How to Use an E-ticket

An e-ticket is an electronic plane ticket, usually issued by e-mail. Whether you buy your ticket online, from a travel agent or through the airline itself, most domestic and international airlines have stopped issuing paper tickets as of 2008. Using an e-ticket isn't very different from using a paper ticket, though travelers must take some steps to ensure a smooth journey without any snags or hassles at check-in.

Things You'll Need

• Valid photo ID (for example, a passport or driver's license)
• Credit or debit card used to purchase ticket

Instructions

1. After you've purchased your ticket, print out your payment receipt, ticket number and itinerary. These printed documents will serve as your ticket at check-in. Many airlines will e-mail you this information as well.

2. When you go to check in, take your printed documents and a valid photo ID. Some airlines will want to see the debit or credit card you used to buy the ticket, so bring this with you as well.

3. As with paper tickets, most airlines still require a boarding pass. After they have checked your printed documents, photo ID and debit or credit card against the information in their database, they will issue the boarding pass.

4. Some airlines allow online check-in or self-check-in at an airport kiosk. It will be written on the e-ticket if these options are possible. For these two methods of checking in, you will enter your information from the e-ticket, your photo ID and the debit or credit card and print the boarding pass yourself.

5. Keep the printed e-ticket documents and other identifying information with you to use on your return trip.

Tips & Warnings

• If paper tickets are lost or stolen, they can be very difficult to replace and you will probably have to pay a fee. However, if an e-ticket is misplaced, you simply print it out again. Save the e-mail confirmation message in your inbox so you can access the documents easily.