Going around the country is really easy. Competition between airlines resulted in cheaper prices and better accommodation. Online, you can always book in advance and print your e-tickets to avoid long lines in purchasing them at the airport. Instead of lining-up to get your boarding pass, you can simply get it printed at kiosks installed in most of the airports. There is virtually no need to contact someone regarding a ticket nowadays.
However, before you purchase a ticket for your flight, remember some things before you complete your booking online or with a booking agent. The following are the facts you need to know about your ticket just in case your planned vacation or business travel has to change or be cancelled.
First, tickets are definitely non-transferable. Beg all you want but airlines just can’t delete the name and change it to another person’s name. Even before 9/11, transferring of flight credits was not allowed. The only option for you is to purchase another ticket for someone else and just use your credit for your future flight. However, there are companies who contact the airline for business purposes. These flights are transferable, but also under heavy restrictions.
If you want to change anything in your flight plan such as date, time or destination, make sure to contact your airline or booking office as soon as possible. Expect some change fees from any airline: JetBlue charges around $30, Delta Airlines will bill you for at least $50 and American Airlines and US Airways will charge you up to $100 for any changes of plans. Aside from the usual change fee, you also need to pay the fare difference between the old ticket and the new ticket you will have changing the ticket. If you change your flight days before the travel, you might have a chance of not paying anything else. To be sure, just expect additional fees aside from the usual change fees.
Cancelling your flight is a different story. Remember to always call them at least 24 hours before the actual travel time. This will ensure that you save the credits of your flight for your future plans. Most of the tickets you will be purchasing are non-refundable unless you specify it to your booking agent. Since its refundable you wonder what would be your credit. Since you didn’t use your flight credits you can still use this flight credit for your future travel within one year from the day your purchase your flight. However, expect some fees if you rebook your flight, most of time it would be the same as the change fees of most airline. If you fail to call your airline to cancel your ticket, everything will be lost and you can’t even use a single cent of your ticket for any flights at all.
Lastly, make sure of the name you will place on the ticket. Copy the exact name printed on your government issued ID to avoid any problems in the airport when you check in. Flight attendants and check-in-personnel will give you a hard time if the ID and your ticket name will not match. Better to be safe than sorry.
- Suggest site to the following directory categories: Transportation, Airline Flights, Online Reservation
