Aug 20, 2016, 12:22 pm
Last edit by: Prospero
Contents
Introduction and Overview
Paid Seating and pricing schedules
Twin seats and exit row seats
Refunds
Additional needs customers and those travelling with infants
Group bookings
747 upper deck seats
Sources and further information
www.speedbirdclub.com
www.ba.com/seating
Theoretical Seating: Blocked seats and status master thread
Introduction and Overview
Paid Seating and pricing schedules
Twin seats and exit row seats
Refunds
Additional needs customers and those travelling with infants
Group bookings
747 upper deck seats
Sources and further information
www.speedbirdclub.com
www.ba.com/seating
Theoretical Seating: Blocked seats and status master thread
BA Seating Policy Guide
Jan 11, 2015, 1:44 pm
#106
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,963
Interesting problem on TA forums.
If you purchase a seat and the aircraft is later changed, and you are given a seat from the same price category (in this case it was about a window twin seat) from the new aircraft, are you entitled to a refund just on the grounds of not being happy? To me this is a no-brainer (of course you would be, as it's not the same seat anymore) but others seemed to think otherwise.
We bought seats a while ago and I would have been really pi***d if I had first paid quite a lot of money and then had not been able to claim a refund.
Does anyone have any recent experience or knowledge on the BA policy for refunds?
If you purchase a seat and the aircraft is later changed, and you are given a seat from the same price category (in this case it was about a window twin seat) from the new aircraft, are you entitled to a refund just on the grounds of not being happy? To me this is a no-brainer (of course you would be, as it's not the same seat anymore) but others seemed to think otherwise.
We bought seats a while ago and I would have been really pi***d if I had first paid quite a lot of money and then had not been able to claim a refund.
Does anyone have any recent experience or knowledge on the BA policy for refunds?
http://www.britishairways.com/en-gb/...es-and-refunds
When and how you can claim a refund
You can claim a refund for reserved seats if:
There is an aircraft change and we are unable to seat you in a suitable alternative seat that you are happy with.
There is a flight disruption and you have to be moved to another flight, meaning that we are unable to seat you in a suitable alternative seat on your new flight that you are happy with.
You become unable to meet CAA safety requirements to sit in an exit row seat, and you contact us at least 48 hours before your flight.
You have paid for an upgrade and do not wish to pay the difference in order to reselect your seat in the alternative cabin.
You must apply for a refund on ba.com as refunds cannot be processed at the airport or on board.
We will only make a refund to the credit card used to pay for the seat reservation, unless otherwise stated.
You can claim a refund for reserved seats if:
There is an aircraft change and we are unable to seat you in a suitable alternative seat that you are happy with.
There is a flight disruption and you have to be moved to another flight, meaning that we are unable to seat you in a suitable alternative seat on your new flight that you are happy with.
You become unable to meet CAA safety requirements to sit in an exit row seat, and you contact us at least 48 hours before your flight.
You have paid for an upgrade and do not wish to pay the difference in order to reselect your seat in the alternative cabin.
You must apply for a refund on ba.com as refunds cannot be processed at the airport or on board.
We will only make a refund to the credit card used to pay for the seat reservation, unless otherwise stated.
Jan 11, 2015, 3:02 pm
#107
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 41
Thank you both. This was exactly how I read the terms myself when did my paid seat selection earlier. But TA consensus seemed to be that if a twin seat was bought and a similar was given from another aircraft, there was not a possibility to get a refund. "BA don't refund if a suitable alternative is provided. Since the OP paid for twin seats and that was provided there are no grounds for a refund." Small details really can drive you mad, but now I am at peace! 
Jan 15, 2015, 1:34 am
#109
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: UK
Programs: I go wherever the content takes me.
Posts: 5,698
They open up to us Silver plebeians between 1100 and 1200 three days before departure. ^
Example - if departure is on a Friday, check from 1100 Tuesday. Weekend days also count, so a Tuesday departure will open up on a Saturday. I have a good success rate (around 75%) with Row 1 using this method.
Jan 20, 2015, 10:40 pm
#111
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 32
I made an Avios booking using a 2-4-1 redemption voucher earlier today, JFK-LHR-JFK. Outbound in F and at that time, the return leg, LHR-JFK only had availability in J so I took it and paid separately for seat selection in the Upper Deck.
Later today, on a separate set of dates, I was able to get the entire trip in F - so I called and requested a cancellation (within the 24 hr period of booking) of the first booking and made an entirely new booking after the Avios and 2-4-1 voucher were redeposited.
I was told that for the first booking, I would get a full refund for both the taxes/fees/charges and the seat selection charge. Can anyone confirm that this is really the case? Having looked over the rules for refund of paid seat selection...I'm a bit confused. Thanks in advance.
Later today, on a separate set of dates, I was able to get the entire trip in F - so I called and requested a cancellation (within the 24 hr period of booking) of the first booking and made an entirely new booking after the Avios and 2-4-1 voucher were redeposited.
I was told that for the first booking, I would get a full refund for both the taxes/fees/charges and the seat selection charge. Can anyone confirm that this is really the case? Having looked over the rules for refund of paid seat selection...I'm a bit confused. Thanks in advance.
Jan 26, 2015, 2:33 am
#113
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,963
http://www.britishairways.com/en-gb/...es-and-refunds
When and how you can claim a refund
You can claim a refund for reserved seats if:
...
You must apply for a refund on ba.com as refunds cannot be processed at the airport or on board. We will only make a refund to the credit card used to pay for the seat reservation, unless otherwise stated.
You can claim a refund for reserved seats if:
...
- You have paid for an upgrade and do not wish to pay the difference in order to reselect your seat in the alternative cabin.
You must apply for a refund on ba.com as refunds cannot be processed at the airport or on board. We will only make a refund to the credit card used to pay for the seat reservation, unless otherwise stated.
Jan 26, 2015, 9:12 am
#114
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,967
It seems the answer is yes as noted on this page:
http://www.britishairways.com/en-gb/...es-and-refunds
http://www.britishairways.com/en-gb/...es-and-refunds
Feb 1, 2015, 2:53 am
#116
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,963
After you book it you will need to put your US number in the booking. Once you have you should be able to take advantage of your US OWS status and select seats for free on ba MMB.
Feb 1, 2015, 3:22 pm
#117
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: PHX
Posts: 4,787
Thank you. Just a quick note on a techique that worked easily. When I booked using my account on AA.com, it prepoulated the first passenger as me. I deleted the info and entered my companion's information. I then put my information in as the second passenger without a FF number. When the reservation ticketed, it carried over to BA without showing a FF for me, and I was able to enter my US number. It instantly recognized it and I was able to pick seats. If you're flying solo it might automatically put your AA number in and so you might need to call AA to have it switched if your OW status comes from a program different from the one for which you are using miles.
Feb 2, 2015, 9:35 am
#118
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold, Subcard
Posts: 435
Rather annoyingly I called up you first as I couldn't select 1A and 1K in MMB for a 744 flight to SIN. I was informed that despite being a Gold Member my partner (no status) cannot have a row 1 seat selected at this time. I probably should have read into it before booking but I find it an unfair rule.
I was always under the impression Row 1 in first was for gold card holders only to select and seeing as its my booking I wrongly assumed I could reserve them for me and my partner. I guess I have to hope they are still available 3 days (or is it 24 hours?) out or is there any hope that a different member of staff at you first would be able to do something?
Apologies if this is the wrong thread.
I was always under the impression Row 1 in first was for gold card holders only to select and seeing as its my booking I wrongly assumed I could reserve them for me and my partner. I guess I have to hope they are still available 3 days (or is it 24 hours?) out or is there any hope that a different member of staff at you first would be able to do something?
Apologies if this is the wrong thread.
Feb 2, 2015, 9:40 am
#119
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2012
Programs: BA Gold, QF WP
Posts: 12,551
Rather annoyingly I called up you first as I couldn't select 1A and 1K in MMB for a 744 flight to SIN. I was informed that despite being a Gold Member my partner (no status) cannot have a row 1 seat selected at this time. I probably should have read into it before booking but I find it an unfair rule.
I was always under the impression Row 1 in first was for gold card holders only to select and seeing as its my booking I wrongly assumed I could reserve them for me and my partner. I guess I have to hope they are still available 3 days (or is it 24 hours?) out or is there any hope that a different member of staff at you first would be able to do something?
I was always under the impression Row 1 in first was for gold card holders only to select and seeing as its my booking I wrongly assumed I could reserve them for me and my partner. I guess I have to hope they are still available 3 days (or is it 24 hours?) out or is there any hope that a different member of staff at you first would be able to do something?
Feb 2, 2015, 9:43 am
#120
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold, Subcard
Posts: 435
