unexpected additional tier points & a question about my gf
Dec 19, 2018, 12:12 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Madrid/UK
Posts: 53
unexpected additional tier points & a question about my gf
MAD to LHR in CE today, returning after christmas. App tells me I'm earning 120TP (and 5895 avios) for this although the usual is 80, so wondering why the TP bonus?
Also, my gf is flying the return leg with me on a reward flight in economy. Can I swap seats with her when we've boarded or is that not allowed? Failing that, if there is a seat free next to me in row 1, what are the chances of asking for her to sit with me (without eating)? Is that very frowned upon or at the discretion of the crew? It happened before with another couple a few weeks ago and nobody seemed to mind.
I'm Gold if that makes any difference.
Thanks in advance.
Also, my gf is flying the return leg with me on a reward flight in economy. Can I swap seats with her when we've boarded or is that not allowed? Failing that, if there is a seat free next to me in row 1, what are the chances of asking for her to sit with me (without eating)? Is that very frowned upon or at the discretion of the crew? It happened before with another couple a few weeks ago and nobody seemed to mind.
I'm Gold if that makes any difference.
Thanks in advance.
Dec 19, 2018, 12:25 pm
#3
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Las Vegas
Programs: BA Gold; Hilton Honors Diamond
Posts: 3,224
I would agree with the seat swapping. That is usually allowed but is at the discretion of the crew. As for someone with an Economy ticket being allowed to sit in CE gratis, that is exceptionally unlikely. The only reason I can think of would be some issue on board where the seat was perhaps found to be defective or where there was a missing seatbelt or some such thing. Even then it would be predicated upon there being no other available seat in economy.
Dec 19, 2018, 2:05 pm
#6
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 63,690
I don't understand the extra TPs unless there is another flight on the booking or perhaps you changed the flights.
For the CE seat, just ask the senior cabin crew member to swap your seats. On that route, with a high number of management travellers I can't see them being generous and allowing both of you into CE, it is certainly frowned upon. But maybe there is / will be CE Avios spaces for your companion? In which case call up and change it. If it's not worth that, then I don't think it's worth prevailing on the crew. If the crew prevail on you, that, as they say, is different.
For the CE seat, just ask the senior cabin crew member to swap your seats. On that route, with a high number of management travellers I can't see them being generous and allowing both of you into CE, it is certainly frowned upon. But maybe there is / will be CE Avios spaces for your companion? In which case call up and change it. If it's not worth that, then I don't think it's worth prevailing on the crew. If the crew prevail on you, that, as they say, is different.
Dec 19, 2018, 2:15 pm
#7
Join Date: Feb 2008
Programs: BA (GGL/CCR)
Posts: 1,256
Over the years I've read numerous posts where someone has asked some variant of the same question - i.e. does the fact that I know someone else on the flight get me/them what amounts to a free upgrade? On the other hand I can't remember anyone asking "Since I'd really like to fly next to my g.f. would there be any problem if I went back to economy and offered her seat neighbour (if she has one) my seat in CE?". That, of course, would be far less objectionable. This is not meant as an attack on this particular OP who phrased his question reasonably enough, but is just an expression of curiosity as to why a sense of entitlement to something for nothing seems so widespread here...
Dec 19, 2018, 3:01 pm
#8
Join Date: Jan 2017
Programs: qr
Posts: 261
Over the years I've read numerous posts where someone has asked some variant of the same question - i.e. does the fact that I know someone else on the flight get me/them what amounts to a free upgrade? On the other hand I can't remember anyone asking "Since I'd really like to fly next to my g.f. would there be any problem if I went back to economy and offered her seat neighbour (if she has one) my seat in CE?". That, of course, would be far less objectionable. This is not meant as an attack on this particular OP who phrased his question reasonably enough, but is just an expression of curiosity as to why a sense of entitlement to something for nothing seems so widespread here...
Dec 19, 2018, 3:29 pm
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Madrid/UK
Posts: 53
Over the years I've read numerous posts where someone has asked some variant of the same question - i.e. does the fact that I know someone else on the flight get me/them what amounts to a free upgrade? On the other hand I can't remember anyone asking "Since I'd really like to fly next to my g.f. would there be any problem if I went back to economy and offered her seat neighbour (if she has one) my seat in CE?". That, of course, would be far less objectionable. This is not meant as an attack on this particular OP who phrased his question reasonably enough, but is just an expression of curiosity as to why a sense of entitlement to something for nothing seems so widespread here...
Dec 19, 2018, 3:30 pm
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Madrid/UK
Posts: 53
corporate-wage-slave - i switched from the 459 to the 457 as i was there early and they were happy to swap them. does this mean the extra tier points will be deducted...? 
Last edited by musical; Dec 19, 2018 at 3:31 pm Reason: tagged CWS
Dec 19, 2018, 3:39 pm
#11
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: Battleaxe Alliance
Posts: 22,127
corporate-wage-slave - i switched from the 459 to the 457 as i was there early and they were happy to swap them. does this mean the extra tier points will be deducted...?
It's probably still seeing the originally booked sector and adding them all up (40+40+40) to show 120 rather than 80.
Dec 19, 2018, 3:47 pm
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Madrid/UK
Posts: 53
Makes sense... Thank you.
Dec 19, 2018, 3:52 pm
#13
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 23
Over the years I've read numerous posts where someone has asked some variant of the same question - i.e. does the fact that I know someone else on the flight get me/them what amounts to a free upgrade? On the other hand I can't remember anyone asking "Since I'd really like to fly next to my g.f. would there be any problem if I went back to economy and offered her seat neighbour (if she has one) my seat in CE?". That, of course, would be far less objectionable. This is not meant as an attack on this particular OP who phrased his question reasonably enough, but is just an expression of curiosity as to why a sense of entitlement to something for nothing seems so widespread here...
After all, I would consider it quite natural that the person would try to improve the situation for his partner rather than demote his own experience. I fully support the mindset that you "don't ask, don't get". Obviously, as long as you ask very politely and with no expectation of entitlement
Dec 19, 2018, 4:14 pm
#14
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 63,690
Dec 19, 2018, 4:33 pm
#15
Join Date: Feb 2008
Programs: BA (GGL/CCR)
Posts: 1,256
This is definitely a more noble sentiment but I feel it is very harsh to call it a "sense of entitlement" unless the person requesting it does so with arrogance and expecting the staff to instantly accommodate their request.
After all, I would consider it quite natural that the person would try to improve the situation for his partner rather than demote his own experience. I fully support the mindset that you "don't ask, don't get". Obviously, as long as you ask very politely and with no expectation of entitlement
After all, I would consider it quite natural that the person would try to improve the situation for his partner rather than demote his own experience. I fully support the mindset that you "don't ask, don't get". Obviously, as long as you ask very politely and with no expectation of entitlement
2. A person with no sense of entitlement whose genuine priority was to sit with their loved one/colleague/mother in law/whatever but didn't like the idea of the downgrade would fish into their wallet and spend £££ or Avios to achieve their desire;
3. Only a person with a sense of entitlement would imagine they have a right to sit with their loved one/colleague/mother in law/whatever in the higher cabin but for free.
