Using Childrens Miles

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Aug 27, 2023 | 11:54 am

sqrblk

Original Poster

Join Date: Apr 2012

Location: Western Kentucky

Programs: AA, UA, Chase, Amex

Posts: 26

Using Childrens Miles

Was provided 30k miles for each of 5 people in family due to debacle June 27, when entire trip to Ireland was canceled. Each member of family had these miles deposited to their United accounts. I am trying to book a business class ticket, however, transferring the difference to their accounts, or their 30k points to my account to book a 61k business class is going to cost over $1,000. Is there any work around to accomplishing this booking without having to shell out a grand? Can I book the flights economy fare, then later use my points to increase teh fare to business? Mind you, they are minors.

Aug 27, 2023 | 12:01 pm

mahasamatman

A FlyerTalk Posting Legend

Join Date: Apr 2004

Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)

Programs: D.R.E.A.D. Gold card holder

Posts: 53,185

Quote:

Originally Posted by sqrblk

Is there any work around to accomplishing this booking without having to shell out a grand? Can I book the flights economy fare, then later use my points to increase teh fare to business?

Unfortunately, no.

Aug 27, 2023 | 1:58 pm

rhwbullhead

Join Date: Oct 2004

Location: Greater Chicagoland Area

Programs: frontier Elite, Hertz PC

Posts: 1,802

At least the miles don't expire now, so you can just save them up and eventually you can book something you find worthwhile with the miles.

Dublin_rfk likes this.

Aug 27, 2023 | 2:35 pm

drewguy

Join Date: May 2009

Location: Washington, DC

Programs: UA Plat & 1MM, AA, DL

Posts: 8,696

Quote:

Originally Posted by sqrblk

Can I book the flights economy fare, then later use my points to increase teh fare to business? Mind you, they are minors.

United offers Mileage Plus upgrade awards from coach tickets (if purchased), so you could potentially use their miles to upgrade your cash ticket. But it is a waitlist/space available process and no guarantees.

You are probably better off waiting for another family trip and trying to use each person's 30k miles to book tickets together. Or just use opportunistically from each account for your/spouse's travel.

SPN Lifer and jsloan like this.

Aug 28, 2023 | 2:17 am

NJSOO

Join Date: Aug 2023

Posts: 2

Since the miles are currently non-expiring, you can simply accumulate them and use them to finally book something meaningful.

Aug 28, 2023 | 10:41 am

mahasamatman

A FlyerTalk Posting Legend

Join Date: Apr 2004

Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)

Programs: D.R.E.A.D. Gold card holder

Posts: 53,185

Quote:

Originally Posted by NJSOO

Since the miles are currently non-expiring, you can simply accumulate them and use them to finally book something meaningful.

By then, the cost will likely have doubled or tripled.

MojaveFlyer likes this.

Aug 28, 2023 | 2:59 pm

jhayes_1780

Join Date: Apr 2005

Location: MBS/FNT/LAN

Programs: UA 1K, HH Gold, Mariott Gold

Posts: 9,696

Quote:

Originally Posted by drewguy

You are probably better off waiting for another family trip and trying to use each person's 30k miles to book tickets together. Or just use opportunistically from each account for your/spouse's travel.

And sorry to parse drewguy's spot on response.... I am just going to add that when it does come time to book tickets out of each separate account, that they will be just that: separate. While the PNR's can be noted linking other PNR's, its just manual. I give this caveat because it can make for complexity for 5 separate PNR tickets down the road.

The tail of the response is the direction I would go... keep control of the kids miles, book tickets for you and the spouse/SO.

Aug 28, 2023 | 5:43 pm

iapetus

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: May 2006

Location: Pasadena, California

Programs: UA Platinum, 1MM

Posts: 10,429

Quote:

Originally Posted by jhayes_1780

I am just going to add that when it does come time to book tickets out of each separate account, that they will be just that: separate. While the PNR's can be noted linking other PNR's, its just manual. I give this caveat because it can make for complexity for 5 separate PNR tickets down the road.

As a result of that same debacle, we were also given ETCs ($400 to mrs. iapetus and me; $200 to each of the iapetus jrs.). I have been wondering if this sorta thing will happen when I attempt to use their credits on a future family vacation. But I don't think that use of the four ETCs will result in the generation of four PNRs, will it? 🤔