Child Fare on SWA?

[kelscross]

I just noticed on the Southwest Airline website they have child fares. Airtran does not offer this and it might be worth driving a bit to Indianapolis from Dayton to take advantage of this.

Does anyone know the "approximate" child fare from Indy to MCO?

Thanks

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by kelscross
I just noticed on the Southwest Airline website they have child fares. Airtran does not offer this and it might be worth driving a bit to Indianapolis from Dayton to take advantage of this.

Does anyone know the "approximate" child fare from Indy to MCO?

Thanks

No, unfortunately, it is something you need to call SWA for.
I can tell you, from reading here, that the child fare is often not as good as what you can get from their specials.

 

[NotUrsula]

On SWA, the "child fare" is normally about 20% discounted off the price of the full-price walk-up fare; which is ordinarily about $400 r/t with tax from Indianapolis to MCO.

However, SWA is discounting Indianapolis quite often lately to $59 o/w, making a regular discount ticket about $147 r/t including tax. With SWA, it is almost always cheaper to buy a child a discounted adult ticket, rather than the child fare.

It should be noted that on SWA, if you actually buy a "child fare" it applies to all children under 13, including children under 2 who qualify as lap babies. On most other US carriers, there is something called the "infant fare" that is around 1/2 of whatever price the adults in the party pay; this type of fare is only good for children who are UNDER 2 yrs. old. SWA does not offer this type of infant fare.

 

[Lewisc]

I don't know how much of a discount you get but SW does offer an infant fare

Southwest Airlines offers very affordable Infant Fares for children under two years of age that enable you to reserve a seat for your little traveler to fly along safely and comfortably in his or her approved CRD. We'll even board you early so you'll have plenty of time to buckle up your baby.

I do understand the childs fares are higher than the discounted fares most of us are able to grab.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by NotUrsula
On SWA, the "child fare" is normally about 20% discounted off the price of the full-price walk-up fare; which is ordinarily about $400 r/t with tax from Indianapolis to MCO.

However, SWA is discounting Indianapolis quite often lately to $59 o/w, making a regular discount ticket about $147 r/t including tax. With SWA, it is almost always cheaper to buy a child a discounted adult ticket, rather than the child fare.

It should be noted that on SWA, if you actually buy a "child fare" it applies to all children under 13, including children under 2 who qualify as lap babies. On most other US carriers, there is something called the "infant fare" that is around 1/2 of whatever price the adults in the party pay; this type of fare is only good for children who are UNDER 2 yrs. old. SWA does not offer this type of infant fare.

Ah, yes they do. What the percentage off is, I don't know.

Is your tot under two?
Southwest Airlines offers very affordable Infant Fares for children under two years of age that enable you to reserve a seat for your little traveler to fly along safely and comfortably in his or her approved CRD. We'll even board you early so you'll have plenty of time to buckle up your baby.

Southwest Airlines Infant Fares have no restrictions, are fully refundable, and are offered on every Southwest Airlines flight (although seats are limited). Not only will you have the security of knowing that your baby is flying safely at a very reasonable price, you'll also have a convenient way to bring along his or her CRD so it will be available for ground travel when you reach your destination.

Although not recommended, if your child is under age two and you would prefer to hold him or her on your lap when traveling, you may do so on Southwest Airlines without charge, and we'll be glad to check your CRD for use at your destination. FAA regulation requires any child who has reached his or her second birthday to occupy his or her own seat during takeoff and landing. Please keep in mind that Southwest personnel must ensure compliance with this regulation, so be sure to bring along a copy of your baby's birth certificate for age verification.

And, they offer one for 2-11

Infants and Children
One child over 14 days and under two (2) years of age, not occupying a seat, may be carried free with a Customer paying the applicable adult fare. Affordable Infant Fares are also available that enable a Customer to reserve a seat for an infant and use his/her FAA approved car seat. A birth certificate is required to validate age of all infants under age two. A medical release for travel is required for any infant under 14 days old. Accompanied children ages two through 11 will be charged the applicable Child's Fare for the flight (does not apply to unaccompanied children ages five through 11).

Again, you need to call.

 

[NotUrsula]

Gail, you're right; I misspoke. SWA does *list* two (actually, three) fare categories for the younger set: Infant, Child, and the little-known Youth fare.

However, I checked with SWA about how those fare categories are calculated, and was told that in price terms they still are almost never the least expensive alternative, as they are all calculated the same way, as a percentage off the "Refundable Anytime" fare class. The percentage may be up to 50% for children under 2, while it seldom exceeds 20% for older children.
(The percentage varies, based on day/time/route.)

As a practical matter, as long as you are not buying a walk-up fare, it will pretty much always be cheaper on SWA to buy a child an adult fare in a discounted advanced-purchase fare class, rather than the designated special fare based on passenger age.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by NotUrsula
Gail, you're right; I misspoke. SWA does *list* two (actually, three) fare categories for the younger set: Infant, Child, and the little-known Youth fare.

However, I checked with SWA about how those fare categories are calculated, and was told that in price terms they still are almost never the least expensive alternative, as they are all calculated the same way, as a percentage off the "Refundable Anytime" fare class. The percentage may be up to 50% for children under 2, while it seldom exceeds 20% for older children.
(The percentage varies, based on day/time/route.)

As a practical matter, as long as you are not buying a walk-up fare, it will pretty much always be cheaper on SWA to buy a child an adult fare in a discounted advanced-purchase fare class, rather than the designated special fare based on passenger age.

I completely agree about the discounted fares for anyone. They are most often the least expensive way to go on SWA.