British Airways Upgrade Scam [cost for an advanced seat assignment]
May 5, 2019, 6:54 am
#31
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Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Argentina
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Look on the bright side OP you got a bargain price. Just make sure your female friend takes advantage of all that is included....lounge access especially. ^
May 5, 2019, 6:56 am
#32
Ambassador: Emirates Airlines
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Manchester, UK
Posts: 18,588
I've dropped to Bronze this year due to a new job etc. And whilst booking my next flight recently I was horrified to see that I'd have to pay for seat selection in Club World. I wasn't prepared to do this and decided to beat BA at their own game........I therefore immediately switched to an F ticket and don't have to pay to select my seats.
And whilst booking my next flight recently I was horrified to see that I'd have to pay for seat selection in Club World. I wasn't prepared to do this and decided to beat BA at their own game........I therefore immediately switched to another airline and don't have to pay to select my seats.
May 5, 2019, 7:15 am
#33
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: UA
Posts: 444
The product is sold in many places as’ business class’ or an equivalent thereof, it’s more than an assumption, it’s industry standard and an implied covenant that it be suitable or facilitating to conducting business, If I were to book seats with a colleague and we were required to pay a fee to be seated together, that’s neither fit for purpose or as described.
If I we’re to offer, for a surcharge a product sold as ‘express service’ and it was no faster then the standard or to name a product ‘extra leg room’ and it had no more inches above standard. You would consider it a defense to say our version of that service doesn’t actually include those features?
Believe what you like. I side with the OP, it’s a scam.
If I we’re to offer, for a surcharge a product sold as ‘express service’ and it was no faster then the standard or to name a product ‘extra leg room’ and it had no more inches above standard. You would consider it a defense to say our version of that service doesn’t actually include those features?
Believe what you like. I side with the OP, it’s a scam.
May 5, 2019, 7:21 am
#34
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Welcome to flyer talk.
£13 of the upgrade cost is the additional APD.
The cost of the ticket or that it is double or triple the cost of the economy ticket is immaterial. Seat Fees have been in place for non status passenger for several years and the policy is very clear.
You aren’t the first and won’t be the last to say, incorrectly, that this is some sort of scam. And BA isn’t the only airline to charge seat selection fees.
There is no scam. If you want a specific seat then yes you have to pay for it. If you don’t then wait to get one for free when OLCI opens.
if she has already flown and the correct number of avios and tier points haven’t credited to her account then there is a mechanism to claim for them. If she has yet to fly then you are premature to be complaining.
AFAIK BA is the only major full service carrier that charges passengers confirmed in paid business class for all advanced seat assignments (assuming no status, no children, and no special needs). On longer flights, these fees are substantial.
May 5, 2019, 7:26 am
#35
Join Date: Jun 2011
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The product is sold in many places as’ business class’ or an equivalent thereof, it’s more than an assumption, it’s industry standard and an implied covenant that it be suitable or facilitating to conducting business, If I were to book seats with a colleague and we were required to pay a fee to be seated together, that’s neither fit for purpose or as described.
If I we’re to offer, for a surcharge a product sold as ‘express service’ and it was no faster then the standard or to name a product ‘extra leg room’ and it had no more inches above standard. You would consider it a defense to say our version of that service doesn’t actually include those features?
Believe what you like. I side with the OP, it’s a scam.
If I we’re to offer, for a surcharge a product sold as ‘express service’ and it was no faster then the standard or to name a product ‘extra leg room’ and it had no more inches above standard. You would consider it a defense to say our version of that service doesn’t actually include those features?
Believe what you like. I side with the OP, it’s a scam.
This is a question of "value for money". Fine. But when a product being offered doesn't meet your personal expectations that is not the definition of a scam. .I side with all the others that say you are mistaken. Its not a scam.
May 5, 2019, 7:30 am
#36
Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club, easyJet and Ryanair
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: UK/Las Vegas
Programs: BA Gold (GGL/CCR)
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Paid advance seat selection only applies for the heavily discounted fares (IR), there is free seat selection for the higher fares (JCD). This is certainly a ‘Marmite’ policy but one I certainly appreciate. Long may it continue.
May 5, 2019, 8:29 am
#37
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I've dropped to Bronze this year due to a new job etc. And whilst booking my next flight recently I was horrified to see that I'd have to pay for seat selection in Club World. I wasn't prepared to do this and decided to beat BA at their own game........I therefore immediately switched to an F ticket and don't have to pay to select my seats.
How did the fare difference compare to the cost of reserving a business class seat?
May 5, 2019, 8:46 am
#38
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Then maybe these shold be identified as business class lite fares when booking. The problem is that most customers wouldn't think that one needs to verify free seat assignments when purchasing business class tickets since seats are free in business class on other carriers. BA isn't supposed to be RyanAir.
May 5, 2019, 8:51 am
#39
Join Date: Apr 2017
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 1,383
Purely as a devil's advocate, I could make the Ryanair-style argument that any unbundling simply gives customers more choice and opportunity to save money: "We are delighted that almost uniquely among major carriers, we allow our customers get the best value for money by choosing not to pay for seat selection they may not need, even when flying business class."
Actually I don't feel too strongly either way, but on balance I think it is probably a bit cheap not to include seat selection in a "business" ticket, when luggage, lounge access, food, drink, etc are all included, but could potentially also be priced separately.
Actually I don't feel too strongly either way, but on balance I think it is probably a bit cheap not to include seat selection in a "business" ticket, when luggage, lounge access, food, drink, etc are all included, but could potentially also be priced separately.
May 5, 2019, 8:57 am
#40
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So as a Gold/GGL, you find you can't get your 'favourite' seat, because someone has already grabbed it for free on their first ever flight on BA?
I don't think so!
May 5, 2019, 9:00 am
#41
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold / OW Emerald
Posts: 753
Question is whether this is intended or accidental trolling.
£39.72 + £49.00 = £88.72.
That's all that needs to be said.
£39.72 + £49.00 = £88.72.
That's all that needs to be said.
May 5, 2019, 9:04 am
#42
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Vale of Glamorgan
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May 5, 2019, 9:07 am
#43
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges and Environmentally Friendly Travel
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Then maybe these shold be identified as business class lite fares when booking. The problem is that most customers wouldn't think that one needs to verify free seat assignments when purchasing business class tickets since seats are free in business class on other carriers. BA isn't supposed to be RyanAir.
See. https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/25075396-post582.html
May 5, 2019, 9:08 am
#44
Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club, easyJet and Ryanair
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Then maybe these shold be identified as business class lite fares when booking. The problem is that most customers wouldn't think that one needs to verify free seat assignments when purchasing business class tickets since seats are free in business class on other carriers. BA isn't supposed to be RyanAir.
In the OP’s case, they are entitled to a refund of the seat selection fee if they do not wish to pay the difference in fee for selecting a new seat in the Club cabin. So, despite the assertion of a scam, the OP can get that fee refunded.
May 5, 2019, 9:17 am
#45
Join Date: May 2005
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There are no industry standards as to what any particular class of service should be like. People who buy a product or a service based on the assumption rather than finding out what they're actually buying only have themselves to blame if they are not happy with such product or service. I understand that some people are unhappy that they have to pay for seats but it is not a scam when the airline makes it very clear to you what to expect.
