John Aldeborgh

YVRtoYYZ

Exactly. There have been a number of times I've needed to "prove" I was on the flight weeks after the trip (usually trying to get miles credited). Having the paper copy of the boarding pass makes the 'proving' part pretty straightforward.

lincolnjkc

FWIW, for this 'protection' I -always- check in at ua.com (or via the app) and choose the option to have boarding passes emailed to me -- I never* actually print the BP at home but keep the email with the PDF boarding pass attachment in my inbox until I'm sure the flight(s) have credited -- and then I move it to an archive. Of course, this doesn't always cover highly fluid situations, like scrambling IROPS but it's a nice safety blanket.

(Personally, I'm a fan of "real" boarding passes, preferably the agent-printed ones on proper card stock, at at least grab a kiosk-printed one while I'm checking my bags anyway)

*- Some exceptions may apply; subject to change without notice. Valid at participating airports only.

goalie

Both

Mobile-because it’s more handy than a piece of paper

Paper-if hardware (mine, airline TSA) fails, I have a backup of a paper BP and I always have two copies of a paper BP as if I ever have to surrender it (upgrade, irrops, VDB, etc) I want proof of my original flight “just in case” (and for an upgrade, VDB or moved to another flight due to irrops, I will as the agent to print two copies of my new boarding pass(es))

UA_Flyer

It is not a black and white or yes and no question.

For simple domestic travel, the need for paper boarding pass is minimum.

For international travel across multiple carriers and have visa requirements, paper boarding passes always win. There are places where paper boarding passes need to be stamped for immigration entries and security checks.

u600213

Paper. I don't want to drop my phone by accident or hand it to someone when it doesn't scan correctly. And I have the paper BP's for proof, if the miles don't post correctly.

HotelHacker

I always get a paper boarding pass and I usually use it for boarding as well. Having the phone is a nice option in case something changes it'll have the new gate, departure time, etc on it but as others have said you can't rely on a phone all the time. In fact I had it happen once where I was getting ready to board and then the phone had low battery, Fortunately I boarded before it died.

Cell phones aren't a magic replacement for everything, as they try to make them out to be.

kale73

I always get the emailed PDF but rarely print it. Mobile boarding passes are on the app. I nearly always stop at a kiosk to print a paper boarding pass before security. Two reasons:

1) A paper boarding pass gives the TSA ID checker something to scribble his/her initials on after checking my ID, etc. They seem to take suh pleasure in this simple "official" act that I hate to deprive them of it by presenting a phone or tablet. (I would also really hate for them to scribble on my phone or tablet.)

2) At the gate I've noticed that paper boarding passes generally scan more reliably and faster than those on smartphones. For families traveling with kids, it often seems that all of the mobile boarding passes are on one smartphone, so the bearer of the smartphone has to scan a BP, then switch to another one, scan that, rinse and repeat depending on the number of travelers. Wouldn't it be much simpler and faster (and fun for the kids) if each kid who was old enough to hold his/her own paper boarding pass could present it to the gate agent / scanner? Almost every time I've watched, someone's smartphone goes 'dark' just before he or she reaches the scanner, requiring more time to revive the phone so the BP can scan. Then there's the passenger whose phone has flipped from the BP for the current flight to one for a connecting flight. More time wasted. I prefer to have my devices all packed away (in airplane mode) before I queue to board. I may be old-fashioned, but I'm simply not one of those people who is comfortable with my phone constantly in my hand.

BF263533

Paper. Avoids last minute phone malfunction. Don't like putting phone down then against my face.

Aussienarelle

OLCI so BP on the app.

At the airport, always ask for the paper version.

mahasamatman

I always use OLCI and always print my BP. I would never put my travel plans in the hands of a battery. Paper is also far easier to handle for everyone involved.

HoustonConsultant

Only time in the last two or three years that I've used a paper boarding pass is when traveling with my wife and kids.

She likes knowing she has the boarding passes in her possession.

cricketer

This.

Domestic, my phone is fine, and if the battery dies (only happened once several years ago after a delay) it's dead easy to go up to the gate and get a paper one.

International, especially with connections and in certain airports, I'll pick up the paper one at the check in counter as well.

windhund

I generally use paper, since I often have my phone put away to get through security quickly. It’s also easier to hand paper over if someone needs to inspect it (more of an issue when traveling internationally).

findark

I'm in the paper camp. Paper doesn't break, glitch, or run out of power. Plus they're collectible

I do sometimes board with my mobile BP though, as I may have put away my BP. But I definitely want the backup on hand, just in case.