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BA just tried to up sell me CE on the CityFlyer to LCY

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BA just tried to up sell me CE on the CityFlyer to LCY

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Old May 16, 2018, 9:51 am
  #16  
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Originally Posted by cupsandsaucers
How many business travelers are taking 32 KILOS of luggage to and from LCY? (As LCY serves mostly business PAX).
Until recently we didn't need the choice. Because BA fed all her PAX.
I'm HBO so yes, that one is wasted on me. But it's a package - some items make sense or not, but you can work out if the package works for you, and go on a Basic fare if you prefer. It's a bit like complaining that Tesco sell Heinz baked beans when the Everyday Value tins are so much cheaper. And yes I do get - and enjoy - the better front row seats, usually with the TS block, so how do you think I got the Tier Points for that?
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Old May 16, 2018, 9:55 am
  #17  
 
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Originally Posted by cupsandsaucers
What POSSIBLE reason would someone with status (therefore lounge food access) have for upgrading to CE on a EDI - LCY flight?
For me it was the TP, as suggested by others. It's usually a bit of a rush in and out of the lounge for me, so although I can't recall if they had it on EDI-LCY (they obviously do on -LHR) a thimble of bubbles and more substantial snack is a welcome addition at the end of the week as well.
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Old May 16, 2018, 10:22 am
  #18  
 
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Originally Posted by cupsandsaucers
What POSSIBLE reason would someone with status (therefore lounge food access) have for upgrading to CE on a EDI - LCY flight?
I've personally paid for CE for an EDI-LCY in Y before. Didn't need the TPs, but did need the flexibility, and the cheapest CE was only about £30 more than the cheapest inflexible Y, AND it allowed me to move to an earlier flight, which was important for me that particular day.

Sure enough, I was able to rock up to EDI check in a couple of hours early, and it literally took the agent seconds to move me to an earlier flight.

Personally I didn't think it was worth paying more than twice the price for the cheapest flexible Y ticket, in order to get half the tier points, a seat in the middle of the plane, and a biscuit instead of hot breakfast, but, you know, YMMV...
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Old May 16, 2018, 10:50 am
  #19  
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Originally Posted by cupsandsaucers
So I am well versed with BA trying to charge me to move from my exit row seat to one with less legroom in CE. But yes, in fairness you are guaranteed no one sitting right next to you. Many will like that. OK.

But this takes the biscuit. On the BA app, its asking me if I would like to upgrade to CE on the Embraer E-170.
They say (and I quote) "Guaranteed window or aisle seat". Well no **** Sherlock. The whole bird is a 2-2 layout!!
Don't forget that BA is in the business of making money and not all their customers are as knowledgeable about their products as many Flyertalkers are.
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Old May 16, 2018, 10:58 am
  #20  
 
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Originally Posted by corporate-wage-slave
Well for starters there are no exit row seats on E170, so in fact row 1 is probably the best / most spacious set of seats, and that's usually in CE. The other reasons, apart from TPs, Avios, the salad meal, additional service levels, extra baggage allowance, lounge access + Fast Track for those without status and what not would be last on, first off (though with a twist at the LCY end). Theoretical Seating usually gets you the empty seat since the logic is applied to all E170 and E190 seats in CE, but that won't help you if the flight is full. On the other hand it's a very short flight, and those in the rear of the aircraft also get a fast exit at LCY - and usually plenty of cabin baggage space. Both Embraer series are quite comfortable, and you certainly won't suffer in ET, which does get a biscuit and drink gratis. It's not compulsory, so you don't need to feel bad about not booking CE. Personally I like the CE concept but it's not for everyone.
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Old May 16, 2018, 11:30 am
  #21  
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Originally Posted by corporate-wage-slave
I also like having more than one cup of tea per flight
Does BACF now ration drinks in Y? I have not had any recent flights with them but I have never had an issue about getting another drink and ditto on mainline BA pre-BoB days so one would not need to be in CE to have "more than one cup of tea per flight".
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Old May 16, 2018, 11:43 am
  #22  
 
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Originally Posted by corporate-wage-slave
Both Embraer series are quite comfortable
I would disagree on that. The E190 is by far the best short haul experience BA offers (assuming the other seat stays empty or is occupied by someone you don't mind rubbing shoulders with). The E170 on the other hand is a knee crashing nuisance...
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Old May 16, 2018, 11:51 am
  #23  
 
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Originally Posted by cupsandsaucers
It's A: False advertising RE window or Aisle seat.
Why is it false advertising? Is BA boarding up the front windows on the E-jets?

Originally Posted by cupsandsaucers
B: Incredibly bad value.
Maybe a Blue values the additional perks (more checked bags, lounge access, fast track, etc.) The fact that it is an unattractive offer for you is immaterial if another passengers consider the £70 a great offer.
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Old May 16, 2018, 11:59 am
  #24  
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Originally Posted by corporate-wage-slave
I'm HBO so yes, that one is wasted on me. But it's a package - some items make sense or not, but you can work out if the package works for you, and go on a Basic fare if you prefer. It's a bit like complaining that Tesco sell Heinz baked beans when the Everyday Value tins are so much cheaper. And yes I do get - and enjoy - the better front row seats, usually with the TS block, so how do you think I got the Tier Points for that?
I think we are making different points here. You are saying that it is a CHOICE. and of course you are not forced to use CE.
My issue is. We used to get these things as part of EVERY fare. This was then taken away from us and given back to us as a chargeable "choice".
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Old May 16, 2018, 12:02 pm
  #25  
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Originally Posted by cupsandsaucers
My issue is. We used to get these things as part of EVERY fare. This was then taken away from us and given back to us as a chargeable "choice".
When was lounge access, Club-level Avios and TPs, 32 kg bags and champagne included as part of EVERY short-haul fare?
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Old May 16, 2018, 12:02 pm
  #26  
 
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Am I the only person here that finds a weird value in the extra perceived exclusivity of an upgrade?

Rationally you should never fly CE if you have Silver or Gold status for the product, but it is quite nice when you do!
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Old May 16, 2018, 12:05 pm
  #27  
 
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Originally Posted by cupsandsaucers
My issue is. We used to get these things as part of EVERY fare. This was then taken away from us and given back to us as a chargeable "choice".
I feel your pain. The cupboard under my sink is almost depleted of plastic bags...
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Old May 16, 2018, 12:37 pm
  #28  
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Originally Posted by WorldLux
Why is it false advertising?
It would not be false advertising but rather misleading advertising, in that it suggests that it is a benefit of flying CE that you do not get in Y whereas you also get this in Y too when flying with BACF.
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Old May 16, 2018, 12:56 pm
  #29  
 
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Can we just pin a thread about reasons why people might upgrade to CE, to save people have to post "Why do people upgrade to CE" posts.
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Old May 16, 2018, 12:57 pm
  #30  
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Originally Posted by NickB
Does BACF now ration drinks in Y? I have not had any recent flights with them but I have never had an issue about getting another drink and ditto on mainline BA pre-BoB days so one would not need to be in CE to have "more than one cup of tea per flight".
Formally no, I'm sure you can get a second sub 150 ml slosh of tea, but the way it works on EDI-LCY is that the operating time is about 45 minutes or so. There are 2 cabin crew, the senior crew member will typically look after the CE passengers until they are done, and then if time / demand permits move to ET. On that sector it's probably the last 20 minutes or less of the flight if breakfast, maybe a bit more if mid afternoon. By this stage the ET trolley is usually about half way down the ET cabin, maybe a bit more. So as you can see the rear of ET - usually less busy - tends to be served rather late and it's very difficult to get a second tea at that point. Rationing is more by dint of the time remaining, more than anything else. What you can do, quite easily, is ask for (e.g.) a tea and a sparkling water at the first stage, and so you can get towards 300ml of fluid that way. But in practical terms you would not easily get 2 cups of tea one after the other. Very occasionally - on an E190 on that route, the last few passengers will only be allowed a quick cold drink since the flight crew may have called on descent. I doubt it happens on E170.
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