Air Travel Tips - Ticket Information
What
happens if I have to cancel my trip?
What happens if I lose my paper ticket?
Should I use electronic ticketing?
What will I need to bring to the airport if I use
electronic ticketing?
What happens if I have to cancel my trip?
Ask the reservation center about the ticket cancellation policy.
Generally, the cheaper the ticket the
more restrictions.
You might be able to get a refund or
use the ticket another time, but all tickets have some restrictions.
Make sure you can live with the
ticket’s restrictions if there is any chance you’ll be canceling
your trip.
Cancel your reservation as soon as
you are sure you won’t need your ticket, since some Airlines have
lesser penalties for an early cancellation.
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What happens if I lose my paper ticket?
If you are using a paper ticket, you should check all the
information printed on the ticket for accuracy and write down the
ticket number as soon as you get it.
You should notify the Airline at once
so they can begin the process of issuing you another ticket. Having
written down your ticket number will help simplify this process.
The penalty for losing a ticket will
depend on the individual Airline’s policy.
You might have to pay a replacement
ticket fee, which can be quite costly.
Other programs require you to
purchase a new ticket at the current price rate, which will probably
be more expensive since you may no longer be eligible for an advance
purchase deals. Then you’ll receive a refund for the original
ticket, less a service fee. This refund can take weeks, if not
months, so don’t lose your ticket.
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Should I use electronic ticketing or e-tickets?
You might consider electronic ticketing so you won’t have
paper tickets to loose. Some Airlines are beginning to convert to
only electronic ticketing. In any case, be sure to get a
confirmation number and bring it with you. As always, it never hurts
to reconfirm your flight information directly with the Airline,
especially if someone else made your reservation.
Traveling on an e-ticket may help you to avoid some of the extra and
often high charges associated with issuing and delivering a paper
ticket.
You should check directly with the Airline in advance if you have an
electronic ticket because you will need some form of paperwork to
make it through the security checkpoint and into the gate areas. The
Airline might be able to mail, fax or email any additional paperwork
you need or you should be able to pick up the additional paperwork
at their check-in counter when you check your luggage.
If you are traveling abroad, avoid using electronic ticketing. Along
with passport and visas, some countries require you have a paper
ticket to get into their country. Even if it’s just to change
planes on a connecting flight.
Paper tickets still have the advantage that you’ll have something
in your hand to prove you have a ticket and this can still come in
handy if you are traveling to an area where you might find personnel
with fewer computer skills. Paper tickets can also be handy if your
flight is cancelled and your Airline offers to book you a seat on
another Airline. Although, Airlines are working to improve their
computer systems, most Airlines are not yet able to accept e-tickets
from other Airlines. Often, you still need to have your airline
print you a paper ticket and then endorse it over to another
carrier.
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What will I need to bring to the airport if I use
electronic ticketing?
You’ll need to bring your driver’s license or other government
issued picture I.D., such as a driver’s license, passport or state
I.D. card to prove it is really you.
A college I.D., even a state college I.D., may not be acceptable.
The name on the ticket must match the name on your I.D. exactly.
You’ll also want to bring along your ticket’s confirmation
number.
You may need to bring the credit card the ticket was charged on for
the Airline to swipe through their computer, especially if you
bought the ticket directly from the Airline.
You should check directly with the Airline in advance if you have an
electronic ticket because you will need some form of paperwork to
make it through the security checkpoint and into the gate areas. The
Airline might be able to mail, fax or email any additional paperwork
you need or you should be able to pick up the additional paperwork
at their check-in counter when you check your luggage.
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