Flying with an e-ticket

audiobliss

I'm flying home this Saturday for Thanksgiving break, and we used Orbitz to get my flight, and I've got an e-ticket for it. This is my first time flying alone (second time flying period), and I'm not 100% what all the e-ticket means.

From what I can gather, I'm supposed to somehow print out the email Orbitz sent me or perhaps the trip itinerary as available for my trip on their website. Just show up with that, use a flight number at some self-service kiosk, get a boarding pass, find my waiting area, and wait to get on board. (I'm not checking any luggage.) Is that basically it? I've read about printing out a 'confirmation email' from Orbitz, but the only thing I've received from them is a "travel document" through email.

I think I basically understand how it works, and I'm sure I could figure it out when I get there, but I would appreciate the assurance of having someone who's gone through the process before give a brief explanation if you wouldn't mind.

Thanks so much!

audiobliss

Oh, and by the way, the only number I have is a "Ticket number" listed on my itinerary information. I'm assuming that would serve as a confirmation number to punch into one of those self-service kiosks, assuming, again, that I have this whole process right.

bobman1235

You really don't need anything when you go to teh airport, except your ID and a credit card. At the kiosk they look up your name and print out your ticket. YOu basically slide your credit card and they look up your name that way.

But, of course, it's better to print out everything you can just to be safe

audiobliss

bobman1235 wrote: »

You really don't need anything when you go to teh airport, except your ID and a credit card. At the kiosk they look up your name and print out your ticket. YOu basically slide your credit card and they look up your name that way.

But, of course, it's better to print out everything you can just to be safe

Thanks for the advice. Really appreciate it. From what I have read, I thought it seems like you don't really need everything. But, the tickets have been paid for with Mom's credit card, and so I didn't know if that would interfere with swiping my credit card.

bobman1235

As long as your name is the one on teh ticket, you'll be good. But, again, printout all the confirmation stuff to be safe.

I've flown dozens of times and they've never asked for anything more than a credit card and ID.

polkatese

^ +1 - your name is on the system already. Match with your ID, you're set. As Bob said, if you use the kiosk, use the credit card you purchased your ticket with and you'll get your boarding pass. If you have no luggage to check-in, then bring your itinerary printout to pass security check, and get your boarding pass at your gate.

audiobliss

bobman1235 wrote: »

As long as your name is the one on teh ticket, you'll be good. But, again, printout all the confirmation stuff to be safe.

I've flown dozens of times and they've never asked for anything more than a credit card and ID.

Just checked the info I printed out again, and I am listed as the passenger, so that's awesome. But I will be sure and bring the printed info.

Thanks so much!

seeclear

polkatese wrote: »

^ +1 - your name is on the system already.


use the credit card you purchased your ticket with and you'll get your boarding pass.

Actually, as I understand it, it doesn't need to be the credit card the ticket was purchased with (that wouldn't work in this case, as his mom used her card to purchase). The system just pulls the name off the card that you swipe to match to the passenger lists.

Another way---Do you have access to a computer?;););):D Check in online up to 24 hours ahead of time and then when you get to the terminal, your printed boarding pass will have a barcode that you can scan at the kiosk to get started. If you aren't checking any bags, you may even be able to go directly to your gate with your preprinted boarding pass and you might not even need to go through the kiosk/desk route. I usually check bags, tho, so that may not be right. If you can go directly to your gate, make sure you check at the desk there so they don't give your seat away.

Good luck, man I miss traveling alone. It is so much easier than lugging kids along in the airport. But, I would not trade my kids for anything, either, so I guess it is OK.:p

okiepolkie

audiobliss wrote: »

I'm flying home this Saturday for Thanksgiving break, and we used Orbitz to get my flight, and I've got an e-ticket for it. This is my first time flying alone (second time flying period), and I'm not 100% what all the e-ticket means.

From what I can gather, I'm supposed to somehow print out the email Orbitz sent me or perhaps the trip itinerary as available for my trip on their website. Just show up with that, use a flight number at some self-service kiosk, get a boarding pass, find my waiting area, and wait to get on board. (I'm not checking any luggage.) Is that basically it? I've read about printing out a 'confirmation email' from Orbitz, but the only thing I've received from them is a "travel document" through email.

I think I basically understand how it works, and I'm sure I could figure it out when I get there, but I would appreciate the assurance of having someone who's gone through the process before give a brief explanation if you wouldn't mind.

Thanks so much!

Where you flying home from? I never heard back from you to see if you ended up over here.

audiobliss

okiepolkie wrote: »

Where you flying home from? I never heard back from you to see if you ended up over here.

Oh wow! Man! I've been meaning for so long now to PM you back about that! Gosh, I totally fail at communication!

Yes, I made it! "All praises be to the King of Kings" - I'm at Harding! I'm still not sure if it has really fully sunken in yet. After I had been here for about two months I was walking out of the student center back to my dorm (got me some Taco Bell!), and when I stepped outside I just stopped...and thought..."Wow! I wanted to be at Harding. And here I am!"

So amazing.

audiobliss

seeclear wrote: »

Actually, as I understand it, it doesn't need to be the credit card the ticket was purchased with (that wouldn't work in this case, as his mom used her card to purchase). The system just pulls the name off the card that you swipe to match to the passenger lists.

Another way---Do you have access to a computer?;););):D Check in online up to 24 hours ahead of time and then when you get to the terminal, your printed boarding pass will have a barcode that you can scan at the kiosk to get started. If you aren't checking any bags, you may even be able to go directly to your gate with your preprinted boarding pass and you might not even need to go through the kiosk/desk route. I usually check bags, tho, so that may not be right. If you can go directly to your gate, make sure you check at the desk there so they don't give your seat away.

Good luck, man I miss traveling alone. It is so much easier than lugging kids along in the airport. But, I would not trade my kids for anything, either, so I guess it is OK.:p

Hey, that's pretty cool! I think I'll try sticking to using the kiosk at the airport this go round. But I'm sure I'll be flying more now, so I'll try that out sometime, too.

Thanks!

Serendipity

You should be fine with just an ID. Whenever I fly, I just bring two forms of ID and I have no hassles.

okiepolkie

audiobliss wrote: »

Oh wow! Man! I've been meaning for so long now to PM you back about that! Gosh, I totally fail at communication!

Yes, I made it! "All praises be to the King of Kings" - I'm at Harding! I'm still not sure if it has really fully sunken in yet. After I had been here for about two months I was walking out of the student center back to my dorm (got me some Taco Bell!), and when I stepped outside I just stopped...and thought..."Wow! I wanted to be at Harding. And here I am!"

So amazing.

I sure hope you aren't a communications major

Give me a ring sometime.

audiobliss

okiepolkie wrote: »

I sure hope you aren't a communications major

Give me a ring sometime.

Hey, thanks. I'll do that sometime!

BeRad

I have always only been asked for ID. Never even a credit card. (flying in Canada and USA)

Kex

BeRad wrote: »

I have always only been asked for ID. Never even a credit card. (flying in Canada and USA)

The credit card is useful for two things: you can slip it into the self service kiosk when it asks for ID or a booking reference (typing the looong booking reference on a touch screen is a real PITA); you can use it to pay for those hideous baggage charges that came in with $150 oil (almost), and are still there now that we are back down to $50 (almost).

jmwest1970

Are you flying out of Little Rock? If so, most of the airlines have desks, and there weren't any self service kiosks last time I flew out, but that's been nearly a year. You can print your boarding pass with most airlines these days, so you should have much of a hassle.

audiobliss

jmwest1970 wrote: »

Are you flying out of Little Rock? If so, most of the airlines have desks, and there weren't any self service kiosks last time I flew out, but that's been nearly a year. You can print your boarding pass with most airlines these days, so you should have much of a hassle.

Yeah, I'm flying out of Little Rock. Guess I'll be looking for a desk, then.

Thanks!!

audiobliss

Hmm. I've been thinking about this, and I don't have anything called an eticket or a confirmation email. All I have is a 'travel document' email Orbitz sent me forever ago when the flight was booked. Should I be getting an eticket or confirmation email sent to me?

PhantomOG

The whole idea of e-ticketing is so you DON'T have a piece of paper to lose that prevents you from getting on the plane. You have your government issued ID which, when you get to the airport, gets you your actual paper ticket which you only need to be responsible for not losing for the duration of your travel.

You don't even have to go to the computer kiosk. If its so confusing to you, just walk up to the counter, speak with the nice rep of the airline you are flying, tell them where you are flying to and give them your ID. They WILL take care of you completely.

As others have said, its always better to have all the information with you, but never in my past 11 years of flying have I ever needed a confirmation email or even needed to know what online website I bought the ticket from. All you need is an ID.

polkatese

AB, no offense, but I think you worry too much on the logistics of getting to your plane. Relax, there is no need to get confirmation email. Get your boarding pass 24 hours before the flight departure, and if there is any problem at that point, you can call orbitz (I highly doubted though, since you have the paperwork from Orbitz). The worse thing that could happened to you is you got bumped at the gate. However, the airline will compensate you for that.

My 2 cents.

audiobliss

Haha, thanks for the responses. Looks like I'm golden.

I can't wait!

PhantomOG wrote: »

The whole idea of e-ticketing is so you DON'T have a piece of paper to lose that prevents you from getting on the plane. You have your government issued ID which, when you get to the airport, gets you your actual paper ticket which you only need to be responsible for not losing for the duration of your travel.

You don't even have to go to the computer kiosk. If its so confusing to you, just walk up to the counter, speak with the nice rep of the airline you are flying, tell them where you are flying to and give them your ID. They WILL take care of you completely.

As others have said, its always better to have all the information with you, but never in my past 11 years of flying have I ever needed a confirmation email or even needed to know what online website I bought the ticket from. All you need is an ID.

polkatese wrote: »

AB, no offense, but I think you worry too much on the logistics of getting to your plane. Relax, there is no need to get confirmation email. Get your boarding pass 24 hours before the flight departure, and if there is any problem at that point, you can call orbitz (I highly doubted though, since you have the paperwork from Orbitz). The worse thing that could happened to you is you got bumped at the gate. However, the airline will compensate you for that.

My 2 cents.