Iberia charging for short haul seat selection even at check-in
Nov 27, 2014, 1:50 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: London UK
Programs: All Expired... :-(
Posts: 410
Iberia charging for short haul seat selection even at check-in
The past couple of economy short haul flights I've flow with Iberia (in the past week), there has been a charge for changing the assigned seat when checking in online.
I know that their discount economy fares could not choose a seat before online check-in, but I'm pretty sure I was always able to change the seat at no cost once checking in online.
Is this something new? It's really annoying because they keep giving me seats right at the back of the plane. Does this change with Silver/Gold/Plat status?
I know that their discount economy fares could not choose a seat before online check-in, but I'm pretty sure I was always able to change the seat at no cost once checking in online.
Is this something new? It's really annoying because they keep giving me seats right at the back of the plane. Does this change with Silver/Gold/Plat status?
Nov 27, 2014, 11:55 am
#2
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Madrid, Spain
Posts: 46
This changed last year when they implemented the new basic/classic/flexible fare model, now you've to pay to select your seat even during check-in time or otherwise get a random seat. Seems that at least they've tweaked the site now so it won't usually separate people traveling on the same reservation.
oneworld sapphire and emerald (ib plus gold/plat) are able to select seats for free.
oneworld sapphire and emerald (ib plus gold/plat) are able to select seats for free.
Nov 28, 2014, 7:10 am
#3
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Perth WA/ UK
Programs: BA Gold, Priority Club Gold, Accor Silver, Virgin Australia Gold
Posts: 1,750
I must say that such a seating policy in respect of charging is really the bottom of the ladder. I have saphire on one world and use IB and was frankly oblivious to this but for a carrier that is the main carrier in Spain and to charge at check in for a blooming seat is worse than low cost carriers up and down europe.
Nov 29, 2014, 3:25 am
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Barcelona, London, on a plane
Programs: BA Silver, TK E+, AA PP, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 13,048
I must say that such a seating policy in respect of charging is really the bottom of the ladder. I have saphire on one world and use IB and was frankly oblivious to this but for a carrier that is the main carrier in Spain and to charge at check in for a blooming seat is worse than low cost carriers up and down europe.
We can all argue whether IB should be offering a premium product (at a premium price) or simply doing their best to compete with the LCCs. Since IB have never really had much of a premium product IMO (and were losing bucketloads of money), it makes sense to try the LCC route.
Nov 30, 2014, 6:52 am
#5
Join Date: May 2013
Location: MAD
Programs: IB+, BAEC
Posts: 3,106
Most, if not all, low cost carriers in Europe and elsewhere in the world charge you if you want to select your own seat, whether at booking or when checking in online.
We can all argue whether IB should be offering a premium product (at a premium price) or simply doing their best to compete with the LCCs. Since IB have never really had much of a premium product IMO (and were losing bucketloads of money), it makes sense to try the LCC route.
We can all argue whether IB should be offering a premium product (at a premium price) or simply doing their best to compete with the LCCs. Since IB have never really had much of a premium product IMO (and were losing bucketloads of money), it makes sense to try the LCC route.