Question about SW and ticket for (almost) 2 year old.

[kevin75]

I've got a question that I'm hoping that I can get some help with.

We are planning a fall 2015 trip and right now, we have a Pop booking for Dec. 12-19, which was a bounceback offer from our stay last Nov. We normally take our trips in mid December, but last year we went the week before Thanksgiving and thought that the crowds were noticeably higher than our previous mid-December trips.

However, my youngest daughter's 2nd birthday will be on 11/28/15, which means that after that, SW will charge her for a ticket. If we ended up leaving before then, but returned after she turns 2, would we have to pay for the return leg, or would they just grandfather the return leg in?

Thanks!

 

[Alesia]

If she is flying on or after her 2nd birthday, she absolutely has to have a a ticket. There are no exceptions. They will ask for a birth certificate for her to fly as a lap baby.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Yes, you'll have to pay for the return ticket if she is two years old, even if she turns two the day of travel. Buy a one way for the return flight.

 

[nickid22]

Yes, you will need a ticket for the return flight. We had a similar situation, and ended up having to purchase a ticket when we were checking in for the flight with SW. Its FAA regs, so no way around it. Of course tickets are much more expensive when purchased the day of travel, so it was an expensive mistake.

 

[Alesia]

Yes, you will need a ticket for the return flight. We had a similar situation, and ended up having to purchase a ticket when we were checking in for the flight with SW. Its FAA regs, so no way around it. Of course tickets are much more expensive when purchased the day of travel, so it was an expensive mistake.

You were lucky that there was a ticket available at all.

 

[disney world dreamer]

its a federal law that all children ages 2+ have their own seat.
so SW cannot "grandfather her in".
you will have to pay for a ticket for her return flight.
and a birth certificate must be shown for the flight there.

 

[CarrieR]

From a safety aspect, ideally she'd have her own seat and carry a car seat onboard anyways.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

its a federal law that all children ages 2+ have their own seat.
so SW cannot "grandfather her in".
you will have to pay for a ticket for her return flight.
and a birth certificate must be shown for the flight there.

The are some airlines which allow a two year old to fly with only a lap baby fee (required for international travel) on the return flight if the child turns 2 after the originating flight. Example is British AirWays.

 

[disney world dreamer]

The are some airlines which allow a two year old to fly with only a lap baby fee (required for international travel) on the return flight if the child turns 2 after the originating flight. Example is British AirWays.

british airways is not a us airline so perhaps their government has different rules.

 

[supersnoop]

I believe there is also a difference with round-trip booking rules. Since Southwest only books one-way tickets, it's irrelevant here. But if you book a round-trip fare with a child who ages up during the trip, you might still be okay with the lap child rule.

 

[maxiesmom]

I believe there is also a difference with round-trip booking rules. Since Southwest only books one-way tickets, it's irrelevant here. But if you book a round-trip fare with a child who ages up during the trip, you might still be okay with the lap child rule.

I just looked, and at least for Delta, you have to purchase a ticket for both ways if a child turns two during the trip. That took me by surprise.

 

[Gracie09]

The are some airlines which allow a two year old to fly with only a lap baby fee (required for international travel) on the return flight if the child turns 2 after the originating flight. Example is British AirWays.

Actually British airways requires a seat after they turn two but doesn't charge the full fare, only the infant fare they would pay as a lap child

 

[Gracie09]

I believe there is also a difference with round-trip booking rules. Since Southwest only books one-way tickets, it's irrelevant here. But if you book a round-trip fare with a child who ages up during the trip, you might still be okay with the lap child rule.

No, two is two. It doesn't matter what airline you are flying or how you buy your tickets

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I believe there is also a difference with round-trip booking rules. Since Southwest only books one-way tickets, it's irrelevant here. But if you book a round-trip fare with a child who ages up during the trip, you might still be okay with the lap child rule.

The rule is an FAA rule. There is no leeway and the airline cannot change it. If your child is two or older on the day of the flight they must have a ticket. And the airlines are required to ask for proof of age if your child looks close to 2.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Actually British airways requires a seat after they turn two but doesn't charge the full fare, only the infant fare they would pay as a lap child

Yes, I mentioned that they must pay the lap baby fee.

 

[jayhawk74]

I believe there is also a difference with round-trip booking rules. Since Southwest only books one-way tickets, it's irrelevant here. But if you book a round-trip fare with a child who ages up during the trip, you might still be okay with the lap child rule.

On Southwest you can book a round trip flight as well as a one way. The FAA rule is if a child is two or older on the day of travel then they must have their own seat.