Originally Posted by
thebat
If the child is not on the same reservation as you, you will probably have to check him/her in at he airport with an agent. This could be a huge PIA if the lines are long.
This is not correct.
Due to SW procedure, generally it makes most sense to book one-ways and individual tickets if a re-rating scenario is probable OR if there is only 1 available ticket in the current WGA fare bucket (if there's only one available at the cheaper rate and you instead search for two tickets, it will then charge the higher fare for BOTH tickets. A similar issue occurs when you try to "change" tickets to re-fare to a lower rate).
I haven't booked the kids tickets but have relative who has often. It does not have to be on the same reservation. What you do need is to book the adult's reservation first.
Then it makes you link to it when you book the child's reservation.