spainflyer

First, you are asked to sign in for Iberia Plus. You do that, you are greeted by name with your Avios total, but then later in the booking process they ask you if you are a member of IB Plus. If so, please enter number and PIN. I tried to book two “Optimum” tickets MAD – JFK – MAD. You fill out everything and when you go to reserve your seat, the payment option comes up -- €20, €33 or more. Ditto one piece of luggage in the hold. Both are included in Optimum price, but you are charged again at checkout. As a workaround, I tried to book the cheapest fare and then add on seat and luggage, but that didn’t work either. And don’t get me started on the “An Error Has Occurred” message. Over and over.

So what to do but wait until the Iberia IT geniuses fix the latest glitches. But meanwhile, prices rise? All suggestions gratefully accepted!! (Except “Please contact your local Iberia office…”)

Yllanes

With the Optima fare without status you only get free seat selection 24 h before the departure in those flights. For example:




[Edited to resize a very big screen capture]

Yllanes

Similarly, if I click through (I have just written a made up passenger name and not logged in), it says that I have one checked bag, but offers me the opportunity to buy extra.



If this does not match your experience, could you upload similar screenshots, so we can see the problem?

spainflyer

Thanks so much, Yllanes. Very clear. So I can book my seat (without additional charge beyond the fare) with Optima, but only 24 hours before flight? What I am being offered online is the chance to book the seat(s) now, but paying for them. And the bag charge is for additional bags beyond the one included in the Optima fare. Clear now, many thanks.

Do you know: If I choose the cheapest fare – I think it is called Basic – can seats be booked now, at time of purchase, for the extra charge? And is the charge for seat selection now (at time of purchase) the same with Optima as with Basic? That is, with Basic would the same seating options pop up at the same prices -- €20, €33, etc.?

And, if I book Basic for a family of 4, but don’t pay extra for seat selection now (assuming that is permitted), what are the chances of getting seated together when getting seat assignment at the airport (flight is August 17th – high season)? In the past the agent at the check-in desk has told me that “the system” assigns your seat at check in and that she cannot control assignment.

Any further information you, or others, can provide would be very helpful. Thanks!

Yllanes

Yes to both.

I don't know. For those of us with status, seat selection is free (including exit rows) even with Basic, so I do not have previous experience. But I guess you can just do a dummy booking and take it until seat selection to find the prices.

If you get Optima, I don't believe paying for seat selection is worth it. You will probably get decent options at the 24 h point and will be seated together. I do not think you can count on being together if you book Basic, though.

spainflyer

Thanks so much, Yllanes. And at 11 pm in SFO (or maybe you are in Madrid?)! I think I was able to answer my own questions with a dummy booking. On Basic fare: IB lets you choose seat at time of booking for between €20 (middle seats) and €78 (extra legroom). Most seats are €33. Then, you can include one bag for €45. So, if you choose the cheapest seat and one bag, you are paying €65 for what you would get with Optima for €40. But you get to choose your seat now. Thanks!

seawolf