Unaccompanied Minor Fees/Charges for Children/Baby/Kids Flying Solo

Whenever Tutubi hears of kids flying solo, he remembers the romantic film Sleepless in Seattle, starring Tom Hanks (Sam) and Meg Ryan (Annie), where Sam's son Jonah flew alone to New York to meet Annie to realize his wish for his lonely daddy.

That's the movies where almost every rule can be broken for "cinematic effect."

In reality, you need to know the rules and the law before before your kid flies on an airline alone. Usually, you need to pay additional fees for the service as well the law of the destination country.

For unaccompanied minor children below fifteen traveling to the Philippines alone or without a parent, be aware of the (stupid) Waiver of Exclusion Ground contained in an old Commonwealth Act 613 (that should be repealed, Tutubi thinks). More information on WEG below from one official Philippine Embassy website:

"WAIVER OF EXCLUSION GROUND (WEG) FOR UNACCOMPANIED MINOR CHILDREN

(12) Children under fifteen years of age, unaccompanied by or not coming to a parent, except that any such children may be admitted in the discretion of the Commissioner of Immigration, if otherwise admissible;

Non-Filipino minors below fifteen (15) years of age, who are traveling unaccompanied and are not joining a parent in the Philippines, are required to apply for a WAIVER of EXCLUSION GROUND (WEG) at the Philippine Embassy in order to be admitted entry in the Philippines regardless of whether or not the minor requires a visa.

Applications for the WAIVER of EXCLUSION GROUND (WEG) are approved and processed by the Bureau of Immigration in Manila, subject to the following conditions:

1. Submission of Affidavit of Request and Consent by either parent or legally appointed guardian of the child, naming the person who will be accompanying the child to the Philippines and with whom the child will reside while in the Philippines, and

(a) Clear photocopy of the data page of the child’s passport.
(b) Clear photocopy of the data page of the passport of accompanying adult or guardian.

2. Payment of the WEG fee at the Bureau of Immigration-NAIA upon arrival of the minor child/children;

3. Payment of notarization fee (in cash)."

How much does WEG costs?

The Waiver of Exclusion Ground (WEG) Fee is PhP3120.00. Details here


Information on various Airlines and Budget Carriers below:

Cebu Pacific Unaccompanied Minor:

We do not accept for carriage unaccompanied children below four (4) years old unless they are accompanied by a guest of at least eighteen (18) years of age.

Children aged four (4) to twelve (12) years old may be accommodated on the flight provided that they pay the Unaccompanied Minor Handling Fee of PhP500 + VAT per sector per unaccompanied minor for domestic and USD25 per sector per unaccompanied minor for international (at selected airports)."

Philippine Airlines Unaccompanied Minors

Children aged eight to below twelve years of age may be allowed to travel alone.

A service fee shall be assessed on each unaccompanied minor for travel on international routes. The unaccompanied minor service fee shall be as follows:

US$50.00 for travel between Manila and USA/Canada
US$20.00 for all other international sectors

Details about the minor's meeting party at destination and other pertinent information must be arranged by the parent or guardian with PAL Reservations office or ticket office at the time of booking

Singapore Airlines Unaccompanied Minor fees
This service is accorded to our young customers between the ages of 5 and under 17 years when they travel without their parents or guardians aged 18 years and above.

Check also fees and policies of your airline for updated information.