Know rules when booking ticket for child flying alone

Summer is peak season for children flying alone. Before booking a ticket for an unaccompanied minor, know the fees and rules, which vary by airline.

Your best bet is to call the airline directly or buy through a travel agent. Be sure to specify that you are booking a ticket for an unaccompanied minor. Some carriers won’t allow such tickets to be booked online.

On most airlines, an employee will escort the child onto the plane during connections and will stay with the child until he or she is picked up at the destination.

The definition of a minor differs among airlines. Most low-cost carriers and United consider children minors through age 11. For Alaska, it’s through 12. For other major airlines, it’s through age 14.

Usually the minimum age for unaccompanied minors is 5, and kids younger than 8 must travel on nonstop or direct flights (no change of planes). America West and Southwest allow travel only on nonstop or direct flights for children flying alone.

Fees for unaccompanied minors vary by carrier. Connecting flights will typically cost more than nonstop or direct flights (Southwest and JetBlue don’t charge a fee for this service).

One-way fees for domestic travel on other carriers include $25 nonstop and $40 connecting on AirTran; $30 nonstop and $60 connecting systemwide on Alaska; $40 nonstop on America West; $40 nonstop and $75 connecting on American, ATA, Continental and US Airways; $45 nonstop and $75 connecting on Northwest; $50 nonstop and $75 connecting on Delta; and $60 on nonstop or connecting flights worldwide on United.

Most carriers will charge only one fee for children traveling together on the same itinerary.

If you’re sending the kids abroad, most carriers charge $60 for nonstop or direct flights and $90 for connecting flights each way.

While the U.S. and Canada are covered under domestic fees for most airlines, some carriers extend these rates for selected international destinations, and knowing this could save you money. For example, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands are considered domestic on American and US Airways; Mexico is considered domestic on Continental; Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda are considered domestic on Delta; and Mexico and the Caribbean are considered domestic on Northwest.

Watch out for code-share flights; your child will be subject to the rules and fees of the carrier that actually is operating the flight. If the code share involves a connection to a flight on another carrier, you may be subject to fees from both carriers. Some carriers won’t allow unaccompanied minors to travel on code-share flights.

When you arrive at the airport, fill out a form with the contact information for the person picking up your child at his or her final destination. Additional paperwork may be required for travel abroad; be sure to ask when booking.

You may be required to show proof of your child’s age. Both the adult dropping off and the adult picking up the child must present photo ID. Request a pass at check-in to allow you to accompany your child through security and to the gate.