Plane ticket question

[stella27]

I hope someone can give me some advice on this scenario with American Airlines.

We are a family of 5 (mom, dad, 2 children, 1 infant). Flying to WDW on 8/16.
We have 4 tickets (mom, dad, 2 children) and infant will be a lap baby.

Dad now has a work conflict and will have to meet us later, but does not know exactly when he will be through.

Can Baby use Dad's seat (in carseat) for flight to Orlando? And then when Dad is with us on return flight be a lap baby for that return flight?

In other words, can I use Dad's ticket for baby on way down?

WDYT?

 

[msmayor]

Doubtful.

The ticket is in his name, and therefore cannot be used by another person. I don't believe this is an airline rule, but a federal rule.

If he fails to check in, AA can fill the seat with someone on standby.

If the ticket was purchased as a round-trip and he fails to use the first half, they can automatically cancel the return.

 

[Colinsmom]

never mind

 

[twinklebug]

It'd be best to call American Air, tell your story & get their thoughts. Stress the bit about your husband's work schedule changing & how, although you're not looking for a refund, would like to pop a car seat in his spot to make your child more comfortable & safe.

... Of course, only the gate agent & crew will be the ones who make the final decision.

 

[TheLittleRoo]

I'm going to bet on AA not allowing it. Two reasons: they don't stand to lose their money by cancelling his reservation due to no show on departure, and tickets are non-transferable even among family members.

I can't tell you how many times I've been in a pickle at the ticket counter trying to get something as simple as assigned seats (flying solo with 3 small kids scattered throughout the plane) and everyone seems to have the "that's not my job" "nothing I can do" "it's policy" attitude. Sorry to be a downer post, but I wouldn't hold your breath on AA bending policy for any reason.

 

[safetymom]

If he doesn't show up for the first flight his ticket will be canceled.

 

[stella27]

thanks for your thoughts...

Our local, small-town gate agents/crew (same people!) are very nice and accommodating. I expect that they will try to help.

ITA about AA (especially the phone bank reservations people) being callous to reasonable requests.

The online reservation system doesn't know about the lap baby because they didn't ask.

Is there a chance that I could pass Baby off as Dad? They do actually have the same name, and of course, the Baby does not have ID...

What really bites is that to change Dad's ticket will require that:

1. it be changed before date of departure, and at that time, we will not know what to chage it to since you don't know how long a trial will last (he's an attorney - not a criminal defendant!)

2. if you do change it, you have to pay change fee of $100 (unless it's gone up!) plus the difference in cost between old and new ticket, which will be atrocious on such short notice.

geez - they don't have to make it this HARD.

 

[MrsNick]

thanks for your thoughts...

Our local, small-town gate agents/crew (same people!) are very nice and accommodating. I expect that they will try to help.

ITA about AA (especially the phone bank reservations people) being callous to reasonable requests.

The online reservation system doesn't know about the lap baby because they didn't ask.

Is there a chance that I could pass Baby off as Dad? They do actually have the same name, and of course, the Baby does not have ID...

What really bites is that to change Dad's ticket will require that:

1. it be changed before date of departure, and at that time, we will not know what to chage it to since you don't know how long a trial will last (he's an attorney - not a criminal defendant!)

2. if you do change it, you have to pay change fee of $100 (unless it's gone up!) plus the difference in cost between old and new ticket, which will be atrocious on such short notice.

geez - they don't have to make it this HARD.

You don't have to know when he's going to travel to get the credit for the ticket. All you have to do is call, say that he will be unable to travel, cancel the ticket and get the credit. Then, when you know the details, call back to apply the credit. The $100 change fee does kinda stink, though. Plus any difference in airfare.

 

[pumpkinboy]

...Is there a chance that I could pass Baby off as Dad? They do actually have the same name, and of course, the Baby does not have ID...

In this case, I'm all for passing baby off as Dad, given that they have the same name and no ID for baby. Dad can buy a new ticket for his flight joiining you later. Unless Dad has a frequent flyer number attached to the reservation, I don't see why you wouldn't be able to do that. And technically, you bought a ticket for XX, without specifying Jr or Sr, and all the airline has is the name.

So by all means, go for it! No need to pay that nasty change fee, and this way, you'll have a seat for Baby.

Good luck!

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

If Dad and baby have the same name, no problem using Dad's ticket for the baby on the flight down.

You do need to inform the airline whenever you are flying with a lap baby; you should have done this when you bought the tickets.

 

[bgbodnar]

Is your husband still traveling same day just maybe later in the day? You might want to tell the airlines when you check in he might make it or not and the reason why-and they might just put him on as a stand by on a different flight, without an additional fees. Be nice and friendly, the airlines are more ready help out someone whos being nice and friendly than someone who's being a pain in the butt. I've seen people miss their flight and put on the next flight with no added fees, and I've seen them charged extra money for the next flight. Alot depend on how you act with the airlines emplyees.

 

[prncess674]

In this case, I'm all for passing baby off as Dad, given that they have the same name and no ID for baby. Dad can buy a new ticket for his flight joiining you later. Unless Dad has a frequent flyer number attached to the reservation, I don't see why you wouldn't be able to do that. And technically, you bought a ticket for XX, without specifying Jr or Sr, and all the airline has is the name.

So by all means, go for it! No need to pay that nasty change fee, and this way, you'll have a seat for Baby.

Good luck!

Even if baby was named Howdy Doody and dad was named Jimmy Jones no one would be the wiser, children don't require ID and hence you could get away with it.

Buying a one way ticket for Dad could be expensive, so you may want to check into that.

 

[stella27]

Even if baby was named Howdy Doody and dad was named Jimmy Jones no one would be the wiser, children don't require ID and hence you could get away with it.

Buying a one way ticket for Dad could be expensive, so you may want to check into that.

I expect he'll drive a few hours and fly Southwest or something. It's hard not knowing when he'll be able to join us. There is always a chance the case will settle and this question will be moot, but at this point, all signs point to his being tied up.

 

[stella27]

If Dad and baby have the same name, no problem using Dad's ticket for the baby on the flight down.

You do need to inform the airline whenever you are flying with a lap baby; you should have done this when you bought the tickets.

I bought them from AA.com, and I don't know if it asked.

 

[mdhkitten]

Just out of curiousity, are the two other children old enough to sit by themselves? I'm not sure of the configuration on the plane sitting wise, but if it was 3 seats on either side then one of your kids couldn't sit with you, right? Just wondering.

 

[stella27]

Just out of curiousity, are the two other children old enough to sit by themselves? I'm not sure of the configuration on the plane sitting wise, but if it was 3 seats on either side then one of your kids couldn't sit with you, right? Just wondering.

I've been thinking about this. They are 5 and 7. The 7yo would be fine. the 5 yo would be happy to sit without me, but I pity her seatmates.

We are actually flying first to Destin/Ft. Walton for a week at the beach before driving to Orlando, so I need to check the model of that plane for its seating arrangements. It's a situation that gives me great pause across the board. The kids and I will make it, but I am currently obsessed with carseats, strollers, suitcases, baby carriers, rental cars, plane tickets and all the other details that would be sooo much easier if there were another adult flying with me. I won't wait for him to finish his trial because of all the reservations already made/paid for, plus we will be meeting my family at the beach, so I will have help once I get there.

If I can just get there.