Virgin continue to offer (and promote) pre-booking when you're quite likely not to have your request granted.

 

[Enright78]

If you see one of my earlier threads you'll see that pre booking was the only way my friend knew she wasn't on the flight at all, so I'd say do it! Also, despite what airlines say ALWAYS reconfirm 72 hrs before flying, overbooking seems worse now than it ever was.
I must admit to having little experience with Virgin, but other airlines where I have prebokked I have always got the seats allocated!(Delta, BA AA Continental).
Maybe I am just lucky?

 

[Clarey]

We have booked with Bon Voyage do I need to reconfirm the flights? If so who do I ring Virgin or Bon Voyage?

 

[Enright78]

If it is a Virgin flight you must be on the passenger list. I'd ring Virgin just to be sure. It can also confirm times and terminals in case there has been a last minute change. We avoided being snowed in at Dallas in Feb by doing this and posponing our trip home from San Francisco for 24 hours!
You've nothing to lose!

 

[Clarey]

Thanks Fiona