Get 75% Off BA Seat Selection Using Avios

British Airways has recently launched a special offer for anyone using Avios to pay for their BA seat selection fees. Normally this is terrible value (typically around 0.5p per Avios) but BA’s latest promotion is very aggressive getting you almost 2p per Avios. If you would typically lean towards reserving seats you may find this offer useful. It is only valid until TOMORROW (Friday 30th July.)

Should I pay for BA Seat Selection?

In most circumstances, no. Our experience suggests paying for seat selection is rarely worthwhile. Unlike budget carriers, you aren’t purposely split up from the rest of your group to force you to pay. Plus if you are travelling with children they should wherever possible be seated in the same row as you according to the UK Civil Aviation Authority.

If you are travelling in Business Class you have your own dedicated space anyway, so is it really worth £100s of pounds just to sit near each other? Particularly if you are flying in BA’s new Club Suite ALL seats have direct aisle access with private doors. You’d be better off spending your £100s on transfers, a meal or something that is going to add to your holiday experience!

However, there are some circumstances that we may consider paying for BA Seat Selection…

1. If we are flying Economy and can reserve a seat in an exit row for extra leg room
2. When flying to an Airport where immigration is very slow. Sitting towards the front can ensure you are towards the front of the queue.
3. If we want to guarantee a food selection without reserving a special meal in Business Class.
4. Avoiding the middle seat as a solo traveller.

How much value will I get using?

As we alluded to earlier you will get almost 2p per Avios point under this offer. Here is an example from our Business Class flight to the Maldives.

2 seat reservations cost £196 or 10,440 Avios. If we divide the cost of £196 by 10,440 we get 0.01877 (1.877p) you will find all your seat reservations giving you a similar value per Avios point.

Things to note when using Avios for 75% off BA Seat Selection

1. This special offer isn’t available when booking a flight. It’s only availiable if you are adding seat selection to an EXISTING booking. To get around this book your flight without any seat reservations then go into Manage my booking to add your BA seat selection afterwards.
2. If you cancel your flight e.g. due to COVID restrictions etc you LOSE your money/Avios for seat reservations. Regardless of if you get the money back for the flight. The only way you will get your seat selection cash/Avios back is if BA cancels your flight OR you take a Future Travel Voucher over a refund. But with the later your money/Avios is ringfenced for future seat selections only.

Conclusion

If you are tempted to pay for your BA seat selection then this offer to use Avios is about as good as they come! Receiving almost 2p worth of value per point is very worthwhile (if you’d pay cash for your seat reservation) as we only value Avios at 1p.