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How long to receive a "seating refund"?

Posted by (Toronto) on

We booked premium economy seats with British Airways ("World Traveller Plus" in BASpeak) in August but at check-in time we were bumped to plain economy ("Sorry. We overbooked."). That was August 17.
What's a typical waiting time to have this resolved? I applied on September 5. Answers specific to BA are preferred, but any advice is welcome.

On side note: I am AMAZED that I have to APPLY (beg?) for a refund when BA made the change (not me). Is this typical?
It seems that it would be a simple computer transaction: (price of booked seats) - (price of actual seats) = amount of refund. Your check is in the mail. But no. Any insights?
Thanks.

Posted by
16068 posts

As Covid was begining, I canceled a flight and BA refunded the fare. It took a couple of months more before I saw the fare refund. They are two separate things.

Posted by
7804 posts

That’s disconcerting, Len44. So the flight was determined to be “overbooked.”. How come you got downgraded, and not some other ticket? And BA stalling on getting you paid the difference ?!?

Any chance you could request extra Avios for the problems you’ve experienced, for a situation they caused?

This summer, we were unexpectedly upgraded from basic World Traveller to World Traveller Plus, no charge. The food and ambience are clearly better than the cheapest seats, but now having experienced it, I wouldn’t pay that much extra. The overstuffed seats weren’t actually an improvement, nor the footrests. They should be paying you the difference, ASAP. Whether that happens promptly, I can only guess. Again, asking nicely for some additional Avios, that’s the least they should give you (besides the money you paid in good faith) under the circumstances. Best of luck for a speedy resolution!

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