Free Air Fares for Kids

Two new promotions feature free or discounted air tickets for children.

On the international front, Air New Zealand is offering a Kid’s Play fare to New Zealand that enables passengers to take along one child. The cost is $1 per age year for 2 to 15 years. For example, a 5-year-old child can fly for $5, a 15-year-old for $15.

Other children 15 years old or less can travel at 67% of the adult fare. Infants can fly at 10% of the fare. This promotion is part of the airline’s Come on Down fare from LAX to Auckland, priced at $796 ($836 to Wellington and $846 to Christchurch). No stopovers or rerouting with this fare, and seats are limited.

Travel must end by Sept. 15, and tickets have to be issued at least 14 days before departure.

Contact travel agents or Air New Zealand at (800) 262-1234, or call (213) 642-0196.

Domestically, Piedmont Airlines is promoting a Kids Fly Free program with Ralston Purina.

Five proof-of-purchase seals from Ralston cereals (specially marked boxes of these cereals will be available through September) can be exchanged for round-trip flight certificates on all Piedmont routes in the United States.

The program is for children--who have to be accompanied by a paying adult--from 2 to 17 years.

The certificates can be used for any fare in coach between Sept. 9 and next Feb. 15. However, some holidays will be blacked out. Requests for certificates have to be made no later than Dec. 15.

The offer is limited to two free air fare certificates per address. Only one child can fly with an adult at one time, and both must travel round trip.

However, a family of four could fly at the same time, with one child per parent. The certificates have no cash value and aren’t transferable.

Seats, of course, are likely to be limited. There’s also a $1.50 handling charge when you request the certificates.

For additional information, contact Piedmont at (800) 251-5720.