Buying ticket to USA for fiancé

[palaver]

Anyone know if I can buy a ticket for fiancé to USA from the United States? Is there a requirement for the purchaser to be present on the flight? It would be much faster and easier to buy here.

[Costas2008]

Don't think there is a problem there, as long you don't buy the ticket with your credit/debit card, online, because that has to be shown at the airline, check in, counter by your fiancé.

Use a travel agent, to issue the ticket.

That has been done with me many times in the past and had no problems.

Edited July 8, 2014 by Costas2008

[palaver]

Very good. Thanks much. I may call airline to get ticket.


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[Swiss1960]

Answer is, it depends...

- if you buy through a general booking portal online (i.e. ebookers) or with a travel agency, the airline will not care, since they don't have to deal with possible fraud and refund

- if you buy through the airlines webportal, some do care a lot (i.e. Thai wants to have the credit card present), some care a little (i.e. authorization letter from you is sufficient), some don't care at all (i.e. many European airlines).

 

Can't help with the US carriers, best to read on their website or give the chosen carrier a call

[1BADDAT]

I have purchased tickets online on United for other passengers.  The credit card does not need to be present.

[palaver]

I'm looking at Asiana Airlines through kayak.com. I suppose as long as their names are on ticket all is good.


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[smileplur]

I've dealt with this many times.  Yes, they do care sometimes.  There is always a way around it though.  I think the most I have ever had to do was fill out some sort of credit card authorization form.  That involved copies of the front and back of the card onto their official form with my signature of consent.  Then, I had to fax it into their office and call them to verify.  That only happened once, and I believe it was Cathay Pacific about 6-7 years ago.  Since then, a simple phone call was all that was required.  For whatever reason, the airlines seem to have become more relaxed about this requirement.  That is just my experience.  It's best to call the airline prior to clicking that final "buy" button.

[daboyz1]

I'm looking at Asiana Airlines through kayak.com. I suppose as long as their names are on ticket all is good.


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I've used Travex http://www.travexnet.com/ to do this form the U.S.  Sometimes it seems the tickets are cheaper if you buy them from a Thai travel agent.  As others have stated, I had to fill out a credit card authorization form, scan it and email it to them.
 

[palaver]

We have looked at prices more closely and they mimic the prices overseas. So seems best to just wire money to get tickets and reduce the risk. Despite what the airline rep says.


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[palaver]

Ended up sending money via western union and fiancé called korean air and reserved and bought ticket. All worked out.


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[palaver]

Fiance called Korean Air, made a reservation, then went and paid it.

 

I thought ticket prices would be higher in Thailand, but that was not the case.

 

Fiance had a friend whose boyfriend bought a ticket to Australia, bought it there, but the ticket was no honored, and they had to buy a new ticket after he sent cash to her. That ended up doubling the price.

 

I do recall having to show my credit card when I did fly within Thailand with reservations.

 

I'm risk adverse when it comes to money and I'd rather pay more to have peace of mind.

 

Surprisingly, fiance bought ticket about a week before flying and the price was not high. The only downside was that some flights were sold out for economy class.

 

Thanks to everyone for your input on this matter.

[palaver]

Trip went well. She's been in the USA for two weeks or so. Just better (for peace of mind, at least) to have the ticket bought in Thailand by the person flying...

 

Cheers,

Palaver