E-ticket vs. paper ticket
Oct 11, 2007 | 8:15 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2007
Programs: M & M
Posts: 8
E-ticket vs. paper ticket
I older posts, I read that travelling with paper tickets might have some advantages.
Is this still the case today? Is it (in some cases) easier to change route and dates if you can hand over a paper ticket than the receipt of an E-ticket (in the majority of cases it will be much easier with the E-ticket, given that you can deal with many issues on the phone)?
Did somebody have any "bad surprises" with lost E-tickets or any other issues which would count against E-tickets?
Is this still the case today? Is it (in some cases) easier to change route and dates if you can hand over a paper ticket than the receipt of an E-ticket (in the majority of cases it will be much easier with the E-ticket, given that you can deal with many issues on the phone)?
Did somebody have any "bad surprises" with lost E-tickets or any other issues which would count against E-tickets?
Oct 11, 2007 | 9:50 am
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Little dot in Asia
Programs: AA-PP, HL-DM, MR-LTP, HY-LTG
Posts: 26,017
If you're late for a flight, and miss it, and there's one departing immediately, you can't just 'hand' over your e-ticket info at the counter. Your ticket must be reissued to reflect the next travel date/time, even though its the next flight. With a paper ticket, the check-in agent will just take the ticket and put you on the next flight - great if you have say 5 mins to spare only. Otherwise with an e-ticket you will be sent back to the ticketing counter and get it reissued but it does not count as a reroute reissue so no fee is involved (officially)... up to the individual airline if they want to charge you for their efforts or not.
Oct 15, 2007 | 2:50 am
#3
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: CH-3823 Wengen Switzerland
Programs: miles&more, MileagePlus
Posts: 27,043
in Switzerland, with the exception of flights to the USA, I can check-in at many railway stations (luggage checked through to final destination and boarding pass, costs SFr 20/piece of luggage). If the electronic system is down (happens may be 3-4 times a year) they can still check through my luggage (but can't print out my boarding pass) if I present a paper ticket (showing OK).