Avoid Air Ticket Errors With Common Sense

At SmarterTravel.com, we’ve heard your headaches about air travel, from missed connections to security snafus. However, you can avoid many problems with common-sense checks before you even book your ticket.

Here are three key items to check before you click the “buy” button.

Does the Name on Your Ticket Match Your ID?

To avoid holdups at the ticket counter and security, as well as the pricey consequence of having your ticket voided, make sure the names on your IDs match the names on your tickets. Honeymooners may encounter this problem, as lovebirds tend to book two tickets under the married last name (whereas the maiden-name ID won’t match). Travelers going by their middle names, initials, or nicknames may also be susceptible.

Are Your Airports Correct?

Going to Portland soon? Make sure you select the correct state, Maine or Oregon, when booking your ticket. Don’t forget to double-check even with different countries: A few years ago, traveler Jim Hourihan thought he was headed for Manchester, England, and found himself in Manchester, New Hampshire, instead. Same goes for extended itineraries in cities where there’s more than one airport—if you’re picking up a connector flight at JFK, make sure you’re not landing in Newark or LaGuardia.

Do You Have Your Correct Dates?

Do a quick date check before purchasing your air tickets. It will be a hassle to show up at the airport to find you’ve missed your flight or your ticket isn’t valid until the next day, and expensive to rebook your tickets on such short notice.

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