No more complimentary exit row seating for BA Silver?
Jan 9, 2019, 12:05 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: bouncing C1&2
Programs: DL*DM/AA*G
Posts: 521
No more complimentary exit row seating for BA Silver?
Good day everyone,
I just came off the phone with BA to get seats assigned for my upcoming short haul sectors on BA from Germany to Heathrow and back (they are part of a BE booking made through American, but bear BA flight numbers).
As the CSR was having issues pulling up the seat map they tried to speak to a supervisor and gave me a call back roughly half an hour later saying "that for Silver members traveling in World Traveler and World Traveler+ ALL exit row seat assignment is chargeable. All other seat assignment is free".
Of course, I quickly navigated to the Silver Member Benefits website and it (still) clearly states that all seat assignment is free of charge (excluding exit row seating on long-haul flights). I quoted that back to her and she dismissed said information as incorrect and "not up-to-date", according to her "supervisor".
Now, I am fairly certain that she and her supervisor were and are incorrect, especially since I've been allotted exit row seats on my previous short-haul sectors with the last being on January 1st - in a World Traveler booking.
But before I spend more pain and time on calling again, escalating, or trying to call the UK line, is there any piece of information out there that I missed?
Cheers!
I just came off the phone with BA to get seats assigned for my upcoming short haul sectors on BA from Germany to Heathrow and back (they are part of a BE booking made through American, but bear BA flight numbers).
As the CSR was having issues pulling up the seat map they tried to speak to a supervisor and gave me a call back roughly half an hour later saying "that for Silver members traveling in World Traveler and World Traveler+ ALL exit row seat assignment is chargeable. All other seat assignment is free".
Of course, I quickly navigated to the Silver Member Benefits website and it (still) clearly states that all seat assignment is free of charge (excluding exit row seating on long-haul flights). I quoted that back to her and she dismissed said information as incorrect and "not up-to-date", according to her "supervisor".
Now, I am fairly certain that she and her supervisor were and are incorrect, especially since I've been allotted exit row seats on my previous short-haul sectors with the last being on January 1st - in a World Traveler booking.
But before I spend more pain and time on calling again, escalating, or trying to call the UK line, is there any piece of information out there that I missed?
Cheers!
Jan 9, 2019, 12:21 pm
#2
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Las Vegas
Programs: BA Gold; Hilton Honors Diamond
Posts: 3,227
I had the same experience recently when trying to assign seats on LHR - NCL flights. At the time I was Gold and the boss was Silver, and I couldn't assign her an exit row seat. I believe others have reported the same issue. Of course it's frustrating that the BA web site is out of date but that's another issue altogether.
Jan 9, 2019, 12:30 pm
#3
Join Date: Oct 2005
Programs: BA GGL & GfL, AA LTP, Marriott (sigh) Ambassador, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3,233
I had the same experience recently when trying to assign seats on LHR - NCL flights. At the time I was Gold and the boss was Silver, and I couldn't assign her an exit row seat. I believe others have reported the same issue. Of course it's frustrating that the BA web site is out of date but that's another issue altogether.
you say out of date--but is this in fact a lost benefit? asking too because my partner is a silver and always get him exit seats if in economy.
further, i presume it does not matter on bookings for us both on the same itinerary with my ggl account?
Jan 9, 2019, 12:36 pm
#4
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 2,659
Good day everyone,
I just came off the phone with BA to get seats assigned for my upcoming short haul sectors on BA from Germany to Heathrow and back (they are part of a BE booking made through American, but bear BA flight numbers).
As the CSR was having issues pulling up the seat map they tried to speak to a supervisor and gave me a call back roughly half an hour later saying "that for Silver members traveling in World Traveler and World Traveler+ ALL exit row seat assignment is chargeable. All other seat assignment is free".
Of course, I quickly navigated to the Silver Member Benefits website and it (still) clearly states that all seat assignment is free of charge (excluding exit row seating on long-haul flights). I quoted that back to her and she dismissed said information as incorrect and "not up-to-date", according to her "supervisor".
Now, I am fairly certain that she and her supervisor were and are incorrect, especially since I've been allotted exit row seats on my previous short-haul sectors with the last being on January 1st - in a World Traveler booking.
But before I spend more pain and time on calling again, escalating, or trying to call the UK line, is there any piece of information out there that I missed?
Cheers!
I just came off the phone with BA to get seats assigned for my upcoming short haul sectors on BA from Germany to Heathrow and back (they are part of a BE booking made through American, but bear BA flight numbers).
As the CSR was having issues pulling up the seat map they tried to speak to a supervisor and gave me a call back roughly half an hour later saying "that for Silver members traveling in World Traveler and World Traveler+ ALL exit row seat assignment is chargeable. All other seat assignment is free".
Of course, I quickly navigated to the Silver Member Benefits website and it (still) clearly states that all seat assignment is free of charge (excluding exit row seating on long-haul flights). I quoted that back to her and she dismissed said information as incorrect and "not up-to-date", according to her "supervisor".
Now, I am fairly certain that she and her supervisor were and are incorrect, especially since I've been allotted exit row seats on my previous short-haul sectors with the last being on January 1st - in a World Traveler booking.
But before I spend more pain and time on calling again, escalating, or trying to call the UK line, is there any piece of information out there that I missed?
Cheers!
Jan 9, 2019, 12:38 pm
#6
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Belgium
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 146
Just checked for my trip to Canada in May (BRU - LHR - YVR) and I'm able to select exit seats for the flight BRU - LHR (already selected on, but could change). Same for the way back (YYC - LHR - BRU). No exit seats on both LH flights as I'm in WTP
For LH, the BA site is quite clear: " Exit row seats are not available to Silver or Bronze Members on long haul flights until 24 hours before departure. "
For LH, the BA site is quite clear: " Exit row seats are not available to Silver or Bronze Members on long haul flights until 24 hours before departure. "
Jan 9, 2019, 12:42 pm
#7
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: UK
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 2,422
I just came off the phone with BA to get seats assigned for my upcoming short haul sectors on BA from Germany to Heathrow and back (they are part of a BE booking made through American, but bear BA flight numbers).
As the CSR was having issues pulling up the seat map they tried to speak to a supervisor and gave me a call back roughly half an hour later saying "that for Silver members traveling in World Traveler and World Traveler+ ALL exit row seat assignment is chargeable. All other seat assignment is free".
Of course, I quickly navigated to the Silver Member Benefits website and it (still) clearly states that all seat assignment is free of charge (excluding exit row seating on long-haul flights). I quoted that back to her and she dismissed said information as incorrect and "not up-to-date", according to her "supervisor".
As the CSR was having issues pulling up the seat map they tried to speak to a supervisor and gave me a call back roughly half an hour later saying "that for Silver members traveling in World Traveler and World Traveler+ ALL exit row seat assignment is chargeable. All other seat assignment is free".
Of course, I quickly navigated to the Silver Member Benefits website and it (still) clearly states that all seat assignment is free of charge (excluding exit row seating on long-haul flights). I quoted that back to her and she dismissed said information as incorrect and "not up-to-date", according to her "supervisor".
Short haul in Europe is called Euro Traveller so the contact agent and supervisor are incorrect. Just made a dummy booking using Mrs Steve ZA's account (Silver) to confirm that exit rows are still free for ET.
Jan 9, 2019, 12:55 pm
#8
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: 63,784
I tried to look into this myself offline. It clearly remains the case that longhaul exit row seating is chargeable for Sapphires (though not at OLCI, which it could be for non status). For shorthaul there have been a number of cases where exit rows have been out of bounds for some reason. For those on HBO tickets there may be a glitch there for Sapphires, and there is also some sort of calculated, non fixrd blocking for Golds in Amadeus Seating before T-72; also there is Theoretical Seating which kicks in from T72 onwards. I had an example of that today when on LGW-GLA, three Sapphires cheek by jowl in 10 A, B and C, and Emerald me blocking off D and E in regal splendour over in 10F. So while the policy hasn't changed I suspect there will be cases where effectively exit rows are blocked for Golds. However this may not fully explain the OP's position - and it's not entirely clear whether:
1) Exit rows were available but chargeable
2) the right PNR was used because from it sounds like this was a complex SABRE booking.
I don't have all the answers here yet, I should reiterate.
1) Exit rows were available but chargeable
2) the right PNR was used because from it sounds like this was a complex SABRE booking.
I don't have all the answers here yet, I should reiterate.
Jan 9, 2019, 1:17 pm
#9
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2018
Programs: BA GGL, UA Premier Gold, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Explorist, Various Rental Car Statuses
Posts: 104
Given the number of golds and the limited number of exit row seats this would be a desirable enhancement in my book. Give me a better shot at them during my annual flight in Y to remind me why I don’t fly Y.
Jan 9, 2019, 1:33 pm
#11
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: BAEC Silver
Posts: 123
Jan 9, 2019, 2:03 pm
#13
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: London
Programs: KLM, BA Silver, Etihad
Posts: 918
The Twitter team told me they would get the website upgraded as front row is not available to Silver but the web says it is. Not yet fixed and now being mistreated from the exit row end.
it really isn't a tough job to fix, is it appalling governance that is impeding the correction or are these things filed in the bin...
it really isn't a tough job to fix, is it appalling governance that is impeding the correction or are these things filed in the bin...
Jan 9, 2019, 3:01 pm
#15
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,581
Exit row seating for Sapphire members is detailed on the BA website at https://www.britishairways.com/en-us...ving-your-seat
Silver/oneworld Sapphire Free seat selection from the time of booking for everyone in your booking*.
The * refers to footnote
Exit row seats are not available to Silver or Bronze Members on long haul flights until 24 hours before departure.
Exit row seats are available to Blue Members as a paid seat selection.
On some occasions, exit rows seats on short haul flights may not be available in advance due to operational reasons
Silver/oneworld Sapphire Free seat selection from the time of booking for everyone in your booking*.
The * refers to footnote
Exit row seats are not available to Silver or Bronze Members on long haul flights until 24 hours before departure.
Exit row seats are available to Blue Members as a paid seat selection.
On some occasions, exit rows seats on short haul flights may not be available in advance due to operational reasons