BA seat selection

[bigal1941]

I am sorry if I am returning to an old subject. I have just paid for a long haul BA WTP flight booked in August last year. Out of curiosity I have just checked on the seat availabilty, I find to my amazement that WTP on this particular flight is nearly full,15 weeks before departure. I want to sit with my wife, and to secure the only 2 available seats together I am going to have to fork out £64 pounds for the privilage. What happens if one waits for a free seat 24 hours before departure and there are no seats in WTP left ? I bet one doesnt get upgraded to Business, and I will be mightly P****** off if having paid for WTP getting bumped int WT. Likewise on the return overnight. Any thoughts or solutions, or do I have to pay out a bit sharpish ? Thanks in advance. :confused:

[easyflyer83]

It could well be that WTP is overbooked but the same goes for any cabin. The seat map however is not conclusive evidence of this. As a WTP pax i'm confident you would be upgraded to Club or, perhaps more likely, a WTP with status would be bumped up.
I think you're probably threating over nothing.

[jackieofalltrades]

Not much experience with BA lately, but with many other airlines I've often seen the seatmap to show the cabin to be full (or close to) months before departure, but then when it comes to check-in there a numerous seats now free.
I imagine this is because the airline holds back a number of seats from selection until check-in. Why? I don't actually know, but I guess it would be to save them for high level frequent flyers that might book their flight last minute.

[GemDeveloper]

I am slightly less confident than jackieofalltrades.

Our two (fairly), recent experiences with BA, both in Business, suggest that, whereas in the old days, when one checked in on-line 24 hours prior to departure, one was 'competing' for seats only with the premium card holders, now with BA encouraging people to pay up front for an allocation at booking, there are far fewer 'spare' seats available for selection.

On BA026 HKG-LHR, the Mehmsahib and I were actually were flying up from Changi to join the flight, and so we were checking in there at around 14h00 for a 23h25 HKG departure. Cathay had a seat allocation for us on the BA sector that was less than ideal, so I took a trip to the BA Business lounge airside, where a very helpful lady was extremely frustrated to find that whoever had edited the flight had then locked it so that she couldn’t do anything for me, except send a message to HKG to say "oi!". Which she most certainly did, as I saw the print-out when we arrived in the lounge at HKG, and asked whether we could be moved. We were eventually sorted at the gate, thank you.

On BA043 LHR-CPT, I went on-line 24 hours before departure to find that we were placed in two aisle seats four rows apart, and again the seating apparently was locked. No joy with getting any change in the lounge, no joy with trying to get it changed at the gate, but eventually, an extremely efficient stewardess re-arranged the cabin so that we (and at least two other couples who also had been spread round the cabin), could sit together. Thank you to her.

If I was a cynic, I'd say that spreading people around when they do not pay up-front for seat allocations is a good way to encourage them to part with their money next time. After all, it’s another revenue stream for the airline at absolutely minimal cost to them. But the reality probably is that so many people have bagged seats weeks ahead that the poor person trying to edit the flight 24 hours or so before departure is left with very little flexibility, and people with the same booking reference get split up.

If you really want to sit together on what may be a busy flight, you either pay up front, or throw yourself on the mercy of the cabin staff and the goodwill of your fellow passengers, some of whom may be asked to move from a seat that they had requested and apparently been given, once you have boarded.

[Hotel Tango]

Although not referring to BA specifically, I'm with jackieofalltrades. It does depend on the airline, the type of aircraft and the flight concerned.

As one example, at the time of booking on a recent flight with KLM, my best option (in Y) for a window was 14F. On boarding (last to board) I noted that several rows nearer the front (but in Y) were empty. I believe that one reason for this is that the division between Y and C is flexible and the earlier one books the less choice one has because at that point in time the final C / Y configuration is undetermined and thus a number of rows will not be open for selection until nearer to departure day. Of course, long haul, with fixed cabin layouts, is another matter. Here again, I do believe jackieofalltrades is correct in stating that "prefered" seats remain blocked for Premium FF pax and are only released shortly before departure day.

[ExXB]

I can confirm that BA did (can't say if the still do) hold some seats for premium card holders.

When I was gold I tried to book an open jaw (LHR-YVR x LAX-LHR). I couldn't do this on line so I called up the crappy ExClub desk in Bremen.

Before I could even speak I was told that unless I had a request that I couldn't do on-line I'd have to pay a fee. He then agreed that I couldn't do an open jaw myself and I wouldn't be charged.

Just before the call I had been onto the BA site and had determined the seats I wanted in WTP were available on both flights. The agent could see the seats on the Vancouver flight, but couldn't see them on the LAX flight. I checked again and saw they were available to me. Oh, he said, I don't have the same priority as you do. He then said - it won't be more miles if you book two one ways rather than an open jaw, so I'll book you on the YVR flight and you book the LAX flight yourself. And that's what we did.

Guess what, next credit card statement had a charge from BA (separate from the two taxes/fees/charges on the tickets). Turned out that they had charged me the fee. When I called them to remind them that they had agreed not to charge me I was told - You could have booked the YVR flight yourself, you didn't need us to do it. They refused to waive the charge.

One more reason why I don't fly BA.

[bigal1941]

Thank you all for your replies,I am afraid I dont share your confidence on it being all right on the night. Row 12 J and K are still available (747) which because of the extra space is ideal for me, and I will purchase them. BUT these seats are also ideal for families with small children, and I can see us geriatrics being bumped, quite rightly, but bumped where?, we do want to sit together, and though I am an Exec Club Member I have no points whatsoever. My days of travelling round the world with 32 bags of gear and the resultant excess baggage charges have long gone Being unduly pessamistic how does one get a refund for the prebooking fee? Interestingly, the return flight which is on a Saturday night is completely free, and I can have any seat or combination I want. We will see what happens regards Alan

[compton3bravo]

Friends of mine arrived at the check-in desk at Gibraltar for the BA flight to Gatwick, they had already booked their seats and paid for their flights some 11 months (yes!) earlier. After showing their passports a member of staff - presumably Gibair Handling - asked to see and scan their credit card which they had paid for their seats which they found most odd. They said to the check-in person they were not carrying the same credit card which they had booked the tickets, on hearing this they said they might have to pay again for the seats at the price on the day! Apparently there were only 30-odd passengers on the flight. After some huffing and puffing they were given their boarding cards and sent on their way so to speak.
Has anybody else heard of this - me thinks I smell a bit of a rat here!
Comments please

[SLF3]

This is not as unusual as it ought to be. I think there is a message in the small print somewhere that tells you to take the card with you - even if it has expired.

Both my wife and I have been asked for the original credit cards on flights we did not book and pay for but where the reservation was made in the name of the flyer. I have been asked once on a flight I did book and pay for where the credit card had expired. Every time it has been suggested I might have to pay again but they have also said that if I can subsequently show I have paid the second payment will be refunded. In every case, after an extended period watching the check in agent tapping away whilst wearing a worried frown the problem has solved itself.

[Hambleite]

My experience of the Gib lot is that they don't really know how the system works.

[GemDeveloper]

I seem to recall that the self-service check-in consoles scattered around the T5 concourse ask one to insert the credit card used for the booking... presumably as a quick way of identifying your booking so that one can check-in... not sure what happens if one has a number of bookings on the same card... maybe it gives one the option to select where one wants to go... or maybe it's clever enough to give only the option of checking-in for a flight on the day one is interrogating the machine.

[Rwy in Sight]

What happends if the card has been compromised and a new one with a different number has been issued? Is it OK or a new tickket must be paid?

[Agaricus bisporus]

Surely if you book two seats you expect them to be allocated next to each other? They wouldn't split travellers up would they? Bloody outrageous if they do.

[bigal1941]

My wife and I took a trip to Rome a few years back. I tried to check in online 24 hours before and couldn't. Arrived at Ter 5 in good time for the the mid morning flight, no seats together. It was a code share / connection with a flight that had originated in LA some 15 hours earlier. So the through booking facility had taken the seats and on paper we were not able to sit together. No help at check in or the gate, on plane, steward was convinced, that "she who must be obeyed", was a well known actress, and couldn't possibly sit with some unknown oik. My wife bears no possible resemblance to aforsaid diva, and anyway last time I saw th lady concerned she had dyed her hair pink, and I am not having my wife do that to get a seat together on a flight.

I have always been asked for the Credit Card used to buy the ticket, and I have always thought that it was some kind of fraud prevention. Alan:O

[compton3bravo]

Many thanks everybody for your coments. I agree about Gibair - worst handling company I have ever come across and usually they have to turn round just four aircraft a day!

[Malone]

I think that there is a seperate thread for this. Anyway, when you book you are asked to take the credit card with you, whether or not it has expired. As far as I have been told, the banks actually ask for this. If you do not have the card, the staff will try their utmost to sort it out by other means of confirming identity etc (billing address of the card is one question that is asked). It is only as a last resort that a new ticket has to be purchased, the old one being fully refunded to the old card.

[derekl29]

Getting seats together has become more problematic since BA started charging for seat selection.

I was booked on BA from LHR-YYZ last December with Mrs DL in WT, and was keeping an eye on the seat map for availability in the weeks and days leading up to the flight, about 2 days before the flight the seat map went from very empty to pretty full.

I decided to bite the bullet and pay for some seats 2 days before, selecting the pair of seats on their own at the back of the 777.

Seats selected, I didnt get round to checking in on line and left it until the airport. The airport kiosk didnt let me check in and directed us to a desk where we were upgraded to WTP. The flight was overbooked in WT, so I`m wondering if the payment for seats in some way helped us up the priority list for upgrade.

On the way back, we were booked in CW anyway and I easily secured the pair of seats in the middle 24 hours before departure online. I did notice though on the way back that in a full CW cabin, a lot of couples and groups of people were separated so I think the lesson is be pay for seats or risk it but be prompt with the online checkin 24 hours before!

[compton3bravo]

In all my years of flying around the world I have never ever been asked for a credit card to verify my ticket that is why I posed the question and I know what I would tell somebody if ever I was asked and it would not be have a nice day!

[SLF3]

Just booked:

'If the payment cardholder is travelling, you must bring the card used to pay for this booking to the airport with you, for verification, before you can travel.'

As I (and another) said earlier, in practice they will sort it - unless you are rude to them, in which case I would expect different rules to apply!

[PAXboy]

If you cannot take the exact card with you, due to theft, then take an original copy of the card statement, showing the transaction. That gives your address and is a reasonable work around.

When receiving a new card - check that you don't need to keep the old card for an already booked flight. Just cut the card to show it's expired.

[Shropshire Lad]

Seats selected, I didnt get round to checking in on line and left it until the airport. The airport kiosk didnt let me check in and directed us to a desk where we were upgraded to WTP. The flight was overbooked in WT, so I`m wondering if the payment for seats in some way helped us up the priority list for upgrade.

Not sure how true it is but a similar thing happened to me - I'd paid to book the two seats in WT towards the rear of a 747 where it tapers (and they cost an arm and a leg!). But we were upgraded to WTP at the gate - which was nice!It was Christmas though and we had spent 20 minutes listening to a lot of people complaining about almost missing out on seats. I was told on here that priority is given to Executive club and to people who have paid for seat allocation. I generally prefer to pay so me and the wife can sit together but have noticed the price is starting to rocket...

[GROUNDHOG]

We normally fly club but have booked WTP and paid for seat selection to YVR, have no problem with that, if we were not bothered where we sat then we do not have to pay the premium.

Unfortunately with BA you cannot see the seat map until after you have booked so on the o/b there were only two seats in the middle of the cabin left, not what we wanted. Booked though just in case the situation doesn't change.

Lady Groundhog, bronze card, can get a look 7 days before departure. Does the 'pre bookable' allocation change, is it worth checking every day or should we wait till minus seven days?

Thanks

[mixture]

Unfortunately with BA you cannot see the seat map until after you have booked so on the o/b thereYes you can. During the booking process I'm pretty much certain there is an button on the form that takes you to somewhere where you can choose your seats.... before finalising your booking.

Just like this, I visited ba.com, didn't login to my account, just started going through the standard booking process....




http://s3.postimg.org/nuu2q0xcj/BA_SCREEN.png






Lady Groundhog, bronze card, can get a look 7 days before departure. Does the 'pre bookable' allocation change, is it worth checking every day or should we wait till minus seven days?Yes it changes... fewer seats become available for you to choose from as the aircraft fills up... :cool:

[GROUNDHOG]

Thanks, wait until 7 days before then, perhaps some classes of seat can be viewed before confirming on certain routes but the last three or four times we have booked you could not view the seat map without having a locator first.

All our flights have been long haul though, mostly YVR, BA is still our airline of choice despite this plus the squillion or so AVIOS we have earned to date never seem to be available for use on the flights we want!

[Peter47]

Policies vary by airline- KLM let me reserve a seat to AMS (on a rock bottom fare). Cathay let me reserve seats on discount fare but not deep discount fare. Is there a website that gives the policies of various airlines and what it costs to book a seat?

[Peter47]

I see that BA have changed their policy on cheap short haul fares. I don't know if the system will be optimised to allocate a centre seat towards the rear with the hope that the customer pays extra for a better one (hopefully not). To me it is moving in the direction of LCCs and whilst I am happy to pay a small premium for the extra comfort of a legacy carrier, with the likes of easyJet moving upmarket this is harder to justify if the product is downgraded. What do others think?

From the BA website
ummary
On 26 March 2015 we are changing how you choose your seat on hand baggage only fares. For bookings made on or after this date, we will allocate you a seat when you check-in. Should you wish to change this seat, you'll be able to do so for a fee.
This change applies only to new bookings made on or after 26 March 2015. Any hand baggage only booking made before this date will still include free seat selection at check-in, even if the travel date is after this time.
More information
Hand baggage only are still our best value fares on shorthaul flights. They include the same great British Airways service, a generous hand baggage allowance, free check-in and complimentary drinks and snacks all at a great low price. Checked baggage can be added as an optional extra, and from 26 March seat selection will also be extra.
We know that many of our customers want to take only hand baggage with them and have no specific seating requirement and this change means we can continue to provide the lowest and most competitive fares. For those customers who do have specific seating requirements, other fare options are available and seat selection will be an optional extra.
How does this change affect me?


Existing hand baggage only bookings - if you have an existing hand baggage only booking, or make a hand baggage only booking before 26 March, this change does not apply to you. You will still be able to choose your seat for free when you check-in, even if you are travelling after 26 March.
Executive Club Members - for new bookings made on or after 26 March, seating benefits for Executive Club Members will apply to with baggage fares only. For hand baggage only fares, Executive Club Members of all tiers will be allocated a seat when they check-in and be able to choose an alternative seat for a fee.
Families - if you are travelling with an infant (under 2 years) you'll continue to be able to choose your seats for free at any time. If you're travelling with children (between 2 and 11 years), we'll allocate you seats a few days before departure. We'll aim to seat you together, but if this isn't possible children will at least be seated with one adult in the booking.
Customers with special assistance needs - if you require assistance because of a disability, please call us and we'll help you find the best seat to suit you for free, just as we do today.

[mixture]

with the likes of easyJet moving upmarket this is harder to justify if the product is downgraded. What do others think?

(a) Easyjet et al. are not "moving upmarket", their business model simply doesn't permit it. And with Easyjet in particular, the strategy remains cost-cutting through the easyJet Lean programme and market position building on their top 100 routes (something like 75% of their capacity is at airports where they are either no 1 or 2).

(b) There is the little issue of weight & balance to consider if its a quiet flight or you're booking early....that's why the computer tries to fill up the aircraft from the rear.

If you prefer the legacy carriers, then you'll just have to work harder to get status, then you can get free seat allocation at the time of booking. :E

[ExXB]

On competitive routes, LON (all airports) - GVA, for example the prices are all about the same be it LX or U2, BA etc. The network airlines offer a little more on board, but really not enough to make a difference.

The choices are really 'airport' and then Terminal if you are flying to LGW/LHR. We have found that if we are travelling to the West of London, BRS is often a better choice as you don't spend as much time fiddling around and getting out of the airport. Total journey time can be an hour less!