VS012 BOS-LHR 21 Nov 08 (PE)

This is a Trip Report from the Premium Economy cabin

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Having booked seats in PE S Class planning to use miles to upgrade to G, seats were never (as far as I could tell) released. I do now officially object to having to book a ticket at a much higher cost just in order to get a miles upgrade--especially when none are on offer. I know I could pay the difference in the eventuality but that's pretty risky in terms of cost.

Seatmap also unavailable for a good two weeks prior to day and was not surprised to find ours had been shifted. Had hoped to be able to at least get bulkhead but mysteriously (no babies in them) they were spoken for before on line check in was open. New assignment at back of PE but fullseat recline actually made this not terrible, especially as screaming baby in orginally assigned seat was well, screaming.

Also mysteriously--6 gate UC opups (I watched) were handed out to very surprised (and well pleased) mix of Y and PE pax. Not begrudging that but curious why we were unable to secure same seats with miles. Gate crew seemed to be newish with the exception of one very regular senior staff member who marched in at zenith hour and took charge of boarding.

Still--short flight so no worries except for very poor video screen resolution and viewing choice on this A320-300. No dedicated toilets either so had to go back to Y. I do understand that these smaller aircraft are geared to pax load but the experience is so different from the newer fleet it seems a bit of a penalty to have to pay the same for such a very different offer. Arrived half hour ahead of schedule, right into berth and off. Bags off quickly and on M25 within the hour.

Crew were pleasant enough, attention not very different from Y experience and quite frankly would not again book PE on the 320-300 as opposed to Y as not really worth the additonal expense. Seems a lot for a foot rest.

[:(]

RR

[Scrooge]

I could not agree more, I had the same thoughts a couple of years back when I was looking to book seats ex LAX, 'buy an S and maybe G's will open up'.....mmmm sure they sometimes do, but no thanks, I will fly club, of course I kept checking, but G's were never released.

That is one thing that I really do like about BA and hate about VS.

MMMM me thinks something for the gold member benefits, upgrade from a lower fare bracket ?

[Neil]

Thanks for the TR

I have a slightly different view. I can't see the point of buying a S on the off chance a G might open up. Surely you only buy S (for mileage upgrade purposes) if there is a G already there? Buy a K and *if* an S opens up then pay the difference then.

Did you ask at check in about upgrading to J? If seats were available then this is usually a good time to try to upgrade with miles, especially if they knew they were oversold in Y/W and would have to do op-ups.

Re the bulkheads already been allocated, what often happens is that they aren't released and the agent needs to ring to get them released, to them they just look taken but with a bit of gentle pressure they usually realise and get them sorted.

Neil

Thanks for the TR![y]

quote:Originally posted by Neil
Thanks for the TR

I have a slightly different view. I can't see the point of buying a S on the off chance a G might open up. Surely you only buy S (for mileage upgrade purposes) if there is a G already there? Buy a K and *if* an S opens up then pay the difference then.

Did you ask at check in about upgrading to J? If seats were available then this is usually a good time to try to upgrade with miles, especially if they knew they were oversold in Y/W and would have to do op-ups.

Re the bulkheads already been allocated, what often happens is that they aren't released and the agent needs to ring to get them released, to them they just look taken but with a bit of gentle pressure they usually realise and get them sorted.

Neil


Thanks for this. I do agree that booking K and seeing if a G seat opens is the best route but a: I have never had a problem booking a G seat from Boston until now (although have elsewhere) and B: often the price of the S ticket escalates as demand increases for PE and UC on a particular flight--so paying the dif between K and S at last minute can be huge.

Still--I do plan to follow yr suggestion in future, especially if there is a new reluctance on the part of VS to release G seats from BOS. I'm not too bothered about using the airmiles to upgrade as usually have a generous amount and UC is still the best way to fly but was told at check in that this was not a choice.

Re bulkheads: I did enquire about them at check in--the agent called in a supervisor to advise and he said there were none available. End of story.

thanks. meg[:(]