showing birthcert? to prove 18mo age?

[DisFam95]

Someone in another post about flying said children 2 and under you have to show a birthcertificate!! My DS who is now 15mo is very tall and 'sturdy' and talks a lot. People frequently ask me "oh - what is he - about 2?" We will be travelling when he is 18 mo. Do airlines ever ask for proof? I have to pick up the tickets at the counter.

Thanks

 

[CarolMN]

It's better to be safe than sorry - I'd plan on having a copy of the birth certificate just in case someone asks to see it. Some airlines ask and some do not.

You might also call the specific airline you are flying and ask what their policy is for lap children or half-price seats for infants that will be using a car seat (whichever choice you made for your little one).

Enjoy your trip!

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Most airlines do require a BC. I know that SWA does and I believe Delta does also.

 

[Samandmom]

I have flown Delta and Southwest both with a lap child and never asked for a birth ceritificate. But I brought one just one just be safe.

 

[HappyMommy2]

I've flown many, many times (usually on Southwest) with a child flying on the infant (under age two) fare, and I've always been told to bring a copy of the birth certificate or the vaccination record, but only ONCE was I ever asked for it--I definitely bring the vaccination record along every single time, though, just in case.

 

[CarolA]

If your child is traveling as a lap child and looks two or older I would have the Birth Certificate. The airlines can be picky about that. (I once saw a woman trying to pass a 4 year old off as 2. And how do I know the child's age? The gate agent leaned down, looked at the little boy and said "how old are you? " in a very nice voice. Kid proudly annouces 4!)

 

[caseylouandtyler2]

Sorry in advance for this stupid question.

Do airlines offer reduced prices for children under 2? Just booked our flight last night didn't see anything on the website about it.
Does the child have to be a lap child or will they give a reduced price for a car seat baby? If we could get cheeper airfare I would be a much happier camper. We were planning to drive.

 

[dcgrumpy]

I've never been asked for a birth certificate

 

[Geoff_M]

Do airlines offer reduced prices for children under 2? Just booked our flight last night didn't see anything on the website about it.

When we had an under 2 YO in our family (he's now 4), we used to be able to purchase 1/2 priced fares for him via Expedia.

However, price the trip two differenct ways. Once with all family members as "adults", and once as the correct mix of adults and children. I've discovered that you can pay a "kiddie surcharge" due to fare pricing programs if you declare that you have kids in your party. So the 1/2 price ticket for Jr. may end up costing you more in total. We saved ~$120 per person on our next trip by saying there were 5 "adults" in our party.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by caseylouandtyler2
Sorry in advance for this stupid question.

Do airlines offer reduced prices for children under 2? Just booked our flight last night didn't see anything on the website about it.
Does the child have to be a lap child or will they give a reduced price for a car seat baby? If we could get cheeper airfare I would be a much happier camper. We were planning to drive.

You need to call the airline directly.

 

[castlegazer]

I find that Orbitz is the only web search where I can specify flying with a child under 2 and get a reduced rate without contacting the airline directly. I may be wrong but that is the easiest to use and get a good feel for the reduced fare and it should be reduced (you have to use their advanced search). What SWA just did to me, though, is that they do reduce the fare, but off of the full fare rate for a completely refundable ticket. I was better off just grabbing a special non-refundable fare for my DS than taking the reduced child under 2 rate.

Do bring a copy of the birth certificate, it is your only form of ID for your child which is something that I feel I need and not just for the airline, and bring immunization records. I hate to think about the bad things in life and the post about digital camera photos of your child every morning really freaks me out, but it is better to be prepared to ID your child and your relationship to your child is more easily proved when you have your birth certificate along.

 

[caseylouandtyler2]

Thank you for your answers, I'll start pricing things a little different and see if I can reduce my airfare.

Thanks again. These boards have been very helpful for a Non frequent flyer.

 

[HappyMommy2]

I meant to add that you should bring proof of age just in case, even if your child doesn't "look" over two years old--the one time we were asked for proof, DS was tiny (only about 11 months old, clearly not over two!).

 

[LoriZH]

I have never been asked for a BC for any of my children, nor my niece who has been traveling with us for about 11 years. This was on AA, however we flew Song the last time and we did not have any children 2 and under, so things may have changed. Just call the airlines and be safe about it.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by LoriZH
I have never been asked for a BC for any of my children, nor my niece who has been traveling with us for about 11 years. This was on AA, however we flew Song the last time and we did not have any children 2 and under, so things may have changed. Just call the airlines and be safe about it.

Usually these issues are covered in the FAQ or Customer Care section of the specific airline. Failing that, a phone call is a good thing.

From SWA:
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.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The way my luck goes, 100 people would not be asked, but, I would. I am always prepared and carrying a BC is not a big deal.

 

[Gretchen]

Couple of things:
Delta offers 1/2 price infant fares. We purchased one for DS last December, he was 8 months. 1/2 off the lowest fare they are offering. This year we are going SWA, they too offer 1/2 off , but their discounted fare was less than the 1/2 off. Go figure. Second thing, I would never ever fly with a child on my lap, totally not worth the risk, esp. since the airlines offer discounted infant fares..
Thanks,
Gretchen

 

[DemoBri1]

Originally posted by GAIL HAYDEN
Most airlines do require a BC. I know that SWA does and I believe Delta does also.

When making our flight reservations, ATA told me that I would need to show a BC for my DS who will be 17 mos when we fly. I'm also bringing a copy of BC for my 3 yo DD just in case. You never know with security these days what they're going to ask you for.

Brian

 

[DemoBri1]

Originally posted by Gretchen
Couple of things:
Delta offers 1/2 price infant fares. We purchased one for DS last December, he was 8 months. 1/2 off the lowest fare they are offering. This year we are going SWA, they too offer 1/2 off , but their discounted fare was less than the 1/2 off. Go figure. Second thing, I would never ever fly with a child on my lap, totally not worth the risk, esp. since the airlines offer discounted infant fares..
Thanks,
Gretchen

Not all airlines offer these fares. We're flying ATA and they do not.

Brian