BA to charge for seat selection
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I'm a gold card holder with BA, and do a lot of long haul sectors each year with them. I always pre-select a seat,wasn't one of the benefits of being a "valued" frequent flyer first choice on the seat selection? Does this mean that now in addition to paying a premium for flying BA I have to stump up additional cash to get the seat I want?
Join Date: Jul 1998
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It is always worrying when the criteria for getting the exit row seat is simply whether you are willing to pay extra for it.
Surely the criteria should be: You can sit in the exit row if you are prepared to pay the £50 surcharge AND are willing and able to operate the emergency door and follow the directions of crew members should you be required to do so in an emergency.
I have been flying with BA for more than 20 years and have experienced their service levels in all cabins and up until recently I had never considered switching loyalties to another carrier.
They still have some of the best ground and on-board staff in the business but in recent years I have noticed that they also seem to have some of the worst.
On a recent flight to HKG I approached the empty business class check in for my WTP flight - one of the supposed benefits of being a silver executive club member.
At this point the check in agent usually smiles, says hello, and processes the information in a friendly manner. This particular agent just pointed in vaguely in front of her and said: "Why don't you use the machine?"
As a loyal customer this is irritating to say the least.
Sadly this is just another example of BA trying to make money in the short term and not realising (or caring) that it will irritate many of its loyal and high spending customers.
Charging £120 quid to reserve your round trip business class seat at time of booking is downright insulting.
Expect more of these no-frills like, add-on stealth charges to follow in the months ahead.
If you offer great service then many people will happily pay a premium to enjoy that service.
However if you charge a premium to begin with and then expect your customers to pay lo-co like add-ons then many people will begin to question just what they are actully paying the premium on in the first place.
BA want high spending passengers to join their executive club to gain customer loyalty, but charges like this will surely have the opposite effect.
This is a very bad move indeed.
P.
Surely the criteria should be: You can sit in the exit row if you are prepared to pay the £50 surcharge AND are willing and able to operate the emergency door and follow the directions of crew members should you be required to do so in an emergency.
I have been flying with BA for more than 20 years and have experienced their service levels in all cabins and up until recently I had never considered switching loyalties to another carrier.
They still have some of the best ground and on-board staff in the business but in recent years I have noticed that they also seem to have some of the worst.
On a recent flight to HKG I approached the empty business class check in for my WTP flight - one of the supposed benefits of being a silver executive club member.
At this point the check in agent usually smiles, says hello, and processes the information in a friendly manner. This particular agent just pointed in vaguely in front of her and said: "Why don't you use the machine?"
As a loyal customer this is irritating to say the least.
Sadly this is just another example of BA trying to make money in the short term and not realising (or caring) that it will irritate many of its loyal and high spending customers.
Charging £120 quid to reserve your round trip business class seat at time of booking is downright insulting.
Expect more of these no-frills like, add-on stealth charges to follow in the months ahead.
If you offer great service then many people will happily pay a premium to enjoy that service.
However if you charge a premium to begin with and then expect your customers to pay lo-co like add-ons then many people will begin to question just what they are actully paying the premium on in the first place.
BA want high spending passengers to join their executive club to gain customer loyalty, but charges like this will surely have the opposite effect.
This is a very bad move indeed.
P.
Join Date: Jan 2003
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I rarely contribute to these forums but I've got to say I'm disgusted with this change.
BA are a premuim alirline and although i don't fly that often, I choose BA as they offer a no hassle exeprience. I don't want the easy jet style of service, I pay for booking a ticket, knowing I'll get a good service, decent meals etc etc.
I feel compelled to write to the executive club and voice by annoyance at this. BA should not go the easy jet / Ryanair business model, the way they operate now is how things should be (always was in the past).
I know times are tough for the airline, noone is going to deny that, but this will I'm sure drive away customers. I'm sure people will consider others instead now whereas in the past they might not have. Example might be LHR to HKG where Cathay (which I do find to be an excellent airline) would now be considered an option.
BA are a premuim alirline and although i don't fly that often, I choose BA as they offer a no hassle exeprience. I don't want the easy jet style of service, I pay for booking a ticket, knowing I'll get a good service, decent meals etc etc.
I feel compelled to write to the executive club and voice by annoyance at this. BA should not go the easy jet / Ryanair business model, the way they operate now is how things should be (always was in the past).
I know times are tough for the airline, noone is going to deny that, but this will I'm sure drive away customers. I'm sure people will consider others instead now whereas in the past they might not have. Example might be LHR to HKG where Cathay (which I do find to be an excellent airline) would now be considered an option.
Nemo Me Impune Lacessit
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Pedant Mode ON:
ZFT - Wasn't it BCAL whose saying was, "We always remember you have a choice"?
Pedant Mode OFF.
I seem to remember BA were too busy telling everyone that they were "The World's Favourite Airline"...................... yeah, right!
ZFT - Wasn't it BCAL whose saying was, "We always remember you have a choice"?
Pedant Mode OFF.
I seem to remember BA were too busy telling everyone that they were "The World's Favourite Airline"...................... yeah, right!
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Originally Posted by parabellum
I seem to remember BA were too busy telling everyone that they were "The World's Favourite Airline"...................... yeah, right!
Join Date: Nov 2006
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Funny how when Irish men take over the running of airlines, the service levels drop off totally! I'll give it 2 months untill Buy on Board is introduced on Short haul......BA Connect is back!
"Upgrade to BA" ???? More like pay to get ripped off by a paddy!
"Upgrade to BA" ???? More like pay to get ripped off by a paddy!
'nough said
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Going to Florida with the kids in December and just wanted to congratulate BA on upsetting me so far in advance with these new charges. Add the fact that they do not automatically seat parents with their children and it's looking like a fun trip already.
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OK then enough knee jeck reactions.
As far as I can see this is an extra.
If you are a gold or silver you have always been able to reserve your seat at the time of booking, one of the perks.
Normal people could only reserve 24 hours in advance when checking in on line.
So no change there then.
Mrs J still flys BA back and forth across the pond despite AA being the prefered choice by the company she works for.
She has flown with other airlines but believes that BA still have the best CC but they seem to have lots of delays on the Boston route (not unusual to be well over an hour late!!).
As far as I can see this is an extra.
If you are a gold or silver you have always been able to reserve your seat at the time of booking, one of the perks.
Normal people could only reserve 24 hours in advance when checking in on line.
So no change there then.
Mrs J still flys BA back and forth across the pond despite AA being the prefered choice by the company she works for.
She has flown with other airlines but believes that BA still have the best CC but they seem to have lots of delays on the Boston route (not unusual to be well over an hour late!!).
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but they seem to have lots of delays on the Boston route (not unusual to be well over an hour late!!).
As for knee jerk, WW is testing the water bit by bit before bringing in more LOCO practices. As I said earlier, buy on board is only round the corner! Aer Lingus and Iberia, both Oneworld members went that way a while ago!
BA used to stand for service and was something Britain could be proud of. Something that was a treat when you travelled with them. Now?? Well just queue up, suffer a cabin crew strike, and be given no food......that you paid for in you fare! Be delayed when flying from LGW, because they are trying to compete with Easy and can't keep up! and be shafted by Aviance when flying on domestic, because they are underpaid and trained and have 'nt got a clue what they are doing. I once witnessed a captain, tear up the 3rd loadsheet she was given by the young dispatcher at MAN, and did a manual one herself. It always seems to be the same these days. Knackered APU's and groundstaff that can't hook an aircraft up to Ground power even if it was their only function in life.
It boils down to this.......BA pay less and get less service as a result. The Passengers get delayed, annoyed and go elsewhere if there is a competitor on the route. Have fares gone down?? No, up infact in the last few years. LHR to JFK in the sale was £199 in 05. This year it was i believe £299. I can't quite remember but significantly upward. But since then, customer service levels have been chipped away at slowly.
BA's CC are the real reason I fly them on my hols. They seem to be the only ones left who know what service means!
I do hope BA survive and sort their act out!
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OK then enough knee jeck reactions.
As far as I can see this is an extra.
If you are a gold or silver you have always been able to reserve your seat at the time of booking, one of the perks.
Normal people could only reserve 24 hours in advance when checking in on line.
As far as I can see this is an extra.
If you are a gold or silver you have always been able to reserve your seat at the time of booking, one of the perks.
Normal people could only reserve 24 hours in advance when checking in on line.
Well, here's one customer who has just voted with his wallet.
I normally hate Continental.
After one flight in particular, I said "never again".
I used to fly with BA mainly.
However, on a forthcoming flight to TX next week they are both price competitive with BA and allow me to select my seat for free. I booked with the dreaded Continental this morning, having read BA's new rip-off policy.
On a flight to Aus in Jan 2010, Virgin have already allowed me to select my seat for free.
Bye-bye BA.
(Unless the Continental flight is tooooooo awful)
AO
I normally hate Continental.
After one flight in particular, I said "never again".
I used to fly with BA mainly.
However, on a forthcoming flight to TX next week they are both price competitive with BA and allow me to select my seat for free. I booked with the dreaded Continental this morning, having read BA's new rip-off policy.
On a flight to Aus in Jan 2010, Virgin have already allowed me to select my seat for free.
Bye-bye BA.
(Unless the Continental flight is tooooooo awful)
AO
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Whoever it was, does anyone else remember 'We'll take care of you' and the gorgeous Roz Hanby, the 'face' of BA?
As a frequent flyer at the time (young guy), I always hoped against hope to meet her on a flight.
Never did, though her colleagues were lovely, too.
As a frequent flyer at the time (young guy), I always hoped against hope to meet her on a flight.
Never did, though her colleagues were lovely, too.
Last edited by Final 3 Greens; 25th Sep 2009 at 14:32.
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BA to charge to reserve seat.
Being reported on the Gaurdian online that:
BA will charge people 'up to £60' to choose their
seats - has WW been reading MOL's book about
'profitable practical flying' again!
Would all Ryanair fans care to comment?
MM
BA will charge people 'up to £60' to choose their
seats - has WW been reading MOL's book about
'profitable practical flying' again!
Would all Ryanair fans care to comment?
MM
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"No, the charge is not applied to Gold Card holders. Given the understandable outrage by those affected, premium BA flyers might actually find request seats become more available."
Nothing suggests that it wont be applied to gold card customers.
I can't see seat requests becoming more available, at the moment I believe they release preferred seats closer to the flight time, if the other passengers are paying for this, then I cant see them holding back seats.
BA have already lost me on a flight that would have cost me a tad under £4k, I have another one to book to the USA, but since I am flying BA to Boston next week I think I will wait and see how that one goes before deciding.
Nothing suggests that it wont be applied to gold card customers.
I can't see seat requests becoming more available, at the moment I believe they release preferred seats closer to the flight time, if the other passengers are paying for this, then I cant see them holding back seats.
BA have already lost me on a flight that would have cost me a tad under £4k, I have another one to book to the USA, but since I am flying BA to Boston next week I think I will wait and see how that one goes before deciding.
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One of the outputs from the BOAC B707 "Whisky Echo" crash at Heathrow in 1968 was that children should be seated with parents. Best safety is not achieved by seating them on their own and it is not fair to adjacent non family adults that they should be expected to reduce their own chances of successful evacuation and survival by following most peoples' natural instincts to help any child in an emergency. As result all families were then pre-seated together as a matter of course. This is a safety issue and not just a commercial one around maximising revenue per flight.
For similar reasons an Easyjet Captain ex Bristol a few years ago, faced with an infant whose car seat did not fit the aircraft seat and whose mother was already holding a younger infant, refused to allow an adjacent passenger who had nothing to do with the family to agree to take the second infant on their knee even thought a seat belt extension was available. Right decision though not popular with the passenger or press at the time.
For similar reasons an Easyjet Captain ex Bristol a few years ago, faced with an infant whose car seat did not fit the aircraft seat and whose mother was already holding a younger infant, refused to allow an adjacent passenger who had nothing to do with the family to agree to take the second infant on their knee even thought a seat belt extension was available. Right decision though not popular with the passenger or press at the time.
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Jethrobee
This is taken from the press release and also the thrird or fourth post in this thread :
This is taken from the press release and also the thrird or fourth post in this thread :
Premier and Gold Executive Club members will be able to pre-book their seats for free in all cabins as they can today.
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Jethrobee
This is taken from the press release and also the thrird or fourth post in this thread :
Quote:
Premier and Gold Executive Club members will be able to pre-book their seats for free in all cabins as they can today.
Clearly this is an attempt by BA not to anger their most frequent fliers but it does nothing to win them a new generation of loyal customers, quite the opposite in fact.
Assume I am a potential frequent flier in business class with a choice of carriers but not yet in any loyalty scheme.
I fork out thousands of pounds with BA for my business class seat and have to pay another £60 for the privilege of choosing it there an then.
It is only if I am prepared to pay the fully flexible fare (ie the most expensive) that I can reserve my seat at the time of booking without paying this fee.
Thus the temptation is to seek out other carriers who don't have this charge and join their loyalty scheme.
A previous poster here has already booked with a rival airline on the back of this charge even though he expects a worse service than he might expect with BA.
Presumably BA will also soon be amending this section of their website booking page:
"Book with British Airways and you can rest assured that there won't be any extra charges for selecting a seat, checking your bag or having a drink on board.
And of course, you'll receive the quality of service you'd expect from our award-winning airline."
Not a great move from BA at all.
This is taken from the press release and also the thrird or fourth post in this thread :
Quote:
Premier and Gold Executive Club members will be able to pre-book their seats for free in all cabins as they can today.
Clearly this is an attempt by BA not to anger their most frequent fliers but it does nothing to win them a new generation of loyal customers, quite the opposite in fact.
Assume I am a potential frequent flier in business class with a choice of carriers but not yet in any loyalty scheme.
I fork out thousands of pounds with BA for my business class seat and have to pay another £60 for the privilege of choosing it there an then.
It is only if I am prepared to pay the fully flexible fare (ie the most expensive) that I can reserve my seat at the time of booking without paying this fee.
Thus the temptation is to seek out other carriers who don't have this charge and join their loyalty scheme.
A previous poster here has already booked with a rival airline on the back of this charge even though he expects a worse service than he might expect with BA.
Presumably BA will also soon be amending this section of their website booking page:
"Book with British Airways and you can rest assured that there won't be any extra charges for selecting a seat, checking your bag or having a drink on board.
And of course, you'll receive the quality of service you'd expect from our award-winning airline."
Not a great move from BA at all.
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Not a great move from BA at all.
Economy fares are however, a different matter.