headingwest

But it's a new table. Look at the column below.

irishguy28

Consider it a work in process. They added, but forgot to take away, it seems!

If you know the Flying Blue website and their publication of the Promo Awards each month, you'll know what I mean

DELLAS

Correct. Knee jerk reactions aside A3 still provide a very good product and a great program compared to many others. Who knows if enough Golds get off their backsides and email in then maybe there will be a policy change and A3 M&B Golds will get it free. I am sure the rules are up for being amended.

frb98mf

I dropped a note to A3 about this and suggested a compromise that Golds should at least have free seat selection when not on UPTE fares, keeping it in line with when they can use the upgrade coupons. What do you all think of that as an idea?

FlyEurope

I would hope so. Even stingy FFPs like M&M allow free seat selection for top tier elites (SEN and HON in LH's case) free of charge and regardless of the fare purchased. I've complained to A3 via E-Mail and would encourage everyone to do so too.

KL714

Interestingly, I checked in yesterday for my AMS-ATH flight tomorrow and could select the exit row for free and I just checked in for my return ATH-BRU on Sunday and again I'm in the exit row for free (flights booked as a one way AMS-ATH-BRU though so I guess I checked in yesterday just before they started charging? )

irishguy28

AMS-ATH-BRU as a one way?

It sounds more like an open-jaw return to me!

Enjoy! More fun than taking the Intercity Brussel, which is not running from Amsterdam at weekends at present

swiss_global

... for what it's worth. On my last 10 LX flights as SEN, in 9 out of 10 cases they did not honor my seat reservation in Exit Row. As far as I could tell always some friends and family. Perhaps when charging something, A3 are less reluctant to completely disregard your seat reservation ...

irishguy28

A3 uses the word "guaranteed" on the website, which is a pretty bold statement...

Xandrios

It is not yet in effect, judging by this fine print: Effective for sales from 01.02.2018 for travel from 12.02.2018 onwards.

Arrivals

I too sent them an email. Maybe - who knows - M&B Golds may select the front row seats at 48h OLCI for free. We will see. But for now, I encourage everyone else to complain. Maybe they'll rethink it. 16 € for a shorthaul European round-trip is insane...

KL714

Thanks, you're right except I booked it as a one way with an OTA with a 23 hour layover in ATH, so to A3 it's a one way via ATH

Hadn't seen that, thanks!

Argyris

I argue that complaining through their social media accounts (i.e. facebook, twitter) would make much more impact.

fransknorge

I send a message on Twitter. My main complaint was that I believe they will never manage to fill all those rows with paying customers. On fulll flight they will have to give them for free for he last to check in. I pointed out to them that KLM does the same at half the cost, free for Gold and that they do have an improved legroom, unlike Aegean.
i got a standard response pointing to the announcement.

DELLAS

You would be surprised it also depends on the market. Take Aer Lingus for example they get a decent amount of revenue for selling ''Choice Seats'' on all their flights. If the flight is full and only those seats available then they do allocate them when OLCI opens 30 hours prior and at the airport free of charge but that may be only a few as plenty opt to pre book seats these days. The jury is out if it will either work well for A3 or they will not gain much from it and just end up annoying their loyal customers. Personally I think they will get away with it after the dust settles. Its far less of a risk then they took when they changed the rules to keep Gold and shunted quite a lot of loyal members to Blue ( mostly Greeks doing Domestics ). Ancillary revenue is big money these days. I still maintain that A3 should have a re think over it being free for M&B Golds though.