When your child isn't a 'child' anymore

"Kids Stay & Play FREE!"  Isn't that a slogan than catches your eye nearly every time you're planning a trip? Yes indeed.... you think there will be a deal at the end of the next link, but sadly there's often disappointment.

Take for example, I've been trying to book an interesting beach vacation package for a family of 4.  9 times out of 10, I pursue a trip and an advertised "Kids FREE" deal and there are catches. Something that sours the deal completely. Like when the fine print reveals just the "first kid free" with 2 paying adults. Or one adult, with one child and that child has to pay "adult" rates because there is otherwise NOT double occupancy.

Take this example here. This is taken from an Air Canada Vacations last minute deal. In this case, only the adult fares are discounted. Look at the way it adds up. It's actually no deal. Even if all 4 passengers were given the adult discounted price, it would only be about $4800.

In other cases, such as Disney, children play the adult ticket price after 10 years of age.  So, you pay full adult rate from 10 and up. 

Other resorts I found wouldn't accept a booking of 2 parents, a 12 year old and a 9 year old. Because the 12 year old is considered an "adult" and you couldn't have 3 adults or more in a room.  What the heck is the point or solution to that? Book two rooms or adjoining rooms? No thank you. 

About the only place I found success with this type of booking was at resorts in Mexico or Jamaica, or at certain hotels in Grand Cayman. 

Here's an example, from Westjet, in Montego Bay Jamaica, where they still consider a 12 year old a child, AND they let 2 paying adults, have a discounted rated for 2 children. And since this resort is all inclusive they offer a scaled rated based on the child's age. 

Lastly, the other way to avoid this frustrating situation is to book your hotel and flights separately. In this case, you will pay equally for your flights as there is no 'child discount'. A seat, is a seat, is a seat, and should be charged accordingly. (Unless they are an infant in an adult lap.) And then you will pay your hotel rate, based on their occupancy polices. Most hotels still consider a 'child' to be anyone 17 or under that is accompanying adults and using existing bedding. Again, this is no guarantee of a deal but you should at least avoid paying extra for a child as in the example from the top of the page. 

I can only imagine the difficulty of trying to plan a trip for a family of 5 or more.