Can You Book A Flight For Someone Else?

Booking Flights in Advance for Own Use: Is it Permissible?

Introduction

There are situations where one has to buy flight tickets for someone else ~ it might be a gift, or just an official part of the job, or, quite simply, helping out relatives and friends. But before you proceed with the steps on how to initiate the booking process either via an airline’s website or any online travel agency, you may be wondering – Can I, indeed, book a trip on behalf of another person? So, let us consider more thoroughly the guidelines and regulations concerning flight booking for other people.

Policies Vary By Airline

What has been important to realize is that the policies applied to bookings made for another person do not remain the same across the global and are distinguished between airlines. It should also be noted that some airlines do not refuse to sell tickets to a third party; they have some additional measures to complete or some extra steps to fulfill. Other airlines might limit the options for booking a trip to have a different name or having a relative with your name. And the details are usually hidden in each airline’s contract of carriage which no one bothers to read anyway.

Therefore, it will be wise that before proceeding in any booking process for another traveler, you should seek information about the policies from the airline’s website or the customer service department when contacted. This helps you avoid creating an awkward situation like cancelation, charges or additional troubles when the other person arrives to catch their flight. You can directly question the service provider for any additional requirements that may be required to verify any individual’s identity, change of name or anything else that may be required to use someone else’s name on the ticket that you are planning to buy.

The Reasons Why Airlines Want to Confirm Identities

There are indeed legitimate reasons often linked to security measures that international airlines have for assessing who can be booked or added to the list of passengers for any flight. Identifying people’s identity is very important especially in the countries that require people to provide identification before flying. That is true, airlines need to know the identity of the persons flying on each of their flights and particularly in international flights. They also have age constraints that are set depending on the age of the would-be traveler, rules for unaccompanied underage persons, and others.

In this way, airlines can ensure that no one on the no fly list is on a flight, identify security risks, check ages for under 18 years travel, and update traveller information in their database. It is a good thinking from the airline business point of view because this may take a few more steps sometimes when you book for others.

If Booking for Others is allowed

Sometimes, organizing air travel for yourself, your relatives, friends, persons for whom you are formally or informally responsible (children for example), or in the framework of official and business activity is absolutely normal and legal. Typical situations where airlines openly allow someone other than the traveler to purchase flights may include:Typical situations where airlines openly allow someone other than the traveler to purchase flights may include:

• Booking for your lawful partner or spouse

• Some of the reservations may be for your children or other young relatives.

• Making bookings for tour and travels when your parents or other family members are elderly

• An employer making arrangements for air travel by its employees

• Flights for managerial employers arranged by executive assistants

• Individual people who plan their travel through travel agencies and get flights.

• Booking transport for students or group travelling

• Flying as a present offering to another individual

  In as much as the proper identification of every traveler is done at the time of booking and check, and proper identification is produced at the time of checking in, it is rarely a problem. However, in some special circumstances additional evidence of the relationship or the affiliated profession may be required based on the specific airline.

  Providing Accurate Information

  Regardless, the first cardinal sin when booking for another person is to ensure the information given clearly identifies the traveling individual. This information should be as close to the would-be passenger as possible, this includes the legal name, date of birth, gender, and the precise identification details. For instance, name abbreviations, or shorthand used during the booking stage may result in mismatched information between the booking stages and check-in.

  This means that the passport number, using which the person intends to identify himself at the airport, should be the same as the name and details provided in the ticket bookings. It could also mean adding components that could be the traveler’s frequent flyer numbers or other affiliations with that particular airline. Compliance with airline requirements regarding booking of travel for individuals other than passengers also enhance the efficiency of each stage as well as the checking of all details.

  What Is Required If You Want to Book for Others

  Depending on each airline's booking for others rules, providing any of the following may be required:Depending on each airline's booking for others rules, providing any of the following may be required:

• First and last legal name of the traveler

• Date of birth

• Gender

• Any identification numbers where needed

• Information about the traveler including his or her phone number and email address

• The member number for a frequent flyer program

• Some specific visitor labeling techniques such as military, child, and others that distinguish the visitor type.

  In some instances, booking may require copies of consent or authorizations from the intended traveler. This would ensure that the airline has consent to contact the intended recipient directly and confirm anyone putting his/her name on the flight ticket or gifting it to someone else.

  Follow Up Communication

  Another important component of booking travel for a third party is the follow up contacts and organizational work done after ticketing. Many of the airlines are using the email or contact info that the passenger may have used while booking the flight to notify them of updates, check-in remider or any other important information that may be deemed necessary.

  Hence, while providing another person’s name on an airline reservation it is recommended that one should only disclose the booking references , eticket numbers as well as updates with the other passenger. Provide them with any check-in link, web links that take them to their booking or client service numbers where they can handle the travel hassle free whenever needed. They have now engaged in the booking process which you have started, however, they will need to be self-service on some aspects of the air travel process.

  Make Changes Cautiously

  There is only one area that traveller should be careful when it comes to making purchase of tickets for the other people and this is changing details of existing bookings. Whereas an airline may permit you to make the original booking of flights for another person, the rules regarding modifications will often be less permissive. Modifications to bookings, including fees for change, cancellation of flight, or amendment of passengers’ information, can only be processed by the named traveler in most of the cases.

  Thus, it is paramount to give details of the booking confirmation and access to the named passenger right from a given moment. Enable them to manage any alterations, including cancellations or updates on their own travel by air if needed. Booking the flight as the booking source, instead of as the traveler, could lead to some cases that are in conflict with airline policies and procedures just because the names do not match in some ways.

  Book with Confidence

  Still, the rules are clear in each airline company; however, it is not a rarity to book flights on behalf of another individual, and it is not disrupted all the time. Whether its a gift for mom, travel for devoted employees, or bringing the whole family on vacation, booking travel for others is usually fine with a few prudent precautions:Whether its a gift for mom, travel for devoted employees, or bringing the whole family on vacation, booking travel for others is usually fine with a few prudent precautions:

• It is also important to consult with the airline before traveling to find out if there are any limitations to traveling pregnant.

• Serve traveler information accurately

• Follow documentation requirements

• Provide the traveler with their booking information.

• It is advisable that passengers should be left to draft and redraft their own work as it is effective enough.

  Hence, the end traveler is informed, and they have plus access, and by following the airline protocols, other people can book flights for other individuals whenever, or if they want to be considerate, make a flight booking as gift. Just spend that much more time upfront to get your policies straight and that correct information between the booker, air carrier and the ultimate end consumer for a seamless travel experience.