BA Gold query for new Gold member

[hugo r]

Just got BA gold status , just a question about perks

Going to dxb in economy in sep with the other half , seating is 3-3-3 .. understand we can do seating free due to status .. if we book the 3 seats in the middle , is it true BA block 1 of the seats for being gold if it’s not full.. so if we book D and F will E be blocked , if so is that straight away or on the day ? Or am I completely wrong

[BA Flyer IHG Stayer]

If they do the. It won’t happen until a couple of days before departure or even on the day as it all depends on loads so it’s not guaranteed to happen.

Select the seats you want to sit in and don’t try to engineer a free middle seat.

[dougzz99]

Theoretical Seating, yes seat next to Gold is blocked. But it get unblocked for a lot of reasons, it’s nice, but don’t rely on it. As BA Flyer says, book what you want, don’t try to engineer empty middle. That empty middle gets taken and someone sits there and doesn’t want to swap, you’ll wonder why you didn’t just book two together.

The better the seats you choose , say bulkhead, the less chance the seat stays empty.

[Jill Kinkell]

I’m Gold and always get someone sitting beside me. Never had the ‘vacant seat’ scenario.

[George K]

There should be some 2-3-2 seats at the back – at least one row, if it’s a 787 variant. I’d go for those seats, as opposed to rely on theoretical seating. I’d say you’re very welcome to try creating a gap due to status, but if someone does end up sitting right between you (which mostly happens if the flight is full) you’ll have to put up with it graciously (or, very politely explore whether they’d be willing to swap their middle seat for an aisle/window – the answer might be no). The rule of thumb is that if you want to seat together, then you should book together. No games.

[hugo r]

Thanks for advice , my membership upgraded yesterday this morning when trying to book seats on my existing booking it’s saying there is a charge , I thought it was free (all seats showing chargeable )

[BA Flyer IHG Stayer]

Give it a couple of more days for,it to filter through the system and try again,

[Niall]

While you can’t rely on the free seat beside gold, you’d be mad not to put the gold card holder in the middle of 3 seats. May be stating the obvious!

[Rob]

Niall wrote:

While you can’t rely on the free seat beside gold, you’d be mad not to put the gold card holder in the middle of 3 seats. May be stating the obvious!

Smart thinking.

[supermac]

I’m Gold and of my 5 short haul bookings this summer one seat next to me is blocked off on one flight according to Expert Flyer.