An e-ticket, or electronic ticket, is a digital record of a travel reservation stored in a global distribution system (GDS). It replaces the need for paper tickets when booking flights through airlines or travel management companies like BCD Travel.
E-tickets are the standard format used in modern business travel. When a traveler books a flight, their reservation and payment details are stored electronically in the airline’s system and the GDS. The traveler then receives a confirmation—often by email or through BCD Travel’s TripSource platform—that acts as their proof of purchase and itinerary.
How e-tickets work in business travel
- Travel is booked through a travel management company or an online booking tool connected to a GDS.
- The e-ticket is generated with a unique ticket number and linked to the traveler’s Passenger Name Record (PNR).
- Airlines retrieve this information at check-in to issue a boarding pass.
- No physical ticket is required—the e-ticket holds all relevant flight and payment information.
Why e-tickets matter for corporate travel
- Convenience – Travelers don’t need to carry or print paper tickets.
- Security – Electronic records are harder to lose or forge.
- Flexibility – E-tickets make it easier to change or reissue flights within policy.
- Integration – E-tickets link seamlessly with travel tools like TripSource, making it easy for travelers to manage flights, receive updates, and stay informed.
Important note
This definition of e-ticket applies only to airline reservations made through a GDS—not to entertainment, events, trains, or public transportation. It is used exclusively in the context of air travel booked by business travelers through authorized travel platforms.
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