Originally Posted by
stevensfo3
Wow, how sad is it when we all squeal with glee when we see premium cabin space open up on BA flights? It's like someone spotted a unicorn or something.
I live in SF, getting flights from the west coast to LHR in J or F is just about impossible. I don't know why BA is so tight-fisted with their redemption space, but it's very, very frustrating and greatly undermines the value of their FFP, and by extension, their brand.
Tell me about - I was on a very light flight from LHR-LAX - most cabins were about 60-70% full and I couldn't get an F seat to UUA. Fortunately my corporate relationship manager had put in a sale sub availability request as it was my first BA A380 flight and I got to experience the joys of the F cabin (albeit a bit marred by MF unprofessional service).
I understand that BA want to protect the sanctity of their premium cabins a bit, unlike US airlines - and get you to pay for the cabin you really want to fly in, and I respect that completely. However, letting many seats in premium cabins go empty while building up the liability on the books that comes with miles, isn't very smart either. I really think BA need to look and separating award from UUA inventory, and at least offering some sort of improved availability closer to departure.
I for one, and I know many similar such premium flyers, who would never book WTP and risk J not being available, but would definitely book J and hope for F/Z opening up on lightly loaded flights - prepared to travel in J where I am guaranteed a flat bed, and hope to get the added comfort of F using my many avios when possible.