{"id":169509,"date":"2026-08-24T16:10:02","date_gmt":"2026-08-24T16:10:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/?p=169509"},"modified":"2026-08-27T03:59:01","modified_gmt":"2026-08-27T03:59:01","slug":"points-and-miles-unaccompanied-minors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/airlines\/points-and-miles-unaccompanied-minors\/","title":{"rendered":"Unaccompanied Minor Travel: Airline Rules, Fees, and How To Use Points and Miles"},"content":{"rendered":"

My kids have gotten to the age where they occasionally fly to visit grandparents without us as “unaccompanied minors.” The first time we sent them off, I was terrified. However, it went so smoothly, and my kids did so well that we are now confident booking unaccompanied minor travel, especially for short flights. Recently, my youngest son, who is 10, flew to and from his grandparents, and the flight attendant commended our little frequent flyer. What can I say \u2014 he's a pro!<\/p>\n

Many people need to send their child on a flight alone, whether to camp, another parent, or a relative. Although sending your little ones off on a plane alone can be nerve-racking, the unaccompanied minor service the airlines and airports provide makes it less daunting than you'd think. My kids have always felt comfortable and safe.<\/p>\n

Most airlines allow unaccompanied minors with restrictions and, of course, a fee. Unfortunately, the fees can add up \u2014 especially for multiple children. That's why we almost always book these flights with points to offset the financial burden.<\/p>\n

Here's what you need to know about traveling as an unaccompanied minor and how to use points and miles to lower costs.<\/p>\n

What Is an Unaccompanied Minor?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Many airlines allow children to fly alone as “unaccompanied minors” starting at age five. The airline assists the child during boarding, throughout the flight, and upon arrival.<\/p>\n

The airline and airport security allow parents or guardians to accompany their children to the departure gate and pick them up at the arrival gate. This was a major concern for me the first time my children flew. However, since I literally walked my kids to the plane, handed them to a flight attendant, and their grandparents met them at the gate on the other end, it was much less scary than I imagined. Additionally, they require documentation and signatures for drop-off and pick-up.<\/p>\n

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My son, a solo-flying pro! Credit: Brie Bash\/AwardWallet<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n

Rules and Fees for Booking an Unaccompanied Minor Ticket<\/span><\/h2>\n

Each airline sets its own rules and fees for unaccompanied minors. Many airlines require unaccompanied minor service for children ages 5 through 14, while some make the service optional for older teens. Here are the rules you need for each airline:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
Airline<\/th>Ages Eligible<\/th>Fee<\/th>Connection Rules<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Alaska Airlines<\/a><\/td>5-17
\n(13-17 optional with fee)<\/td>		$50 each way, $75 with connection<\/td>Ages 5-7, nonstop\/direct only
\nAges 8-17 Connections allowed with restrictions
\nNo flights beginning between 9pm and 5am<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
American Airlines<\/a><\/td>5-17
\n(15-17 optional with fee)<\/td>		$150 each way
\n*includes additional siblings on same flight<\/td>		Ages 5-7 nonstop\/direct flights only
\nAges 8-17 Connections allowed through select airports<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Delta Air Lines<\/a><\/td>5-17
\n(15-17 optional with fee)<\/td>		$150 each way
\n*includes up to 4 children<\/td>		Ages 5-7 some nonstop flights
\nAges 8-14 some nonstop and some connecting flights
\nAges 15-17 Nonstop and connecting <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Hawaiian Airlines<\/a><\/td>5-17
\n(12-17 optional with fee)<\/td>		$35 per flight segment within Hawaii
\n$100 per flight segment between Hawaii and North America<\/td>		Some connections allowed<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
JetBlue<\/a><\/td>5-14<\/td>$150 each way<\/td>Nonstop only<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Southwest<\/a><\/td>5-11<\/td>$100 each way within the continental U.S.
\n$35 each way for interisland Hawaii flights<\/td>		Nonstop\/direct only<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
United Airlines<\/a><\/td>5-17
\n(15-17 optional with fee)<\/td>		$150 for up to 2 children<\/td>Nonstop or United Express only<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

Presently, Sun Country, Frontier, and Allegiant Air do not offer unaccompanied minor service.<\/p>\n

How To Use Points and Miles To Book Unaccompanied Minor Travel<\/span><\/h2>\n

Nearly every airline program allows you to book a flight for someone else with your miles<\/a>, which is helpful to know. But some airlines have specific rules on who you can book flights for. It's worth familiarizing yourself with the policies before getting too far into the booking process and finding out you can't reserve the flight you want.<\/p>\n

While you can book the ticket with miles, you generally can't use your points to cover the mandatory taxes and fees. However, you have a workaround if you carry a premium travel rewards card<\/a>, like the American Express Platinum Card\u00ae<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Provided the airline you select for your $200 airline fee credit<\/a> is the one you book your child on, the unaccompanied minor fee will more often than not code as an “incidental” purchase. That's easy savings if you haven't used your annual credit yet.<\/p>\n

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\n American Express Platinum Card\u00ae<\/sup><\/strong>\n
Welcome Offer<\/strong>\r\nYou may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards\u00ae<\/sup> Points after spending $12,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.<\/div>\n
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