Booted from allocated seat at OLCI
May 5, 2019, 5:33 am
#33
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
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Yes, you would get a refund, not least because you could argue you paid for a window seat and didn't get it. In this scenario I doubt BA would quibble, they would just refund.
May 6, 2019, 1:53 am
#34
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: UK
Programs: BA Gold, AA 1MM lifetime gold, Starwood gold, Marriott Gold Elite
Posts: 719
It’s a credit to you that you remained pragmatic, enjoyed the flight and didn’t let the seat change affect you too much.
It’s certainly worth chasing up regarding the reason for the move. Of course there is the disclaimer from BA that seat changes may be required for operational reasons. Hence whilst they are not obliged to, in the interests of good customer relations and retaining your business, it would make sense for BA to investigate without fobbing you off and give you an explanation for the seat change.
When coming back from Malta recently, my family and I were simply booted from our preassigned seats in CE around 2 days before the flight (when I happened to go into the MMB to request child meals for our boys, I noticed ‘seat choice available’ rather than our presssigned seats in row 3). I was able to allocate row 4, which was fine. On board, row 3 had single passengers. There was no outwardly obvious reason for the move. I rung up customer relations who apologised and awarded 8000 Avios. So whilst I’ll never know why we were booted, the goodwill gesture of Avios and acceptance by BA that the situation should not have occurred was appreciated.
It’s certainly worth chasing up regarding the reason for the move. Of course there is the disclaimer from BA that seat changes may be required for operational reasons. Hence whilst they are not obliged to, in the interests of good customer relations and retaining your business, it would make sense for BA to investigate without fobbing you off and give you an explanation for the seat change.
When coming back from Malta recently, my family and I were simply booted from our preassigned seats in CE around 2 days before the flight (when I happened to go into the MMB to request child meals for our boys, I noticed ‘seat choice available’ rather than our presssigned seats in row 3). I was able to allocate row 4, which was fine. On board, row 3 had single passengers. There was no outwardly obvious reason for the move. I rung up customer relations who apologised and awarded 8000 Avios. So whilst I’ll never know why we were booted, the goodwill gesture of Avios and acceptance by BA that the situation should not have occurred was appreciated.
May 6, 2019, 3:41 am
#35
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2019
Posts: 28
It’s a credit to you that you remained pragmatic, enjoyed the flight and didn’t let the seat change affect you too much.
It’s certainly worth chasing up regarding the reason for the move. Of course there is the disclaimer from BA that seat changes may be required for operational reasons. Hence whilst they are not obliged to, in the interests of good customer relations and retaining your business, it would make sense for BA to investigate without fobbing you off and give you an explanation for the seat change.
When coming back from Malta recently, my family and I were simply booted from our preassigned seats in CE around 2 days before the flight (when I happened to go into the MMB to request child meals for our boys, I noticed ‘seat choice available’ rather than our presssigned seats in row 3). I was able to allocate row 4, which was fine. On board, row 3 had single passengers. There was no outwardly obvious reason for the move. I rung up customer relations who apologised and awarded 8000 Avios. So whilst I’ll never know why we were booted, the goodwill gesture of Avios and acceptance by BA that the situation should not have occurred was appreciated.
It’s certainly worth chasing up regarding the reason for the move. Of course there is the disclaimer from BA that seat changes may be required for operational reasons. Hence whilst they are not obliged to, in the interests of good customer relations and retaining your business, it would make sense for BA to investigate without fobbing you off and give you an explanation for the seat change.
When coming back from Malta recently, my family and I were simply booted from our preassigned seats in CE around 2 days before the flight (when I happened to go into the MMB to request child meals for our boys, I noticed ‘seat choice available’ rather than our presssigned seats in row 3). I was able to allocate row 4, which was fine. On board, row 3 had single passengers. There was no outwardly obvious reason for the move. I rung up customer relations who apologised and awarded 8000 Avios. So whilst I’ll never know why we were booted, the goodwill gesture of Avios and acceptance by BA that the situation should not have occurred was appreciated.
Fingers crossed this won’t happen again on the return...
May 6, 2019, 3:42 am
#36
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 691
Don’t print or download your BPs and check the app from time to time. Best bet is probably to ask at the airport. You may well get lucky.
Failing that you can get a refund for the seat selection fees. [edit]
Whilst it is probably little consolation, seat moves like this are rare and there probably is a genuine operational reason.
Whilst it is probably little consolation, seat moves like this are rare and there probably is a genuine operational reason.
May 6, 2019, 3:47 am
#37
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
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I think it's unrealistic to expect BA to do some root cause analysis on why someone was moved, and as far as I know they don't do it anyway. Your best chance of finding out is when you have an airport agent in front of you talking to FMU. So I would take the equipment change / SIN-SYD overlay suggestions at face value.
It prevents you moving to other seats. So if you hold back on that (and emailing, faxing etc) then you can watch as other seats become available and move accordingly. If you like the seats you have got then naturally you should go ahead and get the boarding passes.
It prevents you moving to other seats. So if you hold back on that (and emailing, faxing etc) then you can watch as other seats become available and move accordingly. If you like the seats you have got then naturally you should go ahead and get the boarding passes.
May 6, 2019, 3:59 am
#38
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: UK
Programs: Mucci, Diamond Status & on the Supreme Council des Conseillers, BA Ag, Bonvoy GFL/Plat, xVS Au
Posts: 832
I think it's unrealistic to expect BA to do some root cause analysis on why someone was moved, and as far as I know they don't do it anyway. Your best chance of finding out is when you have an airport agent in front of you talking to FMU. So I would take the equipment change / SIN-SYD overlay suggestions at face value.
May 6, 2019, 5:29 am
#39
Join Date: Jan 2015
Programs: BAEC "I'm blue Da ba dee da ba di", Skywards Blue, Miles & More (very passive)
Posts: 80
It prevents you moving to other seats. So if you hold back on that (and emailing, faxing etc) then you can watch as other seats become available and move accordingly. If you like the seats you have got then naturally you should go ahead and get the boarding passes.
After that, they swapped from an A320neo to a A321 where I wouldn't even have had a window in that seat.
Finally I was able to be moved to 23E at the airport, still no window but way more legroom and 23D even stayed free.
So, maybe don't even print when you checked in on the seat you are happy with?
