Flying With Kids: What I Wish I Knew Sooner

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There are a lot of false assumptions out there when it comes to airports and flying. Since I started flying with kids several years ago, I have learned a lot–things I wish I would’ve known sooner. These tips for flying with kids are easy ways to save money and make your travel day smoother.

Tips For Flying With Kids:

Take Advantage of Airport Lounges

This one is a big one. Up until a few years ago, I had no idea what an airport lounge really was. I thought it was a place for rich men to hang out and have a drink before flying. But that’s not exactly the case. An airport lounge provides coffee, tea, alcohol, snacks and light meals for free! And it’s not just for adults–the whole family can partake!

Lounges aren’t just for having a drink, either. There are comfortable seats, plenty of power outlets, tables and bathrooms. It’s the perfect place to recharge during a layover, or after getting to the airport early. I used to hate layovers, and now I almost prefer them when flying with kids, as long as I know the airport will have a lounge.

There are many credit cards that offer free airport lounge access just for holding the card. And I have found this to be one of the most valuable perks of a travel credit card. My husband has the Capital One Venture X card, which gives us free lounge access, and since we opened this card, we have saved hundreds of dollars on airport food and snacks. It has been a real game changer.

Don’t take my word for it–take a look for yourself to see if the Capital One Venture X is a good fit for you. While it does have a $395 annual fee, this card more than pays for itself. Right away, you’ll get a $300 travel credit that you can put towards a hotel, flight, rental car, etc. Then every year, you also get 10,000 bonus miles (worth $100). So $400 in perks each year, not even counting the free lounge access and every other perk it offers.

Some Airlines Offer Companion Fares

After your kids turn 2, there aren’t a lot of tricks for getting them free or discounted rates. Most airlines charge the same price no matter how old the passenger is. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t ways to save money.

The Alaska Airlines credit card is one of the only cards out there that gives you an annual companion fare of only $99. And they have just merged with Hawaiian Airlines, so miles can now be used to book flights through either company–score!

My husband and I each have an Alaska Airlines credit card, so every year we used both of our companion fares to get $99 rates for two of our kids. That makes it SIGNIFICANTLY cheaper for our family of 5 to fly. Plus we get up to 6 bags checked for free (per card!). All of these savings add up.

Southwest Airlines also has a loyalty program that offers a companion pass. And this pass works for an entire year, no matter how many times you fly. In order to earn this pass, however, you must earn 135,000 miles in one year or fly on 100 one-way flights in a year. Click here for even more tips for earning free travel.

Kids Gear Flies Free: A Perk of Flying With Kids

Traveling with infants an toddlers can require a lot of gear. Car seats and strollers can be checked for free. And you can choose to check these at the luggage check in, or you can gate check them if it’s easier for you to use a stroller to navigate the airport.

Bringing your own car seat can save you money if you plan to rent a car, but being able to check it for free is an easy way to save money without having to lug it around the airports.

Bring Your Own Meals & Snacks

I don’t know why so many people think you can’t bring your own food into an airport–you absolutely can. You can stop for sandwiches or burritos, or anything else on your way to the airport–it all just needs to go through security.

Just don’t stop for coffee or tea–liquids can’t go through security. But food most certainly can–whether or not you’re flying with kids. One of my biggest tips for flying with toddlers is bringing lots of snacks and treats for the flight. This can help to make long flights more enjoyable for the young kiddos. Plus bringing your own food will help cut down on costs of expensive airport food.

Looking for more resources? Check out this post to decide whether travel insurance is necessary or not.