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British Airlines Charges extra to reserve seats

Orange, California
Level Contributor
4 posts
113 reviews
62 helpful votes
British Airlines Charges extra to reserve seats
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I am a seasoned business traveler and bought Business Class tickets on British Airways online. After paying with credit card, I thought I would be able to confirm seats on-line. Unfortunately, BA did not make it known at time of purchase that they charge an extra $125 fee per seat for reserving seats on line after your credit card is charged. I called customer service but there response was in essence "too bad."

Seattle, Washington
Level Contributor
10,856 posts
86 reviews
212 helpful votes
1. Re: British Airlines Charges extra to reserve seats
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Are you kidding?

You've had to pay for advance seat selection since 2009:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8274200.stm

Edited: 8 years ago
Orange, California
Level Contributor
4 posts
113 reviews
62 helpful votes
2. Re: British Airlines Charges extra to reserve seats
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Hi,

I was shocked when after they charged my credit card for my airfare, that another screen came up to select seats and they were charging $125 per seat. No where in the online booking screen(s) did British Airways state I could not select my seats at the time of on-line booking. Apparently, you can only select seats 24 hours in advance. I paid almost $4500 per ticket to go to Europe on Business Class with BA. I feel taken advantaged of :(

Edinburgh, United...
Level Contributor
18,178 posts
13 reviews
6 helpful votes
3. Re: British Airlines Charges extra to reserve seats
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You can pick your seat free of charge when online check-in opens. There's probably a dozen threads about BA's seat selection policy in here already, we really don't need another one.

Surbiton, United...
Level Contributor
1,635 posts
87 reviews
77 helpful votes
4. Re: British Airlines Charges extra to reserve seats
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Wait until he discovers that the Pope is Catholic

Edinburgh, United...
Level Contributor
18,178 posts
13 reviews
6 helpful votes
5. Re: British Airlines Charges extra to reserve seats
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"I feel taken advantaged of :("

Then cancel your flights and book with someone else. Tickets are fully refundable for 24 hours.

Vancouver, Canada
Destination Expert
for London
Level Contributor
71,210 posts
11 reviews
89 helpful votes
6. Re: British Airlines Charges extra to reserve seats
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'No where in the online booking screen(s) did British Airways state I could not select my seats at the time of on-line booking.' The option for seat selection is given to those making bookings before the payment page. It's quite clear, boxed text on the page, with links about the option for some pax to pay for seat selection.

Having said that, as with other airlines, paying for advance seat selection is **optional**.. If you are flying from LAX to LHR then there are 104 seats in the Club World cabin from which to choose, and not all of them will be taken before OLCI opens. Ensure you are at your computer at T-23.59.59 to get the best choice of seats at OLCI and enjoy flying in Club World. Alternately, pay for seat selection now and again concentrate on the journey.

Falkirk, Scotland
Level Contributor
169 posts
60 reviews
59 helpful votes
7. Re: British Airlines Charges extra to reserve seats
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As you presumably don't travel regularly with BA, you might find this link useful. Its the page on the BA website that sets out seating policy and pricing. As you will notice, many BA customers do not need to pay to choose seats in advance

https://www.britishairways.com/en-gb/information/seating/choosing-your-seat

It would benefit you to join the BA Executive Club if you plan to use BA in the future - you don't need many flights in business to earn enough tier points to get free seat selection.

Brighton, United...
Level Contributor
175 posts
20 reviews
24 helpful votes
8. Re: British Airlines Charges extra to reserve seats
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" no where did it state I could not select my seats"

Actually no where does it state that it is free either. And which airline are you travelling on ?

There are many British Airlines, British Airways being one of them.

Liverpool, UK
Level Contributor
34,041 posts
35 reviews
22 helpful votes
9. Re: British Airlines Charges extra to reserve seats
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You made an assumption about their seating policy - you should have checked the policy before booking.

You can find the BA policy with 2 clicks from the home page.

San Francisco...
Level Contributor
60,973 posts
137 reviews
119 helpful votes
10. Re: British Airlines Charges extra to reserve seats
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I think it is rather unusual for any carrier to charge for pre-selection of seats in Business Class and I have not seen any other carrier charge that. Perhaps someone does know of another mainstream carrier.

But OP there is language out there on BA's site that there is a charge to pre-book your seat and as mentioned you can get one 24 hours in advance.

Many folks who have not used BA may be surprised . So you are not the only one from the US who is surprised.

Edited: 8 years ago
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