BA charges Exorbitant for Seat allocation

[dandandan]

Yes discovered this rubbish when making a J class booking last night. Last year I had booked an F redemption and didn't encounter this problem so this caught me by surprise.

 

[Archipelago]

Matt - typo in your newsletter article

"of any other airline that charges Premium Econmy "

 

[Lynda2475]

For flights such as London-New York where there must be a lot of last minute business bookings, as well as huge J class cabins, I've never had a problem selecting a good seat at the 7-day mark for silver (not worth paying)

Good to know, I have a BA LHR-JFK flight next June (1 checked bag and meal, not drinks), I would have preferred to fly AA (which includes 2 checked bags, meal and drinks) but Qantas seem to price the AA flights almost $200 more, so couldn't justify it. I just want an aisle seat - rest assured i'll be online exactly 7 days before to get that aisle seat.

 

[kelvedon]

Good to know, I have a BA LHR-JFK flight next June (1 checked bag and meal, not drinks).

I thought they only had two Y options on those flights, Basic Economy (hand luggage only) and Standard Economy, (1x bag, food AND drinks). I think you’ll get a drink to ameliorate the food !

 

[Lynda2475]

I thought they only had two Y options on those flights, Basic Economy (hand luggage only) and Standard Economy, (1x bag, food AND drinks). I think you’ll get a drink to ameliorate the food !

Well I booked as part of a Qantas itinerary (the other 4 flights are all on Qantas metal). BA flights there are no drinks mentioned, AA guarantee drinks and wifi - see screen shots below.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Good to know, I have a BA LHR-JFK flight next June (1 checked bag and meal, not drinks), I would have preferred to fly AA (which includes 2 checked bags, meal and drinks) but Qantas seem to price the AA flights almost $200 more, so couldn't justify it. I just want an aisle seat - rest assured i'll be online exactly 7 days before to get that aisle seat.

Open bar is standard on BA TATL, even for ‘basic’ hand luggage only.

 

[Lynda2475]

Open bar is standard on BA TATL, even for ‘basic’ hand luggage only.

Strange then that none of the BA flights have a Drinks symbol. Having been burnt on inter European flights ear this year where you dont even get a free soft drink I have very low expectations from BA. But as its under 8 hours (not really long haul), I can survive without a drink.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Strange then that none of the BA flights have a Drinks symbol. Having been burnt on inter European flights ear this year where you dont even get a free soft drink I have very low expectations from BA. But as its under 8 hours (not really long haul), I can survive without a drink.

I think it might be because AA doesn't always have drinks TATL? Or maybe didn't at some time in the past. As BA has drinks as standard there's no need to list them here.

A meal is usually indicated on most itineraries.

BA's longhaul meal and drinks policy is here: Long haul economy dining | Food and drink | British Airways

 

[skicrazycat]

My partner who is Qantas Platinum booked me a last minute reward seat in March on BNE-DUB -LHR with Emirates and returning LHR - HKG - BNE with first leg BA and second on Cathay.
We have chosen all seats for free for all legs except BA LHR to HKG where the starting point for selecting seats is $260.
We are on the same flights travelling out, but I’m returning on different flights even though we are travelling on the same day.His return flights are all with Emirates.
Our bookings are linked.
As I said, he made the bookings.
My question is......as he made my reward flight booking does he get to chose a seat for free on booking through his status? Or do they only look at my status which is nothing !
I’ve gone in on my booking and it’s only offers me selection with a price but was wondering if anyone has experienced something similar...and whether it’s worth him calling them as someone with ‘status’ who made the actual booking ?

Any help will be appreciated.

This is my first experience with BA and I’m happy to admit I have some anxiety at not having an allocated seat.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

My partner who is Qantas Platinum booked me a last minute reward seat in March on BNE-DUB -LHR with Emirates and returning LHR - HKG - BNE with first leg BA and second on Cathay.
We have chosen all seats for free for all legs except BA LHR to HKG where the starting point for selecting seats is $260.
We are on the same flights travelling out, but I’m returning on different flights even though we are travelling on the same day.His return flights are all with Emirates.
Our bookings are linked.
As I said, he made the bookings.
My question is......as he made my reward flight booking does he get to chose a seat for free on booking through his status? Or do they only look at my status which is nothing !
I’ve gone in on my booking and it’s only offers me selection with a price but was wondering if anyone has experienced something similar...and whether it’s worth him calling them as someone with ‘status’ who made the actual booking ?

Any help will be appreciated.

This is my first experience with BA and I’m happy to admit I have some anxiety at not having an allocated seat.

Separate bookings... no. Full details here: Reserving your seat | Information | British Airways , but essentially you'd need to be in the same booking for his free seat allocation to extend to you.

Edited - as per Spongbob's (correct advice!) in the post below, separate bookings seems to be ok... but the 'travelling on the same flight' is the issue.

You can jump on line as soon as check-in opens to try and secure a seat, for free. No need to be anxious in terms of having a seat, many others will be in a similar position not wanting to fork out $$ for advance allocation.

BA seats are fine, despite what many like to say. The only ones you really want to avoid are the double seats, rear facing as you're very cosy with your neighbour.

 

[skicrazycat]

Thank you
appreciate the advice

 

[Spongbob]

This is the BA rules about OW status holders (who it seems is not traveling with you):

Gold/oneworld Emerald

Free seat selection from the time of booking for everyone in your booking and friends and family on other bookings, who are travelling with you in the same travel class and on the same flight*.

 

[ajw373]

Separate bookings... no. Full details here: Reserving your seat | Information | British Airways , but essentially you'd need to be in the same booking for his free seat allocation to extend to you.

Edited - as per Spongbob's (correct advice!) in the post below, separate bookings seems to be ok... but the 'travelling on the same flight' is the issue.

You can jump on line as soon as check-in opens to try and secure a seat, for free. No need to be anxious in terms of having a seat, many others will be in a similar position not wanting to fork out $$ for advance allocation.

BA seats are fine, despite what many like to say. The only ones you really want to avoid are the double seats, rear facing as you're very cosy with your neighbour.

The biggest issue if you don’t preselect with BA is they don’t guarantee people even on the same booking will be seated togther.

Moot point in the case above as they should get seat selection.