SWA-Infant BC Exemption?
Aug 1, 15, 5:31 pm
#31
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 33
Originally Posted by lost*in*cyberspace
So much ado about nothing! A passport is fine for lap infant id. Did you even try calling Southwest to ask?
https://www.southwest.com/html/custo...c=age_verified
https://www.southwest.com/html/custo...c=age_verified
And did you even try to read?
I have e-mailed them and called them.
Passport is NOT acceptable.
The link you posted says nothing about lap infants. Why did you post that in this thread? That page talks about verifying the age, for online check-in, in a Rapid Rewards Account, for passengers traveling on infant, child, and senior fares.
Nothing on that page for lap infants.
Seriously. Two people linking that page without even reading it.
https://www.southwest.com/pets/
Aug 1, 15, 5:39 pm
#32
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 33
Originally Posted by Often1
The bottom line here is that whether it's a good idea or not and whether WN ought to accept alternative docs such as a passport, doesn't help OP. Have to plan for providing a birth certificate or buying a seat.
It appears that OP is traveling in the US and lives outside the country. If that is the case, the possibility of cancelling and retaining the value for other tickets later and then looking for a bargain which might exist now on other carriers isn't an option (as it's also intimated that these are restricted).
It appears that OP is traveling in the US and lives outside the country. If that is the case, the possibility of cancelling and retaining the value for other tickets later and then looking for a bargain which might exist now on other carriers isn't an option (as it's also intimated that these are restricted).
Despite my global travels, we are not rich. In fact, we are returning home where I make US$200-$300 a month as a highly successful office employee. Just for perspective.
I am just trying to find out if there is some exception, or exemption, or if it may even be illegal.
At this point in the game, we cannot purchase different tickets. Not even with SWA. Even an infant fare would put us past our budget and we will be homeless and hungry when we return home...
It really is just an oddball rule. I mean, I am an intelligent person that thinks everything through. This never crossed my mind.
Aug 1, 15, 5:47 pm
#33
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 33
Originally Posted by themicah
WN requires a copy of a birth certificate, not an original. I've flown WN several times with a lapchild and a photocopy of a birth certificate (no raised seal or anything of the sort) has always sufficed. That said, I've never flown WN with a lap child remotely approaching the age of 2 (we usually start buying seats around the time they learn to walk, as they start to get too squirmy to safely/comfortably hold on a lap).
We don't plan on holding the infants. Lap infants can go in a car seat in an empty seat, or if they are bigger, just sit in a seat. If there is room.
Besides, most SWA flights are just take-off and landing. 45 min to an hour.
Aug 1, 15, 5:52 pm
#34
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 33
Originally Posted by Often1
The FAA requires that every passenger 2+ be in their own seat for takeoff and landing and that there be a seat available for that person when the Captain has the seatbelt sign is illuminated.
How the carrier assures that is up to the carrier. WN chooses to require a birth certificate. As a private company, it's up to WN. Other carriers eyeball the kid. They are willing to take the risk.
I can assure you that I am no fan of WN. I dislike its business model intensely. But, the one thing it does have going for it is uniformity. If they say "X", it's "X".
How the carrier assures that is up to the carrier. WN chooses to require a birth certificate. As a private company, it's up to WN. Other carriers eyeball the kid. They are willing to take the risk.
I can assure you that I am no fan of WN. I dislike its business model intensely. But, the one thing it does have going for it is uniformity. If they say "X", it's "X".
I mean, at this point, I could just print off some fake birth certificates. I own a printer, and we have Kinkos and whatnot here. But I should not have to. It is one of the silliest things I have ever heard...
Aug 1, 15, 6:25 pm
#35
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 33
Aug 2, 15, 8:38 am
#37
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: IAD
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Gold, Global Entry, TSA Pre✓
Posts: 707
Originally Posted by UNGGOY
Several hundred dollars in not "nothing" to me. Sorry.
And did you even try to read?
I have e-mailed them and called them.
Passport is NOT acceptable.
The link you posted says nothing about lap infants. Why did you post that in this thread? That page talks about verifying the age, for online check-in, in a Rapid Rewards Account, for passengers traveling on infant, child, and senior fares.
Nothing on that page for lap infants.
Seriously. Two people linking that page without even reading it.
https://www.southwest.com/pets/
And did you even try to read?
I have e-mailed them and called them.
Passport is NOT acceptable.
The link you posted says nothing about lap infants. Why did you post that in this thread? That page talks about verifying the age, for online check-in, in a Rapid Rewards Account, for passengers traveling on infant, child, and senior fares.
Nothing on that page for lap infants.
Seriously. Two people linking that page without even reading it.
https://www.southwest.com/pets/
It appears that you don't understand that if you follow the instructions in the link to age verify your lap infant before the flight, you will not have to provide proof of age at the airport. You will be able to check in online for the infant, bypassing any need for interaction with the ticket counter.
Also, despite what uninformed telephone reps have told you, a passport is valid for age verification. Believe it or not.
Aug 3, 15, 2:53 pm
#38
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: NYC
Programs: DL PM, Marriott Gold, Hertz PC, National Exec
Posts: 6,719
Originally Posted by lost*in*cyberspace
It appears that you don't understand that if you follow the instructions in the link to age verify your lap infant before the flight, you will not have to provide proof of age at the airport. You will be able to check in online for the infant, bypassing any need for interaction with the ticket counter.
A passport is valid for age verification for a senior or child fare, but not, apparently, for lap child status. Why not, I have no idea.
From the SW website, on lap infants:
"If you choose to travel with your infant on your lap (at no additional charge) the infant will not need a boarding pass; however, you will need to obtain a Boarding Verification Document (BVD) for the infant. The BVD will allow the infant to board the aircraft. BVDs are available at the Southwest Airlines ticket counter on the day of travel. In order to complete your BVD, the Customer Service Agent will need to verify that your infant has not reached his/her second birthday, so be sure to bring along a copy of your infant's birth certificate."
https://www.southwest.com/html/custo...USTOMER-INFANT
Aug 5, 15, 9:23 am
#39
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: IAD
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Gold, Global Entry, TSA Pre✓
Posts: 707
Originally Posted by cestmoi123
That's not what I read from that section at all. That section is about age verification for passengers on FARES that have an age restriction (maximum or minimum). A lap infant doesn't have a fare or ticket, they're just an add-on to an existing passenger, and so there's no point in trying to set up a Rapid Rewards account for them (as the link you provided would have you do).
A passport is valid for age verification for a senior or child fare, but not, apparently, for lap child status. Why not, I have no idea.
From the SW website, on lap infants:
"If you choose to travel with your infant on your lap (at no additional charge) the infant will not need a boarding pass; however, you will need to obtain a Boarding Verification Document (BVD) for the infant. The BVD will allow the infant to board the aircraft. BVDs are available at the Southwest Airlines ticket counter on the day of travel. In order to complete your BVD, the Customer Service Agent will need to verify that your infant has not reached his/her second birthday, so be sure to bring along a copy of your infant's birth certificate."
https://www.southwest.com/html/custo...USTOMER-INFANT
A passport is valid for age verification for a senior or child fare, but not, apparently, for lap child status. Why not, I have no idea.
From the SW website, on lap infants:
"If you choose to travel with your infant on your lap (at no additional charge) the infant will not need a boarding pass; however, you will need to obtain a Boarding Verification Document (BVD) for the infant. The BVD will allow the infant to board the aircraft. BVDs are available at the Southwest Airlines ticket counter on the day of travel. In order to complete your BVD, the Customer Service Agent will need to verify that your infant has not reached his/her second birthday, so be sure to bring along a copy of your infant's birth certificate."
https://www.southwest.com/html/custo...USTOMER-INFANT
I am not responding anymore to the issue of needing a birth certificate. Despite what Southwest's web site says, a passport will work for age verification, believe it or not. They probably only list a BC because they tend to have many inexperienced travelers who likely don't have passports and don't want to complicate the issue. Look at how many Flyertalkers don't understand; I assume they are more experienced than many Southwest travelers.
Aug 5, 15, 11:23 am
#41
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 33
Originally Posted by cestmoi123
That's not what I read from that section at all. That section is about age verification for passengers on FARES that have an age restriction (maximum or minimum). A lap infant doesn't have a fare or ticket, they're just an add-on to an existing passenger, and so there's no point in trying to set up a Rapid Rewards account for them (as the link you provided would have you do).
A passport is valid for age verification for a senior or child fare, but not, apparently, for lap child status. Why not, I have no idea.
From the SW website, on lap infants:
"If you choose to travel with your infant on your lap (at no additional charge) the infant will not need a boarding pass; however, you will need to obtain a Boarding Verification Document (BVD) for the infant. The BVD will allow the infant to board the aircraft. BVDs are available at the Southwest Airlines ticket counter on the day of travel. In order to complete your BVD, the Customer Service Agent will need to verify that your infant has not reached his/her second birthday, so be sure to bring along a copy of your infant's birth certificate."
https://www.southwest.com/html/custo...USTOMER-INFANT
A passport is valid for age verification for a senior or child fare, but not, apparently, for lap child status. Why not, I have no idea.
From the SW website, on lap infants:
"If you choose to travel with your infant on your lap (at no additional charge) the infant will not need a boarding pass; however, you will need to obtain a Boarding Verification Document (BVD) for the infant. The BVD will allow the infant to board the aircraft. BVDs are available at the Southwest Airlines ticket counter on the day of travel. In order to complete your BVD, the Customer Service Agent will need to verify that your infant has not reached his/her second birthday, so be sure to bring along a copy of your infant's birth certificate."
https://www.southwest.com/html/custo...USTOMER-INFANT
Knowing that I am not the only one in the world reading this makes me feel better.
It is frustrating. Especially since it is such a weird rule to me.
Several people here said that as a private company, that they may require whatever they wish. But are they not Federally regulated? For example, can they just make a rule that lap infants cannot fly unless they have a Texas ID? Or that they need a Tribal ID cad? Or that they cannot fly unless they have a Green Card only. Just seems odd to me, and possibly illegal...
Aug 5, 15, 11:29 am
#42
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 33
Originally Posted by lost*in*cyberspace
I have traveled with a lap child on Southwest and all I can tell you is that verifying the age in advance of the flight was all I needed to do to not have to show proof of age at the airport. Doing this allows you to check the lap child in online.
I am not responding anymore to the issue of needing a birth certificate. Despite what Southwest's web site says, a passport will work for age verification, believe it or not. They probably only list a BC because they tend to have many inexperienced travelers who likely don't have passports and don't want to complicate the issue. Look at how many Flyertalkers don't understand; I assume they are more experienced than many Southwest travelers.
I am not responding anymore to the issue of needing a birth certificate. Despite what Southwest's web site says, a passport will work for age verification, believe it or not. They probably only list a BC because they tend to have many inexperienced travelers who likely don't have passports and don't want to complicate the issue. Look at how many Flyertalkers don't understand; I assume they are more experienced than many Southwest travelers.
You need a passport to fly internationally.
BC will not suffice.
Aug 5, 15, 3:41 pm
#43
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 33
More information that SWA "doesn't know what they are talking about" according to some users here...
"* This only applies to infants traveling on an infant fare. Customers traveling with children under two years old who are traveling as lap children must still present a valid birth certificate for the child and check in with a Customer Service Agent at the airport."
https://www.southwest.com/html/custo...online_checkin
"* This only applies to infants traveling on an infant fare. Customers traveling with children under two years old who are traveling as lap children must still present a valid birth certificate for the child and check in with a Customer Service Agent at the airport."
https://www.southwest.com/html/custo...online_checkin
Aug 6, 15, 8:43 am
#45
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: BOS-TLV
Programs: Lots of them, no status
Posts: 1,289
Originally Posted by UNGGOY
Thank you kind user.
Knowing that I am not the only one in the world reading this makes me feel better.
It is frustrating. Especially since it is such a weird rule to me.
Several people here said that as a private company, that they may require whatever they wish. But are they not Federally regulated? For example, can they just make a rule that lap infants cannot fly unless they have a Texas ID? Or that they need a Tribal ID cad? Or that they cannot fly unless they have a Green Card only. Just seems odd to me, and possibly illegal...
Knowing that I am not the only one in the world reading this makes me feel better.
It is frustrating. Especially since it is such a weird rule to me.
Several people here said that as a private company, that they may require whatever they wish. But are they not Federally regulated? For example, can they just make a rule that lap infants cannot fly unless they have a Texas ID? Or that they need a Tribal ID cad? Or that they cannot fly unless they have a Green Card only. Just seems odd to me, and possibly illegal...
Hell, the FAA only says <2 *may* be on an adult's lap, but the individual airlines are well within their own rights to exceed the FAA minimum seating requirements and disallow lap infants altogether. (And I, for one, wish they would...) In such a case they'd be meeting FAA regs. They aren't obligated to allow it, only PERMITTED to allow it.
