Originally Posted by
robsterny
I would love it if BA gave EF access. It would save so much time continually checking award availability at different times of the day as EF allows you to set an alert that emails and texts you when availability opens up. I've used it many times for AA and QF flights booked with Avios.
Maybe there's an argument that it would make BA's frequent fliers happier.... EF isn't exactly that well known outside of forums so its not as if the public are going to sign up en masse... the $10 monthly subscription will put many off. The most likely people to use it and benefit from it are going to be people who read forums like this. So BA's frequent fliers would be more likely to get the seats they want versus the casual searcher armed with their Chase 100,000 point sign up bonus.
I must say, I am with you Rob. I am in the very fortunate position of clinging on to GGL status over the last few years so I have no difficulty finding seats for my once or twice a year family jaunts on Avios. However, I doubt what I suggest would change availability noticeably. It would just make it considerably more user friendly for those that have EF subscriptions. As someone has mentioned, the ability to ask the system to set an alert is invaluable. e.g., if you need 2 seats on a flight in say, W class and there is only 1 available, you can set an alert. The EF system then constantly searches that flight's availability and if W availability goes back up to two, it automatically triggers an email to you so you can then call BA and make the booking. I've lost count of the amount of times I have done this on revenue bookings. It would be great to have the same kind of flexibility on awards.