Plane Ticket for Minor

[Joker]

What do I need to know about buying a plane ticket for a minor (15) traveling alone? The minor is not mine but one we are flying in for a birthday surprise.

[cjzimmer1]

Mine was 17 but was still considered an unaccompanied minor (I'm assuming the individual will be flying alone).  Anyways, there really wasn't anything special we did.  There is an option to pay extra to have an airport person escorting them in the airport but mine did fine navigating alone even though he had never been in an airport before.  There was something on his ticket about being a minor and I know it made him eligible for the short line check in (not sure if it's called preferred or what but he was always allowed to use a different line).  He really didn't need anything special.  If the person in question is good at figuring out where to go (or at least willing to ask for help), they shouldn't have any problems.

[AK_Mom4]

You need their date of birth to buy the ticket. The minor needs to be sure to bring picture ID to get thru the TSA security.

 

Other than that, there really isn't anything to worry about. DD14 flew to the grandparents and back this summer. Even with lost luggage and delayed flights, it was no big deal.

[Starr]

be sure the ticket is in the same name as ID.

[shawthorne44]

Some airlines REQUIRE you to pay extra for an escort.  I seem to remember reading that United the age is 15 now.  I think that is silly. 

 

Also, I forget who I talked to, but if you arrange it ahead of time, you can meet someone at the gate.  I did that once for my mother (post9/11).   Your names gets put on a list. 

[StephanieZ]

Each airline has different age cut offs for Unattended Minors, and fees can range from 50-150 each way!  

[Joker]

Thanks! So, are layovers ok? There are no direct flights. I did find out she's flown alone before so she's used to this. I don't know if she's had a layover yet and am hoping that's not an issue.

[Amira]

Layovers can be tricky with younger teenagers if they're not travelling as fee-paying UMs since they cannot get a hotel if flights are delayed or cancelled and they might have a harder time advocating for themselves if there are problems. The airline has no responsibility to give a teenager special help. You might be able to schedule the layover in an airport where you have family or friends who could help if necessary. Or have someone drive the teenager to a larger/different airport or you drive to one for the pickup, even if it's a much longer drive, to get on a direct flight. If there are problems, some parents have been able to call a hotel and reserve a room for a teenager and call a taxi to take their child there- cell phones help a lot. You could also talk to an airline employee over the phone to try to fix things if there are problems. You'd definitely want to schedule the flights as early in the day as possible so there would be more options to reschedule if necessary.

 

It can be done without it, but I'd problably pay the fee if there were a layover (if the airline even allowed it) just so I didn't have to worry.

[Lanny]

That would depend upon the route (domestic or international?) and upon the airline involved. Check the airline web site for their rules. If it is international, this is *much* more complex.

[Lanny]

Thanks! So, are layovers ok? There are no direct flights. I did find out she's flown alone before so she's used to this. I don't know if she's had a layover yet and am hoping that's not an issue.

 

If my DD (15) was flying alone and had to make a connection, I would have her on the same airline, all the way.   I would not want her changing airlines, which might also require changing terminal buildings.   I would try to prepare her for what might happen (worst case) if her first flight was delayed so much that she misconnected. I would try to prepare her for what might happen if her first or 2nd flight was diverted to another city. Lost luggage. Customs/Immigration if it is an International trip.      The necessity to change terminal buildings in a very large airport would be something I would avoid at all costs.  I would have her prepared mentally, for what possibly could go wrong, but almost always, things go properly and there are no issues.  I WOULD HAVE HER LEAVE AND ARRIVE AS EARLY IN THE DAY AS IS POSSIBLE. FIRST DEPARTURE/ARRIVAL TIMES AVAILABLE.

 

ETA: The only time I would consider my DD changing terminal buildings would be if she arrived in the USA and after leaving Customs/Immigration, her connecting flight was departing from another terminal building. I would have her on the same airline, all the way, if she was going from Cali, Colombia to Lubbock, TX for example.

Edited January 16, 2016 by Lanny

[madteaparty]

When my 9 year old flew alone, the ticket needed to say unaccompanied minor or whatever the code. This because there's a procedure about kids that young.

I can't imagine the same procedure is followed for a 15 year old...

[Alessandra]

I was just looking this up, because I have a 15 year old who will be flying solo. I was surprised that the rules were not universal, but varied by airline. Each airline's website has detailed info on what kind of flight, direct, connecting, etcetera, is permitted and whether a 15 year old has to fly as an unaccompanied minor or not. UM fees can be $150 each way! If the child needs the help, fine. If not, use an airline that lets you waive UM status.

 

Make sure child has good ID, like a non drivers license from motor vehicles.

[Dmmetler]

If they're traveling as a UM, many airlines won't let them make connecting flights, fly on the last flight of the day, and a lot of other rules. My DD did a program last summer where she could have flown in and they would have picked her up-but none of the airlines would let a 10 yr old fly because there were no direct flights.

 

With a 15 yr old, I hope they would be less strict about that, but be aware that it can be a pain to find a flight that works.

[Excelsior! Academy]

Our dds have both flown alone at 15.  One with a layover.  We didn't pay for unaccompanied minor.  

 

I would check with your individual airline and airport.  Neither needed ID's, though they had them.  One had a driver's permit, the other a state issued ID.  The airlines just said they didn't need them until 18.  

 

The only problem we did have was paying for things.  We didn't think to give them a credit card or even a Visa gift credit card.  Most airlines refuse cash at the terminal and on the plane.  So if your minor wants a drink on the plane or needs to pay for checked luggage they will be out of luck without one.  

 

American Airlines was the worst!!!!  My dd's flew to Florida from Oklahoma with a layover at 15 and 12.  American required them to check a bag each, but they had no way to pay.  I tried to pay over the phone with a credit card; American refused.  They told me I needed to drive to the airport to pay.  Hard to do when I was in OK and my dds were in FL!!  I offered to drive to the airport in OK (20 minutes away from me) to pay. American refused.  Finally, I was able to pay over the phone for the cost of luggage + $100 extra per child for "paying over the phone charge."  Ridiculous!!!

[StephanieZ]

Thanks! So, are layovers ok? There are no direct flights. I did find out she's flown alone before so she's used to this. I don't know if she's had a layover yet and am hoping that's not an issue.

Depends on the airline. Some restrict unattended minors to layovers only in certain major hubs. Google up the policies ofr the airline you are considering!

 

NOTE: Unattended minor rules have changed a lot in recent years. 4-5 years ago, paying the fee was optional after about age 12, and so you *could* book virtually any flight. Fees have gone way up as have restrictions. Don't assume things that were allowed a few years ago are still permitted.

[StephanieZ]

ps. I always make sure my kids have plenty of cash during traveling alone. A CC or at least $100 cash is just a basic safety thing. Also, I always have an adult there to check them in, so IF they had to pay unexpected fees, the adult could swing it (and I could reimburse, etc.).

[ThisIsTheDay]

We have had the same experience with different age policies for different airlines.  When my 13 and 17yo traveled together, although my 17yo could travel alone on certain airlines, my 13yo was still considered "unaccompanied" because of her age.  We chose an airline that didn't require an extra fee.

 

They also had a transfer. Their morning flight from home was delayed, causing them to miss their connection in Chicago.  It was very difficult for them to get another flight--there were no seats. Adding to that, depending on their late arrival at the other end, my parents would have to rent a hotel room for the night, due to ferry schedules. 

 

My kids were great about advocating for themselves, going from counter to counter. They were texting and calling me to update constantly. Myhusband was simultaneously on his cell phone with one airline rep and on a landline with another rep.  AND my sil was her phone with one more rep.  The kids ended up getting the last two seats on a different airline (haha, didn't have to pay the UM fee), and those last two seats were in first class.

 

What I learned:  always give a bigger cushion of time than you think you need.  Although I scheduled them on their first flight out (expecting fewer delays early in the morning), that plane left an hour late, and the 50 mins. I gave to make their connection was not enough.

 

Cell phones. Cell phones,  Cell phones.

 

And to top it off, their return flight was cancelled the morning of takeoff, as my bil was driving to the airport.  They ended up staying for another day.

 

 

[Starr]

It's easier to drive a couple of hours to an airport for a non-stop than help them through a cancelled flight over the phone. 

[Plateau Mama]

You need their date of birth to buy the ticket. The minor needs to be sure to bring picture ID to get thru the TSA security.

Other than that, there really isn't anything to worry about. DD14 flew to the grandparents and back this summer. Even with lost luggage and delayed flights, it was no big deal.

 

Minors don't need photo ID to travel. My son flies alone every summer and my niece flies here. We've never needed ID for them. I'm not saying it's not a good idea but they won't be asked for it.

Thanks! So, are layovers ok? There are no direct flights. I did find out she's flown alone before so she's used to this. I don't know if she's had a layover yet and am hoping that's not an issue.

This Vary's greatly with the airline. Some won't allow it at all some require Unacompanied minor status.

 

When traveling with a minor the adult with him at the airport cna get a special pass to go to the gate with them. If traveling as an UM you will be asked who will be picking them up and that person will have to go to the gate to pick them up. They will not be released until the adult shows up. If traveling w/o UM status when dropping off the child you must tell them uncle bob will be picking them up and I want them to meet him at the gate. If you don't tell them this they may or may not allow them to go to the gate. Usually at 15 the do not allow you to w/o a note in the computer. They tried to not let me go back to pick up my 13, at a sattelite terminal, but another lady said absolutly, he's only 13!

Edited January 16, 2016 by Plateau Mama

[Lanny]

If my DD (15) was flying by herself and there was a Connecting Flight involved, I would prefer that she connect in an airport she is familiar with. For her, that would be Bogota, Colombia.  If the passenger in question is an experienced flyer, it would be easiest if the connection can be somewhere where the feet have been on the ground before...

[goldberry]

 

 

American Airlines was the worst!!!!  My dd's flew to Florida from Oklahoma with a layover at 15 and 12.  American required them to check a bag each, but they had no way to pay.  I tried to pay over the phone with a credit card; American refused.  They told me I needed to drive to the airport to pay.  Hard to do when I was in OK and my dds were in FL!!  I offered to drive to the airport in OK (20 minutes away from me) to pay. American refused.  Finally, I was able to pay over the phone for the cost of luggage + $100 extra per child for "paying over the phone charge."  Ridiculous!!!

 

OMG I had a similar experience with AA that almost left DD stranded at the airport when she was 12.  I paid the unaccompanied minor fee both directions.  But on the return (coming home) they didn't show the fee was paid.  I was prepared to just repay it and hash it out later, but they wouldn't let me pay over the phone, and the person delivering DD to the airport didn't have a credit card.    

 

After about 10 phone calls I finally got someone WAY up that I was able to fax my Amex bill to showing that I paid the fee both directions. They were able to call the terminal to okay letting DD go through.  This all taking place while DD is HYSTERICAL upset that she was not going to get to go home....

[Alessandra]

A note on credit cards, debit cards, and gift cards. Some services, like Uber, do not accept gift cards. My guess is that it is because gift cards are anonymous, and uber wants to who the passenger is for security. I like to send Ds with several cards, at least one of which can be refilled by me from home in case of a real emergency.

[Lanny]

<snip>

 

What I learned:  always give a bigger cushion of time than you think you need.  Although I scheduled them on their first flight out (expecting fewer delays early in the morning), that plane left an hour late, and the 50 mins. I gave to make their connection was not enough.

 

Cell phones. Cell phones,  Cell phones.

 

And to top it off, their return flight was cancelled the morning of takeoff, as my bil was driving to the airport.  They ended up staying for another day.

 

There is some excellent advice in that post.  If the domestic (I assume this is within the USA) connection time is one hour, better to allow 2 hours between flights.  Don't push it.

 

If we go up to Orlando on COPA via Panama (our preferred route) and something happens, we can fend for ourselves. Children alone might not be able to do that.

 

A friend of ours came down from Houston to Cali, via Panama. His flight on Continental was very delayed and he misconnected in Panama City. He had to spend the night there. He's an adult, speaks Spanish, and had no issues, other than arriving in Cali 24 hours later than scheduled.

 

I remember misconnecting in San Antonio. My flight from Mexico was several hours late and I arrived in San Antonio at night. When I was in U.S. Customs or Immigration, I saw someone from the airline and told him I'd misconnected.  He told me to go to the Ticket Counter (this was Mexicana) after I got out of Customs and they would take care of me. When I told the agent what happened, the question was "Where are you going?"   Pittsburgh I was told, was one of the worst places to get to from San Antonio. They put me up in a Courtyard property near the airport.

 

Many years ago, in the USA, the airlines had to comply with C.A.B. Rule 240.  Some airlines (2 or 3?) apparently take care of passengers with problems, as if Rule 240 was still a  U.S. regulation.  IF SOMETHING HAPPENS, ASK FOR HELP AND MENTION "RULE 240".  The airline agent may know what that means and may help.  IF THERE IS A PROBLEM, ALWAYS BE POLITE AND FRIENDLY.  People who are not do not receive help.

 

I remember a very early morning flight from Cali to Bogota. We had an appointment in Bogota. The airport in Bogota was Closed, due to bad weather (low visibility?) and our flight was held in Cali, for an hour or so, until El Dorado Airport in Bogota opened for arriving flights.

 

Things happen.  If there are unaccompanied children flying alone, it is best to try to prepare them, in case something goes awry. Usually, things go well and there are no issues and everyone is a Happy Camper.

Edited January 16, 2016 by Lanny

[Barb_]

Google the name of the airline and "unaccompanied minor" for the details by airline. Southwest allowed my kids, then 15, 13, and 9 to travel alone with no extra fees.

 

Also, buy a good portable phone battery charger, charge it up before hand and tuck it into a backpack. My 14yo daughter flew once with my 5yo daughter and forgot to charge her phone fully before takeoff. She had no way to reach me when they landed.

Edited January 16, 2016 by Barb_

[Alessandra]

Google the name of the airline and "unaccompanied minor" for the details by airline. Southwest allowed my kids, then 15, 13, and 9 to travel alone with no extra fees.

 

Also, buy a good portable phone battery charger, charge it up before hand and tuck it into a backpack. My 14yo daughter flew once with my 5yo daughter and forgot to charge her phone fully before takeoff. She had no way to reach me when they landed.

 

This.

 

We have several of these. It had an excellent review on a site I trust, Top Ten Reviews. It says solar, but works as a plug in too.

 

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KSTC3WG?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage

 

Btw, I just booked a direct flight on Delta for ds age 15. Not even a window popped up to question his age.

 

I am planning to send him with a notarized letter from me saying he has my permission to travel. Mostly in case of an unexpected problem of some sort. But I am one of those dot the i and cross the t people, lol.

[Barb_]

This.

 

We have several of these. It had an excellent review on a site I trust, Top Ten Reviews. It says solar, but works as a plug in too.

 

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KSTC3WG?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage

 

Btw, I just booked a direct flight on Delta for ds age 15. Not even a window popped up to question his age.

 

I am planning to send him with a notarized letter from me saying he has my permission to travel. Mostly in case of an unexpected problem of some sort. But I am one of those dot the i and cross the t people, lol.

We have these. They keep their charge for weeks and weeks on standby. I bought mine in October, I've used it several times, and I've only had to charge it once.

 

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00Y03M8XU?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage

[Alessandra]

We have these. They keep their charge for weeks and weeks on standby. I bought mine in October, I've used it several times, and I've only had to charge it once.

 

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00Y03M8XU?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage

Ds needed one that used solar too, for a long Boy Scout trip to philmont in NM. But your looks good too. That is a long time to hold a charge!

[Joker]

Thanks for all the advice. We would be on the receiving end so couldn't make sure she has chargers and money.

 

I also found out today that the nearest airport without a layover would be four hours one way for us. We can't do that since it's just a short weekend visit.

 

I'm hoping we can make this work and your comments have helped me narrow things down.

 

ETA: Also, what the heck is up with layovers? They are all either too short (less than an hour) or too long (four hours). It's frustrating since her layover would be in a very big, busy airport.

Edited January 17, 2016 by Joker

[Starr]

Maybe you could all go to the nearest airport town and spend the weekend together there? 

[shawthorne44]

Thanks for all the advice. We would be on the receiving end so couldn't make sure she has chargers and money.

 

I also found out today that the nearest airport without a layover would be four hours one way for us. We can't do that since it's just a short weekend visit.

 

I'm hoping we can make this work and your comments have helped me narrow things down.

 

ETA: Also, what the heck is up with layovers? They are all either too short (less than an hour) or too long (four hours). It's frustrating since her layover would be in a very big, busy airport.

 

4 hours doesn't seem that long.  More cushion for problems. 

[Lanny]

<snip>

ETA: Also, what the heck is up with layovers? They are all either too short (less than an hour) or too long (four hours). It's frustrating since her layover would be in a very big, busy airport.

 

 

IMO, domestic online connections in the USA (or here in Colombia) should allow at least one (1) hour between connecting flights that are in the same terminal building. For an unaccompanied child, or my family, I would prefer 2 hours.  

 

If we go to Orlando on COPA and get there in less than 6 hours, with the connection in Panama, that will be wonderful, but we know things can go wrong and we try to be flexible and prepared for what might go awry when traveling.  

 

For the child traveling to see you for a weekend, if something goes really wrong, it could be traumatic.

 

If this trip is during the Spring or Summer, there is a much lower risk of the aircraft being diverted to another city, because of Snow or Ice on the runway, so that is a big plus, but things can and do go wrong, on very rare occasions and there are occasional severe thunderstorms that might require an aircraft to divert to another city..    The worst case is that the child would land in some other city, not the origin or destination city, and be under extreme stress.

 

Here's an example: I was on a flight from Houston to Caracas, with a scheduled stop in Aruba. The weather in Aruba was bad and the aircraft could not land in Aruba. We took the passengers who had planned to deplane in Aruba with us to Caracas.  I suspect that some of them were terrified, to be going to Venezuela, but I am certain that the airline took good care of them, and got them to Aruba, ASAP.

 

How an unaccompanied child might react in that type of situation is something that IMO should be discussed with the child, BEFORE the trip.