Query re VS400 seating

Myself and my partner are flying out to Dubai for a weeks hols next June (long way off - I know)[:(]

Anyway, we have booked through Virgin Holidays and for some reason, now they have changed their booking system (for Worldwide hols) even though I have a 6 digit locator code I can't log onto the VS website and 'manage my booking'. They are aware of the problem (VH that is) and are trying to sort it out.

Anyway, I wanted to prebook my seats and VH said they would sort that out for me. Excellent, and I was given 37 A & C (lowly economy I'm afraid).

I have logged in with expertflyer and sure enough those 2 seats are blocked off in and outbound. It looks like we are the first set of seats in economy as there are no other seats in front of us (according to expertflyer) BUT when I check on here which aircraft I will be on (96% A340-600 Config 1 or 4% A340-300 Config 1 (Suite)) both planes show economy seats start at row at either 41 or 32 (depending on the layout).

So how come on expert flyer we are showing as row 37 being first. As I can't log onto VA and choose my own seat, I have no idea what else is available etc.

Can anyone explain this to me please.

[mitchja]

VS always block the first 6 or 7 rows in economy on the A346's until OLCI opens 24 hours before departure, I dont know why they do this though.

Using the VS manage booking you just see these as greyed out.

Expertflyer doesn't show these blocked rows at all until OLCI opens.

For your VH booking, you can now access Worldwide bookings using the Travelport ViewTrip website.

If you enter your VH booking reference there, you should be able to see your VS flight booking reference (PNR) within this booking somewhere and then using this other VS PNR you should be able to view your VS flight booking using the VS website. The VS PNR will be a 6 digit code consisting of both letters and number.

You can't use the normal VH website 'Manage Booking' page to view Worldwide bookings any more. This now only works with US holidays.

It because VH are currently using 2 different reservation systems for holiday bookings depending on which direction you fly in!!

Regards

Thanks for that James, it certainly explains the seating query.

With regard to being able to access my details using the Travelport ViewTrip website, no joy I'm afraid. I had already tried the checkmytrip website and that was the same.

The problem is (or so VH are telling me) is that you are correct, they now have 2 different booking systems - one for Florida & Caribbean and another (newer one) for the rest of the World.

I have been given my Virgin Holiday booking reference (7 numeric digits) which will not work on the VH manage your booking page.

I have also been given my 6 digit locator number (letters and numbers) which is what I think you are referring to when you say PNR number.

Now when I try and put this into the VS manage my booking it says 'can't be found'. I have phoned VA and they say this is because my ticket number has not been 'issued'. I spoke to VH about this and they have admitted that there is a problem with their new booking system. Although my ticket number has in fact been issued, it does not automatically transfer to VA, which means they can't see it. Apparently this has always been the case, but in the previous booking system there was a 'fix' which overcame this.

Now for all I know, they could be telling me porkies, but for now there seems to be nothing I can do. At least when I have phoned VA they have been able to tell me they see the booking. Just means if they don't fix it I won't be able to use OLCI.

If anyone else knows about this, or knows a way around, I would be most grateful - its most annoying.

Carolynn

[mitchja]

I do know VH have been having problems with certain bookings for some time now so what they are telling you is probably correct.

Introducing airline e-ticketing for all UK booking agents also hasn't helped either.

Regards