Booked airfare, now nephew is coming, not unaccompanied minor

[rainy~daze]

Maybe someone here can help me with this question before I sit on hold with USAirways.
I purchased my seat with frequent flyer miles, my husband and kids booked through American Express because we had reward dollars to use up.
Now my 12 year old nephew may be able to go, so his ticket would be bought separately.
I see it says pay at the airport the unaccompanied minor fee, but he isn't unaccompanied, same flights as us, just different confirmation #.

Any experience with this? I don't want to pay the extra to book through 800# or at airport, but definitely will not pay unaccompanied minor charge.
Thoughts? Advice? How to?
Never had something like this before and could use some guidance.
Thank you all in advance.

 

[At World's End]

I would just call the airline and explain the situation. Once you make your nephew's reservations, they can link the two reservations so they know the party is flying together. We have done this in the past when we have booked our family on two different reservations because of using FF miles.

Since you will be responsible for your nephew during the trip, I would recomend getting a notarized letter from his parents that authorizes you as his guardian during the trip and gives you permission to make decisions in the event of a medical emergency.

 

[Brian Noble]

PP is right. This is something you'll have to do over the phone. I second the recommendation of a letter authorizing you to make medical decisions.

 

[mom2brooke76]

We've had this happen before, but with Southwest, so I'm not sure if my situation would help you. I fly regularly back and forth to Chicago to take my dd to visit her dad. The last time that I got her, her dad found a round trip for me (I was in Orlando at the time) and booked that. He then booked a separate one way for her thinking no big deal. She had to check in at the airport (on SW you can get your boarding pass 24 hours ahead of time, not so if you're an unaccompanied minor). It wound up being fine. Other than the hassle of him having to pay an unaccompanied minor fare initially and having to check her in at the airport, it turned out well. He just explained the situation there (he had tried to over the phone when he realized what he had done after booking her, but they said he'd have to handle it at the airport). He told them that she was flying with me and the front counter communicated that to the gate agents. They did also refund the UM fee, but not until after the flight (I think he had to call them afterwards).

For the record, my dd, her dad and I all have different last names, yet I've never had to bring any proof that she's mine. Maybe the fact that she clings to me is proof enough

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I'm not sure what the problem is. Buy your nephew a ticket for your flight online. If US Air asks his age, just check the adult box. He'll be traveling with you; no one will give you a second glance.

 

[Brian Noble]

I think you will also need to enter the birthday for Secure Flight---if the airline website cross-checks that, it will be complicated.

Rather than fill out the web site form incorrectly, it would be nearly as easy for the OP to just call and book it by linking the PNRs.

 

[seashoreCM]

When do you pay the unaccompanied minor fee and to whom?

If you are supposed pay it at the check in counter you would not need to pay it because you are accompanying the child and would show or receive your own boarding pass at the same time.

IF you are unabel to select a seat without paying the UM fee it is okay to reserve aisle and window in a row with other family members. You can then easily orchestrate a seat switch (at cruising altitude) with any stranger assigned to the middle seat given your nephew sitting elsewhere.

 

[francie57]

As pp have stated, get the notorized letter. We have done this each time our kids have had friends come with them, also get a copy of their medical insurance card, just in case.

 

[brenda1966]

I would call the airline. I had a similar situation with United. Tried to book my daughter on the same flight I was on, but I had used miles, so hers was a separate ticket. It seemed to let me enter all her information, but then when I entered my credit card, it tried to run it using her name and put a fraud alert on my credit card! Just a mess overall. Called the airline and get her booked, called the credit card company and got my card unlocked.