Should I pay to reserve seats on Virgin?

[alkel2730]

Hi all,

Well we've gone and booked again - eek! My oldest goes to school next September and so we thought we'd squeeze a cheeky trip in next May before we are confined to school holidays and chances are we can't afford to go for a couple of years.
Anyway we had enough Virgin miles for the return flights so we bit the bullet. We usually travel premium economy but we've booked four economy return seats so my son can have a seat too even though he won't be 2 he will be very close so thought best to get him a seat. I didn't have enough miles for PE return and I'm not sure we can afford PE taxes so booked economy.
We didn't prebook the seats though. The guy on the phone said not to bother and just to call 72hrs in advance and then we can book them for free as we are flying club members. However it's making me nervous and I'm worrying about us being split up but it's another £240 to pre book.

What should I do? Do you think we will be ok? My kids are 1&3.

Thank you

[captbnut]

We booked. Going next week and our kids (10&8) haven't flown before. The idea of being separated was too much stress for me to handle, even though it would probably be ok.

Technically, even at that age you don't have to be seated next to each other. Personally I'd book, certainty on seating was worth £240 for us. But half people will tell you to book and half will say save your money!

[EllieP]

I thought with children under 12 they would seat you together? Also with flying club do you all need to be members or as lead passenger can you book everyone’s seats on your booking?

[RickT]

We Booked and paid for outbound in bubble.. Just doing 72 hours on return

[alkel2730]

Originally Posted by captbnut

We booked. Going next week and our kids (10&8) haven't flown before. The idea of being separated was too much stress for me to handle, even though it would probably be ok.

Technically, even at that age you don't have to be seated next to each other. Personally I'd book, certainty on seating was worth £240 for us. But half people will tell you to book and half will say save your money!

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Crikey do you think they will? He was adamant they would y withkids being so young but I am worried obviously. Hubby reckons it'll be ok but I'm not sure so thought I'd ask to see if it's happened to others. Thanks

[DisneyDaffodil]

Exactly as above, you will get mixed opinions. So I will put both sides 😀

May should be a quiet time so you will likely be able to get seats together for free 72 hours before you travel. You have to all register (even the children so its easier to ring to sign up) as Flying Club members, this is free to do. If you are not a flying club member, you can book seats 24 hours before you fly. This may also be possible to ensure seats together but not certain. Of course, it is unlikely that Virgin would seat such young children as yours from a parent, but they could give you 2 together and 2 elsewhere or opposite sides of an aisle.
The only way to be entirely sure of the seats you want is to pay for them. Unless you do, you can't really expect to be sitting with the rest of your party.

To be honest, for peace of mind, I would pay. It does annoy me how much Virgin (and other airlines) charge for this but they know people will pay it. I just factor it in the same way as any other costs that have to be paid.

Although our DD is 16 now so we don't pay for seating together on short haul anymore as we have no problem with being apart for a few hours. However, the furthest apart we have ever been without paying for seats is 2 of us together and DH sitting behind or in front of us.

[alkel2730]

Originally Posted by EllieP

I thought with children under 12 they would seat you together? Also with flying club do you all need to be members or as lead passenger can you book everyone’s seats on your booking?

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Well he was saying they would accommodate us. Ironically we couldn't prebook in PE in the end due to Irma so right up to the day before flying we were unassigned but they did seat us together so imhoping that's a good sign but I doubt they'd spilt us up in PE. I just like to book and be sorted.

Yes we do all need to be members. Me and hubby are but I need to set my daughter up. They said as my son was classes as a baby he didn't need a flying club account though?

[g1970]

I always book (and theres only the 2 of us). It's factored into the overall cost when booking flights

[alkel2730]

Originally Posted by RickT

We Booked and paid for outbound in bubble.. Just doing 72 hours on return

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The bubble is gone already! But maybe that's a plan and just do one way? Are you worried about the way back?

[alkel2730]

Originally Posted by DisneyDaffodil

Exactly as above, you will get mixed opinions. So I will put both sides 😀

May should be a quiet time so you will likely be able to get seats together for free 72 hours before you travel. You have to all register (even the children so its easier to ring to sign up) as Flying Club members, this is free to do. If you are not a flying club member, you can book seats 24 hours before you fly. This may also be possible to ensure seats together but not certain. Of course, it is unlikely that Virgin would seat such young children as yours from a parent, but they could give you 2 together and 2 elsewhere or opposite sides of an aisle.
The only way to be entirely sure of the seats you want is to pay for them. Unless you do, you can't really expect to be sitting with the rest of your party.

To be honest, for peace of mind, I would pay. It does annoy me how much Virgin (and other airlines) charge for this but they know people will pay it. I just factor it in the same way as any other costs that have to be paid.

Although our DD is 16 now so we don't pay for seating together on short haul anymore as we have no problem with being apart for a few hours. However, the furthest apart we have ever been without paying for seats is 2 of us together and DH sitting behind or in front of us.

See more...

Thanks. Food for thought for sure. Ironically it's £240 to prebook and it cost us £300 for PE this year in total! Might see how much it would be to upgrade when we get our upgrade voucher. That said it won't be for a while til we get it. Argh chicken and egg!