Originally Posted by
dahaberm
Wow I am really sorry this happened to you.
You are absolutely correct according to the State Dept website.
"Children under 16 need only present proof of U.S. citizenship.
Entry into the United States: When traveling by air from Canada, U.S. citizens are required by U.S. law to present a U.S. passport book, except as noted in the few exceptions provided on the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website.
For entry into the United States via land and sea borders, U.S. citizens must present either a U.S. passport, passport card, NEXUS card, Enhanced Drivers License, or other Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)-compliant document. The only exception to this requirement is for U.S. citizens under the age of 16 (or under 19, if traveling with a school, religious, or other youth group) who need only present a birth certificate, Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or naturalization certificate."
I would make a call to the 1K desk and also pm Aaron the UA Insider. Apparently you might get faster response times by contacting them on twitter. They seem to be clearly in the wrong and should rebook you asap.
Good luck!
You are incorrect. They make it VERY clear
https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/det...y-into-the-u.s
Air Travel: All U.S. citizens departing from or entering the United States from within the Western Hemisphere by air are required to present a valid passport or NEXUS card (if utilizing a NEXUS kiosk when departing from a designated Canadian airport). Merchant Mariner Document (for U.S. citizens on official maritime business.) Note that children are also required to present their own passport when traveling by air.
Regardless of the info UA gave the OP, it took me 30 seconds to get this info from a gov page, it is your responsibility to make sure you have the correct travel documents.