Booking Infant Awards: Impressed with Avianca Call Center!
#46
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Washington DC
Programs: United, AA, Avianca
Posts: 249
So, theoretically if one has at least one segment of air canada, they can have the infant award issued by AC? Would you then be eligible for aeroplan's infant award fees (which is far generous than any other star alliance airline) as it is a flat fee? This is under the premise of an award issued by LM though w AC as carrier for at least one segment.
#47
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: SIN
Posts: 76
So, theoretically if one has at least one segment of air canada, they can have the infant award issued by AC? Would you then be eligible for aeroplan's infant award fees (which is far generous than any other star alliance airline) as it is a flat fee? This is under the premise of an award issued by LM though w AC as carrier for at least one segment.
http://www.aircanada.com/en/travelin...ant-child.html
#48
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: CDG
Programs: TK Elite
Posts: 1,607
Anyone have experience traveling with an infant using LM Award tickets?
Just wondering what the process is, obviously a 12 month old child shouldn't pay full price for an award since they don't effectively block a seat, what is the process? Do I need to contact the respective airline once tickets are issued and manually add the infant?
#54
Moderator: Avianca, Travel Photography, Travel Technology & USA
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Far western edge of the La-La Land City limits
Programs: Emeritus VIP Fromins Deli Encino grandfathered successor program - UA MM & HH Diamond
Posts: 3,720
I have merged a recent thread on the subject for housekeeping purposes, with one that has been around since the spring.
#55
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Colorado
Programs: Hilton Gold, Hyatt Platinum
Posts: 137
Hey All,
I just booked a trip using Lifemiles for an award ticket. I tried adding my lap child to the reservation via the call center and they said that it can't be done and I have to buy a full priced award ticket for the lap child. I made 4 different calls hoping it was just a HUACA situation.
Since my operating carrier is Lufthansa I tried calling their US reservation center (twice) to try and add the infant ticket directly, but they say that since it is an award ticket issued by Taca (202 stock) that they cannot do anything and I need to go through Lifemiles.
I'm not sure what to do at this point ... does anyone else have any experience with this situation? In reading this thread it seemed like it wasn't a big deal to add an infant to an award ticket but I seem to be running into some issues.
Thanks for any guidance
Drek
Update: I tried calling LifeMiles AGAIN thinking I would just cancel the reservation and book a third seat for my infant (and eat the extra cost), but thought since I was on the phone I would try one more time. This was my 5th call to LifeMiles. This time the agent didn't blink an eye and was able to book the infant award tickets without any hassle. The process they went through was to confirm my reservation, then send an email with the infant ticket which I had to wait to receive and confirm that all the information was correct. They then processed my payment.
So the lesson learned in this situation was 5th time is a charm? :-p
I just booked a trip using Lifemiles for an award ticket. I tried adding my lap child to the reservation via the call center and they said that it can't be done and I have to buy a full priced award ticket for the lap child. I made 4 different calls hoping it was just a HUACA situation.
Since my operating carrier is Lufthansa I tried calling their US reservation center (twice) to try and add the infant ticket directly, but they say that since it is an award ticket issued by Taca (202 stock) that they cannot do anything and I need to go through Lifemiles.
I'm not sure what to do at this point ... does anyone else have any experience with this situation? In reading this thread it seemed like it wasn't a big deal to add an infant to an award ticket but I seem to be running into some issues.
Thanks for any guidance
Drek
Update: I tried calling LifeMiles AGAIN thinking I would just cancel the reservation and book a third seat for my infant (and eat the extra cost), but thought since I was on the phone I would try one more time. This was my 5th call to LifeMiles. This time the agent didn't blink an eye and was able to book the infant award tickets without any hassle. The process they went through was to confirm my reservation, then send an email with the infant ticket which I had to wait to receive and confirm that all the information was correct. They then processed my payment.
So the lesson learned in this situation was 5th time is a charm? :-p
Last edited by Drek82; Sep 28, 2014 at 9:02 pm Reason: Updated Results
#56
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Guinea
Programs: HHonors Gold
Posts: 69
#58
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Colorado
Programs: Hilton Gold, Hyatt Platinum
Posts: 137
Yes they charged me 10% of the base fare, not including YQ.
Outbound on ITA is showing as:
Fare 1: Carrier LH (rules)
Passenger type ADT, one-way fare, booking code J, C
Covers (Business), (Business) $8,049.00
German Airport Security Tax (DE) $10.00
German Passenger Service Charge (RA) $26.50
LH YQ surcharge (YQ) $428.00
US International Departure Tax (US) $17.50
US September 11th Security Fee (AY) $5.60
US Passenger Facility Charge (XF) $4.50
Subtotal per passenger $8,541.10
Number of passengers x1
Total airfare & taxes $8,541.10
They charged me the following:
AIR FARE : USD 805.00
TAXES AND AIRLINE : USD 17.50US 5.60AY
IMPOSED FEES
TOTAL : USD 828.10
The return flight doesn't seem to line up as closely, but it is close to 10%. Maybe they included YQ on the outbound? Not sure. ITA shows
Fare 1: Carrier LH (rules)
Passenger type ADT, ONE-WAY-ONLY fare, booking code C
Covers (Business), (Business) $6,069.13
USDA APHIS Fee (XA) $5.00
US Immigration Fee (XY) $7.00
US Customs Fee (YC) $5.50
German Airport Security Tax (DE) $10.00
German Passenger Service Charge (RA) $26.50
LH YQ surcharge (YQ) $295.60
US International Arrival Tax (US) $17.50
Portugal Security Tax (PT) $5.20
Portugal Passenger Service Charge (YP) $11.20
Subtotal per passenger $6,452.50
Number of passengers x1
Total airfare & taxes $6,452.50
And I was charged
AIR FARE : EUR 499.00
EQUIV FARE PAID : USD 641.00
TAXES AND AIRLINE : USD 5.50YC 17.50US 12.00XT
IMPOSED FEES
TOTAL : USD 676.00
Outbound on ITA is showing as:
Fare 1: Carrier LH (rules)
Passenger type ADT, one-way fare, booking code J, C
Covers (Business), (Business) $8,049.00
German Airport Security Tax (DE) $10.00
German Passenger Service Charge (RA) $26.50
LH YQ surcharge (YQ) $428.00
US International Departure Tax (US) $17.50
US September 11th Security Fee (AY) $5.60
US Passenger Facility Charge (XF) $4.50
Subtotal per passenger $8,541.10
Number of passengers x1
Total airfare & taxes $8,541.10
They charged me the following:
AIR FARE : USD 805.00
TAXES AND AIRLINE : USD 17.50US 5.60AY
IMPOSED FEES
TOTAL : USD 828.10
The return flight doesn't seem to line up as closely, but it is close to 10%. Maybe they included YQ on the outbound? Not sure. ITA shows
Fare 1: Carrier LH (rules)
Passenger type ADT, ONE-WAY-ONLY fare, booking code C
Covers (Business), (Business) $6,069.13
USDA APHIS Fee (XA) $5.00
US Immigration Fee (XY) $7.00
US Customs Fee (YC) $5.50
German Airport Security Tax (DE) $10.00
German Passenger Service Charge (RA) $26.50
LH YQ surcharge (YQ) $295.60
US International Arrival Tax (US) $17.50
Portugal Security Tax (PT) $5.20
Portugal Passenger Service Charge (YP) $11.20
Subtotal per passenger $6,452.50
Number of passengers x1
Total airfare & taxes $6,452.50
And I was charged
AIR FARE : EUR 499.00
EQUIV FARE PAID : USD 641.00
TAXES AND AIRLINE : USD 5.50YC 17.50US 12.00XT
IMPOSED FEES
TOTAL : USD 676.00