Yes, the Unaccompanied Minor charge is refundable if: Two UMs may travel together on the same reservation, but you will have to pay $50 each way for each UM to travel. Children aged 12 or older cannot travel as unaccompanied minors and must travel independently though there is "young traveler" policy for kids aged 12 through 17 (more on that below . The good news is that if youre 18 years of age or older you are not automatically denied boarding if you cannot provide proper identification. It is the only accepted form of government ID that airlines and airport authorities accept. An acceptable ID would be one that is both current, and contains the following: name, date of birth, gender, photograph, expiration date, and a tamper-resistant feature. You Can Travel Here. Make sure your phone is password protected. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) procedures require all airlines to correctly identify all Customers. But other carriers are a bit more flexible. Southwest charges only $50 each way, while many other airlines charge triple that! Acceptable ID for international travel Use of the Southwest websites and our Company Also, one of these documents must bear identification information containing one of the following: date of birth, gender, address, or photo. The TSA and the airline can work together to verify your identity and get you through airport security. -Which Trusted Traveler Program Should You Choose? . Name, relationship, and phone numbers of an alternate contact, For additional information about what to expect when a child travels alone, please review, Get your escort pass so you can accompany the child through the security checkpoint and to the gate, The Unaccompanied Minor form will be inserted in the. However, TSA officials understand that you can lose your wallet or have it stolen and will do their best to work with you. If you are flying from a domestic location, a government issued identification or Passport is alright to use. Unacceptable identification documents Southwest credit cards continue to be fan favorites in no small part because . External site which may or may not meet accessibility guidelines. Unaccompanied Minors are allowed to travel on only nonstop or same-plane service (makes one or two stops but does not require a change of planes or flight number). It is recommended that you stay in the gate area until the YTs flight is in the air. Here are the circumstances you need to be prepared for. Concealed Travel Pouch & Passport Holder Protects ID. Charge your childs electronic device(s) before leaving for the airportwe dont have outlets onboard. If you need an escort pass, which is required to accompany the child through the security checkpoint, ask at the ticket counter. 2. This is a requirement of both the TSA and Southwest Airlines. If you need to check a bag you will need to present identification at the check-in counter. Before departing on your international trip make sure your passport is valid for six months beyond your return date. The Department of Transportation is responsible for enforcing the ACAA, which applies to all flights to, from, or within the United States. . There is information in the previous heading. As mentioned above, if you are 18 or older, and don't have an ID, the TSA has procedures that will allow you to fly on a domestic flight. Beginning May 7, 2025, if you plan to use your state-issued ID or license to fly within the U.S., make sure it is REAL ID compliant, Driver's licenses or other state photo identity cards issued by Department of Motor Vehicles (or equivalent), DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST), U.S. Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to dependents, Canadian provincial driver's license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card, Transportation worker identification credential, U.S. However, even if you dont have one, the Transportation Security Administration can verify your identity in other ways besides a drivers license. THE PURCHASER AGREES TO INDEMNIFY, HOLD HARMLESS, AND FULLY RELEASE SOUTHWEST AIRLINES FOR ANY AND ALL INJURY OR DAMAGES TO PROPERTY OR PERSONS CAUSED BY OR INCURRED AS A RESULT OF AN UNACCOMPANIED MINOR'S ACTIONS, INCLUDING INJURIES TO THE UNACCOMPANIED MINOR CAUSED BY HIS OR HER OWN NEGLIGENCE. The documents must bear the name of the passenger. The TSA can confirm your identity, using publicly available databases, so theres a good chance youll be allowed on your flight. While you wouldnt be able to use them ultimately, they. Welcome to the Community! Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. TSA recommends that you arrive at least two hours in advance of your flight time. outhwest.com by using the online check-in option. Until then, all types state-issued drivers licences and ID cards will be acceptable forms of identification for accessing the secure portions of an airport terminal in the US. -9 Tips for Avoiding and Preventing Identity Theft, -Guide to Bargaining and Shopping Overseas, -10 Tips to Save You Money on Exchanging Money, -Pickpocketing and RFID Theft Dont Be a Victim, -Easy and Reliable Ways to Lock Your Zippers, -On-Board Theft Protect Bags While You Snooze in the Sky, -How to Pickpocket Proof Your Purse and Shoulder Bag, -Cruise Safety Advice You Dont Want to Think About for Emergencies, Top Rideshare Safety Tips -Travel and Home, -A Street Smart Guide to Avoiding Pickpockets See Videos , -Photography Restrictions in Foreign Countries, -Six Seconds with a Coat Hanger to Break into Your Garage, Tipping Guidelines for Hotels, Restaurants, and More, -How To Stop Burglars From Opening Your Hotel Room, -Hotel Room Safes They May Not Be as Safe as You Think, -Why You Need to Pack a Portable Travel Safe, -On Board Theft Protect Valuables While You Snooze in the Sky, -Sexual Assaults on Airplanes Know Before You Fly, -How to Prevent Theft at Airport Screening, -Alarm Your Hotel Room Door Keep Intruders Out, -Sexual Assaults on Airplanes Read Before You Fly, Best way to Redeem Travel Miles and Points, US citizens will need to register online before visiting Europe, -USPS Informed Delivery -Sign Up Before ID Thieves Do, -Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), -Best Travel Books Planning and Budget Advice, Guide to Finding the Right Luggage Lock. See our homepage for informative reviews, exclusive stories and how-tos. 3. Keep in mind that TSA may be able to use these documents, along with other procedures that they have, in order to confirm your identity and allow you go through security. After you enter your childs passenger information and proceed to check out, you will be asked whether theyll be traveling with someone over the age of 12. I have a boarding pass. Yes. You'll get the latest news, information, and promotional offers from Southwest all in one sweet email. If a child is traveling alone it may be a good idea to have the child carry some kind of ID, even if it is not a passport or state issued photo ID. If you choose to obtain your boarding pass at the departure gate, your security document will assist you in passing through TSA Security. Make sure you read the last paragraph which, describes the other forms of ID valid at TSA checkpoints. Clear is an expedited airport security program where members utilize biometric authentication (fingerprint or eye scan) at a kiosk rather than have a TSA agent inspect their ID. Flight segment is defined as a takeoff and a landing. Southwest Airlines reserves the right not to transport Unaccompanied Minors on flights that may be diverted or cancelled due to weather or other operational disruptions. Information constitutes acceptance of our Terms and Conditions. Some restrictions and seating limitations may apply. 2019 To view all identification requirements and options, please visit the TSA website. If you are a victim of a crime or lose your identification while traveling, go immediately to the local law enforcement station and file a report! }. A parent or guardian must escort an Unaccompanied Minor to the departure gate 45 minutes before scheduled departure and must remain in the gate area until the flight is in the air. Also, one of these documents must bear identification information containing one of the following: date of birth, gender, address, or photo. 7.5% of base fare for domestic travel within the Continental United States and between the Hawaiian islands; prorated for travel between the Continental United States and Hawaii. Two UMs may travel together on the same reservation, but you will have to pay $50 each way for each UM. They must have a valid photo ID and a copy of the child's itinerary to get an escort pass to get through the security checkpoint and meet the child at the gate. Welcome to the Community! This allows our personnel to. Prices and availability are subject to change. What Documents Does a Child Need to Fly Unaccompanied? For instance, Delta will accept either one government-issued photo ID, or two non-photo IDs . A baby was stuck in a fire. 2019 If the driver's license is expired, will it be an acceptable form of ID? (opens popup). Publish Date: 2018-01-20. What are the acceptable forms of identification for a minor traveling internationally with a guardian? Best Tips to Prevent Your Cell Phone From Being Stolen, International Driver's Permit or License-Steps to Get an IDP, Prevent Lost Luggage, Tips from Frequent Flyers, France: Found-Lost Gold Ring Scam in Paris - Videos. At the ticket counter, please provide a valid form of identification and a copy of your child's itinerary and request an escort pass that will allow you to pass through security. If these Terms and Conditions are not met, Southwest Airlines reserves the right not to provide travel to the Unaccompanied Minor. While kids 15 to 17 are still considered minors in the eyes of the TSA, some airlines require that they have some kind of identification when they're traveling alone. Kids 15 to 17. For more information, please review the, If you are a victim of a crime or lose your identification while traveling, go immediately to the local law enforcement station and file a report! ages 5-11 traveling without an accompanying Passenger age 12 or older. Passengers need at least two alternate forms of identification, such as a social security card, birth certificate, marriage license, or credit card. Is the Unaccompanied Minor service charge refundable? Expired documents are not accepted. If you lose your primary ID, or it has expired, the TSA may accept another form of ID to help confirm your identity. Remember, government-issued IDs that are expired are not valid but may help prove your identity. The list below shows some of the forms you can use to help verify your identity. If possible, try to obtain an old expired identification card or some other type of identification card that has your picture on it and may beverified. Southwest Airlines reserves the right not to allow travel on flights that may be delayed, diverted, or canceled due to weather or other operational disruptions. Be sure to allow enough time to park the car, obtain your escort pass and the child's UM lanyard at the ticket counter, go through security, and check in at the gate. may carry one bag plus one smaller, personal-type item onboard the airplane. The Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) is a law that makes it illegal for airlines to discriminate against passengers because of their disability. There is no way around it. valid photo ID and a copy of your child's itinerary are required to obtain an escort pass. No. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) procedures require all airlines to correctly identify all Customers. There is information in the previous heading. Plan on getting to the airport significantly earlier than you normally would because the additional screening will take longer. Make sure the child's reservation is on a nonstop flight or a flight that makes a stop but does not require a change of planes. Southwest Airlines requires children contract the ages of 5 and 11 who are traveling unaccompanied to ease a monk of identification listing. Yes, your child can travel unaccompanied on a reservation made using Rapid Rewards points. Arrive at the gate no less than 45 minutes prior to the flight's scheduled departure time. If you are on a domestic flight in the US, you may not need to use your ID to get a boarding pass or to get on the airplane. If you don't have this kind of documentation, you may either be prevented from going into the secure part of the airport terminal, or you may be delayed while security verifies your identification through other means. External site which may or may not meet accessibility guidelines. and must be worn by the child for the duration of the flight. Many countries have ID requirements for domestic flights that are similar to US requirements. Keep in mind that we reserve the right not to allow YT travel on flights that may be delayed, diverted, or canceled due to weather or other operational disruptions. Adult passengers, 18 plus, must show a valid U.S. Federal or State-issued photo ID that contains a name, date of birth, gender, expiration date, and a tamper-resistant feature. Provide your child with the contact information for whoevers picking them up. You cancel your reservation, and your Unaccompanied Minor does not travel. Acceptable ID for domestic US travel. Youll need to complete an identity verification process with a TSA officer. policies and procedures, you sometimes may not be able to obtain a boarding pass before reaching the departure gate. Use of the Southwest websites and our Company Travel between the Continental United States and foreign countries also include: Earn up to 10,000 points per night on hotel stays. -Should I Carry my Passport or Use the Hotel Safe? Arrive at the gate no less than 45 minutes prior to the flight's scheduled arrival time. Parents/guardians wishing to escort a Young Traveler to/from the gate must obtain a Non-Passenger Escort (NPE) from the ticket counter to pass through the security checkpoint. 07-15-2016 No, we dont allow Unaccompanied Minors to travel on connecting flights. Everything you need to Tr Ask for a TSA supervisor to explain your situation. If possible, try to obtain an old expired identification card or some other type of identification card that has your picture on it and may beverified. height: 1px; .system-message--link { If you're traveling as a family you might be tempted to go for Southwest EarlyBird. Check in at the ticket counter with a copy of the YTs itinerary. Check in online 24 hours before scheduled departure to receive a boarding pass or purchase. Bring as many other photo IDs and forms of ID you have from the list below. Unaccompanied Minors are childrenages 5-11 traveling without an accompanying Passenger age 12 or older. Traveling domestically without ID is easier than internationally. Super-Fast Shopping & Booking Book a trip in just a few quick taps. Acceptable Identification for Airline Travel, Department of Homeland (DHS) Security "Trusted Traveler" cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST), US Military ID (active duty or retired military and their dependents, and Department of Defense civilians), Drivers License or other state photo identity card issued by a department of motor vehicles (or equivalent government agency), Airline or airport-issued ID (if issued under a TSA-approved security plan), Canadian provincial driver's license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card, Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC). THE PURCHASER AGREES TO INDEMNIFY, HOLD HARMLESS, AND FULLY RELEASE SOUTHWEST AIRLINES FOR ANY AND ALL INJURY OR DAMAGES TO PROPERTY OR PERSONS CAUSED BY OR INCURRED AS A RESULT OF A YOUNG TRAVELERS ACTIONS, INCLUDING INJURIES TO THE YOUNG TRAVELER CAUSED BY HIS OR HER OWN NEGLIGENCE. Keep in mind that some carriers, Another great resource for understanding which forms of ID are accepted at TSA checkpoints is the TSA blog post about this , Answer. 24 hours prior to your flight. These forms of ID are accepted to establish your identity with the TSA for domestic travel. Disabled World is an independent disability community founded in 2004 to provide disability news and information to people with disabilities, seniors, their family and/or carers. The Secure Flight Program was developed by the government to meet 9/11 Commission recommendations that the TSA take over watch-list name-matching functions from airlines. Bring a copy of the report with you to the airport to show both the airport and TSA check-in personnel. Parents and guardians are responsible for ensuring a Young Traveler arrives for check-in and boarding in accordance with each airports. So the bottom line is yes, you can fly domestically without a drivers license, or other government-issued photo ID if either was lost or stolen. There is information in the previous heading. Southwest Airlines: 4:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. (during spring break, 3:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.) 2023 Most airlines state that children under the age of 18 do not need an ID with them when flying with adults (people 18 and above). If the TSA can confirm your identity, they will allow you to go through security screening and youll get a boarding pass with an official note explaining that you dont have ID, that way you can board the plane. A passport book for each minor (and all Passengers) must be verified by a Customer Service Agent or kiosk at the Southwest Airlines Ticket Counter on the day of travel before a boarding pass is issued. Travel Wallet Family Passport Holder w/ RFID Blocking. Acceptable forms of ID. Unaccompanied Minor children who arrive at the departure gate after boarding has begun will be escorted onto the aircraft after all other Customers have boarded or in between boarding groups. Hundreds of employees and customers rallied outside of Southwest Airlines headquarters in Dallas Monday morning, two weeks after the company said that all workers must get vaccinated against COVID . A Young Traveler must have the maturity and capability to travel alone, including but not limited to checking in, passing through the security checkpoint, boarding, deplaning, and claiming luggage. No other animals are permitted on flights between the U.S. mainland and Hawaii. . and allow enough time to park the car, go through security, and check in at the gate. We consider children ages 12 through 17 traveling alone to be Young Travelers (YTs), not Unaccompanied Minors (UMs). 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Or southwest airlines id requirements for adults obtain your boarding pass or purchase Southwest airlines the latest news information. Government-Issued IDs that are expired are not valid but may help prove your identity and get you through airport.! Flights that are similar to US requirements identity and get you through airport Security Young Traveler arrives for check-in boarding. Will assist you in passing through TSA Security sweet email enough time to park the car, go through,. To use 2019 to view all identification requirements and options, please visit the TSA domestic. Which may or may not meet accessibility guidelines you have from the below... Alone to be fan favorites in no small part because must be worn by the child through the Security,... Guardians are responsible for ensuring a Young Traveler arrives for check-in and boarding accordance... Plus one smaller, personal-type item onboard the airplane transportation Security Administration can verify identity. 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