Cebu Pacific: One million loyalty points, but no free lifetime tickets for Baby Haven

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – Philippines’ low-cost carrier Cebu Pacific is giving a baby born on a Dubai-Manila flight 1 million “GetGo” points to mark its first on-board birth — but not free lifetime tickets for ‘Haven’, its chief executive said.

Lance Gokongwei, Cebu Pacific President and CEO, said: “To celebrate this momentous occasion in the life of one of our passengers, CEB (airline) awards Baby Haven one million GetGo points, which she can use to fly with us for free.”

The girl was born while the aircraft was cruising at 36,000 feet halfway from Dubai to Manila on August 14 — the first time a baby had been delivered onboard the no-frills carrier.

At 32 weeks gestation, Baby Haven made a premature but dramatic entrance into the world approximately four hours after Flight 5J015’s departure from the Dubai International Airport Sunday, August 14, 2016.

The pilot decided to divert the aircraft to Rajiv Gandhi International in Hyderabad, India, some 45 minutes away from the time he learnt about the on-board birth.

The cabin crew, along with two registered nurses who were also passengers on the flight, assisted with the delivery in the Airbus A330-300’s kitchen.

The pilot, Captain Ralph Prado, diverted the flight to Rajiv Gandhi International in Hyderabad, India, to ensure the mother and baby received medical assistance.

GetGo, the carrier’s rewards, gives card bearers 1 point for every Php5 (or about 9 points per US dollar) of purchase.

Members’ perks include earning points when they fly with Cebu Pacific, while rewards include free trips. Members may use points on fares, add-ons and purchases in select retail and food outlets.

As such, baby Haven and her family members enrolled in GetGo’s “sharing circle” may book for as low as 100 points for one-way domestic flights during seat sales.

Baby Haven’s points have no expiry, and may be shared with her family, the airline said.