DONE4 Paper Ticket Queries

[diablo]

Hi all,

I have a DONE4 ticket ex-LHR booked with AA, commencing in just under two months from now. Apart from the first segment, all others are open-dated, so I have a paper ticket with coupons for each segment. I was told that I can endorse these now if I wish, or simply call the airline and reserve a seat on the desired segment, then present the appropriate coupon at check-in. I have a few queries, as I've not flown on a paper ticket since I was a child:

1. Is there any benefit in endorsing the coupon early, rather than simply reserving the seat? Will early endorsement of the coupon allow me to OLCI?

2. In either scenario, will the booking show up on CheckMyTrip once the seat has been reserved or the coupon endorsed?

2. Do I have to take any extra steps with the paper ticket to ensure that QFF points are credited to me following travel?

Any help will be greatly appreciated!

 

[diablo]

Surely someone has flown on a paper ticket for a DONE4 before

 

[trooper]

Sorry, can't help with your questions...:-| BUT.. I am very curious about one aspect of what you are doing...

Have read lots of talk about how it can sometimes be difficult (even well in advance) to find "D" space on particular flights...

How does that work with Open tickets? Isn't it risky??

 

[Dave Noble]

There is no benefit of having open sectors over having dates in the booking and just changing as needed ( other than ensuring that you do not allow the date to pass without changing the booking date again )

Drawback of having open tickets on paper is that any rerouting changes which are needed will require either posting off the tickets to get them changed or having to allow an hour or 2 to reissue. Also , should you turn up for a QF flight with an open coupon ( even if reservation made ) you will again waste time having to go to ticket desk to get ticket revalidated ( for a fee ) before checking in

Changing the ticket to being all dated and hence electronic would make life a lot easier. If you have a reservation and it is with an airline which uses Amadeus, then you will see it on check my trip. Unless there is a reservation it will not show

when you make a reservation for a flight, you will have to ensure that your FF number is associated with the reservation

Personally, I would be putting random future dates on and getting it reissued electronically to save hassles. With an eleectronic ticket, you can just phone AA ATW desk, make the change over the phone and they will reissue as necessary with none of the issues of paper

I do seem to recall that some of the airlines will not permit OLCI with paper tickets; I have recollections that QF is one of them

 

[NM]

Surely someone has flown on a paper ticket for a DONE4 before

Many times, but I NEVER use open dated segments. I always apply a date to all segments and adjust the dates if I need to change them later. This way I am protected if the airlines chose to drop my routing from their schedules.

So with the advent of e-tix for such fares, I see no benefit in having open-dated segments and hence paper tickets.

 

[diablo]

Thanks for the responses. I am now going to try and get my ticket reissued electronically ASAP. NM, I've already run into the problem you mentioned. I was due to fly BOM-DXB next year, but CX has dropped this sector, so I'll need to change my routing. Apparently, I should be able to do this for free, according to AA, so fingers crossed. They told me that Kingfisher is joining Oneworld as of June 1st, so I may be able to still fly this sector with them next year, but no guarantees ... In any case, I've put booked seats for the first 8 flights, and will do the rest as soon as I can.

 

[simongr]

They told me that Kingfisher is joining Oneworld as of June 1st, so I may be able to still fly this sector with them next year, but no guarantees ... In any case, I've put booked seats for the first 8 flights, and will do the rest as soon as I can.

Sorry to drag this off topic but are you sure about the 1 June? They only announced them joining the alliance recently so I wasn't expecting them to join until next year at the earliest. This would be great for me as I have to go to DEL in Nov/Dec and I might be able to avoid the long connection in HKG and still fly OW. If only India could be included in a DCIRC fare...

 

[Dave Noble]

. This way I am protected if the airlines chose to drop my routing from their schedules.

You are only protected if you are travelling on the day dated on the ticket. If you wish to change to a date after the service ends then there is no protection

Dave

 

[NM]

You are only protected if you are travelling on the day dated on the ticket. If you wish to change to a date after the service ends then there is no protection

Dave

Indeed, so choose the most likely expected travel date, not just any random date.

 

[NM]

NM, I've already run into the problem you mentioned. I was due to fly BOM-DXB next year, but CX has dropped this sector, so I'll need to change my routing. Apparently, I should be able to do this for free, according to AA, so fingers crossed.

I would not expect a re-issue to be done free. But if AA is willing to do so, then consider yourself a winner.

They told me that Kingfisher is joining Oneworld as of June 1st, so I may be able to still fly this sector with them next year, but no guarantees ... In any case, I've put booked seats for the first 8 flights, and will do the rest as soon as I can.

This is not going to happen in June 2010. Perhaps 2011?? From the OneWorld web site in a new release from February 2010:

A target date for Kingfisher Airlines to join the alliance will be confirmed once this approval is gained. The process to bring any airline on board normally takes around 18 months to complete, so Kingfisher Airlines could be expected to start flying as part of oneworld during 2011.

 

[diablo]

I would not expect a re-issue to be done free. But if AA is willing to do so, then consider yourself a winner.

I spoke to AA on the phone yesterday. The agent there told me that they would reissue for free if there is no alternative confirmed (e.g. Kingfisher) within the next couple of weeks. The issue is that I am getting my paper ticket converted to an e-ticket, but without Kingfisher, my existing routing is invalid.