Family of 5 economy redemption to Paris issue

[coldecol]

Hoping someone with more knowledge than myself might be able to offer some advise on an issue I have after trying to make a redemption today for Economy flights to Paris.

Have over 900,000 Velocity points through credit card signups, spend etc and planned to have a family holiday to Europe next year. Have been looking at flight options and points and decided we would start our trip by using Velocity points to fly MEL to CDG in Y mid June 2017. Rang Velocity today to book as reward flights aren't showing at all on their website and they were able to see availability. After giving them the details for 2 adults and 3 children they advised that after trying to confirm the seats, it was coming back from Singapore Airilnes as not confirmed. He tried several dates either side of my requested and all were not confirmed.

The operator advised several different things which may be the reason for this. 5 people is more than available, to Singapore Airlines may not have allowed them access to reward seats this far out. His best advice was to try calling back again.

If i look at Singapore Airlines for those dates i can see reward seat availability for all the days. I'm trying to avoid converting the points to Singapore as there is a huge difference in taxes, and i would prefer to use more points and pay less (where reasonable).

Does anyone have experience with similar bookings?

 

[Ausbt]

Wow, were it me I'd be in J and I'd have purchased Y for the children. Yep, feel slightly guilty just typing that. Kudos to you.

 

[coldecol]

If we could all go J using points we would do it in a heartbeat. Unfortunately our eldest is only 8 so not really an option to leave them in Y by themselves.

 

[Moindardt]

You can on Etihad but they have to make sure they do an adult Y award, not a child one. Unaccompanied Minor - Etihad Airways

Ours were a little older 8-12 but still wasn't a problem and we would duck back every couple of hours and check on them.

Very easy to find 2J and 3Y to Paris and should be able to do it with points. There is heaps of seats in mid-June 2017 on both the A380 and 777W for 2J and 3Y each day. Make sure you book MEL-CDG instead of separate legs. Personally I would go for the A380 and hope you can upgrade the boss to Apartments for the Mel-AUH leg. Happy wife = Happy Life.

 

[coldecol]

Thanks for the information. Our youngest is 3 so not really an option for this trip. Will certainly keep it mind for future trips though.

 

[Moindardt]

There is still 5 Y seats open each day. I would suggest at least 1J on each leg and you can swap. Gives each of you a break (and a little sleep). They have helpers to help out with the person who has the kids. https://www.etihad.com/en-us/experience-etihad/family-travel/onboard/

 

[clipped_wings]

There is still 5 Y seats open each day. I would suggest at least 1J on each leg and you can swap. Gives each of you a break (and a little sleep). They have helpers to help out with the person who has the kids. https://www.etihad.com/en-us/experience-etihad/family-travel/onboard/

What a fabulous idea! We are planning our next US trip for 2017 and husband and I have already decided to TREAT YO SALF and book 2 x J seats and 4 x Y for the kids. Our eldest is 21 so no problem with age, however one of our boys has a disability so it will be a delicate matter of juggling seats if things don't go according to plan. Does VA allow seat swap as per above Etihad reference?

 

[Moindardt]

What a fabulous idea! We are planning our next US trip for 2017 and husband and I have already decided to TREAT YO SALF and book 2 x J seats and 4 x Y for the kids. Our eldest is 21 so no problem with age, however one of our boys has a disability so it will be a delicate matter of juggling seats if things don't go according to plan. Does VA allow seat swap as per above Etihad reference?

Beyond ticketing, VA has nothing to do with it. They screwed up our tickets in December (didn't book as adult despite being on $20 extra tax) but once sorted out, it was all Etihad. I am not sure what their rules are swapping but they are incredibly accommodating. I would suggest SYD-AUH-NYC on A380 the whole way and each of you do 1 leg. That way, if not, you both get 14hours

Make sure you book it as one ticket as VA screwed up and booked as two and one lands at 6am and the other leaves at 2am (or something like that). If one ticket, I am not sure but they might provide room, if not, they will still check luggage through so you can spend the entire day in Abu Dhabi. If you have to do 2 tix and collect you bag, just outside the exit (down the stairs next to arrivals lounge) to the left is a place where you can store the luggage for the day. Cost about $80US for 6 large suitcases. A reminder that the lounge is +1 so only 4 of you could go in (with 2 J tix).

I think 1 tix with both legs was a lot cheaper than 2 tix as well. Also, I think the points were double Y for J and triple Y for F and F on the A380 is worth 10x Y so look at a real splash out. Done SYD-AUH and AUH-JFK in apartments and AUH-BNE in 789 Suites and they were an incredible experience. Check out for some photos of it http://www.australianfrequentflyer....-days-luxury-1200-some-75031.html#post1423375

 

[clipped_wings]

Beyond ticketing, VA has nothing to do with it.

Sorry, should have explained better. We are flying VA SYD-LAX direct, so I just wanted to know if FA's on the flight would permit a seat swap. PS - read your trip report and it was AMAZING! Many thanks for sharing and, if your wife ever gets tired of that LV handbag, I will happily take it off her hands.............