johnep1

I've booked a few infant tickets using Avios before but always as a lap infant. We have a longer flight coming up and I'm trying to book the little guy his own seat on AA using Avios. The similar FT threads I've read say I need to call to do this. I called and was told, by an agent who seemed knowledgeable, that AA does not allow Avios to make a seat booking for an infant, and my only option, if using Avios, is for the infant to travel as a lap infant. They do allow this on BA metal, but this is an AA rule. Is that correct, or is this a good time to call again?

Our backup is to book two Avios seats for the adults and use AA miles for the infant seat.

Thanks.

MSPeconomist

johnep1

I would like to get the kid (<2) his own seat. Willing to pay full Avios price but BA tells me this isn't possible for Avios bookings on AA metal. There are 7 award seats, so availability also isn't a problem.

jimcleaver

Not sure about the first part of your question but I learned recently that AA don't do infant bookings with AA miles, instead, they charge a straight 10% of the full cash fare (a whopping £450! in our case for a one way ticket BKK-LHR in J)

Geo772

The other issue is I'm fairly sure that AA would not sell you a ticket using AA miles for an Infant on their own whether or not they have their own seat.

johnep1

Was that as a lap infant? I'm trying to book a full seat award, but the traveler is under 2.

johnep1

That's a good point. Hasn't thought about that.
​​​

jimcleaver

Yes, myself and the rest of the family were originally booked in J on Qatar using AA miles, we called to add our newborn to the booking, as a lap infant and were pretty shocked to find out the cost. Our previous child had travelled only on BA using Avios and that was always just 10% of the miles and taxes. A bit of a shock TBH.

MSPeconomist

Prospero

When booking an AA redemption for an infant, BA.com gives the following guidance. Are you able to book your little guy as a child?

johnep1

That's the issue. The little guy is part of our household account and BA has his passport info (they know his age). When I try to book him as a child (over 2) I get to the end and then the site tells me that based on his birthday they know he's under 2 and that I need to start over and book him as an infant.

Very odd how difficult it is to spend more points.

Prospero

Gotya. And the person you spoke to in the BAEC service centre cannot make an infant booking either. That is frustrating. Maybe it is worth making another call but this time asking for a child seat - they may be able to force the booking if they aren't inhibited by the passport data.

johnep1

Sounds like the best idea is to call again. I'll try the "I'd like to book three Avios seats" line (no mention of infant) and cross the fingers.

Thank you.

johnep1

To close the loop on this - called BA back and completely different. Three seats booked, including for an infant. All the full Avios cost, but we got what we wanted.

Thank you for the replies.

erik123

You can book with a "wrong" birth date and change later.