Unaccompanied Minor Question

I am planning on sending my 10 year old son to visit relatives using a United award ticket in biz class.

He would be flying International from Japan to the mid-western United states.

From what I have read, it appears that I only need to pay $99 extra, and at his age connecting flights are allowed (so long as he is on United metal).

Is there anything else that I am missing here?
http://united.com/web/en-US/content/travel/specialneeds/minors/default.aspx

Thanks.

Besides the airline requirements, you should check on what is needed for a minor to cross borders without parents. If there has been a divorce, this could be very complicated, especially if more than one citizenship is involved, You should also plan to give the relatives legal powers to make emergency medical decisions, etc. This might require approval from both parents, depending on custody arrangements, but anything international can greatly complicate the situation. Also, does your son have medical insurance coverage for the USA?

Thanks for the additional food for thought. fyi :no divorce, two passports (Japan/US), will purchase travellers medical insurance.

Heck, I've been on UA850 from PEK-ORD in GlobalFirst by myself since i was 8 (I'm 14 now)

There's no problem with united, your child will have to be responsible though to not forget things, miss connections etc

Welcome to Mile Point!

I was assuming that as an unaccompanied minor, UA would escort him to the gate agent for his connectiing flight.


Thanks for your reply. And welcome to milepoint!

I would expect the airline to walk with an UM through immigration and customs and then take him to the gate, unless there's time to visit an UM special lounge which I would expect UA to have in it's major hubs. I think they sign him off from one person to the next, so that someone is responsible throughout the process. They shouldn't let him just find the gate on his own, although they're not responsible for looking after his property to make sure that he doesn't forget something.

Other point... an UM can't be booked on the last connecting flight of the day, unless of course it is the only connecting flight of the day.

The one concern I'd have is: is your son ever going to be able to fly coach again if he gets to fly Business class at age 10? . j/k

I have such a problem with my wife and my son

If he is under 12 you will need to pay an extra $75 dollars I believe.

Thanks for the welcome

They have special lounges? I just went to united club (I'm global services)

I've flown First many times, and Economy isn't bad at all unless you have extreme swelling in your feet.

Too late. Thanks to FT and MP, he has had the opportunity to taste Biz class since he was 6. We put the kids in Y class when purchasing, but it seems easier to find award availability up front.

you just need to keep searching. If you're a 1K, you can change to coach without penalty.

Wait, you're 14 and GS?!?!

I have a question, I'm global services, what does that rank on the mileage scale

Yeah, fly to Beijing, Narita, CDG, LHR, DXB a lot

Just curious...... At 14, how/ why are you able to travel enough to attain GS?

Parents, I'm gathering.

I help my dad with his job, typing his reports, etc.

Does your son travel a lot? Just curious

That's how I started out, btw.

Hey guys,
This is kind of off-topic, but what is your input on 3-3-3 vs 2-5-2 in economy (I fly GlobalFirst, I'm just curious)

This is my take:

I think the 3-3-3 configuration is overrated. In a 3-3-3 you have 2 seats more than 1 seat away from an aisle while a 2-5-2 configuration has only 1 seat more than 1 seat away from an aisle. I know how everyone hates the middle seat, but you have access to BOTH aisles, whichever one is more convenient?

Why is everyone switching to 3-3-3 instead of 2-5-2?

The seat assemblies are all the same so it is cheaper to maintain. Also, I believe it makes personal IFE easier to install.