AB new seating policy?
Dec 26, 2015, 8:41 am
#31
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: KUO
Programs: BA Gold, HH Diamond
Posts: 447
Thanks for the update, based on this it seems that during check-in OW Emeralds are able to select seats in rows 1-4; hopefully this is not jut a glitch but intentional. My next upcoming AB flight is in early January, will keep you posted. Like you did I have only been able to get seats after the exit rows, so far.
Looking from kvs tool's seatmaps, 2B is not taken but "2B Preferred - unavailable".
If that's true then they do blocking- let's see!
Dec 26, 2015, 6:01 pm
#35
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Switzerland/West Coast
Programs: BAEC Gold, Amex Platinum
Posts: 215
I just booked ZRH-FNC return on AB as an Avios redemption from the BA web site (pretty good value for 20k Avios and 57$, actually) and can access the flight on the AB web site using the BA confirmation code. However, I seem to be unable to choose any seat at all at this point, and the prospect of spending four hours in a middle seat each way is less than alluring. Will call them tomorrow and report back on how they handle OWE redemption tickets (and food pre-orders while I'm at it).
Dec 26, 2015, 8:04 pm
#36
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Brasil/Spain (but a heart in Scotland)
Programs: Star Alliance Gold, Iberia Oro, SkyTeam - Elite Plus, Le Club Accor - Platinum
Posts: 408
Just to mention, I'm OW Sapphire (avios redemption through BA) and have had no problem allocating seats for my flights through the Qatar website.
It isn't possible on the AB site directly.
It isn't possible on the AB site directly.
Dec 27, 2015, 1:07 am
#37
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Switzerland/West Coast
Programs: BAEC Gold, Amex Platinum
Posts: 215
Just tried it on Qatar (I'm OW Emerald through BA), and I can reserve anything except exit row seats, so now I should be at the bulkhead. Thanks for the tip!!!
Dec 27, 2015, 1:39 am
#38
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Austria (Vbg)
Programs: LX SEN, BA Gfl/GGL, IC Dia, HH Dia, Hyatt LT GLOB
Posts: 1,585
Interesting, thanks for the tip ^ I just moved myself, let's see if the reservation of the new seat sticks for the next few days or if it will be cancelled.
Dec 27, 2015, 2:39 am
#40
Join Date: May 2014
Programs: BAEC, A3 M&B
Posts: 268
Dec 27, 2015, 6:24 am
#41
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Brasil/Spain (but a heart in Scotland)
Programs: Star Alliance Gold, Iberia Oro, SkyTeam - Elite Plus, Le Club Accor - Platinum
Posts: 408
My reservation has stuck for 3 months in the seats I originally booked... (not exit row though, I add)
Flight is a week today, so will report back on whether it works up until boarding!
Flight is a week today, so will report back on whether it works up until boarding!
Dec 27, 2015, 2:08 pm
#42
Join Date: Oct 2010
Programs: AA ex-EXP (buh-bye!), HH Gold, SPG Gold, UM Go Blue
Posts: 543
FYI for those interested, any special meal requests you make through the Qatar site (vegetarian, etc.) DO stick, even when the seats do not.
Dec 28, 2015, 4:51 am
#43
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Switzerland/West Coast
Programs: BAEC Gold, Amex Platinum
Posts: 215
Ditto this (just got off a couple of AB flights where I tried it.) I have been successful having an empty seat next to me, however. Don't know if this is due to Emerald status or what.
FYI for those interested, any special meal requests you make through the Qatar site (vegetarian, etc.) DO stick, even when the seats do not.
FYI for those interested, any special meal requests you make through the Qatar site (vegetarian, etc.) DO stick, even when the seats do not.
Does AB give OW Emeralds a free meal in your experience?
Dec 29, 2015, 12:44 pm
#44
Join Date: Oct 2010
Programs: AA ex-EXP (buh-bye!), HH Gold, SPG Gold, UM Go Blue
Posts: 543
I have occasionally had AB pursers take me aside and thank me for my business, which is weird. Maybe they are confusing me on the manifest with their own platinums? I am AA Executive Platinum for my OWE.