Harvey

How do etickets work? When are boarding pases issued? I have etickets for Columbus to Paris. I got a bargin (I think) directly from United's web site. Should I go to the airport ahead of time and get them converted to regular tickets. Can I do that? <BR> <BR>The little I have read about them has been and this fourm and is mostly negative. <BR> <BR>I would appreciate any input. Thanks. <BR> <BR>Harvey

Howard

YOu can go to any United ticket office and convert your eticket to a paper ticket. As you've read in the past, many of us feel more secure with the paper tickets in hand!

Katherine

Harvey, I have always used e-tickets; nothing to lose or forget! But I understand from frequent travellers that they prefer paper because if there is a problem with their flight and they need to try to switch to another airline the paper ticket makes it much easier. For me, the risk of losing or forgetting the paper ticket is probably bigger.... and given the track record of airlines today I guess that's an embarrassing admission to make. : )

fran

When you check in, you will be issued a boarding pass. You can have your etickets converted to paper, and as a previous poster said, if there's a problem with your flight and the airline you're booked on is going to switch you to another carrier, you would first have to have your eticket converted over to paper and then endorsed over to the other carrier. That said, etickets are great because you don't have to worry about losing your ticket.

Diane

I always use etickets too. But I like to book through biztravel.com If you stick to certain airlines, they really guarantee your flight, seats, everything. When flights from Vegas were horribly delayed last winter, I was treated like "royalty" by Continental (who usually have good customer service anyway). When I checked in, I was told I was "protected" and while other people got bumped to the next day, I had first choice at getting on the next flight. (I also could have chosen to be bumped, but in this case I wanted to get home!)We flew to Rome this Spring on etickets. No problems.

Harvey

Thank you all for your experiences! Anyone else what to chime in? This seems to be a reocurring question on this fourm.

Rex

I am wondering if this is sufficient interest in a Fodorites' get-together here in Columbus, Ohio (maybe early Novenber?) and so, I thought I would flush some of these recent "Columbus-referenced" threads to the top. <BR> <BR>Best wishes, <BR> <BR>Rex Bickers <BR>Westerville, Ohio <BR>

holly

I always use etickets for business travel. My plans change a lot before I go so it means less paperwork. Furthermore, with a full fare ticket, it's VERY easy to change from one flight and/or airline when returning home - and you don't need a paper ticket to do it. When vacationing, I usually use paper.

xaimi

In the past I have used etickets and had no prob, but a month ago I asked at the airport for a paper ticket and they said it would cost me $10.

Carol

I do not understand this line about needing a paper ticket in case a plane is cancelled so you can go to another carrier. Unless you are flying on a FULL fare ticket, the airline you originally booked on has to rebook you So... you will have to stand in line to get rebooked unless you are lucky enough to get cancelled several days in advance! You cannot take a reduced fare ticket from BA and walk over to Virgin and expect to be accomdated! <BR> <BR>The only exception might be if the airline shut down due to bankruptcy, but if you hear of that coming you have lots of problems anyway! <BR> <BR>Use the e-ticket. you don't have to worry about it being stolen or lost. If a paper ticket is lost the airline can charge you a full fare home!

Ellen

I have e-tickets leaving for Paris later this month on American Airlines. The reservationist told me that is was essential to bring the credit card you used to pay for the tickets. I'm not quite sure why but I'm certainly going to do so as I don't need any problems! <BR>So, call your airline to ask if this applies to you too. <BR>Ellen

sandy

I never heard of such a thing as having to bring the credit card. I travel to Europe a lot, and all I have ever need was a photo ID. No one's even asked me for my confirmation number. <BR> <BR>

Mel

Ellen: My experience has been the same as Sandy's. I've used e-tickets since they first came out and I've never been told to show my credit card at check-in--just the requisite photo ID. In fact, I don't believe I was ever asked to to this even when holding paper tickets. I prefer the e-tickets because it's much easier to carry my one-page confirmation in my money belt than the hard, bulky tickets. I think the convenience outweighs the risk of having to change airlines without a paper ticket.

Ann

BRING YOUR CREDIT CARD! My husband left on Friday night for London, and had an e-ticket. When he checked in, the agent asked for the credit card on which the ticket was booked. Luckily, he had it with him. The agent said he wouldn't have let him on without it, even though he had his ID with him. The agent (United) said they were having a lot of trouble with fraud in connection with e-tickets and credit cards, and so have recently started requiring passengers to show the credit card at check-in. <BR> <BR>Nine times out of ten, I book our tickets and pay for the them on my credit card. Guess luck was with him that he took care of his own arrangements this time. <BR> <BR>I've had excellent experiences with e-tickets domestically, but will never fly again outside the country without a paper ticket. I was delayed in Heathrow for 45 minutes at one checkpoint where they ask to see your ticket. I explained I didn't have a paper ticket, that it was an e-ticket. The security guard had never heard of e-tickets, and it took me forever to convince him that these things really exist. I've also had trouble at smaller, regional airports in Europe on my return leg to London. Never again!

Tony

Do take your credit card when you check in. Apparently airlines differ but I was flying (United???) and was asked for the credit card that I bought my eticket on. They indicated that if I did not have it they would bill me again on my current card and I could file for a refund afterwards.

BTilke

What would the airline have done if someone else had bought the ticket for you? For example, you're going to a job interview and the company paid for your ticket with their corporate credit card? I still use paper tickets and buy travel insurance, which covers the cost of a lost/stolen ticket. (Our medical coverage, etc., isn't good out of the country, so I need travel insurance anyway.) <BR>BTilke

greg

Harvey, <BR>The opinion on e-tickets can be diverse and can get dogmatic; pros and cons depending on the route taken as well as each individual's attitude toward ticketless vs physical ticket. <BR> <BR>I use both, but choose the method depending on the route. If the entire route is served well by one airline, for us entirely in west coast, I use e-ticket. <BR> <BR>I would use paper ticket either or both leg is served poorly by the airline. This is the case if I have to use airlines based mostly in mid-west to fly to east coast. I have saved my buns when the airline cancelled the only daily flight back to westcoast, I only had time to run to the competing airline counter with the paper ticket to see if I can find a seat there, absolutely no time to wait in line to have paper ticket issued, would have missed the flight. If you do not have to reach the destination on schedule, there tends to be less merit in using the paper ticket. I rarely have this luxury. <BR> <BR>Keeping track of the physical ticket vs chance that you have to change the airline is a tradeoff.