Seat Reservation Fee [in Club on BA]

[realestate]

My wife and I are travelling in J on BA from London to Hong Kong next January using points.
Much to my surprise, BA charges $115 each to reserve seats at this time. They advised me that there is no charge if reserving 24 hours or less prior to the flight but but of course, could not guarantee that we would be seated together at that late stage.
I understand there are exceptions for fully flexible fares and for high status members who are not charged a fee.
Have other members struck this with BA or other airlines. Or is it a BA penalty for using QFF points on their flights?

 

[opusman]

Seat reservation fees are not that uncommon these days, although I'm surprised BA charge them for J - normally it's only Y.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

While it's more common these days for airlines to charge to reserve seats for economy class (unless an Elite freq flyer) BA are the only airline I know of who charge pax to pre-allocate seats in a premium cabin.

Even if you do OLCI at T-24 you'd be unlikely to score 2 seats on the side ie window & aisle together AB & JK seats, so you'd proably end up with either a DE or FG seat pair in the centre section of 4 seats.

It's up to you to decide whether paying AUD115.00 pp is worth it to secure two seats together on their own as opposed to not paying the fee then being satisfied with what is available to you either when you OLCI at T-24 or leave it until you arrive at the airport.

 

[serfty]

Seat reservation fees are not that uncommon these days, although I'm surprised BA charge them for J - normally it's only Y.

Unless full "J" (Not D or I for example), BA have been charging for years.

If realestate has oneworld emerald or sapphire status they can avoid payment in selecting a seat now.

oneworld Ruby can select a seat free of charge 7 days before the flight.

British Airways' Speedbird Club: Seating Policy