EWR-BOM availability
 

guys - used to great united availability but see nothing in business or first for EWR-BOM in May. What's the best option here? Set up expertflyer alerts?

Also, my child would be just over 2 in May. Can he still ride as a lap infant and pay 10% of the ticket fee

Thx

Are you looking to buy outright, or rewards availability?

Apologize, only saver award

This route never has saver award in J.

Yes but award availability tends to be early or very late.

You can also book an economy ticket and waitlist for business for that flight or another flight.

The rules state lapchild fare are only for childern under 2 years of age at time of travel. While you might get away with it if you fudge the child's birthday on the ticket, there is a risk the child will not be allowed to board.

Or if the child looks over 2 in size they may investigate or inquire. My nephew was 2.5 (he's little for his age) and the FA thought he was a lap child and was going to move my sister on an RJ because of the amount of masks but we had to tell and show her his own ticket 2x.

so a lapchild is still 10% of full business fare right? vs just stating child is over 2 and buying another business class seat

Also, how is experflyer these days in alerting when business class seat becomes available

lapchild is 10% of the fare or that cabin available at time of purchase

EF can flag I fare class but not IN (extra inventory for elites) -- but there is usually little difference between I/IN.

I have been encountering quite a few situations where the availability in IN (if it is not zero) tends to be one more than I in recent searches. Not sure why that is / would be the case.

One thing you may be able to do is book the full price reward so you have seats... then keep looking for saver to become available and just do the "Free" rewards flight change either online or with a United agent.

Unless you are a Plat or higher, it isn't free. And if within 60 days of travel, you need to be 1K or higher for "free" changes.

Good points. I totally forgot about that bit.

Why are you asking us if you can break the rules?

Availability on EWR-BOM? In business or economy? This is one of the hardest routes to even get an upgrade, leave alone an award ticket.

The rules are clear ... under two years!

OP will wind up having to purchase a full fare J ticket at check-in or the gate (presuming that there is one available). This is an international flight and there will be two document checks and, a separate birth certificate check (although passport may suffice).

There is no way that a child over flies as a lap child. This will be picked up somewhere along the line and is a very expensive fraud to attempt.