Disadvantages of paper tickets
Aug 9th, 2004, 04:04 PM
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Disadvantages of paper tickets
What are the disadvantages of having paper tickets, as opposed to e-tickets? I started to purchase a trip through Orbitz, but noticed that only paper tickets were available. What did I do wrong? Was it because I added extra features to the flight plans? Is it just Orbitz? How much will this slow us down?
Donna
Donna
Aug 9th, 2004, 04:24 PM
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Depends on whether the flight is international or domestic. But in general I am still quite fond of the old paper ticket. My bet is that you didn't do anything wrong -- that a paper ticket was required for that set of flights.
Internationally there are many destinations that are not electronically saavy and you will be very happy to have a paper ticket. Domestically it isn't that big a deal any more.
The only way that a paper ticket will slow you down is domestically as you won't be able to use on the the ever increasing kiosks for checking in [I am thinking of United & American here]
Internationally there are many destinations that are not electronically saavy and you will be very happy to have a paper ticket. Domestically it isn't that big a deal any more.
The only way that a paper ticket will slow you down is domestically as you won't be able to use on the the ever increasing kiosks for checking in [I am thinking of United & American here]
Aug 9th, 2004, 04:28 PM
#4
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(you're on the wrong forum again dear)
I check in to my BA flights using paper tickets, occasionally you will need the booking reference, but besides that there are never any problems. If you have to have a paper ticket, you have to have a paper ticket, I really couldn't care less as long as it's the flight I require.
I check in to my BA flights using paper tickets, occasionally you will need the booking reference, but besides that there are never any problems. If you have to have a paper ticket, you have to have a paper ticket, I really couldn't care less as long as it's the flight I require.
Aug 9th, 2004, 04:29 PM
#5
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disadvantages of paper: if you lose them, you're in trouble, not the case with an e-ticket as you can just reprint
you can't check in domestically at home on your computer even before getting to the airport, and can't use the kiosks
BUT even though i ALWAYS use e-tickets domestically, on international flights, my experience is that e-tickets are unavailable. the airlines want you to check in at the counter to check that things like passports are in order. in other words, no matter how you booked I don't think you could have gotten e-tickets. at least i can't from my start and end points.
you can't check in domestically at home on your computer even before getting to the airport, and can't use the kiosks
BUT even though i ALWAYS use e-tickets domestically, on international flights, my experience is that e-tickets are unavailable. the airlines want you to check in at the counter to check that things like passports are in order. in other words, no matter how you booked I don't think you could have gotten e-tickets. at least i can't from my start and end points.
Aug 9th, 2004, 04:34 PM
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Personally, I love e-tickets because they cannot get lost.
I have only flown internationally once since 9/11/01--on my recent elderhostel trip to Russia. The tickets for that trip were obtained as part of the package from the tour organizer. I did have a "paper" ticket. It was the first paper ticket I had had in quite awhile.
I always buy domestic tickets through an online service such as hotwirer and always get an e-ticket.
I have only flown internationally once since 9/11/01--on my recent elderhostel trip to Russia. The tickets for that trip were obtained as part of the package from the tour organizer. I did have a "paper" ticket. It was the first paper ticket I had had in quite awhile.
I always buy domestic tickets through an online service such as hotwirer and always get an e-ticket.
Aug 9th, 2004, 04:54 PM
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For years we have had electronic tickets for our California to Paris flights. But you have to check in in person so the airline can be certain you have a valid passport with an expiration date that will let you return to the U.S. without problems.
Paper tickets, however, would be useful in the event of flight delays and the need to transfer to another airline.
Paper tickets, however, would be useful in the event of flight delays and the need to transfer to another airline.
Aug 9th, 2004, 06:12 PM
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Just flew in April, Florida to Amsterdam, Paris to Florida on e-tickets. The difference is that you cannot check in on-line - you must show your passport at the counter.
I thought the default on Orbitz was e-tickets, and you had to pay extra fee to get paper, but maybe that's just for domestic-only trips.
I thought the default on Orbitz was e-tickets, and you had to pay extra fee to get paper, but maybe that's just for domestic-only trips.
Aug 9th, 2004, 06:35 PM
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I think some of the US online agencies, like Travelocity, won't issue e-tickets for international flights. I don't know why, maybe they don't have the authority to from the carrier or something.
I use e-tickets for international flights when I book directly on the carrier's web site. I like e-tickets, there's one less thing to worry about or lose. YOu can't use the automatic kiosk for check-in internationally regardless of whether you have a paper ticket or e-ticket, the last I knew. You'd have to check-in at the desk anyway if you had any baggage to check.
I use e-tickets for international flights when I book directly on the carrier's web site. I like e-tickets, there's one less thing to worry about or lose. YOu can't use the automatic kiosk for check-in internationally regardless of whether you have a paper ticket or e-ticket, the last I knew. You'd have to check-in at the desk anyway if you had any baggage to check.
Aug 9th, 2004, 06:53 PM
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Paper tickets - You losse it, you have to pay for a new one. Photocopies will not do anything for you. The only way you will get your money back for the lost ticket is once all the flights are done and that ticket was not used. You have to request a refund and it could take anywhere from couple of weeks up to 6 weeks after the last segment was completed. Paper ticket is like cash and arlines will not accept anything less. The photocopy suggestion in one of the earlier posts will not do anything for you. Also understand that if you do loose your paper ticket, the new replacement ticket bought at the last minute will in all probability be a very expensive one. It will not be equal or even close to what you paid for yours, unless you did pay a full fare or better to start with.
E-tickets - Still somewhat restrictive as to many airlines not having an agreement but getting better every day. OneWorld Alliance(American, Cathay, British, Iberia, FinnAir, AerLingus, Qantas and LAN) is the first airline allince to announce full e-ticket capability between all the members. Besides that, many US based airlines have interline agreements to transfer e-tickets in case of cancellation, so the 2 biggest competitors, AA and UA will send paxs over to the other airline if necessary, NO PROBLEMS.
With 1 or 2 exceptions, the only US based airlines not involved in the interline agreemement are Southwest, JetBlue, ATA?(maybe), and couple of other budget airlines. All the major and semi-major US based airlines do have these agreements, so anybody telling you that you can't transfer e-ticket is behind the times.
E-tickets - Still somewhat restrictive as to many airlines not having an agreement but getting better every day. OneWorld Alliance(American, Cathay, British, Iberia, FinnAir, AerLingus, Qantas and LAN) is the first airline allince to announce full e-ticket capability between all the members. Besides that, many US based airlines have interline agreements to transfer e-tickets in case of cancellation, so the 2 biggest competitors, AA and UA will send paxs over to the other airline if necessary, NO PROBLEMS.
With 1 or 2 exceptions, the only US based airlines not involved in the interline agreemement are Southwest, JetBlue, ATA?(maybe), and couple of other budget airlines. All the major and semi-major US based airlines do have these agreements, so anybody telling you that you can't transfer e-ticket is behind the times.
Aug 9th, 2004, 06:54 PM
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From what I think I've seen, e-tickets vs paper tickets usually depend on what airline and which route more than it does who you buy from. If there's an airport somewhere where that airline isn't set up for e-ticketing, you'll get paper. Would rather not have paper due to the risks already listed, but have wondered at times if there aren't places where the process isn't a no-brainer just yet. Still, I'd take the e-ticket if possible.
Aug 9th, 2004, 06:56 PM
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I too prefer e-tickets, much easier, don't have to have anything but your ID. I purchase many of my tickets on Orbitz, and default is eticket, but when I recently purchased an international ticket (to Italy on Alitalia) only paper was available. Funny thing was that a short while later, I purchased additional tickets on the same route, but did it directly from Alitalia, and they did e-tickets.
Aug 9th, 2004, 07:15 PM
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Yes, I'm still on the "wrong" forum, but I'm getting lots of good information here.
My flight is a domestic one. When I attempted to purchase on Orbitz, I got a message saying the e-ticket option was not available for my trip. The only reason I can think of is possibly because I has chosen a smaller airline (AirTran).
Since I flew for many years before e-tickets were available, and never had any trouble doing curbside check-in, hopefully, we won't have any problems. (We'll just have to make sure we arrive early and don't lose our tickets.)
Thanks so much for all the replies.
Donna
My flight is a domestic one. When I attempted to purchase on Orbitz, I got a message saying the e-ticket option was not available for my trip. The only reason I can think of is possibly because I has chosen a smaller airline (AirTran).
Since I flew for many years before e-tickets were available, and never had any trouble doing curbside check-in, hopefully, we won't have any problems. (We'll just have to make sure we arrive early and don't lose our tickets.)
Thanks so much for all the replies.
Donna
Aug 10th, 2004, 05:09 AM
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Computer incompatibilites between certain airlines...thats the reason airline reps give me for lack of e-tickets on certain international flights.
It has less to do with the route than it has to do with your use of, for example, a domestic airline to fly from your hometown to the hub, then another airline to get from the hub to the overseas destination.
I've used e-tickets several times for international travel and I prefer to use them for the reasons already outlined in other posts.
For domestic travel of course, the airlines have made e-tickets the norm and if you demand paper tickets, it'll cost at least 20 dollars more.
It is usually true that all you need is ID and credit card to check-in.
I ALWAYS bring the e-ticket receipt with ticket number and intinerary.
I've never been asked for the receipt in the USA, but they usually want to see it overseas when checking-in.
It has less to do with the route than it has to do with your use of, for example, a domestic airline to fly from your hometown to the hub, then another airline to get from the hub to the overseas destination.
I've used e-tickets several times for international travel and I prefer to use them for the reasons already outlined in other posts.
For domestic travel of course, the airlines have made e-tickets the norm and if you demand paper tickets, it'll cost at least 20 dollars more.
It is usually true that all you need is ID and credit card to check-in.
I ALWAYS bring the e-ticket receipt with ticket number and intinerary.
I've never been asked for the receipt in the USA, but they usually want to see it overseas when checking-in.
Aug 10th, 2004, 01:13 PM
#17
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In all my years of flying I can't imagine or have lost/misplaced an airline ticket. Guess my life/mind isn't cluttered enough with minutea. Personally I prefer paper as with paper at least I know I'm going somewhere. E-tickets just don't do it for me.
Accept (begrudgedly) e-tickets for domestic flights, but have yet to use the kiosk. With so many passengers using these, the counters are empty so no delay. Though on two recent "pass" flights, I had the sky cap check me in at the kiosk - it was a breeze, I didn't have to do a thing.
Guess it's kind of old fashioned on my part, but will wait till there are no longer any humans handling anything at the airport (including the pilots and flight crew) and then I'll have no choice. My only question is "how many more people are we going to put on the unemployment lines?" At least the airlines haven't sent check-in "offshore" - yet!
Accept (begrudgedly) e-tickets for domestic flights, but have yet to use the kiosk. With so many passengers using these, the counters are empty so no delay. Though on two recent "pass" flights, I had the sky cap check me in at the kiosk - it was a breeze, I didn't have to do a thing.
Guess it's kind of old fashioned on my part, but will wait till there are no longer any humans handling anything at the airport (including the pilots and flight crew) and then I'll have no choice. My only question is "how many more people are we going to put on the unemployment lines?" At least the airlines haven't sent check-in "offshore" - yet!
