Can I book an adult airline ticket for a child?

[Fionasmommy]

I redeemed a bunch of United miles for $75 e-certificates to use on our flights to Disney. For some reason, they won't let me book more than one ticket at a time using a code, so I have to do them separately. So I booked mine, one for my mom and was just about to book for DD5. Not that simple, right? Right. It won't let me book a flight for a minor without an accompanying adult.

The price is the same for an adult or a child - do you think I can book her as an adult? Does it really matter?

 

[bicker]

I'd call them and perhaps have them do it from their end. The agents are often allowed to do more things that you can do on the website.

It indeed might "matter" especially with regard to terms and conditions and the treatment you'll get at the airport when you present your minor child with their own ticket, even though it practically shouldn't matter.

 

[klynn]

I redeemed a bunch of United miles for $75 e-certificates to use on our flights to Disney. For some reason, they won't let me book more than one ticket at a time using a code, so I have to do them separately. So I booked mine, one for my mom and was just about to book for DD5. Not that simple, right? Right. It won't let me book a flight for a minor without an accompanying adult.

The price is the same for an adult or a child - do you think I can book her as an adult? Does it really matter?

I have done this before for my child. Never had a problem.

 

[FoodLover]

As far as I know, the only time the airlines actually care about the passenger's age is when it's a minor traveling unaccompanied by an adult.

I've booked my nieces and nephews as adults before without any issues.

Mary
MouseSavers.com

 

[CarolA]

However as SOON as you book call the airline and have the reservations linked. You now have a child on a seperate reservation so they see NO need to even try to keep you seated together.

 

[FoodLover]

However as SOON as you book call the airline and have the reservations linked. You now have a child on a seperate reservation so they see NO need to even try to keep you seated together.

Good point!

 

[bicker]

You now have a child on a seperate reservation so they see NO need to even try to keep you seated together.

That's what I was figuring.

 

[Fionasmommy]

I could've sworn I replied here earlier, but I must've hit preview instead of submit. I always do that!

I went ahead booked it and then called United and they added a note to the reservation and linked DD's ticket with mine. They said it wouldn't be a problem at all, but I'll probably bring her passport along to check-in so she'll have photo i.d. just in case.

 

[Geoff_M]

When we fly, I book all of us as adults. I've found in the past that you can actually pay HIGHER fares, through the quirks of airline fare systems, if you book kids as "kids". I was told that this can happen when lower "kids fares" are sold out on a plane and it will price them at higher prices even though there are lower (more numerous) "adult" fares still available. A called the airline, and they confirmed that a child flying on an "adult" ticket was no problem. The only time they'd get excited would be if an adult was trying to fly on a lower priced "kid's fare".