Parent (in J) and kids (in Y)on separate PNR

[alect]

Planning a trip MEL-PER and thinking that the mrs and I will use an AAdv J award and we will buy Y tix for the kids on the same flight.

So how do I go about booking tickets for the kids on their PNR given we won't be on it but will be on the same flight? I don't want them to be regarded or charged for as unaccompanied minors (13, 9, 9 yo) as we will be with them just sitting a few rows towards the front . They are quite well travelled and know how to behave the and 13yo is responsible enough to mind them in their seats. Do I just book them as adults and then sort out any possible issues while boarding?

 

[Guvner]

Planning a trip MEL-PER and thinking that the mrs and I will use an AAdv J award and we will buy Y tix for the kids on the same flight.

So how do I go about booking tickets for the kids on their PNR given we won't be on it but will be on the same flight? I don't want them to be regarded or charged for as unaccompanied minors (13, 9, 9 yo) as we will be with them just sitting a few rows towards the front . They are quite well travelled and know how to behave the and 13yo is responsible enough to mind them in their seats. Do I just book them as adults and then sort out any possible issues while boarding?

Qantas regards 12+ as Adult for domestic bookings, so your kids would be 1A & 2C anyway.

 

[Happy Trails]

[h=2]Who is an Unaccompanied Minor?[/h]Qantas considers a child under 12 years to be an Unaccompanied Minor if the child is travelling without the supervision of:

• The child's parent or guardian; or
• The child's sibling 15 years or older; or
• An adult nominated by the child's parent or guardian.

(including if the child is travelling in a different class or cabin to that person).
If your child is not booked as an Unaccompanied Minor where required, your child may not be accepted for travel alone and may be denied travel at the airport.

https://www.qantas.com/travel/airlines/children-travelling-alone/global/en

 

[greyyy]

If you're going to be in a different class, then they need to be Unaccompanied Minor anyway. The terms include "(including if the child is travelling in a different class or cabin to [the adult])". Because the eldest child is only 13 and they'll be in a seperate cabin from the adults, they'll be UM.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

If all the kids were 12 and over they would be classed as young passengers - YNGP not UMNR however if travelling with siblings under 12 (such as the example of a 13 yo travelling with 2 x 9 yo) then all of the kids will be classified as UMNR's.

A passenger must be 15 years old to be in charge of siblings or any child under 12 years of age.

 

[alect]

So either split the parents between the award and paid PNRs and swtich seats for the flights, or pay for Y and use points to upgrade (less certain).

 

[sudoer]

pay for Y and use points to upgrade (less certain).

If it's domestic and there's availability in U, where's the uncertainty?

 

[alect]

If it's domestic and there's availability in U, where's the uncertainty?

Good point - so if U is now available and I book in Y and apply for points upgrade it clears instantly?

 

[sudoer]

Good point - so if U is now available and I book in Y and apply for points upgrade it clears instantly?

Happy to be corrected, but my understanding (and experience) is that domestic upgrades clear instantly when there is availability in U.

 

[Austman]

And you can first check to see if there is availability in U by going through a new dummy booking process.

 

[madrooster]

Be warned that when you do a points upgrade you will need to do it for everyone in the booking, or you will need to request for the PNR to be split which would take you back to square one with your original unaccompanied minor issue.

 

[alect]

Be warned that when you do a points upgrade you will need to do it for everyone in the booking, or you will need to request for the PNR to be split which would take you back to square one with your original unaccompanied minor issue.

Yeah was wondering about this.

Seems like best approach is for 2 booking and split the parents between award and paid, and then change seats on the plane. Especially given my preference at this time in this circumstance to spend miles over cash on at least 2 tickets (points upgrades till requires cash outlay for Y).

 

[Princess Fiona]

Yeah was wondering about this.

Seems like best approach is for 2 booking and split the parents between award and paid, and then change seats on the plane. Especially given my preference at this time in this circumstance to spend miles over cash on at least 2 tickets (points upgrades till requires cash outlay for Y).

But you will still have your kids as unaccompanied minors in Y if you swap seats.
This puts the cabin crew in a difficult position as UMs are seated together in the aircraft so that in the event of an emergency they can be easily located.

If I was planning what you are I would make the bookings as you are intending to sit (you in J, kids in Y) and complete the appropriate documentation and pay the fees for them.
YMMV

 

[kevrosmith]

I had this situation previously, but I was also travelling on the flight, so it made it a bit easier.

SIL & then 9-yo niece were booked on J reward seats. Brother + 2 nephews in Y. Was able to get them seated in row 4 at T-80 (over the phone). I was booked in J reward. The CSM allowed me to swap with my brother and I sat with the nephews. I felt my niece was very fortunate to be travelling in J at such a young age.

As Princess Fiona indicates, if you really want to do this, just register them as UM and pay the fees. At one level, the policy is a bit ridiculous as it potentially isn't written to consider that the adults are on the same plane, but that's how it is. If you think of a contrary situation, there's nothing stopping a family on one PNR selecting individual random seats all over the plane, so it demonstrates that the policy doesn't really appear to cater for the situation you are desiring.

 

[farstar]

If you are in a different class to your kids you cant watch them all the time so they are UM and if that's what you want just pay to make your kids that. I think its unfair to the crew just to dump kids on them without any notice, if you want a child minding service at least pay for it.