British Airways adds new holding fee benefit

Cape Town - British Airways says it is making it easier for its South African customers to get the best deals on international flights. 
 
The airline announced in a press release that customers looking at flights on ba.com could now pay the equivalent of £10 (about R180) to hold long-haul reservations for up to 72 hours.

The new service gives passengers the chance to " make sure they’re happy with their flight choices before paying" the airline said.
 
If within 72 hours customers want to pay for their flights, the hold deposit is refunded and the ticket can be bought. 
 
Drew Crawley, British Airways’ chief commercial officer, said: “There’s nothing more frustrating than seeing a great flight price but not being able to book it straight away, either because you may need to get the time off work or check it’s ok with family or friends – then coming back and finding there are no seats left or the price has changed.
 
“Now customers can see the price, hold their seats and be sure that’s all they’ll pay, up to three days later.
 
“Feedback from customers means we are confident that this reassurance will prove very popular and give them the time to book the flights they want and give certainty that they have a great deal.”
 
Only one person’s name is needed to hold the flights. The name of everyone travelling can be added within 72 hours of the booking being held. Seats can be held up to 21 days before departure.
 
The airline is also offering South Africans booking Club World (business class) tickets to London and Europe before 30 September the chance to upgrade to First on one leg of the journey at no additional cost. The offer is available on all flights to London from Cape Town and Johannesburg.