BA launched what they refer to on their website as their ‘ Enhanced seating policy’. This allows passengers to pay between £10 & £60 to choose their seat in advance. Only time will tell what percentage of people take them up on this, and if it will generate a much-needed increase in revenue. It made me question whether hotels could cleverly adopt a similar policy. Of course many hotels also charge more for sea view / river view rooms etc, but never allow the customer to choose a specific room. I know that rooming lists tend to only be done on the day, but surely we can be cleverer than that? Frequent business travellers inevitably end up with favourite rooms in hotels, or rooms in certain parts of the hotel. I have a feeeling that many of these would pay a supplement to gurantee their favourite room, just as BA are counting on passengers wanting to gurantee their favourite seat.

At a time when business is tough, this could generate incremental revenue and become another valuable revenue management tool.

Other posts of interest:

1. QHotels launches corporate rooms
2. How can we reach the lonely?
3. Reputation Managers Wanted!