BA/AVIOS booking - QF Domestic itinerary & Infant - ticket needed?

[catharsis]

Hi there.

Longtime Lurker first-time poster (don't they all say that!)

I've a slightly interesting combination of factors and I'm trying to determine whther I need to do anything, and if so, what I need to do.

I have booked a AYQ-ASP-ADL flight for myself and my wife on Qantas using BA Avios. since then my son has been born and he will be coming on the journey.

Given that my boy is less than 2 months old the world of infant tickets is entirely new to me. I know that Qantas do not charge for infant-in arms on domestic travel. I am not certain whether a ticket is even needed or whether one just turns up at the airport?

If a ticket is needed should i contact Qantas to arrange a ticket (likely free) or contact BA and ask them to issue a ticket (the cost would be 10% of the Avios only - (so in effect only something like $10-$50 I'd guess) - so I'm not worried about the money per se, just don't want to spend if it is not necessary.

suggestions/advice would be welcome.

 

[opusman]

No you don't need a ticket, just treat him like any other carry-on

 

[Mr_Orange]

Not withstanding the amusing reply above, you do need a ticket for your son. You will need to contact BA to add him to the booking, even if there is no charge for a redemption ticket. Revenue fares are normally 10% of the adult fare for an under 2 on your lap.

 

[catharsis]

I thought infants on QF or entirely domestic itineraries were entirely free- not 10%?

 

[kamchatsky]

You can add an infant to your ticket and BA only charges you 10% of Avios required and associated taxes, assuming that it is infant is sitting on lap.

 

[kamchatsky]

I thought infants on QF or entirely domestic itineraries were entirely free- not 10%?

In theory yes, but the infant ticket must attached it to the adult ticket, which is issued by BA and not QF. You can try to call QF directly to see if you can get QF to issue infant ticket and attach to BA ticket. Chances is that you cannot. However it doesn't hurt to call and try.

 

[Mr_Orange]

I thought infants on QF or entirely domestic itineraries were entirely free- not 10%?

That is true when booked with QF. I don't know what happens with an Avios booking, which is why you will need to call BA.

 

[ncm]

I'd call BA and have your child added. Costs will be minimal.
FWIW, last week I booked a o/w QF J MEL-ADL for my father-in-law, my infant son and myself. Total cost was 18,900 avios (9000 per adult then only 900 for my boy) and £18. Note that there aren't any bassinets on a QF 738.

 

[catharsis]

So .... to update.

I called BA and added my infant son to my avios bookings because it seemed easier to do so than to determine whether or not it was actually necessary .

Total cost was I think 2100 avios and no taxes or charges.

Would still have been interested to know whether this was necessary but given the possibility of my holiday being interrupted while I worked through this issue with someone in an outstation somewhere I just thought it was easier to purchase certainty.

 

[Mr_Orange]

So .... to update.

I called BA and added my infant son to my avios bookings because it seemed easier to do so than to determine whether or not it was actually necessary .

Why wouldn't it be necessary? Can you name an airline where you don't need a ticket for all pax?

 

[catharsis]

ALL US airlines flying domestic, and (I thought) all australian airlines flying domestic also?

Just to add - from united.com page /travel/specialneeds/infants/default.aspx

TicketingInfants under the age of two traveling without a seat within the United States, Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands do not require a ticket.

from delta.com

Ticketing Requirements

No Ticket Required
You may travel with one[SUP]1[/SUP] infant in your lap without purchasing a ticket if:

• the infant is less than two years old, and
• you are at least 18 years old or the infant's legal guardian, and
• your travel is within the U.S.[SUP][/SUP]

​
AA.com does not have explicit or specific language that I could find but the same basic rules apply.