Just wanted to update the thread on my experience over the last few nights to book a JNB-LHR. I’m not sure if the revenue manager/analyst at BA is on holiday or something but booking four reward seat seats back for my parents and partner over the last few nights has been stressful to say the least!
I checked the Friday flights on Sunday night (12am) and there were 2J on each flight (BA 56 and 54) which was in-line with previous weeks’ availability on Fridays. I was keen to hold out for the Saturday return where in previous weeks there has been 9+ In J and a couple of F seats on the later 54. I set my alarm for just before 12 on the Monday night and - nope only 2J on each flight! I immediately called the US number and after a few minutes spoke to a friendly lady in Deli. My partner and I need to be back at work on the Monday so I prioritised our booking. We’re planning to travel back from Kruger during the day so I was keen to secure the later 54 service. Whilst covering off the security checks, Sod’s law one seat became booked on the later flight! Damn! I couldn’t believe my luck. I then proceeded to book the earlier 56 service for my partner and I, leaving my 60 year old parents in J’berg for the night.
The next day I prepared for my call with my parents thinking of how I could paint a glossy picture and benefits of the fact that they would be spending a night in J’berg afternoon all! They were actually fine about it.
Anyway, last night (having learnt my lesson on calling well in advance prior to 12am) My call was answered by a lovely chap in Delhi who was so so helpful and obliging in understanding and helping me to book my parent’s flight. We spoke about anything and everything whilst we waited for the clock to bong 12! I’m so pleased I managed to speak to someone so helpful because (after 2 nights of it) once again there were only 2J on each flight. His name was was Amit and he immediately secured me 2 seats for them and they are now all booked. Once again though I was surprised as previous Sunday flights have seen 7+ seats available in F but of course not the week I wanted. The only thing I can think of (apart from the revenue analyst being on holiday!) is that it is the week before half term and whilst it’s still an off peak day, BA are there to make money.
I also wanted to emphasise the point that there can be good BA customer service out of hours and whilst I know everyone has their opinions on outsourced foreign call centres, there are plenty of occasions when they come up trumps!
For info I called the US number and followed the voice prompts.
Chris