BA Seat Assignment in Club World
Jul 17, 2018, 11:00 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 17
BA Seat Assignment in Club World
I've read threads about assignments and know it costs $ if I'm not a BA FF or wait until 24 hours before flight. I'm flying with my wife from SFO to London on Airbus A380-800 (388). We saved miles for a LONG time and booked Club World. It's tough to swing $260 extra so wondering: if we wait until day before flight what are the odds we can get seats together?
If we get middle seats in the 2x4x2 config, how challenging is it to climb over the other seats?
Also what's the best place to see comparison CW seat photos? I looked around on flyertalk but haven't found complete views of all seats yet. Thanks!
If we get middle seats in the 2x4x2 config, how challenging is it to climb over the other seats?
Also what's the best place to see comparison CW seat photos? I looked around on flyertalk but haven't found complete views of all seats yet. Thanks!
Jul 17, 2018, 11:10 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Brighton. UK
Programs: BA Gold / VS /IHG Diamond & Ambassador
Posts: 14,176
You can use avios to pay for the seats shoukd you wish to though apparently the option to do so only appears at the end of the selection process at the actual payment screen.
I won’t get into the debate over if this is best use if avios though.
as to middle seats - usually no problem with them being available when OLCI opens.
I won’t get into the debate over if this is best use if avios though.
as to middle seats - usually no problem with them being available when OLCI opens.
Jul 17, 2018, 11:37 pm
#3
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: London
Programs: MUCCI; BAEC Lifetime Gold; Marriott Bonvoy Emeritus Titanium; Hertz#1, Avis President’s Club
Posts: 3,214
I do have symapthy with your situation but have to ask the question "if you have been saving for, and presumbly looking forward to, this trip for so long maybe it is worth get the best possible experience by stumping up the fees?"
Jul 17, 2018, 11:38 pm
#4
Join Date: Nov 2004
Programs: BA GGL, LH FTL
Posts: 3,577
Another option would be to book a partner airline (e.g. AA) - they don't charge for seat reservation, and don't have the middle seat problem.
I don't find the "climbing over" a big problem, but can see how for some people it could turn into one (elderly, reduced mobility etc).
I don't find the "climbing over" a big problem, but can see how for some people it could turn into one (elderly, reduced mobility etc).
Jul 18, 2018, 12:50 am
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist, Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Somewhere between 0 and 13,000 metres high
Programs: AF/KL Life Plat, BA GGL+GfL, ALL Plat, Hilton Diam, Marriott Gold, blablablah, etc
Posts: 30,502
If you are not too worried about where specifically you sit, it is very likely that you will be able to be together even without preassigning.
just keep an eye on the cabin by doing as though you wanted to reserve seats and it will show you how many pairs remain so in the very unlikely case things look worrying you can decide to buy. If not just check in online at t-24 and you’ll be fine and can use the money you save to do something really nice once you’ve arrived!
just keep an eye on the cabin by doing as though you wanted to reserve seats and it will show you how many pairs remain so in the very unlikely case things look worrying you can decide to buy. If not just check in online at t-24 and you’ll be fine and can use the money you save to do something really nice once you’ve arrived!
Jul 18, 2018, 3:46 am
#6
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: UK, Peak District near MAN
Programs: BA- blue, BD,DL
Posts: 2,027
Remember to check in online ASAP but if the available seats are not ideal then don’t print your BP etc. You can then go back over the next hours and change as other seats free up.
Jul 18, 2018, 3:53 am
#8
Join Date: Jul 2016
Programs: BA Bronze SPG
Posts: 273
Hi
Like you - we save the avios for a long time. I would leave it till T-24 as the A380 has a lot of CW seats so you'll most likely get 2 seats together. When we were flying back from JFK on a 747 - at T-24 I checked in and took seats 64JK on the upper deck. I only found out much later that they are the most sought after seats on the 747. I'd save the cash/avios for something better - I certainly wouldn't spend money on reserving a seat - my Aberdonian other half wouldn't let me!
Enjoy the CW flight!
Like you - we save the avios for a long time. I would leave it till T-24 as the A380 has a lot of CW seats so you'll most likely get 2 seats together. When we were flying back from JFK on a 747 - at T-24 I checked in and took seats 64JK on the upper deck. I only found out much later that they are the most sought after seats on the 747. I'd save the cash/avios for something better - I certainly wouldn't spend money on reserving a seat - my Aberdonian other half wouldn't let me!
Enjoy the CW flight!
Jul 18, 2018, 7:57 am
#9
Join Date: May 2007
Programs: UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 5,447
Jul 18, 2018, 9:59 am
#14
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Herts, UK
Programs: BAEC GGL, HH Diamond.
Posts: 3,176
Personally It bothers me so little that i would take a window every time in CW rather than an aisle seat.
IME the windows are the first seats to go on the seatmap, so most BA flyers seem feel the same!
Jul 18, 2018, 10:12 am
#15
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: PHX, SEA
Programs: Avis President's Club, Global Entry, Hilton/Marriott Gold. No more DL/AA status.
Posts: 4,421
My wife and I did not pay for seat assignment because as paid J passengers we were affronted at having to pay the additional fee. It's always going to depend on how many passengers on your flight are elites, but for ours at T-24 exactly I was online and we managed a window+aisle, on the 787 it was aisle+middle.
$260 saved likely pays for one night in your hotel at your destination, so I vote to be cheap!
$260 saved likely pays for one night in your hotel at your destination, so I vote to be cheap!