Infant turns 2 mid itinerary
 

My son turned 2 mid itinerary last month (my trip was March 11 - 20). I asked both expedia.ca who I booked the trip with, and checked with aircanada at departure if I would have any problems. They both said no problem, its based on his age at departure or outbound flights. There was no problem with the US carrier upon return. In washington, Air Canada would not provide a boarding pass, and made me buy a ticket for $942 USD for 1.5hour flight.

Since being home, I have checked again with both companies, and they both again gave me the same answer. Expedia by phone, air canada at the ticket purchase counter at the airport.

Beware, if your child turns two mid trip, buy him/her a one way ticket home. dont listen to any other answer. I am pursuing it, as I have some pretty concrete proof I was given misinformation.

Anybody else have similar experience?

Call Air Canada again and ask the advice. Tape the call, and ask them to send you confirmation of the policy in writing. Then, sue their ass.

You really should pursue this not only because it inconvenienced you but both Expedia and Air Canada are absolutely wrong about this. It's not just airline policy but both an FAA and Transport Canada regulations that a child aged 2 and up must have it's own seat.

WARNING about taping the call, unless you tell the person it is being taped, in some places this is illegal to do without the other persons knowledge. Most companies cover themselves by the recording saying "this call maybe recorded for training purposes" When I was having issues with Sprint over cell phone they actually went back to the tapes to see what was said and they were covered by that "training purposes recording"

You are right. I found that some reps will not talk to you if you tell them it is being taped. When I had a problem with BT, I once told the rep that "this conversation is being taped for quality assurance purposes" and she laughed and said how can I hlep you? I was sure she thought I was joking. The tape helped me to prove that their help lines did not know their own policy on their website and I got a refund of some charges on the back of it. It can be worth a try.

i found this on air canada's website and in the contract of carriage...

*NOTE: If an infant has their second birthday between the departure and return segments of an international trip, the parent can:

1. Pay the full published children's fare for that flight (and be certain to have a confirmed seat for his child both ways), OR
2. Pay the infant fare on the departure, and the published child's fare on the return.

It would be kind of useful if Air Canada's employees knew their own rules, especially if these are manadated by government agencies...I think the government should make test calls to airline helplines. If they are not over 98% accurate, then the airline faces substantial fines. That might help....

I'm not sure about Transport Canada but the US DOT does make test calls to the airlines' reservations call centers to make sure they are in compliance with their own Customer Service Commitments and Contracts of Carriage.

If they do, do they publish the results? Are the airlines fined? Cos, it ain't working... some of the agents are unbelievably ignorant of the rules..

Fines are a joke. If the airline contests the fine with the FAA, it is almost always reduced to a minimal amount.

Also, some fines are personal fines to the individual but these are normally for security related offenses.

I actually saw the thing about taping converstions.....OK my secret is out....on Peoples Court and Judge Judy has mentioned in several cases. Both judges noting it depends on what state the people were from/in.

I am shocked that with a name like Leatherboy, your only secret is that you watch Judge Judy! ;) Judge Judy rocks btw!!

Actually if they tell you that the call is being recorded, than that kind of counts on both ends.