E-tickets with Virgin

[Vikki]

Was just looking on the Virgin Atlantic site and it says when I book, the ticket will be an e-ticket

Ticket type: E-ticket(s)

You are travelling on an e-ticket. You will be emailed an e-ticket receipt, which will be sent to you within 96 hours, to the e-mail address provided. The e-ticket receipt must be printed out and taken to airport check-in on the day of departure, along with the card used to make the booking, and the appropriate travel documents. In addition, you will receive a confirmation e-mail from us as soon as you have completed your booking.

Has anyone ever used these? I think it'll be odd not to have a 'proper' ticket. Not that I mind, as long as it's a ticket! Would like some experiences of these though from anyone whos used one :)

[Whitequeen]

I have e-tickets all the time UK and International.

They send you an email, you print it off and take it to the check-in desk. Voila! You're in!!! It's no different from tickets you've had in the past.:thumbs:

[PaulaK]

You just print it out and take it along, simple as that. :)

[Vikki]

well that sounds easy :)

[Keith]

I hate the e-tickets, I used to like receiving PROPER tickets in the post <G>

Other than that though, I've had e-tickets for the last few years, have used them loads of times and never had a single problem (other than once I had to wait months and months to receive the email versus other times when I received them in a couple of days)

[Melfuzz]

I find them easier. I always book online now so have not used a proper ticket in years.

[Keith]

I find them easier. I always book online now so have not used a proper ticket in years.

BA are brilliant.. you book, go to an electronic teminal in the airport, check in, choose your seat, throw the bags on the conveyer and all is well.

Virgin is kinda half way... you get this email, print it, show it at the airport and they still type for ages (though not as long as usual). Plus, I've had security at orlando airport demand a "proper ticket". In the end they went and spoke to a virgin rep who said it was fine, they then made her go and exchange it for a proper ticket at the desk :/

They're fine now.. havent had a problem in ages.. but I miss proper tickets <G> In my opinion they either need proper tickets or they should say no need for ANYTHING at all other than your passports.

[PaulaK]

Virgin are bringing the self check-in kiosks in, but they are only at Heathrow so far. :sigh:

[Melfuzz]

Plus, I've had security at orlando airport demand a "proper ticket". In the end they went and spoke to a virgin rep who said it was fine, they then made her go and exchange it for a proper ticket at the desk :/

They're fine now.. havent had a problem in ages.. but I miss proper tickets <G> In my opinion they either need proper tickets or they should say no need for ANYTHING at all other than your passports.

How long ago was that? You got me a little worried now

[Vikki]

Virgin is kinda half way... you get this email, print it, show it at the airport and they still type for ages (though not as long as usual).

Sounds ok to me, we'll probably do online checkin again anyway. Just one other thing, remind me, do you do the online seat allocation with your booking reference, or when you get your tickets? I honestly can't remember!

[Keith]

How long ago was that? You got me a little worried now

Nah don't worry about it.. seriously, it was a year or so back and on the way in they were doing security checks. They'd just done a shift change or something and about four officers came out at the same time and before we got into the virgin checkin queue, asked the 3 families in front + us security questions. They were nice and friendly actually but looked at my printed e-ticket and the guy kept saying "have you lost your ticket sir?" no this IS the ticket, "no sir you need your actual airline ticket" etc. In the end he went off with someone from virgin and virgin changed it for a "proper ticket" he said "have a nice day" and that was that.

It hasn't happened since.. everyone seems very familiar with e-tickets now

[Keith]

Sounds ok to me, we'll probably do online checkin again anyway. Just one other thing, remind me, do you do the online seat allocation with your booking reference, or when you get your tickets? I honestly can't remember!

you can do it with your booking reference, no need to wait till you get your tickets :)

[Vikki]

you can do it with your booking reference, no need to wait till you get your tickets :)

I tought that was the case, but I always prefer to check. Honestly, what am I going to do with myself when it's all booked in a few weeks? :D

[rainy]

Sorry if this seems like a stupid question but do you only get e-tickets if you book on line. I've booked my holiday with virgin but i did it over the phone, so will i receive proper tickets or e-tickets.

[tinkintraining]

I've never had a problem with e-tickets but on recently booking for next year we were charged £1400 for our tickets for May next year but we were not charged for booking my mum's tickets. On checking with Virgin the reason we were not charged was because we had asked for paper tickets for her because we will not be at the airport together - she will not be charged until the tickets are sent out.

Wish I had known this earlier and I would of asked for paper tickets and kept the money in my bank account and not Virgins!

[Keith]

Sorry if this seems like a stupid question but do you only get e-tickets if you book on line. I've booked my holiday with virgin but i did it over the phone, so will i receive proper tickets or e-tickets.

you USED to get paper tickets if you booked over the phone even when e-tickets were being issued for online bookings. However I booked for December this year over the phone and received e-tickets.

[rainy]

you USED to get paper tickets if you booked over the phone even when e-tickets were being issued for online bookings. However I booked for December this year over the phone and received e-tickets.


so you just use them the same as if they were paper tickets then, is that right

[tinkintraining]

Yep - just like paper tickets. Hand over the sheet of A4 you will have no doubt printed your email out on to and they will stick your baggage receipts to it and your off to catch your plane! :thumbs:

[rainy]

Yep - just like paper tickets. Hand over the sheet of A4 you will have no doubt printed your email out on to and they will stick your baggage receipts to it and your off to catch your plane! :thumbs:



ok, that all seems pretty straight forward but...... i've not had an email saying i'm going to get e-tickets. Any corrospondance(did i spell that right) i've had with them has always been through the post. I'm expecting my tickets in about two weeks so if im going to get e-tickets will they send me an email then and then i print it off or would i have known by now. Hope that all makes sense :) :confused:

[Whitequeen]

Have you booked with Virgin Holidays or Virgin Atlantic direct?

You'll get the old type paper tickets with VH and an e-ticket with VA.

[rainy]

Have you booked with Virgin Holidays or Virgin Atlantic direct?

You'll get the old type paper tickets with VH and an e-ticket with VA.

I've booked with virgin holidays, thanks whitequeen.
just one more quick question, i already have my disney tickets etc but i did order a trip to kennedy with them, will i get a voucher for that or the proper ticket. I didn't want to have to go to the welcome meeting just to swap a voucher for a proper ticket.

[Whitequeen]

Sorry! Can't help with that one. I've never been with Virgin Holidays.
I'm sure someone will have the answer, although I have a sneeky suspicion you have to pick them up at the Virgin meet.:unsure:

[Wendy L]

I've booked with virgin holidays, thanks whitequeen.
just one more quick question, i already have my disney tickets etc but i did order a trip to kennedy with them, will i get a voucher for that or the proper ticket. I didn't want to have to go to the welcome meeting just to swap a voucher for a proper ticket.

I think Virgin give you vouchers now which you exchange at Kennedy at one of the kiosks.

[Keith]

I've booked with virgin holidays, thanks whitequeen.
just one more quick question, i already have my disney tickets etc but i did order a trip to kennedy with them, will i get a voucher for that or the proper ticket. I didn't want to have to go to the welcome meeting just to swap a voucher for a proper ticket.

When I went to KSC with virgin holidays, they sent a voucher that I had to swap at the welcome meeting. It was at that meeting where they told me which days the tour operated and asked me when I wanted to go. Then they'd phone gator tours to arrange it and printed me a ticket for that day.

[rainy]

When I went to KSC with virgin holidays, they sent a voucher that I had to swap at the welcome meeting. It was at that meeting where they told me which days the tour operated and asked me when I wanted to go. Then they'd phone gator tours to arrange it and printed me a ticket for that day.


Would i not be able to catch up with the rep at the hotel ?
When i booked the trip over the phone they asked what day i wanted and they said they had booked me on it. They told me the trip to kennedy went every day !!!!

[Keith]

Would i not be able to catch up with the rep at the hotel ?
When i booked the trip over the phone they asked what day i wanted and they said they had booked me on it. They told me the trip to kennedy went every day !!!!

They told me that too!

It may be different now so take this with a pinch of salt but....

When I booked I said no to every tour. They phoned back, I said NO! Finally they phoned back and went on about what great value their tickets were so I said ok to the KSC ones. I asked if I'd get proper tickets "yes", I asked if I could do Wednesday "yes".

A week before we left, I got a collection of virgin "exchange these at orlando welcome meeting" tickets. I was REALLY mad. I phoned and of course, usual customer service, we can't do anything but you can change them at the uk airport, orlando airport, hotel etc. so whats your problem?

So I got to manchester, went to the virgin desk. "we're virgin atlantic not virgin holidays, ask in orlando"

Got to orlando airport, "sorry we cant do anything you need to speak to the rep at your hotel"

Got to the hotel "sorry no rep here other than for the welcome meeting" (you can see where this is going).

So, I got up at stupid time AM (8am or something) and went downstairs. Annoyingly bouncy virgin rep was there already and tried to give me a name badge. I explained I already knew my name and all I needed was my tickets.

But no..... not until the actual meeting.

Sat there getting less and less impressed. 30 mins of pure selling followed.... book shows! book tours! get money changed! They even tried to sell me cirque de soleil tickets despite me knowing it was closed that week.

Finally something like an hour after getting there, they tried to get my ksc tickets. Wednesday I said, Oh they're only going tue/thu this week. ... but wednesday was when we scheduled! well no, tue&thur are when they go.

*SIGH* fine I snarled. Tuesday.

Could she get the ticket machine working? could she heck :( so then, it was "oh well tell you what give me your credit card and I'll do it as a fresh reservation" .... and you'll refund the payment we made in the uk? "oh well I cant do that you'll have to complain when you get back to the UK"

Much *SERIOUS* complaining followed and finally she agreed to try and work it out with the uk for us.

Well finally a week later we got a call on our room phone saying we were booked on the tuesday. We turned up and of course the gator tours guy said "where's your ticket".... we didn't have a proper one.... so he phoned virgin and we made everyone late :( Finally it was all worked out.

It was a nightmare from start to fininsh. I'll never book trips with virgin holidays again.


All that having been said, ours felt like a one off.. like a "we just started doing this and dont understand it yet" kinda affair... so I'm sure you'll be ok... BUT we certainly couldn't catch up with a rep at the hotel other than the welcome meeting.

[rainy]

Looks like we will be in for a fun time then keith. The welcome meetings are a waste of time unless it's your first time there.
Our KSC trip is planned for our second week so if we don't turn up for the welcome meeting on the first day they will have to issue our ticket when they visit the hotel (well i hope they will anyway)
We have also booked transport with them for that day so would the bus driver just take the voucher instead of actual tickets ? :)

[tonyv]

Hi Keith How did you stay so calm for so long

[PaulaK]

I booked a flight with VA last Friday and wasn't given an option for paper tickets or E-Tickets. I had to pay in full and this morning real tickets have arrived in a nice silver wallet. :D Very fast service and all correct :thumbs:

[Vikki]

I know you said it didn't give you the option, but did it state which you would get?

[PaulaK]

I know you said it didn't give you the option, but did it state which you would get?

No it didn't. It's because I paid for someone else's ticket with my credit card via the website. :)

[Keith]

I wish I had real tickets for December <sniff>

I had e-tickets for virgin, e-receipts for MVMCP, e-ticket for airport lounge... I wish I had a nice folder full of "real" things to look forward to

[Whitequeen]

There, there....:there:

We could make you a nice folder.:)

[Keith]

There, there....:there:

We could make you a nice folder.:)

Need <sniff> a nice <sniff> <sob> folder <cry>

[Vikki]

No it didn't. It's because I paid for someone else's ticket with my credit card via the website. :)

Ahhhhh, I see :D

[Wendy L]

Need <sniff> a nice <sniff> <sob> folder <cry>

:hug: I know what you mean Keith, it's not the same as having the "real thing"

[jim81563]

Was just looking on the Virgin Atlantic site and it says when I book, the ticket will be an e-ticket

Ticket type: E-ticket(s)

You are travelling on an e-ticket. You will be emailed an e-ticket receipt, which will be sent to you within 96 hours, to the e-mail address provided. The e-ticket receipt must be printed out and taken to airport check-in on the day of departure, along with the card used to make the booking, and the appropriate travel documents. In addition, you will receive a confirmation e-mail from us as soon as you have completed your booking.

Has anyone ever used these? I think it'll be odd not to have a 'proper' ticket. Not that I mind, as long as it's a ticket! Would like some experiences of these though from anyone whos used one :)

I used Virgin e tickets for the 1st time earlier this year on a flight to New York, and then again in April when we flew out to Orlando, not a problem at all, just take a printout copy and you will be fine. Speaking as a travel agent you would not believe the number of times I have had a call to say 'I have lost my paper ticket - what do I do now?? :oops: ' - with an e ticket - what is there to lose? Nothing at all. It is the way of the future and in a few years from now paper tickets will be a thing of the past. Also, if you are flying from Gatwick then I would thoroughlly recommend the 'twilight check in' facility. The ability to check in the night before the flight is brilliant - having seen what the queues are like on the morning of a flight, if you can do it - then do, makes for a much less stressful day :)

Enjoy!!

[Vikki]

'I have lost my paper ticket - what do I do now?? :oops: ' - with an e ticket - what is there to lose? Nothing at all. It is the way of the future and in a few years from now paper tickets will be a thing of the past.

Never thought of it like that.......

[JuniorMickey]

I can't remember ever having a paper ticket. Granted, I only fly domestic, but I've e-tickets for as long as I can remember. Keith you can always make a pretty folder for yourself - I do it! (I actually had a binder) with park times, EMH hours, PS chart, eticket, confirmations etc. all with pretty tabs

[Keith]

Im the last person to dislike E-anything <G> but I miss the tickets and I miss the other stuff too like luggage tags that used to get sent. I notice virgin aren't charging any less either :)

[Wendy L]

I notice virgin aren't charging any less either :)

No surprise there really I suppose :rolleyes: we make their jobs easier and they make more money!

[Vikki]

Just got my e-ticket......very unexciting! Wish I had something through the post to open :D

[Chris/Lisa]

I told them I didn't want them e-mailed and they sent them through the post just for that reason - sad I know :D

[Vikki]

Ah right. I did mine online so wasn't given the choice...... Must admit, when it's in an e-mail it makes you read all of the small print, never do that with 'normal' tickets

[triciacarole]

I've just booked today and receive e-tickets about an hour later, it is not as exciting as getting proper tickets in the post, even a fancy certificate style ticket by e-mail would have been nice, this look so bland :(

[Vikki]

Yeeeeey! But you are booked!