Paper Ticket Scams 8Aug

[weblet]

http://www.elliott.org/archives/2007..._out_for_t.php

Just as an FYI, most major airlines have converted to electronic ticketing and will charge a fee to issue a paper ticket as long as the itinerary is electronic ticket eligible. There are still airlines out there that paper tickets are the only possibility, or you could fly an itinerary that has carriers that are not combinable (their computer systems can't 'see' each other's electronic tickets) and thus a paper ticket is necessary.

The important thing to note is that in the majority of cases, a paper ticket fee is NOT applicable if the itinerary cannot be issued as an electronic ticket. If you have a choice between electronic and paper, and you choose the paper, you can be liable for a fee. And that fee is an airline imposed fee, not agent fee.

There are always exceptions, but to my knowledge, if an agent claims you are liable for a paper ticket fee because it has to be issued as paper (in other words cannot be issued electronically), that's $$ in their pocket. The only thing they could legitimately charge a fee for (IMO) is delivery of that ticket.

I just thought that needed to be clarified...

[John225]

Good catch, Ann.

Chris, will you add this to your column?

[wpbagent]

There have been some agents that have received the Dreaded Debit Memo for issuing paper tickets. The GDS for some reason would not allow E-tickets to be printed.

[weblet]

As long as the paper ticket wasn't forced, any debit memo would be waived, or the GDS would pay it.

[deangreenhoe]

I'm sure there are ticket agent entities who might charge the fee as a scam. I noticed that the focus of the comments was directed at internet bookings. That figures it would happen there.

I do charge a nominal fee for issuing paper tickets for customers out of my immediate service area, but that goes for FedEx shipping and that's the way they receive them. Actually I think you'd be nuts to trust a cash instrument document like an airline ticket to the U.S.P.S. these days.

And there still are good reasons to force a paper ticket even if e-ticket is allowable. I most often do that for international passengers who require more than one ticket document be issued on a multi-leg journey. If one has to be paper as required by the carrier, I'll generally force all paper for continuity. There are also a number of foreign countries that require proof of ongoing transportation for entry at immigration. In some parts of the world a paper ticket can speed up the process considerably. They know that anybody can print a simple itinerary on a PC.

It would be a lot easier if all carriers worldwide were capable of handling e-tickets by the IATA deadline, but I'll eat my hat if it happens on schedule.

[weblet]

Originally Posted by deangreenhoe

I'm sure there are ticket agent entities who might charge the fee as a scam. I noticed that the focus of the comments was directed at internet bookings. That figures it would happen there.

I do charge a nominal fee for issuing paper tickets for customers out of my immediate service area, but that goes for FedEx shipping and that's the way they receive them. Actually I think you'd be nuts to trust a cash instrument document like an airline ticket to the U.S.P.S. these days.

And there still are good reasons to force a paper ticket even if e-ticket is allowable. I most often do that for international passengers who require more than one ticket document be issued on a multi-leg journey. If one has to be paper as required by the carrier, I'll generally force all paper for continuity. There are also a number of foreign countries that require proof of ongoing transportation for entry at immigration. In some parts of the world a paper ticket can speed up the process considerably. They know that anybody can print a simple itinerary on a PC.

It would be a lot easier if all carriers worldwide were capable of handling e-tickets by the IATA deadline, but I'll eat my hat if it happens on schedule.

Again, just for clarity, Dean discloses to his customers his reasons for any extra charges. And besides, his customers are almost always exceptions to the rules!!

[deangreenhoe]

Originally Posted by weblet

Again, just for clarity, Dean discloses to his customers his reasons for any extra charges. And besides, his customers are almost always exceptions to the rules!!

So, you've noticed? I'd tell you horror stories about today's requests but I'm just too damned worn out.

But one question. What is going on in Doha? Is Qatar the next Dubai? Why is everyone insisting on going there?

Okay, three questions. Obviously I suck at math.