Family Pooling benefits when not on a flight with the beneficiary

[Kalliste]

My partner and I have family pooling. He is the beneficiary and I am the contributor.

We're looking at booking some flights but it's cheaper to buy them separately rather than on the same booking.

Currently he has Gold and I have Red, so if we book separately, do I lose any benefits (priority check in, boarding etc.) even though I am a contributor?

 

[luckypierre]

Currently he has Gold and I have Red, so if we book separately, do I lose any benefits (priority check in, boarding etc.) even though I am a contributor?

If you’re travelling together it won’t be a problem. Of course with separate bookings you will need to select seats individually, which you should be able to select so you’re sitting together, if that’s your preference.

 

[Kalliste]

If you’re travelling together it won’t be a problem. Of course with separate bookings you will need to select seats individually, which you should be able to select so you’re sitting together, if that’s your preference.

Is there anything we'd need to do to show that we are travelling together? Are the same flights sufficient?

 

[AIRwin]

Currently he has Gold and I have Red, so if we book separately, do I lose any benefits (priority check in, boarding etc.) even though I am a contributor?

Usually these also apply when travelling together even in the absence of family pooling

 

[Kalliste]

Usually these also apply when travelling together even in the absence of family pooling

Even when on separate tickets/bookings?

 

[andye]

I've had no problems with check-in or priority boarding on separate PNRs
As Platinum have also had mrsandye moved to Row 3 in same situation via call centre. As Gold have got seats together similarly

 

[GrahamBRI]

Even when on separate tickets/bookings?

Technically yes, you loose the priority boarding if on different tickets. In Practice - you never do. I have done this for years with myself and my partner. Lounge access is different, you are a guest of your partner either way (same or different tickets). So once again no issues

 

[Kalliste]

Thanks for the replies everyone. It has helped give me some peace of mind.

Side question: Why is it more expensive to book for two of us on the same booking that separately?

 

[AIRwin]

Side question: Why is it more expensive to book for two of us on the same booking that separately?

Perhaps there was only 1 seat left at the lower fare?

 

[GrahamBRI]

Perhaps there was only 1 seat left at the lower fare?

Agree. Very common. I always test run with one seat to find route and pricing, then go to two seats to validate availability at that pricing.

 

[serfty]

Perhaps there was only 1 seat left at the lower fare?

And often, once that one seat is sold at that rate, another becomes available at that lower rate. Sometimes immediately, sometimes the next day. Of course, sometimes never.

 

[luckypierre]

Is there anything we'd need to do to show that we are travelling together? Are the same flights sufficient?

On the same flight(s) will work fine.

 

[Steven of Mysore]

My partner and I have family pooling. He is the beneficiary and I am the contributor.

We're looking at booking some flights but it's cheaper to buy them separately rather than on the same booking.

Currently he has Gold and I have Red, so if we book separately, do I lose any benefits (priority check in, boarding etc.) even though I am a contributor?

In theory you are not entitled to the Gold benefits even if you do travel together on one booking or two bookings but in practice (as others have said), it doesn't seem to be checked. My partner is also red.

 

[andye]

I've just been through the VFF and the VA T&Cs and can find nothing at all about priority checkin or priority boarding. Maybe it's a "boy look" or maybe it's rules-free

 

[Steven of Mysore]

I've just been through the VFF and the VA T&Cs and can find nothing at all about priority checkin or priority boarding. Maybe it's a "boy look" or maybe it's rules-free

I would have thought it was straight forward, Gold gets x and Red gets nothing.

 

[luckypierre]

I would have thought it was straight forward, Gold gets x and Red gets nothing.

Correct except in reality if checking in/ accompanying a gold or platinum member when priority boarding, IME it’s never been an issue

 

[MooTime]

Thanks for the replies everyone. It has helped give me some peace of mind.

Side question: Why is it more expensive to book for two of us on the same booking that separately?

Been here before myself few times, just call up velocity and they'll link the bookings, they allow it for family, then your as good as same PNR. Certainly in terms of both being able to sit in the other gold section, rows 7, 8 etc.

Re 1 ticket cheaper etc.
I learnt this from AFF.... NAN-MEL, was only 1 J reward available.... Booked it, then low & behold another J reward appeared, grabbed it so got my 2 req'd.
Was quite a trick / in the know, as many needing 2 may have seen 1 reward and just go & pay for 2.
So does pay to check price / reward availability for 1 ticket first.

Bravo AFF clever bums.