May 17, 2014, 3:00 pm
Last edit by: Prospero
Infant and lap child fares and fees on international travel, including award & upgrades
On AA there is no charge for a lap child on domestic flights. In most instances for international travel the cost will be 10% of the adult fare in the cabin of travel (be aware in some instances / on some other airlines, it can be 25% of the cost of an adult ticket). From aa.com:
Are you traveling with an infant?
Passengers are considered infants if aged over 2 days and less than 2 years at the beginning of their journey. To travel with an infant, you must be an adult passenger aged 16 or older. Adults can travel with up to two infants and in these circumstances, can purchase an additional seat at a child fare.
Although infants can travel as early as 2 days after birth, you'll need to provide a medical certificate for infants traveling within 7 days after birth. Please contact Reservations for more information.
On U.S. domestic flights:
Infants not occupying a seat travel for free. If you prefer to book a seat for your infant, a child fare will apply.
You must call AA on the phone to add a lap infant to an existing reservation. The lap infant will NOT appear in the online reservation and receipt.
Travelers with a lap infant may check in online, for domestic flights only, and the boarding pass will be annotated with the words "WITH INFANT" immediately after the traveler's name.
On international flights:
Infants not occupying a seat benefit from a 90% discount on most adult fares
If your infant turns 2 during your trip, we'll provide you with a complimentary seat on the return flight. If the return journey is not on American Airlines, please contact the other airline to check if a seat must be purchased. (Infants and children must provide passports with any required visas; all children not traveling with both parents may be required to have a Letter of Consent signed by both parents.)
You must call AA on the phone to add a lap infant to an existing reservation, and will need to pay the fare at that time. The lab infant and fare WILL appear in the online reservation and receipt.
Travelers with a lap infant may NOT check in online for international flights and must check in at the airport.
NOTE: AA will not generally block a complimentary spare seat to be used by an infant or lap child. If seats are available at the airport, it might be possible to be assigned seating to include an adjacent empty seat if the flight will depart with sufficient empty seats.
Bassinets: These are portable, not bulkhead fastened, floor bassinet boxes. Not all aircraft may offer these, and generally are restricted to bulkhead seats.
See the bassinet thread here."]here.
See more here on aa.com.
For AA policies on required documentation for children, see here.
and
This thread regarding the use - and prohibition, on some aircraft - child safety seats.
For older threads on this topic, see:
N.B.: This thread is restricted to discussion of AA (and AA awards, upgrades) ticketing rules for infants. Please do not use this thread to discuss opinions on safety issues associated with travel with lap children versus infants with their own purchased seats. Those discussions should be carried out in the
Travel with Children forum, where many opinions have been shared and are welcome. Thank you for your cooperation.
Travel with Children forum, where many opinions have been shared and are welcome. Thank you for your cooperation.
Are you traveling with an infant?
Passengers are considered infants if aged over 2 days and less than 2 years at the beginning of their journey. To travel with an infant, you must be an adult passenger aged 16 or older. Adults can travel with up to two infants and in these circumstances, can purchase an additional seat at a child fare.
Although infants can travel as early as 2 days after birth, you'll need to provide a medical certificate for infants traveling within 7 days after birth. Please contact Reservations for more information.
On U.S. domestic flights:
Infants not occupying a seat travel for free. If you prefer to book a seat for your infant, a child fare will apply.
You must call AA on the phone to add a lap infant to an existing reservation. The lap infant will NOT appear in the online reservation and receipt.
Travelers with a lap infant may check in online, for domestic flights only, and the boarding pass will be annotated with the words "WITH INFANT" immediately after the traveler's name.
On international flights:
Infants not occupying a seat benefit from a 90% discount on most adult fares
If your infant turns 2 during your trip, we'll provide you with a complimentary seat on the return flight. If the return journey is not on American Airlines, please contact the other airline to check if a seat must be purchased. (Infants and children must provide passports with any required visas; all children not traveling with both parents may be required to have a Letter of Consent signed by both parents.)
You must call AA on the phone to add a lap infant to an existing reservation, and will need to pay the fare at that time. The lab infant and fare WILL appear in the online reservation and receipt.
Travelers with a lap infant may NOT check in online for international flights and must check in at the airport.
NOTE: AA will not generally block a complimentary spare seat to be used by an infant or lap child. If seats are available at the airport, it might be possible to be assigned seating to include an adjacent empty seat if the flight will depart with sufficient empty seats.
Bassinets: These are portable, not bulkhead fastened, floor bassinet boxes. Not all aircraft may offer these, and generally are restricted to bulkhead seats.
See the bassinet thread here."]here.
See more here on aa.com.
For AA policies on required documentation for children, see here.
and
This thread regarding the use - and prohibition, on some aircraft - child safety seats.
For older threads on this topic, see:
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/amer...-upgrades.html 2010-2015
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...paid-fare.html (2008)
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...it-my-lap.html (2006)
dstan
AA Forum Co-Moderator
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...paid-fare.html (2008)
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...it-my-lap.html (2006)
dstan
AA Forum Co-Moderator
Guide: Infant / lap child fares & fees for AA travel, including award & upgrades
Sep 18, 2017, 10:38 am
#151
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Here and there
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 1,551
Well after another call lasting over an hour and it escalating to a high level ticketing department department the issue has been found.
It all goes back to the short domestic flights and the seats i choose were on the side of the plane that did not have an extra oxygen mask. Once they figured out that the ticket got issued and everything has been fixed.
It all goes back to the short domestic flights and the seats i choose were on the side of the plane that did not have an extra oxygen mask. Once they figured out that the ticket got issued and everything has been fixed.
Sep 18, 2017, 10:52 am
#152
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: MEM, TLV
Programs: DL, AA PLT, US, HH Gold, BW Diamond, Avis PP, Choice PLT
Posts: 559
yeah I did mention that I was surprised that such a small issues would cause such a big problem. Whats strange is the issue did keep bumping us out of our seats on BA but not the AA flights which is where the issue was.
Sep 28, 2017, 4:41 pm
#153
Used to be 'g_leyser'
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Brandon Johnson International Airport (expect delays)
Programs: AA PlatPro, HH Gold, Bonvoy Gold, IHG Plat, Reno Air MEGA Platinum
Posts: 10,039
AA.com charging regular fare for lap infant
I am trying to book a 1-way flight with 3 people: 2 adults and one lap infant.
Even though I have selected "Infant in seat (under 2)" for the 3rd passenger, AA.com still calculates the fare for 3 adults.
Anyone else having this problem? I guess I will have to call. Very annoying.
Even though I have selected "Infant in seat (under 2)" for the 3rd passenger, AA.com still calculates the fare for 3 adults.
Anyone else having this problem? I guess I will have to call. Very annoying.
Sep 28, 2017, 4:47 pm
#154
Join Date: May 2006
Location: SAN
Programs: Lots of faux metal
Posts: 6,425
I am trying to book a 1-way flight with 3 people: 2 adults and one lap infant.
Even though I have selected "Infant in seat (under 2)" for the 3rd passenger, AA.com still calculates the fare for 3 adults.
Anyone else having this problem? I guess I will have to call. Very annoying.
Even though I have selected "Infant in seat (under 2)" for the 3rd passenger, AA.com still calculates the fare for 3 adults.
Anyone else having this problem? I guess I will have to call. Very annoying.
Seating options for infants:
- Held by an adult (lap child): A parent or any person 16 years or older may hold the infant in their lap, the infant must be included in the reservation by calling American Airlines reservations. International taxes and percentage of adult fare may apply.
- In a reserved seat: If your infant will travel in his or her own seat, you must buy a ticket and bring a safety seat approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Sep 28, 2017, 4:48 pm
#155
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Not here; there!
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 29,606
I am trying to book a 1-way flight with 3 people: 2 adults and one lap infant.
Even though I have selected "Infant in seat (under 2)" for the 3rd passenger, AA.com still calculates the fare for 3 adults.
Anyone else having this problem? I guess I will have to call. Very annoying.
Even though I have selected "Infant in seat (under 2)" for the 3rd passenger, AA.com still calculates the fare for 3 adults.
Anyone else having this problem? I guess I will have to call. Very annoying.
Sep 28, 2017, 4:53 pm
#156
Used to be 'g_leyser'
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Brandon Johnson International Airport (expect delays)
Programs: AA PlatPro, HH Gold, Bonvoy Gold, IHG Plat, Reno Air MEGA Platinum
Posts: 10,039
LOL! Well I guess it's obvious this is the first time I've ever done this. 
I feel pretty smart right now.
Thanks for the help. Hopefully this thread gets locked to save me further embarrassment.
In my defense, when you book on the Alaska Airlines site, you can choose to have a lap infant in the reservation - no need to call - so that's why I got confused.
I feel pretty smart right now.
Thanks for the help. Hopefully this thread gets locked to save me further embarrassment.
In my defense, when you book on the Alaska Airlines site, you can choose to have a lap infant in the reservation - no need to call - so that's why I got confused.
Sep 28, 2017, 4:55 pm
#157
Join Date: May 2006
Location: SAN
Programs: Lots of faux metal
Posts: 6,425
If this is your first time, you might want to consider getting an extra seat, depending on the route and cost. Everyone will be much more comfortable with 3 seats. Holding a kid in your arms for an entire flight is no fun.
Sep 28, 2017, 5:02 pm
#158
Used to be 'g_leyser'
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Brandon Johnson International Airport (expect delays)
Programs: AA PlatPro, HH Gold, Bonvoy Gold, IHG Plat, Reno Air MEGA Platinum
Posts: 10,039
The plan is to buy 2 economy seats and upgrade to F using BXP1s.
Sep 28, 2017, 10:29 pm
#159
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: SJC
Programs: AA EXP, HH Diamond, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 70
Be careful. Depending on if this is a domestic or international ticket, the infant-in-lap may not be free with an upgrade (i.e. you may need to pay to hold the infant on an "upgrade"). I would call and clarify with an agent before buying any tickets.
Sep 29, 2017, 7:00 am
#160
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Here and there
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 1,551
LOL! Well I guess it's obvious this is the first time I've ever done this.
I feel pretty smart right now.
Thanks for the help. Hopefully this thread gets locked to save me further embarrassment.
In my defense, when you book on the Alaska Airlines site, you can choose to have a lap infant in the reservation - no need to call - so that's why I got confused.
I feel pretty smart right now.
Thanks for the help. Hopefully this thread gets locked to save me further embarrassment.
In my defense, when you book on the Alaska Airlines site, you can choose to have a lap infant in the reservation - no need to call - so that's why I got confused.
Oct 9, 2017, 3:39 pm
#161
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 140
Infant added to reservation by name
Phoned today to add infant to existing ticketed booking. Flight is domestic in first from NYC to AUS.
There was a very keen, but very confused agent who initially wanted to charge 180 to add infant, but finally decided that there was no charge and assured me it was fine. He didn't give me confidence.
On checking the reservation after the call, the original seat reservations are still in place but contrary to the description on the wiki my son had been added by name to the passenger list (rather than WITH INFANT being added to one of three adult passengers).
There is a red warning message saying more information required which asks for birth date in the pop up. All fine, except the date never saves properly and the warning persists.
I'm nervous due to the lack of competency of the agent that this may mean something is amiss. Is it perfectly normal and as simple as the fact we have to check in at the airport rather than online as they will want to see the young man or should I be chasing this?
Thanks for any advice!
There was a very keen, but very confused agent who initially wanted to charge 180 to add infant, but finally decided that there was no charge and assured me it was fine. He didn't give me confidence.
On checking the reservation after the call, the original seat reservations are still in place but contrary to the description on the wiki my son had been added by name to the passenger list (rather than WITH INFANT being added to one of three adult passengers).
There is a red warning message saying more information required which asks for birth date in the pop up. All fine, except the date never saves properly and the warning persists.
I'm nervous due to the lack of competency of the agent that this may mean something is amiss. Is it perfectly normal and as simple as the fact we have to check in at the airport rather than online as they will want to see the young man or should I be chasing this?
Thanks for any advice!
Oct 9, 2017, 7:13 pm
#162
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Here and there
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 1,551
Phoned today to add infant to existing ticketed booking. Flight is domestic in first from NYC to AUS.
There was a very keen, but very confused agent who initially wanted to charge 180 to add infant, but finally decided that there was no charge and assured me it was fine. He didn't give me confidence.
On checking the reservation after the call, the original seat reservations are still in place but contrary to the description on the wiki my son had been added by name to the passenger list (rather than WITH INFANT being added to one of three adult passengers).
There is a red warning message saying more information required which asks for birth date in the pop up. All fine, except the date never saves properly and the warning persists.
I'm nervous due to the lack of competency of the agent that this may mean something is amiss. Is it perfectly normal and as simple as the fact we have to check in at the airport rather than online as they will want to see the young man or should I be chasing this?
Thanks for any advice!
There was a very keen, but very confused agent who initially wanted to charge 180 to add infant, but finally decided that there was no charge and assured me it was fine. He didn't give me confidence.
On checking the reservation after the call, the original seat reservations are still in place but contrary to the description on the wiki my son had been added by name to the passenger list (rather than WITH INFANT being added to one of three adult passengers).
There is a red warning message saying more information required which asks for birth date in the pop up. All fine, except the date never saves properly and the warning persists.
I'm nervous due to the lack of competency of the agent that this may mean something is amiss. Is it perfectly normal and as simple as the fact we have to check in at the airport rather than online as they will want to see the young man or should I be chasing this?
Thanks for any advice!
The way your itinerary is set up now, it sounds like the agent added the infant to the itinerary but didn't create a ticket. I've had that happen, and it will ask for passenger details but won't save them. I suggest you don't worry about it, and just show up to the airport with plenty of time and let a check-in agent sort it out. There's nothing to pay so you shouldn't have a problem.
Nov 8, 2017, 9:52 pm
#163
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 49
Need help. I have booked Etihad Business class from India to USA for 2 adults using AA miles.
As per my understanding, we should be paying 10% of revenue ticket for an infant ticket. But when I called EY, they are telling that it is 10% for Y class but 20% of the revenue ticket for J class.
Can someone confirm who had done this recently ? The infant ticket is coming out to be $650ish now.
As per my understanding, we should be paying 10% of revenue ticket for an infant ticket. But when I called EY, they are telling that it is 10% for Y class but 20% of the revenue ticket for J class.
Can someone confirm who had done this recently ? The infant ticket is coming out to be $650ish now.
Feb 27, 2018, 3:05 pm
#165
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: US
Programs: AA EXP 1MM, Starwood Gold, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 1,020
Just booked 2 tickets for my wife and I to Asia on AA. Her's is in J with miles. Mine purchased Y+ (to get the 1.5 EQM) with 2 confirmed SWUs to J. (I thought about using my Business Extra upgrades, but my SWUs expire earlier)
We're bringing a 6 months baby along. The 777s to Asia do not have bassinets in J. I haven't booked the infant's ticket yet. I was told it was 10% of revenue fare + taxes.
Any suggestions on the most comfortable way for the infant to travel with us without a bassinet?
Thanks so much.
We're bringing a 6 months baby along. The 777s to Asia do not have bassinets in J. I haven't booked the infant's ticket yet. I was told it was 10% of revenue fare + taxes.
Any suggestions on the most comfortable way for the infant to travel with us without a bassinet?
Thanks so much.