Honesty over age when booking tickets

[Babyboomtastic]

How honest are you when booking tickets for places/trains/buses, when it comes to you child's age?

I've always been very honest about it, but sometimes it feels like I'm the only one that is, and I feel like a bit of a mug 😂 I've even had staff on the desk asking me if I was 'sure' they weren't younger!!

I have a (just turned) 5yo, who very much looks like a 3yo (4 at a push), and I'm wondering on whether to book her a train ticket for an upcoming journey, or risk it.

I certainly wouldn't lie about it, and if asked I'd say she was 5 (but would probably say I hadn't realised she needed a ticket). Given how young she looks, and she's often in a pushchair for mobility issues, the likelihood of her being asked is tiny.

Honestly, I'll probably just buy her the ticket as it's the 'right' thing to do, but I'm just wondering what the norm is. Maybe I've just got particularly naughty friends who would risk it. I don't know... 😂

For days out, I simply didn't do them if not affordable (so theme park type places) but there were plenty of low or no cost options - zoo, park, cinema offers, museums.

Our nearest zoo isn't low cost, it's £18 for an adult and £14 for a child. I can understand a parent saying their two year old is under two at that price!

Mine has always looked older so have never tried and been challenged a few times when she was legitimately young enough.

I tried once and DS grassed me up so I don’t bother any more. He’s tall so we often got questioned about whether he was U5 or not.

We live just outside of London and it is highly irritating we need to buy a ticket for one stop before his zip card kicks in but train ticket people are very strict so it’s not worth the hassle.

God all the time. Especially for my youngest, I’ve never been questioned and so will continue to do it until I am. A lot of the time, it’s not always that it’s free, but it’s cheaper. I’m obviously a minority though.

Not according to the poll...
Just under 60% either do it or wouldn't volunteer that they are over the age.

Only just under a quarter wouldn't do it on principle.

The PP just explained why, it’s often because people can’t afford to do whatever it is they want to do.

You would go without doing it, some people would see if they could get away with paying less.

It’s a difference of approach but I don’t see how you can’t ’get’ it

Just to add, I have zero qualms about bringing her along to events that she's too old for this, within reason.

In terms of size, mobility, speed, children 2-4 are very much her peer group. She'd get flattened at stuff for older kids.

Technically that's probably naughty as I'm taking advantage of lower pricing (think weekday toddler offers), but she's not at school yet and it's the most suitable session for her.

Hehehe, this has made me chuckle!

I'm on the other end of the scale. I'm 52 and was wished a happy 70th birthday in a pub (my friend, not me) and was asked if I wanted a 'senior' ticket to a local attraction. I've embraced it in that if people think I'm 20yrs older, I will buy senior travel tickets and enjoy the savings!

I have a fairly small 9 year old who bus drivers used to wave on with "don't bother" until she was about 7.
On trains, we always travelled with a family railcard meaning it's cheaper to take one adult and one under 5 with a ticket, than just one adult. When we travelled with two we sometimes got the under 5 a ticket so they'd get a seat.

We once went to an attraction that was free on your birthday, and it was my birthday (obviously on my passport) but the number of enormous "5 year olds" with a birth certificate saying it was their birthday (because no photo) was astounding!

No, because I'm not a scamming thief.

I am always honest with things like this although I have had staff members give me the discount anyway. Years ago I took my parents on the London Eye. They were a few years off the Senior Discount. However the lady behind the counter insisted that she applied it. When I pointed out that they were not entitled to it she said not to worry no one would question it. They were horrified.

It’s a difference of approach but I don’t see how you can’t ’get’ it

I don't 'get' it because to me, doing it repeatedly or as an ongoing practice, is fraud. As I also said in my last post.

I am not talking about someone saying their buggy-bound just-turned 2 yo is under 2 (as the difference is negligible), I'm talking about people who've admitted to routinely intentionally not paying the due amount.

That's not occasional sensible decisions or being careful with money. It's telling lies to get away without paying, and it's showing a poor way of behaving to your DC.

And that's what I don't 'get'

My dc were small for age and due to dc1 having autism leading to unpredictability they were regularly in a double pushchair until 5&3, then I used a single one with dc1 in older than that occasionally. Consequently people assumed they were twins a lot of the time and I certainly got away with not paying for tickets for dc1 eg at Disney when they were 1&3. Dc2 was particularly short so i didn't buy a bus ticket for quite a while (no free buses outside of London which was another reason why i didn't feel guilty, I don't understand why kids in other cities have to pay from 5!)

Yep, I don’t pay for my 5 yo and won’t until it’s absolutely obvious he’s way over 5. At the minute I could pass him off as being 4 so whilst ever I can save myself the money, I will. I have three older DC so life is expensive enough as it is! I do it for things other than travel too if I can get away with it. Under 5s are often free for things so I still say he’s under 5.

I'd have felt uncomfortable lying about my DCs' ages. Instead, I remember taking our DD on a birthday trip to the local small zoo on the day before her 3rd birthday, because it was free for under-3's.

I am not talking about someone saying their buggy-bound just-turned 2 yo is under 2 (as the difference is negligible), I'm talking about people who've admitted to routinely intentionally not paying the due amount.

So a small two and three month old, fine as an 'under two'? Therefore a small five and three month old, fine as an 'under five'? The difference is the same.

I have done this. I work on the basis that my DC are super-small for their ages and that has many downsides (not being able to go on rides, having to use a booster for way longer than their friends, not being able to do height-specific activities like Go Ape parties that everyone else can do). Getting in for a cheaper rate is one of the very, very small number of upsides.