Documents for travel for children?

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

Hello! we are flying Southwest Air on Saturady and were wondering what do we need for our children if anything to verify their ages? We have bought them both tickets and they are regular fare tickets (not children's rates). DD is 2 and DS is 1.

Thanks so much!

DMM!

 

[Liltx]

You really don't need anything to prove their ages. BUT I would take the birth certificate for the infant. Here's why: If you bought each way seperately (not roundtrip) you could see how many seats are left on the plane. If there are at least 7 to 10 I would have them give you credit on that fare to use in the future. This way baby can still have a seat. You can do this on the way back as well. It doesn't hurt to ask but you will need the birth certificate to get an infant lap child pass.

Have a great time!

Monica

 

[Liltx]

Oh, I forgot to say that you cannot check in on-line and do this but since you will most likely be able to preboard it should not be an issue.

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

oo thanks!! i was going to check in online!! YIKES!
We already bought round trip tix for both kids, we figured what the heck

THanks for all the info though!!

 

[Liltx]

I meant you couldn't check in online if you want a refund but since you don't then for sure check-in online. Rarely they don't pre-board and you will want an A pass to have time to install carseats.
Sorry if I didn't make sense the first time.

Monica

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

ooo thanks!! nah we don't care about the refund got great seats and bought the kids full adult fares anyways! Thanks a bunch!!

 

[Liltx]

This is the first time we are flying without an infant (just turned 2 in March) and also the first time I will have credit left over. We always buy the baby an infant fare ( half the cost of fully refundable ticket) and it ends up costing us less than a cheap fare here's how:
We buy seats when they first come out (internet fares) for the rest of us (3 before) then look for the ding. When we get the Ding they give us credit which we apply toward the infant fare basically refunding us that money in a round about way. Then we do the airport check in and find out the number of open seats, if it is around 7 then we have the fare refunded to us (infant fares are fully refundable). We do the same on the return. We have NEVER paid for both ways of a trip, but usually end up paying for one. But that one is almost always paid for with the credit we get from DINGS.
If we were brave enough to wait for DING to buy all of the seats it would be even better but I am not that brave.
Just thought you might like the info as I see you are pg again.

Monica

 

[JoBird]

J.

 

[JeninTN]

So, you don't have to have ANY ID for a child to travel on an airline?

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

Alright from what i am understanding:

If you have a lap child/child under 2 and they DO NOT have a seat OR you ARE looking to refund the child fare, THEN you will need ID for the child.

IF you have purchased a CHILD FARE for your child, THEN you will need ID to prove the age.

IF you have full priced tix for your children, then you should not.

This is what i am understanding from here AND from Southwest themselves sooo let's hope it right, but i am bringing Birth Certificates just in case

 

[princesdi]

Last year when we went to WDW and on a Dis. Cruise, although not required, we got our kids 9 & 13 ID cards just for saftey measures. I do not regret getting them, I think it is a good thing for the kids to have.

 

[NotUrsula]

All of the above applies when travelling domestically within the US *only*.

If you are taking a child outside the country or across int'l borders, you need to get the child a passport.

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

Yes i knew about internationally, we are going to Mexico next year, so passports will be had at the end of this year. Just wondering about Florida

 

[Liltx]

Michelle,
You have it exactly right.
Still, I always carry a copy of my children's birth certificates, a recent picture, and their health insurance cards just in case of an emergency.

Monica

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

Yup we've got pictures, and we only need 1 insurance card since we're all on it and we have that too i also have their Drs number written on the insurance card along with the BC all in a small plastic envelope from TARGET that i will toss into my purse for travel and right into the safe at WDW!