BA Punishing Low fare ExClub Members?
#16
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2008
Programs: AA EXP/LTP, BA GGL/CCR/GfL, HH D/LTD, SPG/MR Plat/LTP
Posts: 10,075
Would this be the FT equivalent of BA's CIV score?
#17
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA GGL
Posts: 1,577
Reading is nearly as important as writing: c-w-s was pointing out the 5-posts-in-your-first-24-hours limit.
#18
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: London
Programs: BAEC Silver, HH Diamond, Avis President's Club
Posts: 1,219
This genuinely isn't meant as a snipe at the OP, but if a passenger on the cheapest fare and with no BA status isn't supposed to sit in the unfavoured middle-seat, then who is?!
If it were a Gold member or full-fare Y passenger, then they'd be on here complaining too, and with more reason to.
Someone has to sit in the less popular seats after all!!
If it were a Gold member or full-fare Y passenger, then they'd be on here complaining too, and with more reason to.
Someone has to sit in the less popular seats after all!!
#19
Join Date: Oct 2013
Programs: BA Gold, VS Gold, IHG Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hertz Presidents Circle.
Posts: 1,447
Most of my bookings made by Amex GBT, which I'm careful to book only when the appropriate fare class is shown in Concur, chuck the 'contact travel agent' when trying to upgrade... Usually the BA Twitter folks can sort it but it just doesn't work through MMB.
#20
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2008
Programs: AA EXP/LTP, BA GGL/CCR/GfL, HH D/LTD, SPG/MR Plat/LTP
Posts: 10,075
#21
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 410
Companies won't pay for flexible business class tickets like they used to and I'm forced to fly economy and at bargain prices. I understand that BA's first priority is to make a profit by encouraging full fares but this kind of behaviour makes me disinclined to use BA in the future. Like so many others...
Many thanks for the information. Much obliged.
That's very good to know. Many thanks for the quick reply.
Many thanks for the information. Much obliged.
That's very good to know. Many thanks for the quick reply.
Negotiating a good travel policy is of paramount importance for a job that requires travel.
#22
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,592
This genuinely isn't meant as a snipe at the OP, but if a passenger on the cheapest fare and with no BA status isn't supposed to sit in the unfavoured middle-seat, then who is?!
If it were a Gold member or full-fare Y passenger, then they'd be on here complaining too, and with more reason to.
Someone has to sit in the less popular seats after all!!
If it were a Gold member or full-fare Y passenger, then they'd be on here complaining too, and with more reason to.
Someone has to sit in the less popular seats after all!!
I think that perhaps the OP feels that despite the acknowledged cheap third party ticket, having a blue card might possibly count for something - even if that something just means not being relegated to a back row middle seat when travelling solo.
I think anyone who values even a tiny ounce of personal comfort of would be doing anything they could to get moved out of that seat.... Just like the OP is doing.
#25
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
The obverse of OP's "punishment" are people who travel at the last minute, have status, and pay top dollar for walk-up fares. If they are relegated to a middle seat backing onto the loo, they may well take their business elsewhere.
Such a person might well complain that they had been "punished" for paying a king's ransom for a ticket.
Such a person might well complain that they had been "punished" for paying a king's ransom for a ticket.
#26
Ambassador: Emirates Airlines
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Manchester, UK
Posts: 18,605
The obverse of OP's "punishment" are people who travel at the last minute, have status, and pay top dollar for walk-up fares. If they are relegated to a middle seat backing onto the loo, they may well take their business elsewhere.
Such a person might well complain that they had been "punished" for paying a king's ransom for a ticket.
Such a person might well complain that they had been "punished" for paying a king's ransom for a ticket.
#27
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: 63,771
Just to show how time makes a difference, here is the current view of WT and WTP to compare with above.
#28
Ambassador: Emirates Airlines
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Manchester, UK
Posts: 18,605
And that's the point of Theoretical Seating. Somewhere in those maps above there is an X reserved for whoever booked the last seat, probably at top dollar, and it won't be in the middle. That said, if they open up Y1 now (quite possible) there is nevertheless the risk they won't get a seat at all, so it's not perfect by any means.
Just to show how time makes a difference, here is the current view of WT and WTP to compare with above.
Just to show how time makes a difference, here is the current view of WT and WTP to compare with above.
#29
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Krakow
Programs: BAEC Silver, Miles and More(FTL), IHG(Platinum), Accor, HHonors(Diamond), SPG, Hertz Five Star
Posts: 5,902
but that is all for the TS thread which perhaps this thread should get merged into
#30
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2019
Posts: 4
Blue Ex Club Poster
Many thanks all for the helpful replies to my original post. Dropped off bags at T5 and enlisted reluctant help from BA staff - they did warm up a bit after some chat and I think I detected a certain antagonism towards BA management. Did overhear some unhelpful exchanges with pax over the self-service system. Flight overbooked but I'm assured I'm OK. Still stuck in the middle seat right at the back. I've travelled extensively for 40 odd years and I guess this is lesson in the need to pay up and look big. Oh well. Thanks everyone.