[Pudding]

Hey guys,
My agency advises purchasing a lap ticket on our way back at the airport. Have any of you purchased a lap ticket when you ordered your tickets???? Advantages? Disadvantages?

Beth

[KKR213]

I ordered the lap ticket when I ordered my tickets and had no problem. You just need to make sure you know what name is on the baby's passport.

[caleb215]

I purchased my son's lap ticket at the Delta Counter in Guatemala.. They were VERY helpful and arranged it so there was a empty seat between me and my friend so that my baby could use the middle seat.

[kardari]

We purchased ours in advance because the airline recommended it. They say it takes longer when you purchase it at the airport on the way home. All you need is the name that will be on the visa for the child. It saves alot of time to do it in advance and the fee changes because it is a percentage of some kind of fee and the price of your ticket.

[Hopingsoon]

I purchased mine here for $17, but when we went to leave Gaute, they told us it had been done wrong, and had to reissue it (for another $180).

[MNStarr]

Our agency actually advised us to purchase it at the counter in Minneapolis when we checked in. The baby keeps the original first and middle name but has your last name. I'm not sure why they preferred we get it there but it was nice knowing we already had it and it was one less thing to do the day we left. Our flight left very early in the morning, up at 3AM, so I'm glad we had it before hand.

[guatgal]

I would wait until you are in Guatemala. My two boys were brought home at the same time and their last names were put together differently. One son has our last name twice. The other has my maiden name and then our last name. I would rather be safe than sorry and just do it there. Just my two cents!

[mybabykaili]

Our agency advised us to wait until we were in Guat so we could make sure that our daughter's passport name matched our ticket. We stayed at the Marriott and bought her ticket in the Continental office. Since we were traveling with a baby, they were kind enough to change our seats as well so we could have bulkhead seating. It took about 10 minutes to accomplish all of this. SO EASY! Congrats on getting to bring your baby home!

[lil'bean]

We had it all purchased w/ our tickets before leaving MN for Guat - I think this would be easier so there are no problems later PLUS less to worry about once you have that sweet baby in your arms!!! (it usually does cost around $100)

I too advice a lap ticket, your baby (depending on age) will need that security while on the plane, lots of noises & change!!! : ) HAPPY TRAVELS!

[DPline]

Originally Posted by MNStarr

The baby keeps the original first and middle name but has your last name.

Be very careful about this. Unless you have a copy of the BC or their passport, you can't be 100 percent sure how their name will appear. USUALLY it is their birth first and middle name and your last name, but not always. We were at the Embassy with someone whose child had the mother's maiden name as his last name. (She went by her married name.) And like Guatgal said, her sons coming home together had two different variations, neither of which was first, middle, married last name.

The Marriott has offices for two of the airlines or you can get it when you check in for your flight. It only took me a few minutes at the counter. Or if you really want to get it before you leave for pickup, get the agency to send you a copy of the new BC.

[tybeemuffin]

I agree with waiting till you get to GC before buying the lap ticket. If you are married the name can be one of a few different combinations on the passport. It can have both your last name and the wife's maiden name and not the child's birth middle name. I have heard of it being any one of a number of different combinations.

If you are single, it is typically the baby's borth first and middle and your last name.

Basically if you are not 100% sure what that passport says, it is best to wait. It's not like they can say that you lap is "sold out". You have to go through the counter when you leave GC anyway.

[Tammy2005]

We just came home the end of Dec, we waited and bought ours in Guatemala, it was only $47.00. and it was quick and easy. Easier then doing our own. Plus you will have the exact name of your baby. Tammy

[NeeNee]

We purchased our lap ticket at the counter in Guate. I was worried that there would be a misspelling on his name or something...that would have been our luck! It was quick and easy and done in a matter of minutes. We flew USAir and the lapticket was only around $70...maybe less. I really can't remember right now.

I know other airlines charge a percentage of your ticket.

Good luck!

[au06]

we flew continental and they recommended doing it in Guat. I'm glad we did! in 2000 our daughter came home first, middle, maiden, married so I assumed that our son would. He didn't - he was just first, middle, married. Glad I hadn't bought the ticket on an assumption and then had to redo it later. Even with the continental computers down on the day we left Guat it only took a few extra minutes.

[avoel]

I did it in Guat, Delta, at the counter on the return and it took them FOREVER (new ticket agent, first day). I stood there for 45 minutes, holding a 16 lb baby! If there was any way to get it at the hotel ahead of time I would strongly recommend it and if not, get to the airport way early, just in case!