Can You Book Flights Without A Passport?

Introduction Some people believe you must have a passport when wanting to purchase a flight, which may not be true. It is also noteworthy that there are frequently other types of IDs that can be accepted when buying a ticket and registering for a flight depending on the destination and the specific airline. Learning more about these policies would be helpful before planning other trips in order to not encounter similar issues.

Domestic Flights Domestic flights, you do not have to provide a passport when booking for a flight or even when trying to board a flight. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA), however, accepts other relevant forms of government issued photo IDs. The most common forms of accepted ID for domestic flights are:The most common forms of accepted ID for domestic flights are:

• State-issued driver's license

• State-issued ID card

• U. S. passport card

• U. S. military ID

• Permanent resident card

• Border crossing card

• Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, and FAST are some of the trusted traveler cards offered by the Department of Homeland Security.

  In the United States, basically, you can use a government-issued photo ID that is valid and not expired to book and travel on any domestic flight within the 48 contiguous states, as well as Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands.

  Regional Flights When flying from one country to another that is in the same region, where may not be the same stringent measures that involve the use of passports. For instance, the European Union and Schengen area countries enable residents to move around the region without a passport. This is the same situation with some of the countries in Central America, the Caribbean, and several South American states.

  When traveling between regional partner countries, one may not require a passport even if you are flying. Nevertheless, you still require some other legal form of identity card such as passport, driver license, national identification card or any other that is legally acceptable. When you are traveling in a region that requires a passport, always confirm the requirements for a visa or entry before booking regional flights.

  International Flights Passports are normally expected in international flights which go through borders that are different from those of regional country partners. This applies not only to the journey of booking a flight but also when entering a plane. When you check-in for an international flight, which is heading to another world region, you will expect most airlines to request to peruse your actual passport.

  However, there are specific exemptions where some types of national ID cards are legally allowed for booking and entry onto international flights rather than passports. But, these exceptions have to do with the entry policies of the specific destination country.

  However, merely possessing a visa of another country does not enable one to travel to that country by having a flight without a passport. Anywhere you wish to travel worldwide, having a physical one helps avoid problems in arranging and embarking on international flights.

  Booking Without an ID or a Passport However, it can occur, that sometimes it is possible to buy a ticket without providing any identification documents or passport information at all. But as you check in for your flight on the day of travel, you will need to present a government-issued photo ID that complies with entry requirements at your destination.

  Typically, when a person is booking for an air ticket online, he will be asked to go through some identification check to make sure that the person who will be traveling using the ticket is the right one. However, there are instances where third party booking sites or low cost carriers with low stringency measures will enable you to finish a flight booking without providing your identification details or your passport number.

  Although an airline may let you book a flight for a trip without asking you to make an appointment for an in-person ID check online, you will be asked to produce an acceptable ID for the visa and entry requirements of your destination when checking in for the flight and boarding it. You may suddenly find that you have a confirmed and paid ticket but are denied boarding if you do not visit the country in person to satisfy the passport authority or other identification and authentication on the travel date. If a person attempts to go to the boarding area without a valid ID, they will be prevented from boarding.

  Children's ID Requirements Children accompanying other adults need valid identification and the rules for children booking or boarding flights are a little less stringent than the adult rules. However, they also depend on the destination and age of the child traveler:However, they also depend on the destination and age of the child traveler:

  Domestic U. S. flights – Despite the requirement for identification of any passenger who cannot prove that they are over eighteen years of age, children of any age can travel with out identification. Regional flights – These are flights that do not cross international borders, children below a certain age are not required to carry a passport. Flights with international connections – All children must have valid passports

  For information on particular policies regarding an ID when traveling with a child of a certain age, or traveling to a particular country, it is always important to consult the airline when making your booking. It is still obligatory to have identification for pediatric travelers, while it is still possible to have different identification documents accepted.

  Conclusion Though passports may not be required in every single location or at some times when pre-booking a flight, they are the recognized and most effective identity documents for international travel on aircraft around the world. Passports do away with all the ambiguities that may surround ones identity, nationality or legal right to travel into another country. Unless you are sure about the destination where you are planning to travel for a vacation has some flexible requirement for passport when it comes to immigration it would be wiser to always carry a valid passport for anybody who is traveling whether for a child, a dependent or even yourself. If you wish to be absolutely sure that you will be able to board and travel with as few complications as possible, it is advisable to get your visas and passports sorted at least a month before you buy your tickets or pack your luggage.