Hold that last British Airways seat for just £5

Posted on August 21st, 2014. Written by bookingbusinesstravel.

One major drawback of booking flights online rather than via a travel agent has been the necessity to book and pay at the same time, all in one transaction. If only one seat is left, you’d have no alternative but to book it immediately. And many low fares are not refundable so you’d lose out should your travelers’ plans change.

Alternatively, travel agents have been able to hold a reservation without any commitment on your part. Some fares only allow seats to be held for one day but most allow this for 3 days or longer, before tickets have to be issued.

British Airways now allow you to hold short-haul bookings for £5 per person and long-haul for £10 per person when booking online. The deposit is deducted from the balance payment. If you do not make the balance payment, you only lose the deposit.

Travel agents can still offer additional benefits though:

Some agents, especially “business travel” agents, will hold seats for you without requiring a deposit, so you have nothing to lose if plans do not materialise

If cheaper seats become available between reservation and ticket date, the agent can re-book at the lower fare and reduce the price you pay. (Naturally, if you’re sure you have already found the lowest possible fare on those flights then that will not happen).

You will however incur a “booking fee” on top of the air fare as travel agents do not earn commission from British Airways

You have to decide whether the travel agent service is worth the additional booking fee and this may change according to the circumstances of each trip.

We think the deposit scheme will be of benefit in some situations.

For more information and terms and conditions visit the British Airways page here.

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