Opens new window. State-issued enhanced drivers licenses provide proof of identity and US citizenship, as well as additional information. If the UM's flight is scheduled to arrive after the ticket counter and/or security checkpoint is closed, proceed to the Baggage Service Office to let the Agent know you're picking up a UM. See our homepage for informative reviews, exclusive stories and how-tos. Should the Unaccompanied Minor's travel be disrupted or should the person(s) designated fail to meet the Unaccompanied Minor upon arrival at the destination airport, Southwest Airlines is authorized to take whatever action is reasonable and necessary under the circumstances. TSA will accept expired drivers licenses or state-issued ID a year after expiration. No Problem! Make sure that you and whoevers picking up the YT are available to answer phone calls during the flight time in the event of a flight irregularity. The state of Texas airline fares are designed for last minute and/or fully-refundable travel requirements. Any additional bags after that are $75. While you wouldnt be able to use them ultimately, they may be somewhat helpful in proving your identity. If your identity cannot be verified, you will not be allowed to enter the screening checkpoint. My disabled senior husband is 75 and his last drivers license was 2002 and no other picture ID. Unaccompanied Minors: preparing for travel. Advise them that they will need to greet the child at the flight's assigned arrival gate. Get started here. Most of the time, you, However, even if you dont have one, the Transportation Security Administration can verify your identity in other ways besides a drivers license. margin: -1px; April 4, 2021. What happens if my child misses the opportunity to preboard? I have a boarding pass. You can print a new security document any time on Southwest.com by using the online check-in option. Learn more about REAL ID onTSAs REAL IDwebpage. I'm worried if it doesn't come in time for trip what else would be acceptable. We like travel wallets that attach to your clothing, or hidden waist wallets to keep IDs money and credit cards close. The TSA officer will ask for info including your name, current address, and other personal details that can be used to confirm that you are who you say you are. If you are flying from a domestic location, a government issued identification or Passport is alright to use. You should check with both your airline and with the the appropriate authorities in the countries you wish to visit to find out what you may need. This is a requirement of both the TSA and Southwest Airlines. For full details on Unaccompanied Minors, click here. Domestic travel. Depending on the country, you may also need additional documents in order to travel by air within that country. . General Southwest Insurance Agency, Inc (480 . Plan on getting to the airport significantly earlier than you normally would because the additional screening will take longer. 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. This means that you will usually get a good boarding position often in Group A but sometimes also in the B boarding group. Promotional Companion Pass valid through 2/28/2024. 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. No other animals are permitted on flights between the U.S. mainland and Hawaii. Airlines and airports are there to offer any help seniors may need on their air travel journies. The child is required to always wear the UM lanyard around their neck. 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. But other carriers are a bit more flexible. Only children with sufficient maturity to travel with limited adult supervision may travel as an Unaccompanied Minor on Southwest Airlines. This is where having a copy of your license on your phone can also help. 09:05 AM. The parent/guardian of an Unaccompanied Minor (UM) or Young Traveler (YT) must complete the Plants and Animals Declaration Form. An official website of the United States government. How do I escort my child through security? Customers who arrive 20 minutes or less prior to scheduled departure, You can obtain or reprint a security document at the. At the TSA security screening area you will need to go through an additional level of questioning. There is information in the previous heading. 3. Keep copies of your valid IDs in a safe place at home and to take with you. Have them make a note in your record regarding your circumstance. There is, however, an exception for Unaccompanied Minors traveling on Southwest Airlines. In coordination with its DHS counterparts, TSA has identified acceptable alternate identification for use in special circumstances at the checkpoint. 4. 2023 If there is a suffix on the boarding pass, and there is not one on the ID or vice versa, that is considered an acceptable variation. If you lose your passport while traveling youll need to get a replacement from a US embassy before returning home. 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. Secure Flight offers a standardized method for the TSA to compare passenger name information to TSA watch lists. Keep in mind that some carriers may be more lenient than others for domestic travel (however, international travel may necessitate additional forms of identification and immigration documents, such as a passport.) 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. You must show a valid, government-issued ID to obtain the pass. 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. Acceptable ID for domestic US travel. As part of this ongoing effort, the TSA has implemented the Secure Flight Program, which requires airlines to ask Customers for their full name (as it appears on their government-issued ID), date of birth, and gender at the time of reservation. Also, one of these documents must bear identification information containing one of the following: date of birth, gender, address, or photo. Check in with an Employee at the gate and let them know youre picking up an Unaccompanied Minor. Stop at the ticket counter to obtain an escort pass that will allow you to go through the security checkpoint. Please note, our Flight Attendants will not monitor the YT throughout the flight and the YT will not be escorted off the plane nor taken to meet the parent/guardian at the destination. Final Thought on Preparing to Fly Without an ID. If you're traveling as a family you might be tempted to go for Southwest EarlyBird. Southwest will not release an Unaccompanied Minor to anyone other than the designated parent or guardian. Airport assessed Passenger Facility Charges (PFCs) of up to $18. Answer. A boarding pass can be printed at home or on a self serve kiosk (available at most airports), or you can get a boarding pass on your phone with the Southwest app. 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. Southwest Airlines does not provide Young Traveler service to/from international destinations. Your child has sufficient maturity and capability to travel alone (this includes, but is not limited to, checking in, passing through the security checkpoint, boarding, deplaning, and claiming luggage), without adult supervision or assistance from Southwest Employees, on all scheduled service: nonstop, same-plane service with intermediate stops, and connecting service that requires your child to change planes. Acceptable forms of ID are military ID, drivers license, passport, or passport card at the time of check-in. Its a neck wallet you wear outside of your clothes in the airport and under your shirt when at your destination for even more security. 07-15-2016 In most cases, you just need to show a boarding pass to get on the airplane. Going through the check-in and boarding processes, Yes, your child can travel unaccompanied on a, , we dont allow Unaccompanied Minors to travel on connecting flights. 1. Acceptable ID for domestic US travel I also have a problem. Southwest Airlines does not provide Unaccompanied Minor service to/from international destinations. Contact the airline for questions regarding specific ID requirements for travelers under 18. The short answer to Can You Fly If Your Drivers License or ID Card Was Lost or Stolen is yes, but read on. TSA has the prerogative to deny airport entry with any of these documents. The list below shows some of the forms you can use to help verify your identity. -Should I Carry my Passport or Use the Hotel Safe? - edited Children ages five through 11 traveling without an accompanying Passenger aged 12 or older must travel as Unaccompanied Minors (UMs) on Southwest Airlines. A weapon permit is not an acceptable form of identification. Southwest Airlines Co. All Rights Reserved. Southwest does not monitor Young Travelers during travel. Can my child travel unaccompanied on a Rapid Rewards points reservation? The airlines and TSA require adult passengers 18 and over to show valid identification for domestic travel within the United States, . A Passport and United States drivers license works! It is the responsibility of the drop-off parent/guardian to present the Unaccompanied Minor as directed in order to board the flight. Indicates external site which may or may not meet accessibility guidelines. Minors do not need Real ID-compliant identification as long as they are accompanied by a compliant adult. You should check with your airline or with the appropriate authorities within that country to find out what IDs are acceptable for domestic flights. Make sure that you and the parent/guardian picking up the child are available to answer phone calls during the flight time in the event of a flight irregularity. Call the parent/guardian picking up the child to let them know that the flight has departed. Airline personnel also ensure that the child is safely delivered to the appropriate person on arriving. If youre not cell phone savvy, make sure a trusted family member or friend has access to a copy who can email or fax it in the event of an emergency to you or the authorities. Accordingly, our UM procedures do not apply to travelers ages 12 through 17. Southwest EarlyBird. -Watch Out for the Infamous Paris Friendship Bracelet Scam, -Money Exchange Scams Know Before You Cash In, -A Street Smart Guide to Avoiding Pickpockets See Videos, -How to Avoid Pickpockets While Traveling. 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. so you can monitor your childs flight status. 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. Keep them secure but where you can retrieve them like hidden in emails sent to yourself, or in your photos. Adjustable waist pouch secures passport and ID from theft and lost. 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. We consider children ages 12 through 17 traveling alone to be Young Travelers (YTs), not Unaccompanied Minors (UMs). Information constitutes acceptance of our Terms and Conditions. Policies vary by airline and are subject to change. to allow sufficient time to obtain an escort pass from the ticket counter. Travel Wallet Family Passport Holder w/ RFID Blocking. You may still fly on US domestic flights, provided that you go through additional identity and security screening at the TSA security checkpoint. Airlines require that you show a passport, visa, or some other kind of document to confirm that you are allowed to fly to your destination. Each airport may impose restrictions on NPEs being issued based on guidance from the local Transportation Security Administration directives. Can a child older than 11 years of age be treated as an Unaccompanied Minor? 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. How to prepare your Young Traveler for travel. What if you don't have an acceptable ID? 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. One way the airline pleases customers traveling with young kids is with its reduced rates. Children 12 and older are allowed to travel independently. Acceptable ID for domestic travel outside of the US You can also store your credit cards. Check in at the ticket counter with a copy of the YTs itinerary. 3. What are the acceptable forms of identification that Southwest will accept to receive my boarding document? Technically, Southwest does not consider 12 and up to be an "unaccompanied minor," so the information they have is pretty minimal. Make sure your phone is password protected. Customers traveling on a flight that has been gate restricted. The amount of time to park, check luggage, pass through the security checkpoint, and board the flight varies based on each airports size, configuration, and travel season. What are the acceptable forms of identification for a minor traveling internationally with a guardian? Southwest Airlines does not transport pets to or from Hawaii. First, they may have to fly as an unaccompanied minor if they fall within that age window. Youll need to complete an identity verification process with a TSA officer. padding: 0; Parents and guardians are responsible for ensuring a Young Traveler arrives for check-in and boarding in accordance with each airports. Only trained service dogs assisting Customers with disabilities are permitted to travel with Customers. These children must be escorted to the airport by a guardian and provide proof of age documentation such as a birth certificate. As part of this ongoing effort, the TSA has implemented the Secure Flight Program, which requires airlines to ask Customers for their full name (as it appears on their government-issued ID), date of birth, and gender at the time of reservation. If you lose your primary ID, or it has expired, the TSA may accept another form of ID to help confirm your identity. If a flight segment doesnt fall within this timeframe, youll need to print your security document 24 hours prior to your return flight segment. There is information in the previous heading. Accessible Travel Assistance | Southwest Airlines Accessible travel assistance overview If you or someone you know will need disability-related assistance on a Southwest flight, we're here to make sure you have the information you need before you fly. In such cases, a security document allows you to proceed through the TSA Security Checkpoint to the departure gate to obtain your boarding pass. Yes, you can use your passport to travel domestically. Provide your child with the contact information for whoevers picking them up. For more information, see this. Please enter the confirmation number and the name of the person who will be traveling with this child. may carry one bag plus one smaller, personal-type item onboard the airplane. It is recommended that you stay in the gate area until the YTs flight is in the air. Bring as many other photo IDs and forms of ID you have from the list below. As a general rule, children under 5 years of age absolutely must travel with an adult, and children 15 and up have the option of traveling without any additional safeguards or unaccompanied minor. identify the UM to the Flight Attendant who will be responsible for the child's care during flight. Southwest Airlines and American Airlines are among the carriers that are federal contractors and subject to a Biden administration requirement that their employees are vaccinated against. Your child is joined by an accompanying Passenger aged 12 or older and is no longer an Unaccompanied Minor. What happens when we arrive at the departure gate? Adult passengers 18 and older must show valid identification at the airport checkpoint in order to travel. Southwest Airlines has other discounted fares for those not meeting the above age requirements. If the flight is during mealtimes, dont forget to send food or snacks with your child in case they get hungry. Federal law requires all airline passengers in the U.S. to wear a face mask in airports and on board. Opens new window. But there are requirements so read on, to fully understand what. But other carriers are a bit more flexible. . A Young Traveler must have the maturity and capability to travel alone. Your airline may require you to present a photo ID to board the airplane or at the check in counter, but some airlines don't have this requirement. Southwest Airlines requires children contract the ages of 5 and 11 who are traveling unaccompanied to ease a monk of identification listing. You can use a birth certificate here, and you should expect to be asked to show your own photo ID at the gate. Passport cards, invalid and/or damaged passports will not be accepted. 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. For more information, please review the TSA ID Requirements for Airport Checkpoints. Do you also always need an ID? Check in with an Employee at the gate and let them know youre picking up a YT. 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. overflow: hidden; If the driver's license is expired, will it be an acceptable form of ID? Kids who are 12 and up are free to travel without the service. Re: Confused - early bird checkin or family boarding. Additional Unaccompanied Minor Info for Travel to Hawaii: Flights between the U.S. mainland and Hawaii are subject to specific procedures for transportation of animals and plants, inspection of checked and carryon baggage, and State of Hawaii documentation requirements. So every time you fly, your friend can too. 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