Is saving boarding passes a necessity?
 

As a recent convert to frequent flying, I've been going through the many forums here to gather the valuable tips that make flying (& traveling in general) more bearable.

I've noticed several references to people saving their boarding passes, sometimes indefinitely. With the ability to view your flights credits online, is this still a necessity, or is it simply veteran flyers saving them like you would a concert ticket or movie ticket stub?

I can see the value in being reminded of pleasant trips, but beyond that, I wanted to make sure I wasn't in error if I didn't keep up with all my boarding passes. My trip itineraries are stored online, but if I need actual proof that I flew a certain trip, then I want to be able to provide the paper backup.

As before, thanks for your help with my question.

I save boarding passes until the miles post for the flights. That way, if there is a problem with the mileage being credited, I have the BP's to fax. After that I see no reason to keep them.

I almost forgot, Welcome to FlyerTalk!

I, too, save my boarding passes until my miles post. Several times I've needed to fax them in to get credit, so they're definitely worth saving for a while.

Until your miles post, keep your BP stubs (unless you do web checkin and can save the file as a PDF). Otherwise if you do not receive flight credit, you'll complain like the OP in this thread and get very little sympathy for it.

I definitely save mine until the miles post. It's most important when you're flying on one airline (ex. United) and want your FF miles posted to another airline's (ex. US Airways) FF account.

I'm a magpie, and have saved every boarding pass, ever - thansands of the bleeding things. If I'm honest, I have no idea why I do it, but somehow I just can't stop.

If I ever move house my wife will probably make me throw them away, but until then, they are safe....

Save them until the segments post at least to your account less you're SOL trying to negotiate the points out of the airline. Personally I have a file folder that I stuff them all in stapled together by trip. No idea why I save them, the printing fades to the point of being illegible over time anyway.

Only till the miles post, then I toss them.

Me too. I have enough paper in my house and office without keeping stuff I don't need.

Thanks for the clarification. I had the last few boarding passes in my organizer, and wanted to be sure I didn't need them once they had been posted to my NW account. I'm going for Gold Elite, and making the 60 segments by 12/31 will be close enough without any added problems with missed credits.

Doesn't affect the need to save them, but at least one airline (bmi) won't take faxes. They want originals to prevent someone from claiming credit in more than one program. I don't see how that helps unless that other program needs originals too, but that's their policy and their explanation for it.

If you are flying for business I recommend you file the boarding pass stubs away with your other travel documents in case the Tax office or some such agency request proof of travel.

A few weeks ago I got a request from the tax office about a series of flights two years ago. Originally as proof of flights I have submitted a copy of the itinerary emailed to me by UA, copy of the credit card statement showing the payment and travel diary (list of meetings/appointments while on the trip - compulsory in Australia when claiming travel expenses for tax). What I didn't notice was the itinerary email did not have a ticket number or amount.

So the tax office requested proof of travel and a audit of all expenses. I faxed them copies of all the boarding pass stubs and mileage plus statements and every thing got sorted. No audit necessary.

Chandi

I have a stupid question and perhaps someone can help...
 

So why does the airline need our boarding passes to prove we took a flight? They certainly know when we DON'T take that flight... so what is up? Just curious.. signed someone who hates to track a boarding pass.

A good reason to save a boarding pass would be if you flew from LAX>SYD>AKL on the UAL deal and put your US Air millage number since they are a codeshare partner. When your miles fail to post they request your orginal boarding passes and etickets.

The only bp's I have saved over the last 5 years or so are international codeshares and similar flights with challenges in posting miles. I've found that even the worst airlines have he posting of regular domestic flights handled pretty well.