Globaliser

The irony, of course, is that even US airlines that like to pre-allocate virtually the whole cabin - making life difficult for those who book later - still have seat-shifters to make sure that there is no "100% sure of getting seats together".

stimpy

Looks like a nice deal, and I would definitely do it in WT+ or CW if I lived in the US. If it comes to France, Belgium or Holland at the same price or less I will likely buy in.

Cholula

Well, let's put it another way.

I've got about 3 million BIS miles on DL, have flown them for 40 years, have always pre-selected my seats and have never not received the seats I've personally selected.

So while the DL system may not be 100% certain, it's certainly close enough for my needs.

I'm not about to pay a couple thousand $$'s on BA and then enter a seat grab lottery 24 hours before departure.

stimpy

But if you are flying BA CW, does it really matter what seat you get? REALLY? I know I prefer 64K, but I manage to sleep just fine in any CW seat. And since I usually sleep most of the flight, it's not the end of the world if my travel partner(s) aren't next to me.

Globaliser

It's not a lottery. That's what we're trying to tell you.

trueblu

Given the fact that the seats in question are in W -- not as gold/silver heavy as CW -- many people will not have pre-allocated prior to T-24 hrs.

I'm a blue -- so can't pre-allocate -- and have never not been able to have two seats together -- including one window seat -- even when I've checked in some hours after T-24.

In fact, as already mentioned, pre-allocation by US-based airlines sometimes means less choice on offer if you buy your seats nearer departure.

Having said that, there is no 100% guarantee, and each person has to determine their own priorities, so I certainly won't bewail you the choice.

tb

aau

Hi,
If I'm not a BAEC member, can I enroll in BAEC and earn Tier points in WT+ with this offer?

jkw76

Yes. You would earn 150 TP for the return journey.

925

Does the flight have to end in LHR? Or can it continue on to other cities.

I'm talking SEA-LHR-(EVN)-TBS-(EVN)-LHR-SEA where the TBS legs are sold as BA or BD on BD metal. The reason I would want to put it all on one record is for protection on the 1:45 layover on the outbound and the 2:10 layover on the return if something goes wrong.

Also, I am AA EXP (Emerald). Is there some twisting I can do with this so that I can get pre-assigned seats?

I used to be BA Gold flying this route, and I still fly to TBS just as much now. But after 25% coach credit (yes, we pay coach prices) and rigid fees and policies, I fled and haven't looked back, and have been using AA-SEA-ORD-LHR-(EVN)-TBS-(EVN)-LHR-ORD-SEA. I get AA EVIP upgrades to business. I'd like to try BA again, because it cuts out a leg and save HOURS. But policies and prices have got in the way. Hoping this one might work for a change.

MIKESILV

Nonsense In the 21 years I have been a AA flyer I can count on one hand the number of times I have difficulty getting seats with a companion even after relatively late bookings.

I really have no clue how the BA system works and I dont really dont care to learn the procedure since most of my flights are limited to European short hops ( when seating is relatively not that important) ...but put it you that your knowledge of US carriers seating policies/procedure is substantially less than mine of BA dance

mike

mbstone

You don't give AA miles to Yanks, no thanks

jimcbob

The problem is, people do not believe it. Or do not want to have to arrange their lives around OLCI at exactly 24 hours before flying. I cannot tell you how many people it puts off BA. And the sooner BA realise it, through seeing people turning down excellent prices like this because of the seating policy, the better, frankly. I still do not accept that you cannot protect the interest of full fare or FF passengers through blocking seats until OLCI.

The point with AA, etc is that, although seat availability can be bad later on, at least you KNOW when you are booking what the state of play is when you book.

Italy98

Just saw this posting while waiting for Mrs. Italy as she was shopping. Came home and did the BAEC registration and am now patiently waiting, and waiting, and waiting for my confirmation email from BA. How long should it take to send the activation link so we can make reservations? Thx

stimpy

The last time I checked, the American BA EC didn't work on the weekends. So maybe Monday?

Italy98

Oh well, the story of my life, a day late and one dollar short Guess I will have to wait until the next BA offer. Thanks for the insight :-: