MODERATOR NOTE: Please note this information has been superseded. Please read:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...ep-2014-a.html


Changes To Unaccompanied Minor Policy
October 8, 2010

Effective October 7, 2010, American Airlines lowered the acceptance age for unaccompanied minors from ages 5-14 to 5-11. American continues to offer optional unaccompanied minor service for young adults ages 12-17 years old. This change applies to unaccompanied minor service requested on/after October 7th. In addition, the adult acceptance age was raised to 16 years old for the minimum age to travel with children ages 5-11 years. Please visit Traveling With Children And Infants for complete details.

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The major thing that the blurb above, written by AA doesn't say, is that the unaccompanied minor fees have been increased to $100 from $60 (and $25 a couple of years ago, IIRC) per one-way. That's a total of $220 in fees for a round-trip for junior to see grandma--the extra $20 is for AA not allowing you to make ticket on AA.com and not waiving the fee that's charged only as a result of their technological shortcomings. Bag fees are extra, typically $50, so the total goes up to $270, and food on board is not included.