Job Discussion Forums

Railway3 · Joined: 31 Aug 2009 Posts: 57 Location: UK

Can anyone please explain me how does PTA (pre paid airline ticket) work? or what it is?
I have now got the visa and have been adviced by the university that they have arranged PTA (pre paid airline ticket) for me. They will send it to me soon....how are they going to send? by post or email? any idea?

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Sat Oct 17, 2009 6:57 pm Post subject:

Typically, it's sent by email. In reality, it's merely a number that you quote to the person at the check-in counter. Good luck.

NCTBA

Railway3 · Joined: 31 Aug 2009 Posts: 57 Location: UK

Dear NCTBA
I am sorry I am too thik to understand what you said......do you mind explaining me in details please? Plus if it just a ticket number and they have already got it why they didnt quote it when they emailed me confirming that it has been done?

reneebcc · Joined: 26 Jan 2009 Posts: 60 Location: Georgia

I'm in the same situation. Everything is complete except the ticket issue. It seems like they keep putting it off or maybe trying to send us together as a group. I don't know what the delay is. Confused

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

You go to the airline, quote the number and they let you board. Simple.
With e-tickets they do not always require the number - the name on your passport is enough.

PTA's are not new. They were around years ago. I too had doubts when I was first told to do this. I arived at Heathrow in 1990, on the instructions of my emplkoyer. I was down to my last fiver and had no way of getting back home if it failed. Hope triumphed and British Airways acknowledged that I was booked and my ticket had been paid for.

I spent my last fiver on a cup of coffee and a packet of cigarettes. That was still possible in 1990 - but it was a packet of ten cigarettes.

Incidentally "PTA" is airline-speak for Prepaid Ticket Advice

saharastars · Joined: 30 Sep 2009 Posts: 107 Location: Wonderland

Hi there all,

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Never heard of that. If you throw money at them they might accept it. Why not ask ? What airline are you flying on ?

Middle East Beast · Joined: 05 Mar 2008 Posts: 836 Location: Up a tree

johnslat · Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2009 4:04 pm Post subject:

Dear Middle East Beast,

I agree with what you wrote about Saudia - it's the pits. I flew Saudia all through the 80s because back then, you could get unlimited stops, no extra charge, on the way out and back. But when they stopped that practice, I started taking the "half-fare" option, which, by the way, when I used it, was more than enough to purchase a full round-trip fare on a much better airline.

Regards,
John

Middle East Beast · Joined: 05 Mar 2008 Posts: 836 Location: Up a tree

Thanks, John.

Railway3, if PTA=eTicket, then no worries. They work very well.

If they email you a copy of the eTicket, just print it out and take it with you to the airport--but it's not required. Your passport will suffice.

ETickets are the wave of the present and future. Some day there will be no more paper tickets.

Being an environmentalist (yes, tree-hugger to the right-wingers who like using the derogatory term), I'm all for it. Besides, you don't have to worry about losing your ticket.

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2009 4:26 pm Post subject:

Boeing had a "Fly saudia" policy on all out-bound and in-bound sectors. That meant a change of equipment and AIRLINES obligatory at Manama or Dubai going and coming.

Speaking of toilets, our first flight on saudia was a Frankfort-riyadh flight on an old Lockheed 1011-200 (probably one of those at the saudia boneyard in taif)...you know the kind that had 5 terlits in a semi circle at the rear of the plane. Four didn't work and the fifth couldn't stop flushing! Laughing

I flew saudia because nothing else was offered...I kept flying saudia for the recorded prayers before takeoffs.

"Allah Akbarrrrrr, Allah Akbarrrrrr..." Cool

NCTBA

Middle East Beast · Joined: 05 Mar 2008 Posts: 836 Location: Up a tree

Sometimes (like this time) I do appreciate your sense of humor, NCTBA.

Yes, I had to follow that lousy policy during one of my contracts there. I HATED it! That's how I logged so many thousands of miles on Saudia. Given a choice, NEVER.

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2009 4:43 pm Post subject:

johnslat · Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2009 4:44 pm Post subject:

Dear Middle East Beast and NCTBA,

FEEL THE LOVE. OK, everyone: GROUP HUG! Very Happy

Regards,
John

Middle East Beast · Joined: 05 Mar 2008 Posts: 836 Location: Up a tree

Super! Now everyone join me for a rousing chorus of "Cume Baya!" Laughing

(I had to misspell the first word in the song title to get it past the *beeper*.)