Friday, 13 April 2012

What Should You Do If You Lost Your Airline Ticket?

By Clint Reedy


This can be compounded if you are in a foreign country and the language barrier becomes insurmountable. In the city you're spending your holiday in, airline tickets may not be located and funds may also be unavailable to repurchase a ticket.

Many passengers believe that air tickets can be replaced as easily as traveler's checks just because the reservation is in the computer, but that is not the case. Your ticket number may be shown on your credit card receipt or travel agency itinerary. If it is not, jot down the number on a sheet of paper and carry it separately from your ticket. Bring it with you on your trip. If you're able to give the airline this number, they can quickly process your refund application if the ticket goes astray or even issue a replacement ticket on the spot.

If you lost the ticket, it should be reported immediately to the airline that's the issuing carrier at the top of the ticket. Repurchasing a ticket may be required if you want to continue your trip. The new ticket may cost more than the previous one if you no longer meet all the restrictions on your discount fare like a seven day advance purchase. As long as you haven't changed the cities, flights, or dates on your trip, the higher fare will eventually be refunded.

Once the airline establishes that you actually bought the ticket, they will begin processing your refund application. Often, the waiting period would be around 2-6 months. The airline may refuse to you your money back if anyone uses or cashes in your ticket while the refund is pending.

The airline may deduct from the refund a handling charge. There's no guarantee you'll get a refund or replacement for a lost ticket and it's also a lot of trouble.

Ensure that you make a copy of your ticket (the back page), and store it in a safe place. You can keep your ticket at the safe behind the check-in counter or in the in-room safe at your hotel. While you're sightseeing, dining, or shopping, don't carry your ticket with you.

To have a vacation that's hassle free, the key would be prevention. It's best that you don't lose the ticket at all in the first place.




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