Avios booking and Normal Cash Booking Challenges
Nov 28, 2019, 4:52 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: London
Programs: BA Executive Club, Aeroplan
Posts: 196
Avios booking and Normal Cash Booking Challenges
Hi all,
I'm in need of some assistance - I have a flight from LAX-LHR in mid December, in PE, which I booked a while ago as the return leg of a flight. Now, a friend is going to join me to visit London for a few days. I was only able to get an economy seat for my friend with avios, which I booked. I have a few questions which I'd love some thoughts on!
- If I switch a BA avios booking to a different class or route, do they do that without charge? I'm currently silver. I'm hoping a seat in PE opens up
- I called and asked if I could reserve a seat, but I was told no; As I booked with my avios points I was hoping I could reserve a seat. Any way I can?
- If I cant get them a PE seat, who is best to ask about me sitting with them in economy? Check in, the gate or onboard?
Thanks for any thoughts and feedback!
I'm in need of some assistance - I have a flight from LAX-LHR in mid December, in PE, which I booked a while ago as the return leg of a flight. Now, a friend is going to join me to visit London for a few days. I was only able to get an economy seat for my friend with avios, which I booked. I have a few questions which I'd love some thoughts on!
- If I switch a BA avios booking to a different class or route, do they do that without charge? I'm currently silver. I'm hoping a seat in PE opens up
- I called and asked if I could reserve a seat, but I was told no; As I booked with my avios points I was hoping I could reserve a seat. Any way I can?
- If I cant get them a PE seat, who is best to ask about me sitting with them in economy? Check in, the gate or onboard?
Thanks for any thoughts and feedback!
Nov 28, 2019, 5:23 pm
#2
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: LHR
Programs: Accor PLT,Thai Silver, HH Dia, SPG Titanium (LT Gold), Aegean Gold, BA Silver
Posts: 5,119
1. No there would be a charge to be paid. I believe this is $55
2. As a Silver you are entitled to free seat assignment on booking. Go to MMB and select your preferred seat.
3. You could cancel and rebook if there is availability with your friend. If no availability it may be worth a call to the Executive Club to see if they can assist.
2. As a Silver you are entitled to free seat assignment on booking. Go to MMB and select your preferred seat.
3. You could cancel and rebook if there is availability with your friend. If no availability it may be worth a call to the Executive Club to see if they can assist.
Nov 28, 2019, 5:26 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: London
Programs: BA Executive Club, Aeroplan
Posts: 196
Thanks for the reply - to your points:
1 - Ok. Thats a shame!
2 - My friend doesn't have status and is on a booking by themselves so when I go into that booking MMB, its just paid options
3 - I actually meant when I'm at the airport - I don't think I'd end up saving money by cancelling my flight and booking an economy seat
1 - Ok. Thats a shame!
2 - My friend doesn't have status and is on a booking by themselves so when I go into that booking MMB, its just paid options
3 - I actually meant when I'm at the airport - I don't think I'd end up saving money by cancelling my flight and booking an economy seat
Nov 28, 2019, 5:31 pm
#4
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: LHR
Programs: Accor PLT,Thai Silver, HH Dia, SPG Titanium (LT Gold), Aegean Gold, BA Silver
Posts: 5,119
2. If you had booked together you would have been able to. If separate bookings there will be a charge.
3. You could try. Never did this myself. If the person sitting next to them is willing and you speak to Cabin Crew it may well be possible.
3. You could try. Never did this myself. If the person sitting next to them is willing and you speak to Cabin Crew it may well be possible.
Nov 28, 2019, 6:38 pm
#5
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Krakow
Programs: BAEC Silver, Miles and More(FTL), IHG(Platinum), Accor, HHonors(Diamond), SPG, Hertz Five Star
Posts: 5,918
One option would be when boarding to offer your seat in PE to the person sitting next to your friend. In economy. If they are travelling on their own then I am sure they would welcome the free upgrade to PE so you could enjoy the time with your friend.
Nov 28, 2019, 10:47 pm
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Brighton. UK
Programs: BA Gold / VS /IHG Diamond & Ambassador
Posts: 14,195
Just to make it clear that your silver seat selection (and other benefits) would only have applied to your friend if you both had been on the same booking (so same flights and cabin) right from the start.
You booking the. a separate flight from your account does not get them your status benefits even if you paid for the ticket hence why you are being asked to pay to select their seat.
The best you can hope for is a reward seat opening up to get them into PE and then hoping that the seat next to you is empty at OLCI or there is an empty pair in the cabin.
as to self downgrading I would do this on board via the cabin crew rather than just approaching the person sat next to your friend.
You booking the. a separate flight from your account does not get them your status benefits even if you paid for the ticket hence why you are being asked to pay to select their seat.
The best you can hope for is a reward seat opening up to get them into PE and then hoping that the seat next to you is empty at OLCI or there is an empty pair in the cabin.
as to self downgrading I would do this on board via the cabin crew rather than just approaching the person sat next to your friend.
