Essential guide to booking award flights with a lap infant

Organizing family travel can be quite a hassle... and costly.

You have to factor in the expenses of multiple tickets and hotel accommodations, ensuring seats are together on the flight, and verifying baggage and carry-on regulations, among other considerations. However, one unexpected cost for new parents is that there can be additional fees to hold your infant or small child on your lap during the flight.

First-time travelers with lap infants might assume a separate ticket isn't necessary for a baby who doesn't occupy their own seat — but that assumption could be mistaken. Moreover, international travel with an infant can vary significantly in cost, from minimal to substantial.

When flying internationally with a child on your lap using award tickets, you may find yourself facing hefty fees even if your baby isn't assigned a separate seat (which, for safety reasons, you might want to reconsider). In essence, not knowing the regulations can lead to spending thousands of miles—or even dollars. Unfortunately, lap infant tickets do not accumulate miles.

Here’s what you need to know about traveling with an infant or lap child, including different airlines' policies and tips to help you avoid significant costs on your next family vacation.

Essentials for flying with a lap infant

Though airline regulations and charges differ, there are common guidelines that typically apply when flying with a lap child.

Considerations for safety

When arranging a flight and planning to hold your child on your lap, prioritizing safety is crucial.

Since passengers are typically required to fasten their seat belts during takeoff and landing—along with stowing tray tables and positioning seats upright—holding an unsecured infant may feel counterintuitive.

This practice is allowed because research indicates that, despite the risks associated with not being secured in a seat, flying with a lap infant is statistically much safer than driving.

However, it’s less preferable than securing a seat for a child and using a Federal Aviation Administration-approved car seat. The National Transportation Safety Board has recommended ending this practice, and flight attendant unions have urged airlines to eliminate lap infant policies.

Although the actual risk is low, it's important to contemplate this before your journey, especially in light of recent turbulence incidents.

Minimum age criteria

Most airlines categorize a child under 24 months as an infant or lap child if they are traveling without a dedicated seat. However, parents have the option to purchase a separate seat for their baby. As children transition from infants to toddlers, this can be a wise decision. It's important to note that once a child reaches 2 years old, they are required to occupy their own seat.

Necessary tickets

Even if your baby is flying for free on a domestic flight, a boarding pass indicating "lap infant" is essential.

You'll need to provide basic details for your child, including their name, date of birth, and gender. It's wise to carry a birth certificate as proof of age, especially since some airlines, like Southwest, may require verification that the child is under 2 years old.

Domestic vs. international flights

U.S. airlines typically allow infants to fly domestically at no extra cost. However, once you venture into international travel, the policies change, and there may be additional costs involved for your little one.

Award tickets and additional fees

When flying internationally with an infant or lap child, expect airlines to charge around 10% of the adult fare, plus applicable taxes and fees.

An infant must travel with a ticketed adult, whether the adult has purchased a seat or is using an award ticket. Additionally, the child must be booked in the same class as the adult. You cannot buy or redeem a first-class ticket for yourself while only getting a coach ticket for your baby.

While a 10% charge on a fare may seem minimal, if your ticket is in business or first class, that percentage can translate into hundreds or even thousands of dollars. For instance, if you redeem miles for a business-class flight to Europe that typically costs $6,000, you would need to pay $600 for your infant to sit on your lap.

Some airlines allow you to redeem 10% of the miles required for an adult award ticket instead of paying cash, but the accompanying adult must also have an award ticket, and both must be in the same cabin.

As expected, various airlines have unique or more lenient policies, so we'll cover the key ones below, along with helpful tips to keep in mind while booking.

International fees for infant award travel

Policies can change, so it's important to verify details with your chosen airline before proceeding. The table below highlights the airlines with mileage programs that are most commonly used, thanks to their broad route networks and numerous transfer and airline partnerships.

The fees mentioned apply to international flights when the adult traveling with the infant is using an award ticket. We always recommend contacting the airline via phone or online chat before traveling with your lap child to clarify and confirm any out-of-pocket costs associated with your specific itinerary.

Recommended programs to explore

As indicated in the table above, most airlines require a cash payment for bringing a baby on international flights, regardless of whether you are on a paid ticket or an award ticket.

Typically, the fee is 10% of the current adult cash fare, in addition to taxes and fees associated with your travel class. While 10% may not seem substantial, be aware that there can be significant taxes and surcharges that differ by airline and destination (especially in Europe), making 10% of a first- or business-class ticket quite costly.

Some programs offer more favorable policies for booking infant tickets as awards rather than requiring paid fares. With that in mind, here are a few programs worth considering.

Air Canada Aeroplan

This is one of the best deals available: For only CA$25 or 2,500 points, a lap infant can travel with you. These cash copays are remarkably low compared to the surcharges on premium international tickets, which can run into thousands of dollars.

Moreover, Air Canada Aeroplan partners with many flexible rewards programs, including American Express Membership Rewards, Bilt Rewards, Marriott Bonvoy, Capital One, and Chase Ultimate Rewards. This partnership makes it incredibly simple to transfer points into your Aeroplan account.

The best part is that you can now book your lap infant online, following the same procedure as booking an adult ticket. Simply book your infant's seat online and pay only 2,500 points.

Asiana Club

The mileage program of Korean airline Asiana is often underrated, yet it provides fantastic value for award ticket redemptions, especially for infant awards, which are priced at just 10% of adult award tickets.

British Airways Executive Club

While we often complain about the taxes and surcharges on British Airways awards for flights to and from the UK, one area where the airline's Avios program excels is in booking infant awards.

For children under 2, the cost is only 10% of the miles required for an adult ticket, making it a great deal. If your child turns 2 during the trip, the airline will assign them a seat for the return flight at no extra cost. Additionally, you can book lap infant awards online, which is still relatively rare.

Virgin Atlantic Flying Club

A few years back, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club updated its infant award policies and now charges a flat mileage fee ranging from 1,000 to 5,000 points per sector, plus taxes and fees, based on the class of service. Furthermore, you can book infant awards online alongside adult awards, and the associated taxes and fees are significantly lower than those for adult tickets.

Similar to British Airways, if your child turns 2 during the journey, you can still book a lap seat, and they will be allocated their own seat for the return flight.

Programs to steer clear of

Certain programs are notable, either due to their high fares and fees or the challenges associated with booking them.

Air France-KLM Flying Blue

Although Flying Blue is a transfer partner for all six major transferable programs in the U.S., it only allows the issuance of infant tickets for flights operated by Air France or KLM. You must book tickets for any connecting flights with partner airlines separately.

Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan

While Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan is considered one of the best in the U.S. due to its excellent earning and redemption rates, you'll incur an adult fare for a lap infant when booking partner flights through Alaska Airlines.

Cathay Pacific Asia Miles

Booking adult awards with Cathay Pacific Asia Miles can offer good value, but when it comes to booking a lap child, the program may charge up to 30% of the adult fare. (Sometimes the fee is lower, so it's important to check the exact amount.) These fees can quickly accumulate, especially if you plan to fly in the airline's premium business or first class.

Advice for booking lap infants

In addition to estimating the costs associated with an infant ticket from your chosen mileage program, there are several other factors to consider.

Your destination is key

As noted earlier, traveling domestically (including destinations like Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands) for lap infants is typically free. In contrast, international travel often involves costs, requiring payment in cash or miles, along with any relevant taxes or fees.

Make a call to book

While some airlines allow you to book infant tickets online, you generally need to call the airline's reservation line for this purpose. It's advisable to do this right after booking your own ticket to avoid any unexpected charges in terms of mileage or cash on your final ticket. Waiting until the last moment may lead to skyrocketing airfares. Even if you're only paying 10% of an adult fare, that can still amount to a considerable expense.

If something seems off, it likely is

Many customer service agents have limited experience with booking infant awards and might provide inaccurate information.

Before calling, ensure you have your airline's policy and a current fare or mileage quote available so you can challenge any discrepancies you notice. You may need to hang up and call back if you encounter an agent who is misinformed.

For itineraries with multiple flights and different airlines, contact each carrier

To ensure that a lap infant ticket is properly linked to an adult ticket throughout your journey, verify with each operating airline. For instance, if you book a Delta-marketed ticket that includes a leg on Korean Air, first call Delta to obtain your Korean Air confirmation number after adding the lap infant ticket. Then, reach out to Korean Air with that confirmation number to confirm that the lap infant ticket is recorded for the Korean Air segment.

Age restrictions and birthdays

Infants and lap children must be under 2 years old. This means that if your child turns 2 during travel (except with British Airways and Virgin Atlantic, as previously noted), they will no longer qualify for lap travel and will need their own seat, along with being subject to additional regulations.

Child-to-adult ratios

Airlines enforce strict guidelines regarding the number of children that can accompany an adult. Generally, only one lap infant is allowed per adult, although the definition of 'adult' may vary by airline. Additionally, there are restrictions on the number of lap infants allowed per row based on the number of available oxygen masks. If you are an adult traveling alone with more than one child under 2, the extra child will need a separate seat. Make sure to review the airline's policies before making your booking.

Request bulkhead seating

Airlines frequently reserve bulkhead seats for families with infants, as this is often where bassinets are located on some international flights. When booking, it can be beneficial to ask the agent to hold these seats for your family. If they attempt to upsell you, try to negotiate for a complimentary assignment due to the bassinet availability. However, be aware that seat assignments may not always be free, even for families with young children.

Baggage fees

Although we wouldn't call a child baggage, the silver lining is that flying with an infant may grant you additional baggage allowance on certain airlines. Be sure to check your airline's infant information page for specifics.

Necessary documentation

For international travel, your child will require their own travel documents (such as a passport), so ensure you have everything prepared before booking. It's also advisable to carry your child's birth certificate or another form of ID to confirm that your baby is under 2 years old — even if it's evident.

Key takeaways

Traveling with infants can be intricate, especially when it comes to lap infant tickets on international trips. Each airline (and frequent flyer program) has unique rules regarding infant fares, mileage requirements, and applicable taxes and fees. Some airlines permit you to book award tickets for infants, while others necessitate cash fares.

Some airlines may not permit you to book infant tickets at all if your travel includes partner airlines. Before securing a lap infant ticket, carefully consider the advantages and disadvantages of obtaining a separate seat for your child.

Prior to buying your own ticket, it's wise to contact your airline directly to inquire about the expected cost of your infant's ticket. Then, evaluate all available options to ensure you minimize both the miles spent and the amount of money needed to include your little one in your travels.