So all over the world an infants tickets price's is 10% of the adult ticket on that date. Yes, also in China, the civil aviation authority of China has this regulation on their website. www.caac.gov.cn/INDEX/HLFW/HLZN/KP/#flag8
It's very simple and straightforward. You buy adult tickets and then you call the airline to buy an infant's ticket. Travel agencies cannot buy this ticket because there's no seat to occupy. It's a special ticket for infants only.
We bought our tickets and started to try to call China Eastern. No answer on their hotline maybe because we were calling from abroad. So we sent an email also no reply.
Finally, we thought we can deal with them at the airport at the check-in desk, but also no one from China Eastern was available. Finally we were forced to buy a full price adult ticket to be able to travel with our child, who is only 6 months old. We paid $550 for a one way ticket hoping we can deal with China Eastern once we're in China.
Now that we are finally able to contact China Eastern from within China, they are refusing to give us an infant ticket at 10% price of the adult ticket. They are also refusing to change to one way ticket we were forced to buy in Dubai to return ticket.
This is a very simple and straightforward issue. We found a flight that suits us at a price that suits us. China Eastern is refusing to abide by their own written rules. If we knew they want to charge this much for tickets we wouldn't fly with them.
Here's the link to where China Eastern states that infant tickets are 10 percent of the adult tickets' price.
au.ceair.com/muovc/main/en_AU/Static_pages/Infants.html
From what I know, in China, you can only get fair treatment when the media is involved. But I've never been in this situation. Where do I get started?
Any help appreciated, thanks
I thought all Chinese just brought infants on board for free, granted they don't get a seat for the infant. Maybe try calling the China Eastern reps in your home country or the USA even, as they *might* be better trained in international airline issuees. As to the used one way ticket, there is probably nothing they can do to a ticket once its been completed. You can attempt to ask for airline credit vouchers or lounge passes or class upgrades as compensation if you feel you have been wronged, though most airlines now rarely grant such unless you make a scene, and Chinese airlines are even more stingy. Also, China Eastern is based in Shanghai. Try ecallin an English speaking rep there over Kunming. Email isn't going to work. You're best bet is to somehow find a knowledgeable and understanding English speaking China Eastern rep.
I got food poisoning on China Eastern once - but it was free.
Suggest you escalate to the floor supervisor immediately. If no joy, then escalate to the manager who sits far away in the airport office. Usually staff refuse to honor policy because they don't know how to do it and figure if they rebuff you enough, you'll just eat it. This requires incredible patience. Also, do NOT let them move you aside so they can serve other passengers, until the manager shows up. They'll try to move you to other counters...just stand still. Two people can play the game of being a rock...it's obnoxious, but so is stealing your money.
Just remember to be polite, smile a lot, and be obstinate and politely annoying to the best of your ability.
Having a crying toddler helps exacerbate your dilemma...politely. You may also use the opportunity to change your baby's diaper on the ticketing counter...since everyone's being politely rude.
The airline will also attempt to issue a voucher, but these things typically expire within 12 months or less. If you paid with a credit card - that helps - you MAY be able to reverse the charge with your credit company, but that's also an exercise in patience.
