Plane Swap Seat Refund

[Tristoph]

Hi, I’m booked on a Gatwick to JFK Business Class return in September. When I booked it was the old style, so I paid for a seat on the return flight as I need to sleep & wanted the seat that doesn’t require stepping over.

I’ve seen they’ve changed to the new business class for both flights, so requested a refund for the paid seat allocation.

However they’re saying I can’t as I’ve still got the same seat (4K), even though the one I booked was rear-facing & obviously the new one isn’t.

Surely I should be able to get a refund as it’s actually a completely different seat?! I would never pay to select a Club Suite seat as I don’t have a strong preference & get free selection a week before.

The agent is adamant that you’re paying for a seat number rather than a specific seat, so if they change the plane as long as the seat number is the same they won’t refund. Is there any chance of me succeeding here

Also does this mean they’re finally changing Gatwick business class, or am just exceeding lucky?!

[NorthernLass]

I would check the exact wording of the terms then maybe HUACA. Unless it specifies that the same seat number is considered to be the same seat, I would push with this because what the agent says doesn’t really make sense.
For example, you could have paid a premium for an exit row seat, and an equipment change might mean that that seat number was no longer in an exit row. So you would have paid a higher price for a standard seat.
Also – isn’t there a form for requesting this kind of refund; have you submitted that?

I don’t think even BA would try to get away with this!

[Man of Kent]

There is a refund request on the website but I think you will have more chance after the flight as there is always the possibility you get swapped back.

[AndrewT]

I think the correct answer is actually somewhere in the middle of the suggestions so far. You are paying for a type of seat: aisle, window, exit etc, plus sitting together where applicable. While important to many I doubt if ‘not stepping over’ is a recognised feature, nor is rear facing.

Unfortunately the fact that you wouldn’t have paid if it was CS initially is not going to help you. If you still have the same type of seat then I think the no refund line is correct, but certainly worth trying again as I can see scope for different interpretations.

And no it doesn’t mean LGW aircraft are getting CS, there are some planned maintenance swaps in the pipeline.