What is ClubEurope like/BA Service
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2019
Programs: KLM Platinium Elite, Aer Lingus AerClub, Lufthansa Miles&More, SAS EuroBonus, VA Flying Club & BA
Posts: 6
What is ClubEurope like/BA Service
So I really don't want to get the train to London. (Been there don't that! Got the VA points). I booked myself into ClubEurope and flying between Manchester and London Heathrow. Its an hour flight, so not expecting much.
I've been told I get served food in Club Europe. What realistically are they talking about? An M&S Sandwich and a drink? I rang BA as I have a fully flexible ticket I still had to pay £27 for a seat reservation for both legs, as apparently I "Don't hold status, BA doesn't consider you a valued customer so you have to pay for a reservation" I'm also not allowed to use the Club check in desks, until "I've travelled on 25 flights and earned some status" is that right? I thought holding a club ticket allowed me to use the club facilities?
Is the inflight service as bad as speaking to them on the phone?
I've been told I get served food in Club Europe. What realistically are they talking about? An M&S Sandwich and a drink? I rang BA as I have a fully flexible ticket I still had to pay £27 for a seat reservation for both legs, as apparently I "Don't hold status, BA doesn't consider you a valued customer so you have to pay for a reservation" I'm also not allowed to use the Club check in desks, until "I've travelled on 25 flights and earned some status" is that right? I thought holding a club ticket allowed me to use the club facilities?
Is the inflight service as bad as speaking to them on the phone?
#2
Moderator: Hyatt Gold Passport & Star Alliance
Join Date: May 1998
Location: London, UK
Programs: UA-1K 3MM/HY- LT Globalist/BA-GGL/GfL
Posts: 12,089
You will get a cold plate plus a warm roll, unless its breakfast time.
https://www.britishairways.com/en-gb...usiness-dining
You will be able to use the Club desks and choose your seat at check-in (24 hours before travel) for free.
https://www.britishairways.com/en-gb...usiness-dining
You will be able to use the Club desks and choose your seat at check-in (24 hours before travel) for free.
#3
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 8,770
Welcome to the forum kurtis5561. It's good to have you here.
For the catering - this varies depending on the time of day but won't be M&S - that's for economy 'buy on board'. Have a look at the thread here which has full details of the Club Europe offering including photos. Club Europe catering | menus, reviews and photos
The agent was wrong - you do get to use the Club check-in desks, fast track security and Club lounges if you have a Club Europe ticket, no matter your status.
For seat selection it depends what 'selling class' your flight is booked in. If you're in J or C class that includes free seat selection. A 'fully flexible' ticket will for sure be in one of those. You can check which selling class you're in by clicking 'More flight information' in your flight details in Manage My Booking.
For the catering - this varies depending on the time of day but won't be M&S - that's for economy 'buy on board'. Have a look at the thread here which has full details of the Club Europe offering including photos. Club Europe catering | menus, reviews and photos
The agent was wrong - you do get to use the Club check-in desks, fast track security and Club lounges if you have a Club Europe ticket, no matter your status.
For seat selection it depends what 'selling class' your flight is booked in. If you're in J or C class that includes free seat selection. A 'fully flexible' ticket will for sure be in one of those. You can check which selling class you're in by clicking 'More flight information' in your flight details in Manage My Booking.
#4
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: York, UK
Programs: BAEC Gold, Honors Diamond
Posts: 1,184
Take a look at the Club Europe catering guide for details of what food you'll get (Manchester is an express band flight) Club Europe catering | menus, reviews and photos
With regards to other Club facilities you should be able to use Club check in, fast track security and access the BA lounge after security before the flight.
With regards to other Club facilities you should be able to use Club check in, fast track security and access the BA lounge after security before the flight.
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Brighton. UK
Programs: BA Gold / VS /IHG Diamond & Ambassador
Posts: 14,195
The food and service in F on the train is better than CE on the plane. As is the seat. No security either.
Plus no faff of getting to / from out of town airports.
Plus no faff of getting to / from out of town airports.
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2019
Programs: KLM Platinium Elite, Aer Lingus AerClub, Lufthansa Miles&More, SAS EuroBonus, VA Flying Club & BA
Posts: 6
I had a look here
Code:
britishairways. com/en-es/information/seating/reserving-your-seat
#8
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Cumbria
Programs: BAEC GGL/CCR, Hilton Diamond, Starbucks Gold
Posts: 4,510
A fully flexible ticket is likely to have cost well over £500 return (unless you have some decent corporate rate). Do you know what fare class you are booked into? This should be a letter such as I, C, D, R, J.
Furthermore, regarding seat reservations, once you achieve bronze status (300TPs) you will be able to reserve seats for free at 7 days. At silver status (600TPs) you can reserve seats at time of booking. In CE you earn 40TPs each way on this route.
Furthermore, regarding seat reservations, once you achieve bronze status (300TPs) you will be able to reserve seats for free at 7 days. At silver status (600TPs) you can reserve seats at time of booking. In CE you earn 40TPs each way on this route.
#9
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: MAN
Programs: IHG Diamond Ambassador
Posts: 351
The flight time is usually around 35 minutes so you'll get quite a rushed service consisting of one drink and a plate of reasonable food. It can be much cheaper to fly from MAN to LHR than catch the train, depending on the time of day that your are travelling.
The food and service on the train is not always better than the flying. I've sat on the floor of a packed carriage from Euston to Manchester (first class) so careful what you wish for.
The food and service on the train is not always better than the flying. I've sat on the floor of a packed carriage from Euston to Manchester (first class) so careful what you wish for.
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2019
Programs: KLM Platinium Elite, Aer Lingus AerClub, Lufthansa Miles&More, SAS EuroBonus, VA Flying Club & BA
Posts: 6
A fully flexible ticket is likely to have cost well over £500 return (unless you have some decent corporate rate). Do you know what fare class you are booked into? This should be a letter such as I, C, D, R, J.
Furthermore, regarding seat reservations, once you achieve bronze status (300TPs) you will be able to reserve seats for free at 7 days. At silver status (600TPs) you can reserve seats at time of booking. In CE you earn 40TPs each way on this route.
Furthermore, regarding seat reservations, once you achieve bronze status (300TPs) you will be able to reserve seats for free at 7 days. At silver status (600TPs) you can reserve seats at time of booking. In CE you earn 40TPs each way on this route.
#11
Join Date: Mar 2014
Programs: BAEC Gold, IHG Spire Elite
Posts: 289
After just recently having gone up on the train and back via BA: I would do anything to avoid MAN airport in the future.
This thread: Oh the joys of Manchester security.... sums up my experience there.
This thread: Oh the joys of Manchester security.... sums up my experience there.
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2019
Programs: KLM Platinium Elite, Aer Lingus AerClub, Lufthansa Miles&More, SAS EuroBonus, VA Flying Club & BA
Posts: 6
I don't mind Manchester security. I have all my stuff out ready and use the fast pass lane. Through generally quickly. The train mind you travelling in first recently has made me jaded against them hence me flying.
#14
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
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I personally wouldn't bother paying a seat, unless there was row 1 available, or the exit row, and you are over about 6ft 2 inches. Usually the curtain roulette process ensures that at least one window and at least one aisle seat is made available at OLCI. Otherwise the seats are identical anyway, and you'll always have the middle seat empty if you are on an Airbus service. Even though I get free seat selection with my status, on domestics I often leave it until OLCI to select a seat, it's a detail that isn't worth my time resolving.
#15
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: LHR, LGW
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 3,427
Yes, like most things it could be better but it is what it is and it’s whatever you value is always very personal.