Page 1 of 1

Booking reward flight for unborn baby

PostPosted: 07 Aug 2018, 10:32
by mrsw
Hi guys, it's been a while since I've flown with VS/posted on v-flyer. Hope everyone is keeping well.

So I've got a bun in the oven, hopefully ready to come out in a few weeks' time :-D I tried putting some reward tickets on hold this morning for next year, and wanted to check a few things with you knowledgeable bunch (as I think the agent was wrong):
1) Can I add an infant with no birthday or confirmed name yet to a booking, or does it need to be done only after she is here? Agent said it needs to be the latter.
2) Does there need to be a reward seat available if I were to use miles? Agent said yes though website disagrees (but I can't use the website as the infant doesn't have a name confirmed yet). I'm not overly keen on booking the tickets for adults now and then pay the cash fare (quoted at almost £300 - I'd much rather pay the 2k plus taxes, though agent quoted 4.5k).

Thank you in advance! In the meantime, I shall also familiarised myself with a thread from a while ago created by NYLON re tips on flying with infants :cool:

Re: Booking reward flight for unborn baby

PostPosted: 07 Aug 2018, 10:40
by mrsw
Ahh just called back and spoke to another agent, who for point 2) said no need for mileage ticket to be available for lap infant, and also quoted 2000 miles per sector, which is in line with what the website suggests. I'm hoping that she's right, but would appreciate anyone who can confirm. Many thanks.

Re: Booking reward flight for unborn baby

PostPosted: 07 Aug 2018, 16:15
by tontybear
There would only need to be a reward seat available if you wanted the baby to have its own seat.

As a lap child there dosen't as they are sitting on you!

Re: Booking reward flight for unborn baby

PostPosted: 07 Aug 2018, 16:20
by mrsw
Thank you Tonty - that's what I thought, but when I double checked with the first agent (very politely), he said he was 100% sure so I didn't want to push it.

As always, the calling back technique gave a different answer but I take more reassurance from confirmation from fellow v-flyers :-D

Re: Booking reward flight for unborn baby

PostPosted: 07 Aug 2018, 16:45
by matt.hibb
I agree there definitely does NOT need to be another reward seat available for a lap infant. Done this twice in the last year/18 months or so.

The 1 sticking point is the ability to use additional miles to add an infant to a reward booking. Last time I tried I was told this had changed after the DL IT merge and that the only option was to pay a percentage of an adult cash fare. For us this was about £300 or something, so a bit steep for someone that weighs less than a stone, takes up no additional space and consumes nothing.

Re: Booking reward flight for unborn baby

PostPosted: 07 Aug 2018, 17:10
by inkiboo
Did this with my 2nd daughter when she was five weeks old. Call up when born, pay very little miles, and all sorted.

Re: Booking reward flight for unborn baby

PostPosted: 07 Aug 2018, 17:23
by mrsw
Thank you guys.
@Matt - I recalled coming across an article on HFP on this, and have dug it out after my confusing calls. Looks like this was an issue for over a year since the website relaunch, but has now been fixed. https://www.headforpoints.com/2018/04/1 ... t-tickets/