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.
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.
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.
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 to prove it is really you.
- A 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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