Can an EXP select 1A and 1K on a BA reward flight?
Sep 15, 2012, 8:49 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: SFO
Programs: TK E+, AF Plat & QR Plat (all the hard way), AA 3MM (worthless), smattering of others
Posts: 435
Can an EXP select 1A and 1K on a BA reward flight?
My partner is Plat, I am EXP and we have both booked an upcoming BA flight in First with AA miles (separate PNRs). When logging in to the BA site I can select either 1A or 1K, but when may partner logs in he cannot. Similar issue with the EXP Desk -- they can select 1A or 1K for me but that cannot select either for my partner. Neither of us have status in BA's program, other than our OneWorld status due to AA. I know BA Golds can select 1A and 1K but I am trying to figure out why I can and why my partner cannot. Thanks!
Sep 15, 2012, 9:04 pm
#2
Moderator: American AAdvantage, Signatures
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: London, England
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond Ambassador, National Exec, AA EXP Emeritus
Posts: 9,765
BA Golds and other oneworld Emeralds can select these seats in advance. As such, the system is working as designed. I'd suggest selecting 1A and 2A and asking at the airport to change the latter to 1K if it's still available.
Sep 15, 2012, 9:12 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: SFO
Programs: TK E+, AF Plat & QR Plat (all the hard way), AA 3MM (worthless), smattering of others
Posts: 435
Thanks. Do 1A and 1K open up to everyone at 72 hours or 24 hours?
Sep 15, 2012, 9:19 pm
#4
Moderator: American AAdvantage, Signatures
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: London, England
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond Ambassador, National Exec, AA EXP Emeritus
Posts: 9,765
In my experience (same situation: one EXP one Platinum), neither. I had to request the seat at the airport for my travelling companion.
Sep 15, 2012, 9:37 pm
#5
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 44
Both parties have to be BA Gold or OW Emerald to get 1A/1K. As far as I know, even companions of BA Gold who aren't BA Gold or OW Emerald aren't allowed to get these seats in advance, regardless of same PNR or not
My recollection is poor but my brain is leaning towards a T-24 cutoff before these seats are open to all. You can check the BA forum (info is posted in one of their nifty FAQs)
My recollection is poor but my brain is leaning towards a T-24 cutoff before these seats are open to all. You can check the BA forum (info is posted in one of their nifty FAQs)
Sep 15, 2012, 9:43 pm
#6
Moderator: American AAdvantage, Signatures
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: London, England
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond Ambassador, National Exec, AA EXP Emeritus
Posts: 9,765
This was not the case for me earlier this year, for what it's worth. They never became available to my AA Platinum/oneworld Sapphire companion and had to be assigned at the airport. I even called You First to see if they could assign them over the phone, but that failed as well. YMMV.
Sep 15, 2012, 10:01 pm
#7
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: UK
Programs: BA Silver, AA Gold, A3 Gold, Honors Diamond, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 1,251
Both parties have to be BA Gold or OW Emerald to get 1A/1K. As far as I know, even companions of BA Gold who aren't BA Gold or OW Emerald aren't allowed to get these seats in advance, regardless of same PNR or not
My recollection is poor but my brain is leaning towards a T-24 cutoff before these seats are open to all. You can check the BA forum (info is posted in one of their nifty FAQs)
My recollection is poor but my brain is leaning towards a T-24 cutoff before these seats are open to all. You can check the BA forum (info is posted in one of their nifty FAQs)
At T-24 anyone can select 1A/1K as part of the online checkin process.
Sep 15, 2012, 11:46 pm
#8
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: BLR
Programs: AA - EXP, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, UK - Gold
Posts: 1,224
what's so special about 1A / 1K? if on 744, i believe all to be same..
Sep 16, 2012, 2:35 am
#9
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: JFK/LGA
Programs: AA EXP/5 MM, BA Blue Bayou, HH LT Diamond
Posts: 5,827
They are at the front of a dead end cabin, where the fuselage comes together so although they are both window seats there is only the aisle in between, and they are close enough to have a conversation across the aisle. Desirable for a couple; I prefer 2A/K when traveling solo as there is more privacy.
Sep 16, 2012, 4:30 am
#10
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: AA Lifetime PLT , BA Silver , BD RIP , HH Gold, SPG / Marriott PLT , EF Subscriber
Posts: 6,702
Some friends both AA Platinum/OW-Sapphire have BA Award seats using Avios Points booked on LCY-JFK but BA will not change from the BA No-Status Number in the reservation to their AA Platinum/Sapphire Number thereby effectively preventing them doing Free Seat Reseravtions. Has anybody else encountered a similar situation?
Sep 16, 2012, 7:14 am
#11
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Seattle
Programs: AS MVPG 75K
Posts: 2,574
Some friends both AA Platinum/OW-Sapphire have BA Award seats using Avios Points booked on LCY-JFK but BA will not change from the BA No-Status Number in the reservation to their AA Platinum/Sapphire Number thereby effectively preventing them doing Free Seat Reseravtions. Has anybody else encountered a similar situation?
Sep 16, 2012, 7:17 am
#12
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: SYD
Programs: QF WP (OWE), VA PLAT, EY GLD, SPG PLAT, Hyatt DIA, Hilton DIA, Hertz PC
Posts: 8,527
The answer is no. 1A is reserved for BA Gold Card or Premier. You may be able to chose is, but within minutes the system will override it.
OWE should be able to select 1K.
OWE should be able to select 1K.
Sep 16, 2012, 7:19 am
#13
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Seattle
Programs: AS MVPG 75K
Posts: 2,574
False, I am flying LHR-SEA in F tomorrow and had 1A available from booking (though selected 1K which I prefer).
Sep 16, 2012, 7:19 am
#14
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges and Environmentally Friendly Travel
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: London, UK
Posts: 22,212
Some friends both AA Platinum/OW-Sapphire have BA Award seats using Avios Points booked on LCY-JFK but BA will not change from the BA No-Status Number in the reservation to their AA Platinum/Sapphire Number thereby effectively preventing them doing Free Seat Reseravtions. Has anybody else encountered a similar situation?
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/briti...ked-avios.html
Sep 16, 2012, 7:27 am
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver • DEN-APA
Programs: AF Platinum, EK Gold, AA EXP, UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 21,600
They are at the front of a dead end cabin, where the fuselage comes together so although they are both window seats there is only the aisle in between, and they are close enough to have a conversation across the aisle. Desirable for a couple; I prefer 2A/K when traveling solo as there is more privacy.
She wanted and I complied with 2AK on our upcoming BA flight. Hmm.