Taking a family of nine to London on AA via BA
Dec 30, 2022, 3:21 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2022
Posts: 5
Taking a family of nine to London on AA via BA
Friends,
Question--I'm an AA Platinum Pro, flying almost exclusively domestically... but after many years I'm hoping to take my family of nine from IAD-LHR next year, but struggling to wrap my mind around how AA status maps on to flights operated by British Airways.
Questions:
* The Basic Economy fares are about $160 less expensive ($1,500 across the family). Will my AA status still let me bring free checked bags on the flight if I pick basic economy?
* Likewise, normally the status would let me pick seats but since it's operated by British Airways and there is no AA-based seat selector I guess that doesn't apply? If I call British Airways and ask about setting up seats we're possibly going to struggle to get seats together, whereas if it was an AA-operated flight the status would allow us to sit together and possibly in better seats--is that right?
* Platinum Pro status gives OneWorld emerald, which would normally mean access to the British Airways lounge... but are they really going to let me bring seven sweet and adorable kids in there?
Thanks in advance for the advice and help.
Question--I'm an AA Platinum Pro, flying almost exclusively domestically... but after many years I'm hoping to take my family of nine from IAD-LHR next year, but struggling to wrap my mind around how AA status maps on to flights operated by British Airways.
Questions:
* The Basic Economy fares are about $160 less expensive ($1,500 across the family). Will my AA status still let me bring free checked bags on the flight if I pick basic economy?
* Likewise, normally the status would let me pick seats but since it's operated by British Airways and there is no AA-based seat selector I guess that doesn't apply? If I call British Airways and ask about setting up seats we're possibly going to struggle to get seats together, whereas if it was an AA-operated flight the status would allow us to sit together and possibly in better seats--is that right?
* Platinum Pro status gives OneWorld emerald, which would normally mean access to the British Airways lounge... but are they really going to let me bring seven sweet and adorable kids in there?
Thanks in advance for the advice and help.
Dec 30, 2022, 3:39 pm
#2
Join Date: Jul 2022
Posts: 336
not sure if you can book all 9 on one reservation. You might qualify for a group rate.
You as emerald would get to choose seats for you and those on your reservation.
I believe the number of guests is limited to the lounge.
You might check on the BA board
You as emerald would get to choose seats for you and those on your reservation.
I believe the number of guests is limited to the lounge.
You might check on the BA board
Dec 30, 2022, 3:45 pm
#3
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: BOS
Programs: AA PP, DL PM
Posts: 2,086
You will not receive status-based free checked bags (for anyone) if you book BA-marketed or BA-operated basic economy.
BA offers free seat selection at booking for oneworld Sapphire and oneworld Emerald partner elites. I believe that if you are a oneworld Emerald specifically, you can call in and obtain free seat selection for those on other reservations (BA calls this "to complete party" or TCP). You may also wish to inquire with BA or with a travel agent about group booking rates, since BA notes that for "groups of more than 9 people" (not obvious if 9 qualifies or it has to be 10+) "we will allocate your seats free of charge", and you may get a better rate on the fare.
Lounge access is only for you and one guest.
BA offers free seat selection at booking for oneworld Sapphire and oneworld Emerald partner elites. I believe that if you are a oneworld Emerald specifically, you can call in and obtain free seat selection for those on other reservations (BA calls this "to complete party" or TCP). You may also wish to inquire with BA or with a travel agent about group booking rates, since BA notes that for "groups of more than 9 people" (not obvious if 9 qualifies or it has to be 10+) "we will allocate your seats free of charge", and you may get a better rate on the fare.
Lounge access is only for you and one guest.
Dec 30, 2022, 3:53 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,018
clpjohn Welcome to FT
Basic Economy fares are/can be complicated as to status benefits. Depends on many things.
A good guide in the BA forum-->Guide to AJB Basic Economy fares
Look at the graphics in post 1
AA forum master thread-->https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/amer...er-thread.html
Unless has mid-top status BA charge for seat selection. Even for business class.
When closer to departure date can chose at no extra cost, but by then most desirable seats - adjoining seats allocated to others.
Question--I'm an AA Platinum Pro, flying almost exclusively domestically... but after many years I'm hoping to take my family of nine from IAD-LHR next year, but struggling to wrap my mind around how AA status maps on to flights operated by British Airways.
Questions:
* The Basic Economy fares are about $160 less expensive ($1,500 across the family). Will my AA status still let me bring free checked bags on the flight if I pick basic economy?
* Likewise, normally the status would let me pick seats but since it's operated by British Airways and there is no AA-based seat selector I guess that doesn't apply? If I call British Airways and ask about setting up seats we're possibly going to struggle to get seats together, whereas if it was an AA-operated flight the status would allow us to sit together and possibly in better seats--is that right?
* Platinum Pro status gives OneWorld emerald, which would normally mean access to the British Airways lounge... but are they really going to let me bring seven sweet and adorable kids in there?
Thanks in advance for the advice and help.
Questions:
* The Basic Economy fares are about $160 less expensive ($1,500 across the family). Will my AA status still let me bring free checked bags on the flight if I pick basic economy?
* Likewise, normally the status would let me pick seats but since it's operated by British Airways and there is no AA-based seat selector I guess that doesn't apply? If I call British Airways and ask about setting up seats we're possibly going to struggle to get seats together, whereas if it was an AA-operated flight the status would allow us to sit together and possibly in better seats--is that right?
* Platinum Pro status gives OneWorld emerald, which would normally mean access to the British Airways lounge... but are they really going to let me bring seven sweet and adorable kids in there?
Thanks in advance for the advice and help.
A good guide in the BA forum-->Guide to AJB Basic Economy fares
Look at the graphics in post 1
AA forum master thread-->https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/amer...er-thread.html
Unless has mid-top status BA charge for seat selection. Even for business class.
When closer to departure date can chose at no extra cost, but by then most desirable seats - adjoining seats allocated to others.
Last edited by Mwenenzi; Dec 30, 2022 at 4:05 pm
Dec 30, 2022, 3:53 pm
#5
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Arizona
Posts: 5,689
Do not get hung up on your status. For best value you need to ignore your status and go get group travel bids from AA and BA and others. You will get much better terms and conditions like the ability to swap out a passenger who gets sick and can not travel with your group with another pax.
Last edited by Centurion; Dec 30, 2022 at 4:46 pm
Dec 30, 2022, 3:59 pm
#6
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,597
You will not receive status-based free checked bags (for anyone) if you book BA-marketed or BA-operated basic economy.
BA offers free seat selection at booking for oneworld Sapphire and oneworld Emerald partner elites. I believe that if you are a oneworld Emerald specifically, you can call in and obtain free seat selection for those on other reservations (BA calls this "to complete party" or TCP). You may also wish to inquire with BA or with a travel agent about group booking rates, since BA notes that for "groups of more than 9 people" (not obvious if 9 qualifies or it has to be 10+) "we will allocate your seats free of charge", and you may get a better rate on the fare.
Lounge access is only for you and one guest.
BA offers free seat selection at booking for oneworld Sapphire and oneworld Emerald partner elites. I believe that if you are a oneworld Emerald specifically, you can call in and obtain free seat selection for those on other reservations (BA calls this "to complete party" or TCP). You may also wish to inquire with BA or with a travel agent about group booking rates, since BA notes that for "groups of more than 9 people" (not obvious if 9 qualifies or it has to be 10+) "we will allocate your seats free of charge", and you may get a better rate on the fare.
Lounge access is only for you and one guest.
Dec 30, 2022, 4:44 pm
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2022
Posts: 5
So it sounds like:
* I should cancel the tickets I just booked and
* try to see if they'll extend group rates to a group of nine, even though it's one under the minimum of 10 for a group.
* This should run through both the AA and the BA group booking websites
* If that doesn't work, I should decide whether to stick with the basic economy. The only reason I'd pay for anything higher is because we'd have checked luggage, but as long as I can *pay* for bags I can't imagine it will add up to the $1,500 difference between basic economy and standard economy. The kids can get by with backpacks so we would only need to check 1-2 bags for all of us... maybe we'd buy just one regular ticket and add it to the rest in basic economy?
Thanks!
Dec 30, 2022, 7:53 pm
#11
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,597
If you might be able to get a 10th person, then would be worth getting a quote
Dec 31, 2022, 2:10 am
#14
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: London
Programs: BAEC Gold, Marriott LT Platinum
Posts: 2,334
BA tends to be fairly strict re/ lounge guesting. Members of the BA forum often have reported challenges to guest more than 1 person, even when its the own child additionally to their wife... but I guess you would have issues with any airline.
Dec 31, 2022, 4:40 am
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2004
Location: DFW/DAL
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, AS MVPG, HH Diamond, NCL Platinum Plus, MSC Diamond
Posts: 21,422
Not with "any" airline. Some do allow more than one guest, if your own children under18. Not BA though