Club World seat reservations not free?
Apr 12, 2017, 4:45 pm
#17
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Japan
Posts: 5,577
Wasn't aware that this is standard for quite a while.
But in any case, thanks to all who responded and helped educating me. Safe travels to all of you.
Apr 12, 2017, 5:33 pm
#18
Join Date: May 2001
Posts: 4,771
After the trip you are flying, you would have had Bronze status on BA and would be able to pre select seats 7 days before departure on future trips. It's a loyalty program, most of us with some kind of BA status like the pre assigned seating policy.
Apr 13, 2017, 6:28 am
#20
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Europe & Indonesia
Programs: BAEC Gold, LH SEN, EK ex-Gold, IHG Plat
Posts: 11,571
What matters is that the amount is high enough to discourage non-status passengers from actually doing it. That way BAEC G/S card holders get to book the good seats even if we don't buy our tickets long in advance. Especially the 747 UD ones of which there's limited supply.
Apr 13, 2017, 6:29 am
#21
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 5,596
Apr 13, 2017, 6:31 am
#22
Join Date: May 2015
Location: ATL/MCO
Programs: Costco Executive, RaceTrac Sultan of Soda, Chick-fil-A Red
Posts: 5,662
Apr 13, 2017, 6:47 am
#24
Join Date: May 2015
Location: ATL/MCO
Programs: Costco Executive, RaceTrac Sultan of Soda, Chick-fil-A Red
Posts: 5,662
Apr 13, 2017, 6:52 am
#26
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: BNA (Nashville)
Programs: HH Diamond
Posts: 6,225
What matters is that the amount is high enough to discourage non-status passengers from actually doing it. That way BAEC G/S card holders get to book the good seats even if we don't buy our tickets long in advance. Especially the 747 UD ones of which there's limited supply.
Apr 13, 2017, 6:56 am
#27
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Argentina
Posts: 40,209
With me, its enough to discourage me from choosing BA in the first place. Since I don't have status with anyone, and since BA is usually the same price as other airlines that do not charge, I simply book with those other airlines. Win/win. I get a superior product where I can choose my seat, and BA doesn't have to deal with me and my non-status-ness.
Apr 13, 2017, 7:01 am
#29
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: UK, Peak District near MAN
Programs: BA- blue, BD,DL
Posts: 2,027
BA price it this way to give those who are neurotic about where they sit the option of paying for it. They also price it so as to discourage customers from actually paying it.
Before paid seating, a lot of non-status customers were indignant that they couldn't choose seats, even for a fee…
If someone insists on paying then BA will take the money, but there should be reasonable options left to choose when check-in opens.
Before paid seating, a lot of non-status customers were indignant that they couldn't choose seats, even for a fee…
If someone insists on paying then BA will take the money, but there should be reasonable options left to choose when check-in opens.
Apr 13, 2017, 8:41 am
#30
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: JAX
Programs: Ex-BA/AA/CP/LY staff, BA Executive Club Blue, IHG Diamond, Marriott Silver, Chick-fil-A Red
Posts: 3,586
That can happen, true. I haven't flown under theoretical seating yet, so I'm yet to experience that part. Before TS the map was usually fairly open IME.
Looking at the seat map for the BA056 JNBLHR today and tomorrow, I do see that a lot of seats are restricted - not occupied but not necessarily available for open selection. I'll be interested to see how it works for my NYC-LHR-CPT flights this August.
Looking at the seat map for the BA056 JNBLHR today and tomorrow, I do see that a lot of seats are restricted - not occupied but not necessarily available for open selection. I'll be interested to see how it works for my NYC-LHR-CPT flights this August.