Beware Qantas (again) - adding an infant

[michaeljm]

After a few years of poor service with the clowns at Qantas, I'm having yet another issue with them, hopefully this will forewarn others.

Was fortunate enough to find Business Classic Plus to Vancouver and Business Classic Rewards on the return leg for my wife and I. I've been trying to add my newborn to the flight, which can't be done online.

The first time I called Qantas - spent 2 hours on the phone and they said they'd call back...waited a month and they never did.

Second time I called Qantas spent an hour on the phone and then had to hang up without resolution, (and no record of the first call they said).

Third time I called, after another 2 hours they said it will cost me a thousand dollars plus taxes to add the infant, and they couldn't explain why. I asked for an email so I could have this in writing and they said no. I hung up and after researching later realised Qantas charges 10% of the adult fare to add an infant to a rewards booking.

Fourth time I called, (this time ready to pay the 10% of the adult fare to end this torture), after 2.5 hours they said the 10% thing doesn't exist (even though I was quoting it from their website) and that the only solution was that I had to cancel one adult booking (i.e. lose the rewards booking) and then purchase an adult ticket at full price with the infant attached to that ticket. Again, they wouldn't put it in writing. I asked to speak to someone more senior and then said no.

So still no resolution.

 

[ChrisMars]

We are frustated on your behalf.
Can you confirm:
If Only Qantas on the booking, or other carrier
If both classic and classic plus are on the same ticket (I don t even know if it is possible), or separate.

Classic plus is not widely used by members of this forum, and it may complicate things if on the same booking. Having say that, from experience:
Classic reward attract a very small taxe, not sure this is 10% of an adult taxe, or some compulsary taxe. The point is it is small.
Not many agent seems to know how to add an infant to a classic reward booking, and some will do it incorrectly (such as creating a separate PNR).

Having say all that, you may have better luck contacting Qantas via facebook.

 

[blackcat20]

That's very strange, we've never had an issue adding an infant to a reward booking. And it's only the appropriate taxes payable.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Here is the page from qantas agency, which is freely available via a google search: https://www.qantas.com/agencyconnec...ion/infant-fare-and-ticketing-guidelines.html

An infant can be added after ticketing the adult, and the adult fare doesn’t need to still be available. It’s 10% of the fare plus applicable taxes.

So it can be done, just gotta find the right person to do it!

 

[Hunter4vr]

It'll be 10% of the adult fare for a revenue ticket but Qantas does not charge anything except potential taxes which should be negligible for an infant. Out of 4 tickets I added an infant to, I was only charged taxes once ($4.70), others were fully free.

Potentially the classic plus ticket is treated similar to the revenue ticket when adding an infant so just ask that you want an infant added to the classic reward ticket. Like I mentioned in the other thread, just start a chat via X (Twitter) as I've had a much better outcome than calling.