Choosing seats in Business Class--Does it really cost me that much?
Jul 2, 2018, 7:55 am
#61
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 770
you know i was worried this might spread to other airlines when it initially started (and a few others do charge more for their better business seats, swiss i think) but i realize that the only reason this works on BA is because they have really crappy and then somewhat decent business seats. most other airlines dont have that drastic discrepancy between business seats. now what would be nice is if they just charged you to select the good seats and allowed you to choose between the other ones for free..
Jul 2, 2018, 9:48 am
#62
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Of course, to be fair, there is a distinction to be drawn between Solo pax and those with Families or Spouse. In the latter cases, seat selection becomes more significant, and not just a case of “I like that seat, I want it for free”.
A complex subject, but easily distilled into “Get Status with BA, otherwise get to the back of the queue ... or pay to jump it!”
A complex subject, but easily distilled into “Get Status with BA, otherwise get to the back of the queue ... or pay to jump it!”
Jul 2, 2018, 10:27 am
#63
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Elgin Moray
Programs: BA Bronze. MLife Gold, Cunard Diamond, Total Rewards Diamond.
Posts: 44
Some of us are flying for leisure and booked our seats 3 month ago in Business class, and would love to pay for a nice seat with direct isle access, But find these seats are blocked for those passengers flying with babies. Now is that fair ? A nice club world seat, tucked away in the corner, direct isle access and yet l cannot reserve it .
Jul 2, 2018, 11:50 am
#66
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Jul 2, 2018, 11:53 am
#67
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Join Date: Jul 2001
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It is really funny no one thinks of the compromise that could be made. All be a need to do is to make certain seats available for goals and then silvers. They manage this perfectly well with Row 1 in Club Europe, and I see no reason why they can’t do that with some of the seats In Club World.
I also think that if you are paying $10,000 for a Club World ticket, you are not a regular on this Forum which seems to be dedicated to
gainjng status as cheaply as possible.
OP., i’m afraid that you won’t get much sympathy here because of the possessiveness That seems to apply with the perks that come with the status. I , however, completely understand your position and frankly it strikes me as one of the best reasons not to fly with British Airways. So, if your ticket is refundable, I’d ask for your money back.
I also think that if you are paying $10,000 for a Club World ticket, you are not a regular on this Forum which seems to be dedicated to
gainjng status as cheaply as possible.
OP., i’m afraid that you won’t get much sympathy here because of the possessiveness That seems to apply with the perks that come with the status. I , however, completely understand your position and frankly it strikes me as one of the best reasons not to fly with British Airways. So, if your ticket is refundable, I’d ask for your money back.
Jul 2, 2018, 11:54 am
#68
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 132
Here lies the genius of this policy - it creates a worry that monetizes something (guaranteeing sitting together) that would very likely happen anyway if you didn't buy it. It also makes some people fly BA more than they otherwise would to get the the loyalty privileges to guarantee something that would likely happen anyway.
(snip)...
(snip)...
Jul 2, 2018, 11:56 am
#69
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Some of us are flying for leisure and booked our seats 3 month ago in Business class, and would love to pay for a nice seat with direct isle access, But find these seats are blocked for those passengers flying with babies. Now is that fair ? A nice club world seat, tucked away in the corner, direct isle access and yet l cannot reserve it .
There are very few bassinet seats on any l/h flight, and I can’t think offhand whether any have direct Aisle access from ‘a corner’.
Do you feel you should take precedence over someone who has to travel with an infant? If so, do please elaborate.
Jul 2, 2018, 12:13 pm
#70
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: UK
Programs: BA, U2+, SK, AF/KL, IHG, Hilton, others gathering dust...
Posts: 2,552
Jul 2, 2018, 12:15 pm
#71
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Jul 2, 2018, 12:27 pm
#72
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: UK
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 1,808
That's interesting. Is that why I couldn't book row 1 on a reward ticket a year out?
Jul 2, 2018, 12:31 pm
#73
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: London
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Jul 2, 2018, 12:48 pm
#74
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: LHR/ATH
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I know it seems an unfriendly policy to some, but just imagine the furore here if BA abandoned this policy! The pitchforks and burning torches would be visible from outer space (and even the AA forum). It's a policy which suits BA's regular travellers, and anyone who does at least a small amount of travel on any oneworld airline - or has a corporate travel deal - should at least be able to avoid the charges. Whether we like or not, BA's focus is on looking after these passengers, rather than the occasional passenger with no ambitions to work the BA Executive Club (BAEC) system. For every $10k passenger in Club, there will be other passengers who spend $150 on shorter sectors. FT of course can help, by giving advice and tips, and @ahmetdouas is an example of someone who deploys a few tactics to get (mostly) what he wants without paying for it.
However since the threads cross-referenced above has come out, there is now another solution, which is to pay for seating using Avios. A Blue passenger (BAEC entry level) gets about 7,000 Avios on a flight like SEA-LHR, Now that doesn't entirely cover the cost of the seats, there is still a gap of about $30 but nevertheless it is an option.
And there are plenty of airlines out there where there are no advance seat selection ahead of check-in.
However since the threads cross-referenced above has come out, there is now another solution, which is to pay for seating using Avios. A Blue passenger (BAEC entry level) gets about 7,000 Avios on a flight like SEA-LHR, Now that doesn't entirely cover the cost of the seats, there is still a gap of about $30 but nevertheless it is an option.
And there are plenty of airlines out there where there are no advance seat selection ahead of check-in.
When I booked LH business class LHR-MUC-ATH return, I booked a seat free of charge at the time of booking, with BA i would have had to pay. So I guess you just have to weigh the pros and cons of each airline competing on each route.
Jul 2, 2018, 1:19 pm
#75
Join Date: Feb 2009
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