Want to help answer my stupid question?!

[iheartmickey1111]

I KNOW this is probably a very stupid question, but I really want our next trip to run as smooth as possible. I have downloaded from a couple places some little printable vacation planning 'worksheets' and on all of the checklists before you leave, it says to confirm your flight reservations with the airline. I've NEVER confirmed anything with anyone before- I've just bought the airline tickets online, printed out my receipt with reservation number and headed on out to the airport and I've never had any problems.

Can someone please tell me why you would do this, or if you need to this?

And please no rude remarks, I realize this is a silly question!

 

[DLB]

I have never confirmed anything either. In fact I never even get tickets.. Just an email confirmation. Go to the counter and get the tickets there.
Easy.... no fuss.

 

[robinb]

Some airlines change flight times at the drop of a hat. Last December my flight on Delta was changed about 4 times and was scheduled to arrive at MCO a good 4 hours after it was supposed to arrive. I was able to change my flight for free to a better flight . I have had flights moved back and moved forward. So ... if you put yourself on "autopilot" you may miss your flight or arrive at the airport way too early.

ETA: Opps! I forgot to answer your question. You confirm that your flight has not changed by going to the airline website and entering the "record locator number" (or confirmation number) into the appropriate field.

 

[iheartmickey1111]

Some airlines change flight times at the drop of a hat. Last December my flight on Delta was changed about 4 times and was scheduled to arrive at MCO a good 4 hours after it was supposed to arrive. I was able to change my flight for free to a better flight . I have had flights moved back and moved forward. So ... if you put yourself on "autopilot" you may miss your flight or arrive at the airport way too early.

ETA: Opps! I forgot to answer your question. You confirm that your flight has not changed by going to the airline website and entering the "record locator number" (or confirmation number) into the appropriate field.

Oooohh!!! Well then, I suppose I have just been lucky! Thank you so much!

 

[kaytieeldr]

Still waiting for the stupid question...

 

[goofy4tink]

There are NO stupid questions. As noted already, just go to the airline site and plug in your itinerary number (or confirmation number). This will show you if the flight is still the same as when you booked.
An example for you.....
back a few years ago, I flew to WDW solo. My dh and dd were going to fly down to meet me 2 days later. Okay, no biggie. They had a connecting flight...Boston to NY to Orlando. My dh is absolutely anal about checking flight status...he checks right up until he walks out the door. Drives me nutty. Well...he checked the status, Jetblue site said the flight was 'ontime', so out the door they go. My dh always leaves earlier than most people...again, drives me nutty. So, they get to Logan about 2.5 hrs prior to departure. And what does he find when he goes to checkin, at the kiosk??? Flight has been cancelled!!! So, he goes up to the counter to see what the story is. Oh, no problem sir, we have put you on a later flight. Yeah, well that flight gets him into NY about an hour after his connecting flight departs...and that flight is the last one out to Orlando that night!!!! He is not happy!!! So, they ask if he has checked luggage. No, only carryon. Okay.....we can get you on a flight that is boarding right now...can you run??? Okay, lets go kid. So, they rush them through security and onto the plane....as my dh is telling our dd (11) that she may end up sitting apart from him. They are the last onboard, they are given seats together, and the doors close!!! Of course, they have to spend about 3 hrs in NY, waiting for that connecting flight.
But, moral of the story....check on your flights.

I have checked online to see that my flight has been cancelled but since it's a ways down the road, they haven't notified me yet. So, then you can be proactive and call the airline to make alternative arrangements....which are sometimes very advantageous for you.

 

[iheartmickey1111]

There are NO stupid questions. As noted already, just go to the airline site and plug in your itinerary number (or confirmation number). This will show you if the flight is still the same as when you booked.
An example for you.....
back a few years ago, I flew to WDW solo. My dh and dd were going to fly down to meet me 2 days later. Okay, no biggie. They had a connecting flight...Boston to NY to Orlando. My dh is absolutely anal about checking flight status...he checks right up until he walks out the door. Drives me nutty. Well...he checked the status, Jetblue site said the flight was 'ontime', so out the door they go. My dh always leaves earlier than most people...again, drives me nutty. So, they get to Logan about 2.5 hrs prior to departure. And what does he find when he goes to checkin, at the kiosk??? Flight has been cancelled!!! So, he goes up to the counter to see what the story is. Oh, no problem sir, we have put you on a later flight. Yeah, well that flight gets him into NY about an hour after his connecting flight departs...and that flight is the last one out to Orlando that night!!!! He is not happy!!! So, they ask if he has checked luggage. No, only carryon. Okay.....we can get you on a flight that is boarding right now...can you run??? Okay, lets go kid. So, they rush them through security and onto the plane....as my dh is telling our dd (11) that she may end up sitting apart from him. They are the last onboard, they are given seats together, and the doors close!!! Of course, they have to spend about 3 hrs in NY, waiting for that connecting flight.
But, moral of the story....check on your flights.

I have checked online to see that my flight has been cancelled but since it's a ways down the road, they haven't notified me yet. So, then you can be proactive and call the airline to make alternative arrangements....which are sometimes very advantageous for you.

Ok, you guys have me convinced- I WILL be checking flights! Especially because we have to drive 3 hours to another state just to GET to the airport, stay the night there and then get to the airport by 5:30am!!

I guess I have just gotten lucky all these years! Thanks!!

 

[alaska8]

Years ago on international flights (before online checkin.....or online anything) you had to call 24 hours before your flight to reconfirm you were taking that flight. This was when ticket rules were a little more flexible and if you wanted to change your flight dates/times you didnt have to pay such a hefty fee (if any)
Its always a good idea to double check your flight times especially before you leave for the airport. If you do see that your flight is delayed I would advise checking by phone with the airline. Sometimes a flight will be on a mechanical delay and show a new departure time of say a few hours later but then the airline operations department does some switching and changing and finds a new aircraft or fixes the original and the delay time is shorter than expected(not so nice if you are still at your home!)

 

[stauncie]

Also, if you are someone like me, who doesn't matter where they sit on the plane and doesn't like to pay additional $$ for an assigned seat when you purchase the ticket,
at the 24 hour mark, you can pick your seat, and print your boarding pass from the comfort of your own home.
If you don't have any checked luggage, when you get to the airport, you can totally bypass the counter altogether and go straight to the security checkpoint.

There is nothing more frustrating, than having to stand in a LONG line just to get a boarding pass that you could have printed out yourself at home.

 

[iheartmickey1111]

I love that there is always something new to learn! I have traveled an awful lot, mostly alone, since hitting adulthood, and thought I was pretty darn good at it! I will definitely change up my travel routine a bit because I am ALWAYS so worried that something will go wrong at the airport and get me to my destination late!

Thanks everyone! You all rock!