Do flight companies need to alert customers about wrong d.o.b. when online checkin?

You agree to the rules of carriage when you book the ticket. It is your responsibility to find out the rules for your infant/toddler even when rebooking.

It is also your responsibility to not "lose the tickets". You are an adult with a child - you need to keep pieces of paper worth hundreds of dollars.

It's disgusting that you lost the tickets and didn't verify the rules? That the airline wasn't willing to take a loss for your multiple mistakes?

Suing them? Because they didn't pin the tickets to your shirt? Because they didn't ask you specifically the age of your child?

E-mail them a letter telling them the facts of what happened. Own up to your mistakes, but point out that their system should have standards that verify the infant's DOB, especially if a mistake means he won't be able to board at the airport. Express disappointment, not "disgust". DO not discuss lawsuits - you have no claim here and it will just pizz them off.

I understand you wanted to be brief here, but in your letter, you'll need to be far more clear about what went on than you are here. You'll still need to be brief, but with more clarity. This letter isn't the place to journal. Write out the letter, sit on it a day or two, reread it and trim it down to basically the pertinent facts for a stranger to understand what happened.

Unfortunately, they do not have to prompt you when re-booking. They checked the first time when you booked to make sure it was right. You changed it on them and they do not have to make sure the DOB is correct for that ticket. Technically, the DOB prompt when you first booked is a courtesy, they do not have to do that. They booking site just has to state the ages for each ticket and it is YOUR responsibility to pick the correct one.

From what I can see, you have no grounds to sue them. The judge will just tell you you need to be more careful when booking these things (it's kinda like when you fill out

paper work online for the government or any other company, YOU are responsible to make sure everything is correct, not them). As much as it sucks, this is not the airline's mistake and they do not need to help you or compensate you in any manner.

Good luck,

Dal

No, they don't have to alert you. They aren't practicing good customer relations, but ultimately it was your responsibility to meet the requirements just as it is your responsibility to make sure you have the proper documentation to travel overseas if you book an international trip. You can always file in a small claims court, but there is virtually no chance that you would win based on what you say above.