Today’s technology (whether you like it or not) has now given the traveler two types of tickets available when making a reservation with an airline: One, there is the paper ticket, and two, there is the electronic ticket (e-ticket). This new automation has also brought along with it a few pros and cons concerning an electronic ticket versus using a paper ticket.
Paper tickets are so named because the actual piece of paper contains the exact flight information and is labeled as a flight coupon in paper form. With an electronic ticket, information is stored within the airline’s reservation system. The person traveling on an electronic ticket is given a copy of his or her itinerary, which does includes the contract carrier name. However, this is not a ticket (an actual physical ticket) but serves as proof that you have an electronic ticket.
Electronic tickets (e-tickets) are a great example of one of the ways the airline industry is using technology to gain greater savings. Processing an electronic ticket is much cheaper and more secure than paper tickets.
Electronic tickets are adequate in most circumstances using domestic flights. However, paper tickets are very useful if traveling internationally. The TMC (Travel Management Center) can advise travelers in deciding if a paper ticket would be more beneficial than an electronic ticket.
Be advised that many carriers have announced that they would be phasing out paper tickets within the next few years. While electronic tickets will save money for the airlines, I feel that it will be a long time before some carriers can eliminate the paper ticket because of the unavailability of this technology in some remote areas.
By: Robyn Rice
“The contents of this message are mine personally and do not reflect any position of the Government or my agency.”