Ajm1987

Hi all

Due to a cancelled flight from LBA to LHR about a month ago, I've ended up 5 TPs short of silver. My plan was to qualify in good time to select a middle pair of seats for my and my partner's trip to Antigua in CW in early May. I am actually in the process of requesting ORC, which would solve the problem, but I'm doubtful I will actually get it.

Does anyone know whether BA will either
a) let me book the seats free of charge given the reason I'm short of TPs, and that I'm so close (I'm thinking AC's recent interview!)
b) refund the seat reservation fee if I make silver before I would have had the option to choose for free anyway?

Alternatively I could do a TP run this weekend (believe I've found cheapest way to get 10 TPs at 85 quid... not bad for short notice I think? but any suggestions for 5 TPs incredibly cheap from LHR/LGW appreciated. Could use Avios on one leg.)

Or am I worrying about nothing anyway? There are currently 3 middle pairs showing 5 weeks out, plus I guess the bassinet ones at the rear of the cabin though not sure if these are blocked or booked.

Thanks for any help and advice. And sorry if this is not the right place.

LCY8737

Make the booking now and then select your seats once you hit silver?

thebigben

Depends on how many seats are free/blocked right now. If you can give me the flight number and date I can check for you on EF. I wouldn't worry too much about getting two seats either 7 days away when the seat selection is free for you, or after boarding, when there might be no-shows or someone willing to switch seats with you if you have a decent seat in the first place.

The _Banking_Scot

Hi,

To guarantee it I would do the tier point run as if you leave it the good seats may have gone ( plus you will get the bonus avios as silver

Regards

TBS

Ajm1987

Sorry to clarify the booking is already made for the Antigua flights.

Ajm1987

Thanks a lot, if you could that'd be great. It's 2157 on the 5th of May. We're both desperate to avoid sitting in the aisle or with one of us next to a stranger. I figure almost everyone on the flight will be a couple too.

orbitmic

They will neither book your seats for free if you aren’t silver nor refund your seat booking fee (unless there is something like a plane change). Your three options are 1) wait, 2) pay, 3) tp run

Ajm1987

I am leaning this way and do get to visit the family. Though it's an Avios booking to ANU. Definitely better ways I can think of spending a BH Sunday!

thebigben

Looks like a Flub class (someone else please correct me if I'm wrong!)

All first seats are blocked (so 3 pairs up for grabs). EDIT: Those will open up only if club is full apparently, but there's a chance this may happen, considering a lot of the cabin is already taken.
11-14 D-G are free, and are unlikely to get taken soon in my opinion.
15A is blocked and 15B is free, and I'd think they are likely to be taken soon.

Finally, will you be going for gold? LHR-HEL-TLL prices at 500 quid for 200TP on this week-end, just in case.

BertieBadger

I would agree that this appears to be BA policy, and I can find nothing in the T&Cs that would suggest otherwise.

This topic came up recently, and there is at least one report of someone paying as a Bronze and then getting a refund when they reached Silver before the flight on which they had booked seats: Pass silver next month - waive 747 UD seat fee?

I mention this really only for completeness, I would absolutely not recommend the OP go down this route. It would appear to rely on goodwill from the BA agents, and the cost of 4 CW seats is a fair amount to bet on goodwill. In light of the costs of getting 5TP vs the costs of seat selection, and the OP having expressed:

I think I'd agree with others, assuming OP can spare the time, fly somewhere for the 5TPs to be sure and get the seats you want, then sit back and relax

BertieBadger

Just to add to thebigben's very helpful post, this is the seat map from EF. White is free, X is blocked (likely due to a bassinet position)

Ajm1987

Haha I like your thinking but probably sticking with silver this year. Have plenty of Avios to use up.

FYI it would appear to be a FLUB to me too.

Ajm1987

Agreed. TP run booked - day return to NCL and see my mum. Thanks for the help all. I bet I'll get the ORC after all of that!

PETER01

Best option to secure those 5 TP's and of course a family visit too so all definitely worth it ^

Enjoy Silver, it's overall benefits are quite good really.

WorldLux

At such short notice and over this weekend, 85 quid is probably a bargain.