Please remember that BA has to gain ancillary revenue just like all the other airlines ... specifically thinking of the LoCos which compete on certain routes with legacy carriers. That can easily be seen by BOB, baggage charges for both hold and cabin and seat reservations. It is not just a BA thing for the price of seat reservation to increase as the flying date draws near ... and realistically this charge and baggage charges should be mentally (if not arithmetically) factored in when booking a ticket. It's not just the headline price that you'll be paying ... so Gordon, whilst I understand your indignation at the rise in seat reservation prices, I think you have to accept that this is becoming more and more common.