Basic Economy and unaccompanied minors
Apr 18, 2019, 2:21 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: MFR
Programs: Alaska MVP, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 714
Basic Economy and unaccompanied minors
What are two things no one on FT likes!
But seriously, my kids need to fly alone. Given the $150 UM fee, any reason I shouldn't save a few bucks and book them in Basic Economy?
United states on their website that UM's flying Basic Economy DO receive a seat assignment. I can't find anything similar from Delta.
Anyone with experience?
But seriously, my kids need to fly alone. Given the $150 UM fee, any reason I shouldn't save a few bucks and book them in Basic Economy?
United states on their website that UM's flying Basic Economy DO receive a seat assignment. I can't find anything similar from Delta.
Anyone with experience?
Apr 18, 2019, 3:26 pm
#2
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: MSP
Programs: AA Plat Pto, IHG Plat, HH Gold, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,536
Doesn't every basic economy passenger receive a seat assignment? It is just a question of when.
Is your concern avoiding a middle seat or IDB? Contract of Carriage has a specific exclusion for UAMs in the IDB policy.
Is your concern avoiding a middle seat or IDB? Contract of Carriage has a specific exclusion for UAMs in the IDB policy.
Apr 18, 2019, 3:48 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: MFR
Programs: Alaska MVP, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 714
2 kids, best if they can sit together. To clarify, United offers advance seat assignment to UMs flying Basic Economy. Cannot find any info at all about Delta, and they're the only option ATL-MHT.
Apr 18, 2019, 7:00 pm
#4
Join Date: Nov 2009
Programs: DL PM 1MM
Posts: 3,439
2 kids, best if they can sit together. To clarify, United offers advance seat assignment to UMs flying Basic Economy. Cannot find any info at all about Delta, and they're the only option ATL-MHT.
Apr 18, 2019, 7:14 pm
#5
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,151
Anecdotally, I've often seen UMs seated at the rear of the plane to be near to the flight attendants back there. It wouldn't surprise me if they handle this at check-in and provide them these or similar seats. This is not only for their sake but the convenience of the crew, which I imagine the gate and check-in agents would be keen to honor.
Apr 19, 2019, 8:28 am
#7
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 556
Our children fly as UMs occasionally. We've sent them on several different airlines. They always get a seat assignment at the very front or back of the plane, depending on the airline. The UM fee also includes a snack on an airline like Frontier where it is not free. So basically no matter what class you book, they should get a seat and a snack AFAIK.
Apr 19, 2019, 9:25 am
#8
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Our children fly as UMs occasionally. We've sent them on several different airlines. They always get a seat assignment at the very front or back of the plane, depending on the airline. The UM fee also includes a snack on an airline like Frontier where it is not free. So basically no matter what class you book, they should get a seat and a snack AFAIK.
Careful here. I don't think DL gives free snacks to UMs, nor does DL accept cash on board, so they should have a prepaid credit card or something similar with them for minor purchases and emergencies.
Apr 19, 2019, 1:34 pm
#9
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: LHR / BHX / MAN / ATL
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Posts: 4,053
A little perspective here...
I'll say upfront that I don't have any children, but if I understand the situation, the OP is about to place what are arguably his/her most valuable assets (his/her children) in a less than ideal circumstance to save $150. Really? Then again, I never understood the people that will pay $200 to have their car detailed but won't regularly spend $39 to have the oil changed. 
Apr 19, 2019, 1:39 pm
#10
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
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Posts: 50,262
Doesn't it make sense to call DL and ask? If the answer is that seats are assigned, go ahead and book and have the seats assigned. If not, then you have to make a judgment.
No charge for phone booking and you can't book UM online, so I would not focus on what some other carrier may have done in some other situation at some other time.
No charge for phone booking and you can't book UM online, so I would not focus on what some other carrier may have done in some other situation at some other time.
Apr 19, 2019, 4:01 pm
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: MFR
Programs: Alaska MVP, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 714
I'll say upfront that I don't have any children, but if I understand the situation, the OP is about to place what are arguably his/her most valuable assets (his/her children) in a less than ideal circumstance to save $150. Really? Then again, I never understood the people that will pay $200 to have their car detailed but won't regularly spend $39 to have the oil changed.
Do you like to pay extra money to receive nothing?
Apr 19, 2019, 4:59 pm
#12
formerly jackvogt
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Atlanta, GA
Programs: Delta SkyMiles,
Posts: 822
Also, Delta does a really good job with UMs.
Apr 19, 2019, 5:01 pm
#13
formerly jackvogt
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Atlanta, GA
Programs: Delta SkyMiles,
Posts: 822
I'll say upfront that I don't have any children, but if I understand the situation, the OP is about to place what are arguably his/her most valuable assets (his/her children) in a less than ideal circumstance to save $150. Really? Then again, I never understood the people that will pay $200 to have their car detailed but won't regularly spend $39 to have the oil changed.
Apr 19, 2019, 8:15 pm
#14
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 2,881
Unless OP firmly objects, Delta will 99% seat UMs in the back of the plane (to be as close to an FA as possible), and together.
I wouldn’t worry about seating issues at all when booking UMs in basic economy. Their seats are handled. They’ll board first. The only consideration with a UM on an E fare is ticket flexibility. None of the passenger experience is different.
I wouldn’t worry about seating issues at all when booking UMs in basic economy. Their seats are handled. They’ll board first. The only consideration with a UM on an E fare is ticket flexibility. None of the passenger experience is different.
Apr 21, 2019, 11:20 am
#15
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 556
I'm not talking sandwiches or anything; just something like beverages and pretzels or cookies. Delta serves that to everyone.