Best FF program for infant

[trippin_the_rift]

Mini TTR will be joining the world later this year and I need to figure out a way to maximize his miles and future status benefits.

Over the next 6-7 years our time will be in Hong Kong & Singapore with frequent trips to Australia and Malaysia.

I'm open to options on what others think on the best FF program to join mini me up to - given he'll likely hit the lifetime elite level before his 18th....
QFF is off the table as I don't believe infants can join the program.

Any ideas?

 

[dodgeyhack]

QFF is off the table as I don't believe infants can join the program.

Any ideas?

My 16 month old is a QFF member. Never earnt any points though as she's always been on our lap.
Having said that, I have no idea if you can actually book a seat for an infant on QF - I have a feeling you can't.

 

[FuzzyAUS]

My 4 year old daughter has about 500 SC's already, and will likely travel more as they get older, my nearly 2 year old is a QFF member, but no SC's yet due to being on our lap.

I guess it comes down to where you will likely live in the long run, as that is where they will get the most value out of it in the future (well that is what i am working on)

PS Congrats

 

[mannej]

My 16 month old is a QFF member. Never earnt any points though as she's always been on our lap.
Having said that, I have no idea if you can actually book a seat for an infant on QF - I have a feeling you can't.

You are able to do so.

Mini TTR will be joining the world later this year and I need to figure out a way to maximize his miles and future status benefits.

Over the next 6-7 years our time will be in Hong Kong & Singapore with frequent trips to Australia and Malaysia.

I'm open to options on what others think on the best FF program to join mini me up to - given he'll likely hit the lifetime elite level before his 18th....
QFF is off the table as I don't believe infants can join the program.

Any ideas?

I believe that an infant can indeed join QFF. I am fairly sure members on here have had their infants joined up as members.

 

[rmckay01]

My 3 year old has been a QFF member since she was 1 and finally earnt her first points and SCs last month I remember reading recently about a new program for young QFF members linked to The Wiggles that will be starting soon - they get a special pack when joining. Not sure what the minimum age is for that.

 

[Captain Halliday]

Congratulations TTR. That's really great news.

I signed up Miss Halliday to QFF before she was two and she was PS before she was three. Due to the year start/end she made PS before Mrs Hallidy (who remains NB to this day) and likes to remind mum each time we travel.

 

[medhead]

As per others here, can't think of any reason an infant can't join QFF. But it is pointless while they are travelling on your lap. Notwithstanding that you can buy them a seat and hence earn.

If choosing another program, I'd suggest one that allows free transfer of points. Signed both my kids to MH only to find it costs money to transfer consolidate their points. The reason for wanting to consolidate is having 4 family accounts each with half the number of points needed for the desired award. Not a big issue since there are ways around it, but a consideration for those times when the parent account is buying all the awards/upgrades.

I'd guess your child might travel more regularly and hence earn more points.

 

[Isochronous]

BA might be a good bet so she gets a head start on lifetime OWE.

 

[Katie]

Mini TTR will be joining the world later this year and I need to figure out a way to maximize his miles and future status benefits.

Over the next 6-7 years our time will be in Hong Kong & Singapore with frequent trips to Australia and Malaysia.

I'm open to options on what others think on the best FF program to join mini me up to - given he'll likely hit the lifetime elite level before his 18th....
QFF is off the table as I don't believe infants can join the program.

Any ideas?

Congratulations!!

My Little Miss has been a QFF member since she was around 14-18mths old. She flew at 7mths, but on my lap, so no point signing her up then. Had we bought a seat for her, e.g. one that you could put a baby capsule in, I would have signed her up.
We went to Europe at 18mths, and she had her own Y seat on the international flights, and has been collecting SCs and points ever since.

When her Silver renewal pack arrived this year, I let her open it. She said "Oh, I'll be Gold next!!".

I didn't break it to her that she had been Gold at 4 and since dropped back to Silver (and maintained silver since).

 

[RAM]

I suggest signing up to both QFF or BA (depending on range of likely flights in future) as well as SQ or VA. That way you've got all the major bases covered.

QFF is easy via WoW and VA is simple as well.

As you say points earn will be significant then putting off lifetime level one or two years for convenience of accessing two partner schemes is definitely the way I'd go.

As an aside - MH scheme not the most user friendly for families but their service for youngsters is.

 

[dodgeyhack]

As per others here, can't think of any reason an infant can't join QFF. But it is pointless while they are travelling on your lap.

Well it gets them a lower number =P
I was quite surprised to see a 10 digit FF number when signing up our girl!

 

[andye]

Both QF and BA have to be joined in roundabout ways.

QF via signing up to an Everday Rewards Card from Woolies
BA by setting up a Household Account

Both give access to the benefits of the program for children (except lounge access if unaccompanied under 18)

QF has the lure of lifetime OW Sapphire and relatively easy to get status but has the disadvantage of reduced SC earn on the majority of local OW partner routes
BA has lifetime OW Emerald. Status also reltively easy but may be tricky to get the 4 BA-prefixed flights a year. Recent devaluation of points.
AA has currently best earn/burn and lowest YQ. Do have a Lifetime OW Ruby & Sapphire. Fears for a devaluation
CX has reputation of looking after Elites well but hard to reach status
MH only seems to have advantage of good last-minute reward seat availability with own points (and is least likely to be around in 5-10 years)