What Is a Lap Infant Award Ticket?
A lap infant award ticket is a reservation for a child under the age of two (at the time of travel) who does not occupy their own seat but sits on an adult’s lap. While domestic flights in the U.S. generally allow lap infants to fly for free, international award tickets are a completely different game.
Most travelers assume that because they paid for their own ticket with miles, their baby travels for free or for a nominal tax. This is often false. Depending on the loyalty program you use, the cost for your lap infant can range from $25 to over $1,000 for the exact same flight.
Airlines typically use one of three pricing models for lap infants on award tickets:
- Flat Fee: A fixed amount of cash or points (e.g., Aeroplan’s 2,500 points).
- Percentage of Points: You pay 10% of the miles the adult paid (e.g., British Airways, Qatar Airways).
- Percentage of Cash (The Trap): You pay 10% (or even 25%) of the current cash price of the adult ticket, even if you booked with miles.
The “10% of Cash” Trap: Why You Must Avoid It
The most dangerous rule in award travel is the “10% of adult revenue fare” policy. This sounds harmless until you do the math on a one-way international Business or First Class ticket.
Airlines often price one-way international cash tickets significantly higher than half of a round-trip fare. A one-way Business Class ticket from New York to Frankfurt might cost $8,000 if paid in cash. If you book this with miles using a program that charges 10% of the cash fare (like Delta SkyMiles on certain partners), you will be asked to pay $800 for your infant.
This fee is purely for the privilege of holding your child; it does not get you a seat, luggage allowance, or a meal. By strategically choosing the right rewards program, you can reduce this cost to as low as $25.
The Best Programs for Lap Infant Awards
If you are traveling with a baby, you should prioritize earning and burning points with these specific programs. They offer the most family-friendly policies in 2026.
1. Air Canada Aeroplan (The Global Winner)
Cost: 2,500 Points or $25 CAD (~$18 USD)
Air Canada Aeroplan is widely considered the best program for family travel. Their policy is simple and incredibly generous: for any partner award (whether you are flying United, Lufthansa, ANA, or Singapore Airlines), you pay a flat fee of either 2,500 Aeroplan points or $25 CAD.
There are no fuel surcharges or hidden taxes on the infant portion. This makes Aeroplan the go-to currency for high-value redemptions like Lufthansa First Class, where a 10% cash fee would otherwise cost thousands. You can book the infant ticket directly online during the checkout process.
Learn more: Aeroplan’s Dynamic Pricing & Partner Awards
2. British Airways Avios (Best for Oneworld)
Cost: 10% of the Avios (Points)
British Airways Executive Club charges 10% of the mileage cost for a lap infant. If your Business Class flight to London costs 80,000 Avios, your infant costs just 8,000 Avios. This is far superior to paying 10% of the cash fare.
This rule generally applies to partners like Japan Airlines and Qatar Airways when booked via BA. Additionally, Qatar Airways Privilege Club (which also uses Avios) has adopted a similar policy, typically charging 10% of the Avios rather than the old cash fee.
Learn more: British Airways Avios: Maximizing Value
3. Virgin Atlantic Flying Club (Best for SkyTeam)
Cost: 1,000 – 5,000 Points (Flat Fee)
Virgin Atlantic has some of the most consistent infant pricing. For travel on Virgin metal, the cost is usually 1,000 points in Economy, 2,000 in Premium, and 5,000 in Upper Class. For partners like Air France or KLM, they also typically charge a flat point fee rather than a cash percentage.
Given the recent devaluations in other programs, Virgin remains a “safe harbor” for booking ANA First/Business class to Japan, charging significantly less for infants than ANA’s own program would.
Learn more: Virgin Atlantic Flying Club: A Complete Guide
4. United MileagePlus (The Free Option)
Cost: $0 + Taxes/Fees
Historically, United charged 10% of the cash fare. However, United has updated their policy to eliminate the lap infant fee on international award tickets. You now typically pay only the government taxes and fees (often under $100).
This matches the generous policies of Air Canada, making United a top-tier choice for families. You can add the infant directly on United.com during the booking process.
| Airline Program | Infant Fee (International) | Booking Method | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Canada Aeroplan | 2,500 pts or $25 CAD | Online | Best Overall |
| British Airways | 10% of Avios | Online | Excellent |
| Virgin Atlantic | 1,000 – 5,000 pts | Call Center / Online | Excellent |
| Qatar Airways | 10% of Avios (Usually) | Online / Call Center | Excellent |
| United MileagePlus | $0 + Taxes | Online | Best for Star Alliance |
| Air France / KLM | 10% of Miles | Online / Call Center | Excellent |
| Cathay Pacific | 10% of Miles | Online / Call Center | Excellent |
| Delta SkyMiles | 10% of Adult Cash Fare | Call Center | Avoid for Business Class |
Step-by-Step: How to Book Your Lap Infant
Booking an infant award ticket requires a slightly different workflow than a standard solo trip. Follow these steps to ensure you don’t get separated or overcharged.
Step 1: Check Availability for Adults First
Never start your search by adding “1 Infant” to the search engine. Many airline search tools (like Delta or Alaska) will error out or hide award availability if you include an infant in the initial search. Search for adults only first to find the award space.
Pro Tip: If you need seats for 3+ people, check out our guide on Family Travel Points Strategy to find programs that release more than 2 seats at a time.
Step 2: Compare the Infant Fee
Once you find the flight, pause. Before you transfer your Amex or Chase points, call the airline or check their policy page to confirm the infant fee for that specific partner. For example, if you find a Swiss Air flight, booking it via Aeroplan will cost you $25 for the baby. Booking the exact same flight via United might cost you $250. Booking it via LifeMiles or other programs could incur different fees.
Step 3: Book the Adult Ticket
If the program allows online infant booking (Aeroplan, British Airways, United), add the infant to your cart immediately. If the program requires a phone call (Virgin Atlantic partners, sometimes AA), book the adult ticket first to lock in the award space.
Step 4: Call to Add the Infant Immediately
If you booked the adult ticket alone, call the airline within 24 hours. This is crucial. If the infant fee turns out to be astronomical, you want to be within the 24-hour free cancellation window so you can scrap the plan and use a different program.
When you call, say: “I have an existing reservation and need to add a lap infant. I understand there may be a fee.” Have your credit card ready to pay the taxes.
Should You Buy a Seat Instead?
While lap infant awards save money, they aren’t always the right choice. If you have enough points, consider booking a seat for your child (even if they are under 2). This allows you to bring an FAA-approved car seat on board, which is significantly safer and more comfortable for long-haul flights.
Programs like Flying Blue often offer a 25% discount on award tickets for children (ages 2-11, but often applicable if booking a seat for an infant), making it more affordable to secure that extra space. Additionally, having a separate seat means you earn full baggage allowance for the child, which can be a lifesaver for families hauling diapers and gear.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do lap infants fly free on international flights?
Rarely. Unlike domestic U.S. flights, almost all international flights incur a fee for lap infants. This is typically either a percentage of the fare (10%), a percentage of the miles (10%), or a flat fee (e.g., $25), plus applicable government taxes.
Can I add a lap infant to an award ticket after booking?
Yes. You can almost always add a lap infant to an existing reservation by calling the airline’s customer service. However, it is safer to do this immediately after booking to ensure there are no restrictions or unexpectedly high fees.
Does my lap infant get a baggage allowance on award tickets?
It depends on the airline. Most international carriers allow one checked bag (often 10kg or 23kg) plus a stroller and car seat for lap infants. However, U.S. carriers like United and Delta often provide no checked bag allowance for lap infants on international basic tickets, though they always allow a stroller and car seat to be checked for free.
Which airline has the cheapest lap infant fee?
Air Canada Aeroplan is consistently the cheapest, charging a flat 2,500 points or $25 CAD (~$18 USD) for lap infants on all partner airlines worldwide.
