Sending your kid alone on the flight can be challenging for parents. However, you can make things easier and safer by choosing the United Airlines unaccompanied minor service. The airline accepts unaccompanied minors on its flights as long as they fulfill all eligibility conditions.
United offers a dedicated unaccompanied minor policy and service to ensure that your child’s journey is smooth and safe. Want to know more about the United unaccompanied minor policy? Continue scrolling the page and find out all the details about the airline’s guidelines for minors, steps to book their flights, associated fees, and other relevant guidelines. Read on to learn more.
What is the United Airlines Unaccompanied Minor Policy?
Planning to book unaccompanied minors on United Airlines? Hold on, and check out the detailed guidelines of the airline’s UM policy to avoid the fuss later on. Here’s a quick rundown of all the rules and regulations you need to follow when sending your kids alone on United flights.
- United Airlines offers an unaccompanied minor service for kids between 5 and 14 years old.
- Kids between 15 and 17 can fly alone without purchasing the UMNR service.
- You can book unaccompanied minors on the plane via the United official website.
- If kids are flying internationally without any guardian or parent, then they must fill out the form before going through customs.
- Minors flying on international flights without parents must check additional permits for their destination before booking flight tickets.
- Unaccompanied minors must arrive at least 30 minutes before the minimum required check-in time to complete formalities.
- Once your kids arrive at the destination, they should wait on the plane for an agent to come and get them.
- The airline won’t accept kids below 5 years on flights if they are traveling alone. They must fly with another adult who is at least 18 years old.
- Parents/ Guardians must book their child’s ticket on a non-stop United or United Express flight. They won’t be allowed on connecting flights.
- There’s a fee for an unaccompanied minor service, which depends on the number of kids flying in the same itinerary and the type of trip (one-way or round-trip).
- The airline will select seats for unaccompanied minors within 72 hours after you finish flight bookings.
United Airlines Unaccompanied Minor Fee
United Airlines charges an unaccompanied minor fee to accept your minor on the flight. The fee depends on two major factors, including the number of kids included in the itinerary and the type of trip (one-way or round-trip). Here’s what you need to know about United Airlines fee for an unaccompanied minor.
For 1-2 kids
- One-way fee: $150
- Round-trip fee: $300
For 3-4 kids
- One-way fee: $300
- Round-trip fee: $600
For 5-6 kids
- One-way fee: $450
- Round-trip fee: $900
How to Book an Unaccompanied Minor Flight on United?
Now that you know the United Airlines unaccompanied minor policy, it’s time to book flights for your minors, so they can enjoy a hassle-free experience. Parents can first check the airfare for unaccompanied minors and then book their flights through the official website. Here’s how to get started.
- Go to the United Airlines’ official website.
- Under the Book tab, you can select the trip type and start entering the itinerary details in the From and To fields.
- Enter your travel schedule and go to the Travelers section.
- Here, you can keep the adults as zero since your kid is an unaccompanied minor, and add the number of kids included in the itinerary.
- Once done, click the Find Flights button at the end to look for available United flights on a select route.
- Browse the option, and you’ll be prompted to purchase the United AirlinesUMNR service.
- Make a payment and get an e-ticket for your minor.
Note: During booking, you’ll tell the airline who’s dropping your kids off and picking them up from the airport. If you want to change the information later on, you can simply call the airline’s customer support desk and make changes accordingly.
Tips to Book United Flights at Cheaper Rates for Unaccompanied Minor
Looking forward to booking cheap flights for unaccompanied minors? Here are some essential tips to follow.
- Book Flights Early
The best way to book cheap flights for your minors is to make advanced bookings. Early bookings might help you fetch early bird discounts, thus saving a few extra dollars.
- Look for deals and discounts
United offers plenty of deals and offers, whether you are booking flights for adults or minors. All you have to do is look for discounted fares beforehand and book flights accordingly.
Does United Airlines Require ID For Minors?
Wondering if United Airlines require ID for minors? Well, the answer is no, United Airlines won’t require any minor identification. Minors aged 5 to 14 years traveling alone aren’t required to show their ID proofs at the time of check-in or while boarding the flight.
However, it’s still suggested to bring some form of photo ID proof to avoid the hassle at the airport. If you are booking a flight for a passenger under 18 with a guardian or whether your kid between 15 and 17 is flying alone, it’s recommended to hold one of the following documents.
- Passport
- Credit Card
- School ID
- Birth Certificate
- Social Security Card
- Organization ID
Be mindful that the airline won’t accept expired documents, so make sure your kid’s ID proofs are valid and up-to-date.
Does the United Young Traveler Discount available for minors?
No, not at all. The United Young Traveler Discount is only available for travelers between 18 and 23 years old. It means that you cannot opt for such discounts for your minors due to the age criterial. Besides, the discount is meant for MileagePlus members, and that too requires you to be 18 years old.
Summing Up
That’s all about the United Airlines unaccompanied minor policy. We hope our guide has helped you understand the airline’s guidelines for unaccompanied minors and whether your kids can fly alone on United flights or not. However, be mindful that there’s an unaccompanied minor fee, and you must shell out extra dollars to ensure your kid’s safety on the flight. So, are you ready to give your children a trip of their lifetime? Book your United flights today and be aware of UMNR guidelines and fees. For more details, please connect with our experts at Fareasky and get live assistance.