Travelers Advised to Hold on to Boarding Passes After Landing
Even as airlines shift to digital tickets, seasoned travelers suggest keeping boarding passes after a trip. They can help recover frequent-flier miles and serve as proof for insurance claims involving delays, cancellations, or lost baggage.
Digital technology is gradually reducing the use of paper, including in the travel industry. Last year, low-cost carrier Ryanair did away with paper tickets altogether. However, experienced travelers warn that passengers should not throw away their boarding passes immediately after a flight, as the documents can still be useful.
According to Travel + Leisure, people often feel tempted to discard a printed boarding pass or delete its screenshot from their phone once they reach their destination. Experts suggest holding on to it for a while, because it may offer several unexpected benefits and potentially save tourists time, money and hassle later.
One key reason is that airline computer systems sometimes make mistakes. If a carrier fails to credit miles to a passenger's loyalty account, the saved boarding pass can serve as evidence that the trip took place and help the traveler recover the missing points.
A boarding pass can also be used as additional proof when contacting an insurance company about compensation for a delayed or cancelled flight, as well as for lost luggage. In such situations, having the document on hand can make the process easier.
Experts also advise paying attention to how boarding passes are disposed of. The barcode on the ticket may contain private information, including an email address, a phone number and other personal details. Therefore, paper tickets should be shredded before being thrown away, rather than simply tossed into the bin.
