I am new to flyer talk, and realize that people visiting this website are savvy travellers. I am hoping you can give me some advice on a problem I experienced yesterday, while flying home to DFW from LGW. I was flying on an VIP upgrade, with an infant child. Going to LGW was no problem, but my return yesterday was a different story. I purchased my coach fare on sept. 10 for a reasonable price, and payed another $100 for the lap child. Well yesterday the gate agent told me I would have to pay another $453 for the lap child if I wanted to upgrade, or be downgraded, with no offer of returning my VIP pass. Not knowing what to do, I asked if I could call my husband in the US, thay told me no. When I booked my ticket on Sept. 10, I told the ticket agent that I would be flying with an infant and wanted a date that I could use my VIP pass, I asked for what my total cost would be, and decided to book it. Had I known it would cost as much for my infant to sit on my lap in business as it would to have her own seat in coach (and thus earn airmiles) I would have chosen to purchase 2 coach seats and taken her carseat on with me so she could sleep. I could also have saved my vip passes. We fly to LGW 2 -3 times a year plus other destinations, just think she could be platinum by 18!!!
I felt blind-sided - it being an hour before my flight, so, i hesitantly paid the fee. What was I supposed to do? I am suprised they insisted on this, because the flight was completely full d/t another flight being cancelled. My seat # was in business and coach was completely full, where would they have put me?
The ticket agent made the mistake on sept. 10, so why should i have to pay for it, an hour before my flight? I would have made different flight arrangements had i been told of the cost way back on Sept. 10, when i booked my tickets. I think i should be refunded what i was forced to pay yesterday, or at least be given double airmiles. What compensation do you think would be fair?

I would suggest you include the airline in your story. And, then I would further suggest you go to that airlines board to post your question. And, unless the term VIP is specific and known to that airline, specify what that is.

It always scares me when I hear of people who have lap children. My first question (that I always want to ask) is do you keep your child on your lap when you drive?

While flying the heavies (yes, I'm a pilot) you never know when you'll hit turbulence though sometimes you'll hear about it or see it in the clouds -- but you never know for sure. Or a quick deceleration on the runway could be like a low speed car crash. Are you sure you'll be able to hold and keep your baby safe in either one of these situations?

Just a few sense worth....

wiwifc -- Welcome to Flyertalk!

Lap child (infant) international ticket is usually 10% of a full-fare adult ticket for either economy, business or first class. It does not depend on actual fare paid by an accompanying adult. That's the reason you were asked to pay extra $$ to make up the difference between economy and business class infant tickets. That ticket agent (btw, was it an airline ticket agent or an independent travel agent?) who booked your tickets should've warned you about it. If that was indeed an airline employee, you could find out his/her name by asking customer service to locate it in your PNR.

[This message has been edited by Eugene (edited 01-01-2002).]

Thanks nostresshere, it was AA on a VIPOW pass and thanks I'll post it on the AA board

Thanks Eugene, It was an AA ticket agent. No she didn't warn me and thanks i'll try to get then to locate that agent.

Dear Azoomee
I agree there is a small risk, but i consider fling (even after sept. 11) to be the safest mode of transport in the world.

Flying is definitely the safest mode statistically speaking when you're discussing severe injuries per capita flown.

Thanks for being cordial

Cheers,
Zoom

just for the record, how old is the child? and how does the child behave, does it cry and fuss? or is it perfect like my mom's were.

I'll assist wiwifc by moving the thread from Buzz to the American board.

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Craig6z
Buzz & United Moderator
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