Air Canada ~ no paper ticket??????

[SandraC]

Hi All! In January I booked and paid for our Air Canada seats to Florida for upcoming April trip. On the phone they said they don't issue tickets, but did mail me an itinerary with the flight info. They said we should just go to the airport and a boarding pass will be issued there. I have called a couple times for info and given my confirmation/reference # and we are in the computer ~ anyone else experience this?

 

[ddawg]

We booked with Air Canada and received paper tickets . My daughter just flew with Tango by Air Canada and she had an electronic ticket and it worked out fine.

 

[from Canada]

We had the electronic tickets in February, and there was no problem. I would recommend using the "express" check in at Pearson for Air Candada...this was great for us....really cut on our wait in line. There is info about this on the Air Canada website.
Karen

 

[blizzard]

I work for Air Canada and I will second the recommendation to use the kiosk for check-in. It basically lets you bypass the long lines. I believe they have changed them to ask for info re: passport or birth certificate, so make sure you have those with you. Basically you enter your Aeroplan card or a credit card and it will pull up your reservation and allow you to select seats. You can also check luggage, so don't worry about that.

Electronic tickets are the wave of the future, and actually are good for the customer too, as you don't have to do the "Did we bring the tickets?" on the way to the airport. There is nothing for you to lose either. On the other hand, sometimes you can run into problems if you need to be switched to another airline for some reason, then the tickets need to be converted to paper first. We have agreements with some other airlines to accept e-tickets, but not all. This is about the only drawback.

Relax and enjoy your vacation!

 

[SandraC]

Hi, it's me the dumb blond ~ LOL ~ I went to the Air Canada web site to read about the curb side check in and I can't figure it out ~ see dumb blond!!!!

We already have pre-selected seats can we still use this system? Can you example it, but type very very S...L...O...W...L...Y

LOL! Sandra

 

[from Canada]

http://www.aircanada.ca/services/kiosk/
Sandra, here is the link for the "express check in". This is not the same as "curb side check in". The link gives you a demonstration on how to use the service. It was great for us. After you're done at the kiosk, you go to an employee who takes your luggage, and checks your ID. It is WAY better that waiting in a long line!!
HTH
Karen

 

[SandraC]

Thanks, more questions from silly 'ol blond lady:

(1) Where is this Kiosk located?

(2) I have pre-selected seats, can I still use this service?

(3) If I screw up, is there someone around to help?

(4) Once I use this Kiosk, where do I go with my luggage?

(5) Are there long lines?

(6) How long do you think it'll take to do 4 people?

(7) We have a big car seat and stroller, is that okay?

(8) Our flight is at 10:15am, We planned on arriving at the airport at 7:30am, is that enough time?

THANKS SO MUCH! Sandra

 

[from Canada]

OK...hope I can help.

1. The Kiosks (there are a whole bunch of them) are just to the left or the "regular" counter for Air Canada

2. Yes, we had pre selected seats (I think most Air Canada flights do) and we used this service

3. I doubt you'll screw up. If you do, you are 2 or 3 feet from the baggage check in, and they could help you. In fact our situation was a little wierd, because I had one e-ticket for 4 members of our family and the 5th family member was on her own tickety. We ended up checking the 4 in at the Kiosk...than proceeded to the baggage counter, and they checked in the 5th member there. No problems with this, and no hassle either.

4. Once you use the Kiosk, walk approximately 3 feet foreward, and you'll check your bags here.

5. There are many Kiosks, and we went to one with no line at all. (Even if there were a little line, it would be quicker than the usual way)

6. I think it might take you 5 minutes at the Kiosk, and 5 to 10 min at the baggage counter. (The baggage counter is where you show your ID)

7. Stroller/ Car Seat would not be any more of a problem than going to the regular line.

8. We too had a 10:15 flight. We got to the Airport at 7:00 and really, that was too early. (We wanted to go early as we had to drive form Barrie, and you never know how the morning commute will go). So, I definately think that 7:30 is more than enough time. We were a little worried since 9/11 that it would take a long time to get through security, but after our trip down we saw that 2 hours really was enough, so on our trip back to Canada, we got to the Orlando ariport just 2 hours early, and that was plenty of time.

HTH
Karen

 

[blizzard]

Just a quick update - was down to the US via Toronto on the weekend, and the kiosks have indeed been updated to have you enter your passport/birth certificate information when you check in. If you have them handy, it shouldn't be a problem. We had 4 people to check in, and it went quite quickly. You will have to enter full name (if it is not correct on your ticket), gender, birthdate, and document type and number. (This info is being required by the US gov't prior to the plane landing in the US)

The kiosks are very easy to use, and are easy to figure out. There is usually a customer service agent assigned to the kiosks if you are having problems, but if you can use an ATM, you will have no problems with the kiosk. Toronto is actually somewhat easier than other cities, because there was very little lineup to check baggage.

As for arriving early, be prepared for lineups at customs/immigration and through security. These were the longest lineups I have experienced going through Toronto. If it is close to your flight, they will pull you out of line, but in consideration to others, try to allow lots of time. One hour prior to flight time should be fine to be getting into line for immigration.

Most of all - relax and have fun. Airports can be stressful, but only if you let it. Consider the vacation started when you leave home.

 

[SandraC]

Embarassing...but...I have been married 11 years and I haven't changed my last name on my driver's licence, my only photo ID. I have a legal Change of Name card and my Marriage Licence (the credit card size) in my wallet at all times for when I need photo ID to proof that my name was changed. Do you think that will be a problem at the kiosk?

 

[blizzard]

You are supposed to use your legal name on your ticket, when you check in, and at the kiosk. At the kiosk, you enter your legal name and the number on your passport or birth certificate or landed immigrant card. It should not be a problem if the name you enter and the name on your document don't match (ie: using a birth certificate, but married and changed name). Where you may run into a hassle, although you have further proof, is when you need to show photo ID to board the plane. In this case, if your driver's licence and your ticket names do not match, they may ask for further ID. Just show them your marriage certificate and I doubt it will cause any more discussion. If you have time though, you may want to get your driver's licence updated before you go. This would eliminate all questions. Not sure what the DMV policy is where you are, but some will let you change name for no cost, as long as you bring proof (marriage certificate).