Does a specific WTP seat increase op-up chances?

gustavmahler · Dec 23, 12, 5:56 am

OK, so I get it - when I book into a certain cabin I really don't expect an op-up. I've never had one before but have always been fortunate enough to be in CW. This time my wife and I are off to ORD at the start of February; CW was too expensive for us and there was no availability for UUA, though I will keep checking.

My wife has had op-ups out of T5 when she has done OLCI early and been in the front row of WTP and travelling alone. I was just wondering whether being in the front row with all the cot seats made a difference at all. Like I said, I'm not expecting anything and we're both only Silver, but I would be interested to know if people had used that strategy before.

chris1979 · Dec 23, 12, 6:02 am

I would assume families who need the cot will have flagged / pre booked.

I would go for the seats you would be most comfortable with given you are most likely to end up in those.

Short Final · Dec 23, 12, 6:35 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by gustavmahler

I would be interested to know if people had used that strategy before.

I'm sorry. What "strategy" ?

Thinking up strategies for OPUPS is about as useful as thinking up strategies for winning the jackpot on the lottery.

The only difference being that with the lottery you have to make an active mental decision to participate in the game. With BA (or any other carrier), all passengers are in the game .... in effect, the passengers are the balls in the lotto draw machine.

gustavmahler · Dec 23, 12, 7:14 am

We've got decent seats I think, I was just wondering if seat selection makes a difference. I know the drill, I'm not expecting anything!

dera · Dec 23, 12, 7:18 am

I dont think it really matters, but for some reason I've never had the chance to sit in 29K, even though I've tried it often

Roger · Dec 23, 12, 7:19 am

One thing against you, as it were, is that there are two of you. I've only ever been upped when travelling alone.

Sit back and relax.

If something magic happens, smile again.

Genius1 · Dec 23, 12, 7:22 am

Two of us have been upgraded before from J to F. I don't think actual seats matters - status does, in most cases.

CreativeBill · Dec 23, 12, 7:22 am

Myself and my husband got OpUp'd from WTP row 13 on a flight to Chennai.

Same thing happened for the return journey. So 13 is lucky for some!

jamby · Dec 23, 12, 7:24 am

While anecdotal, I've always booked myself in the front row (next to the 'bassinet') when in WTP from ORD to LHR and had two op-ups out of five trips. Hard to tell if the reason I was moved was because of a family needing the bassinet.
J.

AceCobra1 · Dec 23, 12, 8:02 am

Out of interest, when can I actually book the very front row of WTP? Because I am a non status member and I can't even pay to get the seats ? Although I manage to pay for 16A on CW on my way back for £64!

Lobengula · Dec 23, 12, 8:10 am

I must have booked at least 20-30 WT+ flights, but I have never touched the seat

No op-up from WT+ but I have always managed to pay with cash or Avios a few days before departure. The inbound leg can be changed and is easier if you're a bit flexible. Just monitor which flights that have UUA and change the ticket and pay the fee (I think it's £150).

pinkcat · Dec 23, 12, 11:53 am

we have had op ups with 3 of us on one PNR

gustavmahler · Dec 24, 12, 1:00 am

Thanks for the information. I think I'll keep looking for UUA or cash options. Do they sometimes open up more availability closer to the time and can cheaper cash upgrades become available. We're flying on elsewhere once we get to ORD, so no POUG is available.

Also, do the bassinet seats become available to book at a certain point? Is it something like 72 or 24 hours before departure?

orbitmic · Dec 24, 12, 1:55 am

I believe bassinet locations are under airport-control and unless airport releases it people can't pre-select it. Also bear in mind that BA will sometimes impose seat changes if they need 'your' seat for whatever reason, and as has been widely reported on this forum, this can happen to GCH or SCH. Upgrade pecking order is always surrounded by a certain level of mystery (at least for non-US airlines) but among the many criteria heard about, specific seat doesn't seem to be mentioned by BA people, and such explicitly quoted elements as fare paid, status, score, past travel incidents, etc seem to leave little chance for a specific seat tie breaker.

cazoz · Dec 24, 12, 6:40 am

I've understood that if someone boots you out due to their status, an op-up is the least confrontational and most win-win solution BA employ - space available obviously...