E-Tickets

[PeteC]

Perhaps common knowledge, but not to me. Booked three tickets for family in February: Bangkok > Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai> Bangkok. All neat and tidy and paid for with credit card, only to be told at the very end of everything in the fine print that the person purchasing the ticket(s) has to be a passenger also, and show the credit card and ID at time of check in. Well F me , why didn't Thai Airways make this crystal clear at Step 1 and not until after Step 6?

What's worse, this statement is made after the very last button is pushed and your electronic money is winging its way to TG.

An immediate phone call to a real TG person in Bangkok fixed it all only because we called so quickly the debit to the card account had not yet been transmitted. I think she caught it with about 5 seconds to spare.

If it had not been stopped....refund arguments with the card company, plus fees as the tickets were restricted economy fares with penalties. Or, I would have to go on a trip I didn't want to go on.

E-Ticket or not, a person should be able to buy/charge a ticket for anyone he or she wants without having these swinging axes swooping down on people. Close to a bloody organized scam IMO. Pete

[Arcadian]

When we have used e-tickets we were told that the card holder should be at check in but not necessarily travelling.

[STEVE G]

I don't know if this is a restriction because of the type of ticket as it's not a general rule with airlines.
Certainly when I travel with the company, they just e-mail me the e-ticket number and I've never had any problems with using them.

[PeteC]

When we have used e-tickets we were told that the card holder should be at check in but not necessarily travelling.

The statement I received is that that card holder had to be present at check in on every leg of the ticket. That really makes it difficult unless it's a one way and even then, a huge inconvenience in most cases.

Anyway, I see post 9/11 in here in that people who are going to blow themselves up don't have credit cards, or even probably dare to show their face at a ticket office and pay cash. It's all done for them no doubt by their handlers given their state of mind....and the chance they'll wise up at the last moment and disappear.

If you look at the engineering of the E-Ticket process, the buyer has to enter the name on the credit card after entering the account number. This is the last step. Any kid who graduated from Dr. Digit's 3 week computer programming course would know to match the credit card name to the passengers on the itinerary, and throw up a red flag if no match. Yes, the buyer could show up at the airport and do what's required, and then walk out and drive his car/fly other/boat to destination #1 and meet up again for the next leg. All illogical.

Not seeing the warning at the start of the form process on-line, I really think it's something they take advantage of to secure cancellation fees or similar. Not customer friendly at all IMO. Or....I've just turned into an old fart. Pete

[chopsticks]

Had a similar problem with Etihad etickets LHR-BKK- LHR.
Call centre said the credit card had to be produced at LHR check-in but a photocopy of both sides, signed by myself as the card holder, would be accepted for my partner's return at BKK check-in as we were returning on different dates.
However, on asking again at LHR, they said the actual card had to be shown at the BKK check-in desk and this requirement was flagged on their computer system when trying to check in at BKK.
Problem was solved by having them re-issue a conventional paper ticket at LHR for the return leg which had no such condition attached to it.
I think they said it was to do with security / fraud prevention.
Worth checking and remembering to carry the same credit card with you that was used to purchase the ticket as they told me that otherwise you have to purchase a new ticket.

[pitsch]

The problem is, that anyone who knows the no. of your card, the name and the 3 digit code on the back (perhaps somone made a copy when you paid in a restaurant) can book a flight. As soon as you see your bill you can claim back the money, because you have not signed it. But the credit card company will claim the money from the airline, so therefore they want to be on the safe side.

[chopsticks]

The problem is, that anyone who knows the no. of your card, the name and the 3 digit code on the back (perhaps somone made a copy when you paid in a restaurant) can book a flight. As soon as you see your bill you can claim back the money, because you have not signed it. But the credit card company will claim the money from the airline, so therefore they want to be on the safe side.

I can understand that they need to be more cautious with on-line purchases but it seem OTT to insist on presenting the same card again for the return leg of a verified ticket that has already been part-used.

[Big Boy]

Probably a controversial response, but every time I've travelled on an e-ticket, I've never shown more than my passport. This is borne out by my son joining us in Thailand from the UK last November on an e-ticket that I purchased using my credit card - 3 weeks after I'd already travelled.

I've always printed the e-ticket, but never needed it.

I guess I must have a very honest face.

[chopsticks]

Probably a controversial response, but every time I've travelled on an e-ticket, I've never shown more than my passport. This is borne out by my son joining us in Thailand from the UK last November on an e-ticket that I purchased using my credit card - 3 weeks after I'd already travelled.

I've always printed the e-ticket, but never needed it.

I guess I must have a very honest face.

It's got more to do with which airline you book with than looking shifty.
I've only come across it with Etihad as most of the others seem satisfied with just a passport at check-in.
Etihad do make it clear though during their booking process (and also have it printed on the e-ticket ) about presenting the credit card at check-in.
Not sure what they do if you check in on-line

[georgy]

call them and they will send you a formsheet, which you have to sign and fax back
thereafter you will get new booking references and all is done and confirmed

you can read their requests and download the form at:
www.thaiair.com/booking/non_pax_traveler.html

[margaretcarnes]

This is a curious one because I've never had to show more than my passport and e ticket at check in either, and have used e tickets on Orient Thai, KLM, China, Silk Air, and Air Berlin.
However - I have always used agents to book and of course have paid the agents by card transaction for the e tickets. Has this made the difference I wonder?

BTW while on the subject - vaguely - beware the extra charges if using Orient Thai!

[georgy]

yes, its a difference if the ticket is booked at an agent or via your creditcard.

some airlines request proof of authority in case a CC was used for booking and creditcard holder does not join the trip (i.e. TG), others don't (i.e. Air Berlin)

[kaokalok]

I purchased a lot of flighttickets from different airlines for my family,friends who even dont have a credit card and for my self and never anyone was asked for the creditcard.
The passport will be enough even if you forgot your E-ticket or Bookingnumber

[pitsch]

Thai Airways and Air Asia definitely want to see the credit card at check in. That is my experience. You have not to be on the flight, but you must show your credit card.

[Khundon1975]

My wife flew via Etihad (booked with West East travel) to BKK a couple of days ago on an E-Ticket and did not have to produce any card at LHR check in. We used a Visa Debit card not a Credit card to pay for the ticket, as we do for all ticket purchases. However this is the first time we have used Etihad to fly to Thailand.
Now I'm a bit concerned, as she did not take her card with her so won't be able to produce it for return flight in a few months time at BKK check in!

We have flown on dozens of occasions to many destinations over the last few years, all on E-Tickets, but have never been asked to produce any ID other than a passport?

Do these rules just apply to tickets purchased with a Credit card or does it apply to all types of card used to purchase a ticket online.

Anyone got any ideas?