How to Fly Unaccompanied Minors with Points and Miles

At times, unaccompanied minors need to travel on an airplane.

Your child may need to visit relatives across the country, go to a special school, camp or sporting event, or join you at a destination from a different starting location.

No matter the reason, airlines understand the unique logistical problems associated with children flying solo.

This article will walk you through how to schedule travel for your unaccompanied minor with the four major domestic airlines.

What is an Unaccompanied Minor?

An unaccompanied minor is any traveler who fits the airlines description of a ‘minor’ who isn’t travelling with a parent, guardian or other qualified companion. Many airlines have specific services available for these travelers that allow for the following:

• extra supervision of the unaccompanied minor
• early boarding
• personal escort through the airport
• allowing guardians to meet and drop off minors at the gate without a boarding pass.

Each airline has a different definition of an unaccompanied minor.

American Airlines Definition of an Unaccompanied Minor

• Children 5-14 traveling alone
• Unaccompanied minor service optional for children from 15-17
• Children ages 2-14 do not require this service if accompanied by another traveler 16+
• Fee for unaccompanied minor service $150 each way

Southwest Definition of an Unaccompanied Minor

• Children 5-11 traveling alone or without a companion 12+
• Young Traveler’s service is available for traveler’s 12-17 without an accompanying adult
• Fee for unaccompanied minor service $50 each way

United Definition of an Unaccompanied Minor

• Children 5-14 who are traveling without an adult aged 18+
• Optional for children 15-17
• Fee for unaccompanied minor service $150 each way (covers up to two children)

Delta Definition of an Unaccompanied Minor

• Children 5-14 who are traveling without an adult aged 18+
• Optional for Children 15-17
• Fee for unaccompanied minor service $150 each way

Find the Best Route for the Unaccompanied Minor

Each airline has different rules about whether your unaccompanied minor can transfer flights during their journey.

In general, you should look for the most direct route for their city to start your award search. Try googling “Airport X to Airport Y Direct Routes” and see which airlines come up.

Once you find the airline with the most direct route, you will want to do an award search for award availability for the flight.

While some airlines let certain minor’s transfer planes, others do not. Still others will allow for transfer only through certain hub airports. Be sure to know the rules for the specific flight route and minor before booking the ticket.

Each airline has specific restrictions on the type of route your unaccompanied minor can fly.

American Airlines Flight Route Rules for an Unaccompanied Minor

Children 5-7 can travel on non-stop flights only. Children 8 and older can travel on non-stop or connecting flights through the following cities:

• Charlotte, NC (CLT),
• Washington Reagan, D.C. (DCA),
• Dallas Forth Worth, TX (DFW),
• New York, NY (JFK and LGA),
• Los Angeles, CA (LAX),
• Miami, FL (MIA),
• Chicago, IL (ORD),
• Philadelphia, PA (PHL)
• Phoenix, AZ (PHX).

Southwest Flight Route Rules for an Unaccompanied Minor

Unaccompanied minors can travel on non-stop or direct flights only. No international travel is allowed, only domestic flights.

United Flight Route for an Unaccompanied Minor

Unaccompanied minors on United flights can travel on non-stop or United Express flights only. They cannot travel on code-share flights. For example, United is a member of Star Alliance, so you can’t book an unaccompanied minor on a flight operated by Air Canada, even though you could book it on United’s site.

Delta Flight Routes for an Unaccompanied Minor

If an unaccompanied minor is traveling on a Delta flight the flight must be on Delta or a Delta Connection flight. They can fly domestically or internationally, but any connections must be through Delta, Delta Connection, KLM or Air France.

Unaccompanied minors can’t travel on red-eye flights, with limited exceptions. They also can’t travel on the last flight of the day.

Book the Unaccompanied Minor’s Flight Using Your Points and Miles

Once you have found the right flight you will need to book the ticket. Unfortunately, you can’t always just book your unaccompanied minor’s flight like you would any award ticket.

All airlines will require additional information about the traveler, the dropping-off parent and the receiving guardian.

Write down the flight with the award space you want to book and book the unaccompanied minor’s flight. Remember to have their identifying information in front of you such as social security number, date of birth and their passport or identification card if applicable.

Each airline has different requirements for how to book a ticket for an unaccompanied minor.

How to Book Award Space for an Unaccompanied Minor with American Airlines

To book an award flight for an unaccompanied minor with American Airlines you must call the AA reservation desk at 800-433-7300.

Keep in mind, web special award flights must be booked online, so they’re ineligible for unaccompanied minors.

How to Book Award Space for an Unaccompanied Minor with Southwest:

You can book an award ticket for an unaccompanied minor on southwest online like a standard award flight. You can also call the Southwest reservation desk at 1-800-435-9792.

How to Book Award Space for an Unaccompanied Minor with United

You can book award space for an unaccompanied minor with United online like a standard award search. Additionally, you can call the reservation destk at 1-800-864-8331. Keep in mind that if you call you’ll pay a $25 fee.

If searching online, change the number of adults to “0” and indicate how many children will be traveling at their respective ages to find the available flights.

How to Book Award Space for an Unaccompanied Minor with Delta:

To book award space for an unaccompanied minor with Delta, you must book by calling the reservation desk 800-325-8847

Getting Your Unaccompanied Minor on the Plane

In order to have plenty of time for your minor to get on their plane you should arrive well before the minor’s scheduled flight. At check-in the airline will require you to fill out a form, verify you as the parent/guardian and collect details of the designated adult picking up the minor. For the four airlines we are dealing with here you must check-in in person at the counter.

The parent or guardian dropping off the minor will be able to obtain a gate pass in order to wait with their minor until the flight is airborne. You will need to proceed through security just like you were getting on the plane yourself, so bring the same documents you would if you were the one flying.

Each airline has slightly different requirements for boarding an unaccompanied minor.

American Airlines Unaccompanied Minor Boarding Requirements:

• Arrive two hours before flight time and check-in at desk
• Fill out an unaccompanied minor form
• Provide a: birth certificate or passport for the minor, government issued ID and contact for parent, contact information of designated pick-up person
• Adult must stay at the gate until the minor’s flight is airborne

Southwest Unaccompanied Minor Service:

• Arrive at the gate 45 minutes before departure
• Your minor will receive a lanyard when they check-in at the desk that they must wear
• At check-in you must provide a copy of the minor’s itinerary, proof of age, and id for the parent escorting them to the gate.
• Parent/guardian must remain at the gate until the flight is airborne

United’s Unaccompanied Minor Service:

• Arrive 30 minutes before the suggested check-in times for the departure airport
• Child will receive special luggage tags and wrist band
• You may receive a gate-pass in order to accompany your minor to their gate
• Even if you don’t accompany the minor to the gate you must remain in the airport until the flight has taken off

Delta’s Unaccompanied Minor Service:

• Child will receive special luggage tags and wrist band
• The dropping-off parent/guardian must provide a valid id, contact information and the contact information of the designated pick-up person.
• You must accompany your minor to their gate and remain there until they take off.

What Happens on Your Unaccompanied Minor’s Flight:

Once your unaccompanied minor is on their flight, service varies among carriers. In general, the flight attendants will keep an extra eye on the minor, help them on and off the plane, and ensure they make any connection flights, many airlines also have dedicated lounges or snacks for unaccompanied minors.

Each airline’s unaccompanied minor services are different.

American Airlines Unaccompanied Minor Service:

• Allows the minor to board early
• A flight attendant will escort the unaccompanied minor off the plane to their designated pick-up person, connecting flight or lounge as applicable
• Unaccompanied minor lounges are available in airports where unaccompanied minors may connect
• Staff members in lounges will accompany your minor in order to purchase food or drinks and offer supervision while in the lounge.

Southwest’s Unaccompanied Minor Service:

• Allow the minor to board early
• Upon arrival, the minor will be escorted to the receiving parent/guardian

United’s Unaccompanied Minor Service:

• Allow the minor to board early
• For flights where food is served, one free food item will be provided to the unaccompanied minor
• A staff member will escort the minor to their designated pick-up person

Delta’s Unaccompanied Minor Service:

• Allow the minor to board early
• Delta Sky Zone lounge available to unaccompanied minors connecting in Atlanta (ATL), Cincinnati (CVG), Detroit (DTW), New York (JFK), Los Angeles (LAX), Memphis (MEM), Minneapolis (MSP), Salt Lake City (SLC) or Seattle (SEA)
• A Staff Member will escort the minor to their connecting flight or to the Sky Zone lounge as applicable and will release the minor to their designated pick-up person upon arrival.

Final Thoughts

As nerve racking as sending your child on an airplane alone can be, unaccompanied minor services through the airline takes a lot of the logistical weight off of you.

If you search for the most direct flight, get to the airport with plenty of time and coordinate well with the receiving adult, the airline will do the rest and get your child to their location safely.

Paying for your unaccompanied minor’s flight with points keeps your costs low. Paying the small service fee to ensure your child arrives safely is well worth the price.