Booking flight before new passport arrives?
I am booking a flight for January 30 with Cebu Pacific. I tried to contact them about this, still waiting for a reply.
One person in our group didn't have a passport and already applied for one. He was told by the authorities that it will arrive on January 20.
By then, the flight might be overbooked, or extremely expensive. This person has never flown before, much less leave his home country. I need to accompany this person no matter what, and it is also very important for this person and us to make this trip since it's for attending a marriage that can't be postponed. It's not an easy situation.
Is it a terrible idea to book the flight with random passport number and then when he gets his passport we call the airline and ask to fix the number? All other information of the passenger would be the same.
Related: For my flight, can I provide my old passport number until my new passport arrives?
Best Answer
You typically don’t need a passport number to book a flight; you will only need the passport at check-in.
The risk is really that the passport does not come in time for the flight, as that would be your/his loss; he would miss the flight, and neither the airline nor the passport office will reimburse you in any way.
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Answer 2
It is very common to book travel before having the relevant documentation, including Passports or Visas. For this reason, they are not required until just before travel will commence.
Book the tickets without entering any Passport or Visa information. Then, when the Passport arrives, update the reservation or provide the information at the airport during checking. Be sure to arrive extra early to do this.
Note, if for any reason the Passport or any visas are not issued, you may not be entitled to a refund as it is the travelers sole responsibility to have these before travel.
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