Children under 2 question

[Disneymom2AA]

We are travelling to WDW late this year and my son will turn 2 during our trip. We are really thinking about flying this time but I am not sure about buying ticket for DS.

Are the airlines real strict about the under 2 policy? Will we need to buy a ticket for his return flight or should I not ask a single question and play it off. You know play dumb? I mean it will save us a couple hundred dollars.

 

[madge]

my 2 cents?

call the airline and ask--we had to show a birth certificate for our daughter to show proof of age--both legs of the trip.

I wouldn't put a toddler on a plane without a seat--too many horror stories about turbulence. I'm sure someone has the links to them....

but, to answer your question, check with the airlines.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Most of the airlines require a birth cert. for a lap child, both ways.
With the youth fares available, I would not even consider not buying a ticket for the child and securing him in an approved child restraint seat.

 

[Disneymom2AA]

Youth fares?? I've never heard of this. Must be because we rarely fly. We usually drive now that we have kids, but can you suggest some airlines that have youth fares? I'll search also. thanks for the suggestions.

I didn't mean to sound so CHEAP when I said I would save a "couple hundred dollars". My DS means the world to me and I would never do anything to put his life in jeopardy.

I just had a family member say that she flew to Vegas with her daughter and they didn't even ask for a birth certificate. That is why I posted.

Thanks again everyone!!!

 

[beattyfamily]

We always bought our DD a ticket when she was under two but we always paid the child fare and it was about 50% discount!

Sometimes if I went directly to Delta, I wouldn't see the discount fare but I would definitely see it at Expedia and Orbitz. Good luck!

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by Disneymom2AA
Youth fares?? I've never heard of this. Must be because we rarely fly. We usually drive now that we have kids, but can you suggest some airlines that have youth fares? I'll search also. thanks for the suggestions.

I didn't mean to sound so CHEAP when I said I would save a "couple hundred dollars". My DS means the world to me and I would never do anything to put his life in jeopardy.

I just had a family member say that she flew to Vegas with her daughter and they didn't even ask for a birth certificate. That is why I posted.

Thanks again everyone!!!

SWA sells fares for little ones under two, but, you need to call them. I am sure you would never put your DS in danger, but, like in the car, he is safetest in his own seat. Turbulance, etc. can make a child fly. Most airlines do ask for proof. Check the airline you wish to fly or call them and get their policy

From SWA's website.

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

 

[ZerasPride]

Hi! Thanks for asking the question about a child that's under two needing proof of age. I am doing last minute prep work for our trip and when I saw your post I called my airline (Continental) and I was told several times that (at least on this airline) we do not need to show proof that my niece is under 2. The agent even told me that because they don't require proof, people sometimes try to carry their 5 year old children on the plane and claim that they are two and sometimes they will (just for laughs) let the person suffer through the flight with a big 5 year old on their lap! Now that's cheap!

Again, just wanted to thank you for posting.

 

[madge]

Gail,

I have found with SWA that the internet fare is often cheaper than the youth/infant fare. That cost is usally half of what the full, refundable fare is. I think that is insane....make it cheap enough to encourage people to buy a seat!

Other airlines are cheaper when it comes to the baby fare--especially when you book then through orbitz or expedia.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by madge
Gail,

I have found with SWA that the internet fare is often cheaper than the youth/infant fare. That cost is usally half of what the full, refundable fare is. I think that is insane....make it cheap enough to encourage people to buy a seat!

Other airlines are cheaper when it comes to the baby fare--especially when you book then through orbitz or expedia.

Thanks Madge, not haveing a child under the age of 26, I had no need to check the price. I was just relating what I had read.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by ZerasPride
Hi! Thanks for asking the question about a child that's under two needing proof of age. I am doing last minute prep work for our trip and when I saw your post I called my airline (Continental) and I was told several times that (at least on this airline) we do not need to show proof that my niece is under 2. The agent even told me that because they don't require proof, people sometimes try to carry their 5 year old children on the plane and claim that they are two and sometimes they will (just for laughs) let the person suffer through the flight with a big 5 year old on their lap! Now that's cheap!

Again, just wanted to thank you for posting.

Not to mention just plain stupid and dangerous.

 

[sters]

I don't know about your kid, but mine at 18 months (when we flew) or 2 years (when you fly) would have been a horror to hold on my lap. And, I also have heard many horror stories about turbulance. I don't regret splurging for the seat.

 

[crazywig]

Originally posted by madge
Gail,

I have found with SWA that the internet fare is often cheaper than the youth/infant fare. That cost is usally half of what the full, refundable fare is. I think that is insane....make it cheap enough to encourage people to buy a seat!

yup, when we flew swa last jan, they wanted like $250 for an infant fare, but our internet rate was $176! needless to say i booked the internet rate.

when we went ds was 9m and even then i could not have tolerated him in my lap! he slept nearly the whole way in his carseat

now that he's nearly 16m i don't even want to take him on a plane

 

[dis4me]

I made the awful mistake of not booking a flight for my 1 year old(He wasn't born when ressies were made). Well he is 1 but 32 lbs so it was a terrible flight. I tried to book a seat for him after the fact but they were $1000. Luckily on our trip home we had an infant block seat so he had his own seat and was much happier.
I would definately reccomend getting a seat for every child.

 

[onecoolmama]

When we booked SWA we specifially asked about the infant rate. They told us that our internet rate was so good, less then $50 each way, that they wouldn't give us 50% off that. But if we were paying full price, we would get the 50% off. I have found that the internet rates are much better then the infant rates also!/