Confusion over Business Reward Fare Redemption

[bumpy1]

Hi All

My first post but long time reader

With all this hype about velocity i thought i would go and check to see how many points it would cost for me, my wife and 4 month old baby to fly J return from ADL via MEL to LAX. I have about 400,000 points on my platinum Amex so im hoping this is the best way to get to LAX in J
Flight Out
Saturday 26th May 2012
ADL-MEL-LAX: J Reward Seat = 94100 points plus $347 in taxes
Flight Back
Sunday 24th June 2012
LAX-MEL-ADL: J Reward Seat = 95700 points plus $287 in taxes

So far so good but i have a couple questions:
1. when i click on the business reward fare type guide (right above the points cost), it states that the business reward fare is in International premium economy even though i selected business/first fares when im searching. I called up Velocity and the consultant got confused as to my query but said it is J fare to LAX but Premium Economy ADL-MEL return. So I don't know who to trust. For 190,000 points each, i think that is pretty expensive for a PE fare... correct me if im wrong
2. Also, does Velocity now charge 10% for infants? not such a big deal but i thought it was $0 for 2 years and under. if so, based on the above points and taxes how much would my baby be charged?

If someone can help clarify the above that would be great. Or if someone could suggest a better way to use my 400k points from my Amex Platinum CC to get 2 adults and 1 infant to LAX in J that would be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

 

[DJ 1D]

Hi mate, and welcome to AFF.

The issue is that ADL-MEL is in PE. There is no business class on that leg. However, I can confirm that at 94k points you will be in business class from MEL-LAX. Having recently flow SYD-LAX I can tell you it's a very nice flight.

My son is 4 now, but when we flew with him in J when he was under 2, it was 10% of the cost. You will probably have to do the booking over the phone, and he won't get a seat. But you'll most likely get the first row with the bassinet - and the little one will have heaps of room to crawl around. Plus FAs in J tend to spoil the heck out of babies.

Enjoy the champagne, pajamas and new ameny kit!

Cheers,
DJ 1D



ETA: From the Velocity website:

18.10 Infants under two years and not occupying a separate seat, travel free and without the need to redeem Points as long as the accompanying adult is travelling on an Air Reward ticket, other than when redeeming an Air Reward with V Australia, where 10% of the Points required by an adult will be charged. There is a limit of one infant per adult Air Reward traveller.

 

[bumpy1]

Hi DJ 1D

Thanks for the information.

It still confuses me as to why Velocity state that it is a Premium Economy fare as part of the fare type guide and i am aware that the ADL-MEL leg is PE only. See below (sorry not sure if this is going to work)

[TABLE="width: 100%, align: center"]
[TR="bgcolor: transparent"]
[h=4]V Australia[/h][/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: transparent"]
Fare Access[TD="bgcolor: transparent"]V Australia’s discount Business fare available to Velocity Members only
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: transparent"]
Summary[TD="bgcolor: transparent"]Provides you with very low fares, but they are not as flexible as other fares (eg. changes, stopovers and length of stay) and more expensive fees apply for cancellations and/or changes.
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: transparent"]
Cabin Class[TD="bgcolor: transparent"]International Premium Economy[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

Can i ask, did you redeem points for that recent trip to LAX?

Cheers

Bumpy1

 

[DJ 1D]

Hi,

What I usually do is book myself as a paid fare and my family with points, or vice versa. In this case I was on points and I paid for my family in J. There was a very good fare for business class at around $4k.

The best thing to do is call the Velocity Centre and they will confirm the booking is in J for the most important leg, the MEL-LAX. Once they issue the ticket you will see it is definitely business class. If there's any stuff ups call them immediately and they can void the entire transaction without any penalties.

Of course if your little one gets used to J (as mine has) there's no turning back for them!


ETA: Yes, the reward fares are very hard to change so just be sure that's the flight you really want. If you have status they will change them but otherwise you're stuck. But for the cost it's a damn fine way to travel.

 

[bumpy1]

Awesome!

Just told my wife and she asked me about the PJ's and the amenity kit.... Are they decent PJ's and whats in the amenity kit?

The little one will be too small i think to appreciate J but yes, i had a taste of J with SIA and haven't looked back since

Thanks again

 

[DJ 1D]

The PJs are very nice, according to my wife (who flew after July 1 unlike me) they have been upgraded. Funny - it's always about the PJs with the wives, isn't it? I was quite happy with the old PJs. Everything is Bulgari.

The amenty kit has also been upgraded - I got a little kit with the usual suspects (pre-July 1), while my wife got a messenger bag style kit with lots of goodies. I can't remember what I got but I'll ask her what she got - she's better at remembering this stuff. She still uses the messenger bag.

The flight is really lovely - I don't normally drink in the morning but a bit of champagne to start a 14 hr flight is always good. There are lots of movies and good food to keep you occupied. And as mentioned, the FAs seem to be very sweet to little ones. It's always fun to walk the length of the aircraft with a bub..biz, PE, and econ...then back

ETA: Oh, and take pics of the little one so when they're a starving student travelling in Y you can show them pics of the good life!

 

[bumpy1]

Sounds great, will definitely take photos!

Cant wait and the Mrs will be extra happy... She loves Bulgari!