Traveling with Paper Airline Tickets

[mecarroll]

I'm freaking out a little bit and hopefully you experienced folks can help me calm down. I will be going to WDW on my honeymoon in just about 4 weeks. I purchased airline tickets through the Disney Travel and got paper tickets (not e-tickets). Yes, I know...STUPID!!! But, that's all that could be issued when purchasing through Disney and traveling on Airtran.

I'm not too worried about my trip to Disney as we are leaving from a rather small airport and check-in will not be a problem. Since the airline we are traveling does not seat assigments until we check in (either on-line or at the airport) and paper tickets require you to check-in at the airport, I'm a little worried about leaving from MCO on my trip back. Has anyone had paper tickets before and traveled out of MCO? What has been your experience with getting decent seat assignments? Should I get to the airport REALLY early?

 

[seashoreCM]

You can inquire about converting the return trip to electronic tickets when you check in for the outgoing trip or even when you arrive in Orlando. Not sure which airlines will oblige.

You can arrange the trip from resort back to the airport, including Magical Express, earlier to allow more time for check in etc.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[safetymom]

No you don't need to get to the airport extra early. Check and make sure you weren't issued seat assignments when you bought the tickets. Certain agencies can assign seats ahead of time with Airtran.

You will be fine. No need to worry.

 

[mamamary]

We just returned on 11/7 from MCO and we were flying AirTran with paper tickets. I was worried also about seat assignments (we have 2 kids). My sister in law was our travel agent and she said sometimes when you land at MCO go to the Air Tran area and they might be able to do your return seat assignments. Well I somehow forgot to do that When we returned to MCO on 11/7 we checked in (about 2 1/2 hrs early) and they said they still couldn't assign seats because all that was available together was the emergency exit row and young children couldn't sit there. I started to panic but they said when we get to the gate they would move people around for us. So I guess you might try to do what I should have done and check in at Air Tran at MCO when you land.

Good luck.

 

[dudspizza]

We just returned on 11/7 from MCO and we were flying AirTran with paper tickets. I was worried also about seat assignments (we have 2 kids). My sister in law was our travel agent and she said sometimes when you land at MCO go to the Air Tran area and they might be able to do your return seat assignments. Well I somehow forgot to do that When we returned to MCO on 11/7 we checked in (about 2 1/2 hrs early) and they said they still couldn't assign seats because all that was available together was the emergency exit row and young children couldn't sit there. I started to panic but they said when we get to the gate they would move people around for us. So I guess you might try to do what I should have done and check in at Air Tran at MCO when you land.

Good luck.

It also wouldn't hurt to call Airtran now and politely ask if they can assign you seats. Explain you have paper tickets and booked through a TA (Disney Travel Co.). They may or may not be nice to you, but it is worth a try.

I did have some friends who traveled on the same flight as us and ended up getting seat assignments all over the plane. They had to negotiate with other passengers so they could sit with one of their kids. All passengers were super nice and moved with no problem, though they were offered a aisle seat for their trouble. Our friends learned you don't get to the airport 1 hour before your flight and expect to get seat assignments together.

I will never buy another airline ticket that isn't ticketless. I love the secure feeling of online check in.

Things will work out for you... enjoy your trip..... and I like the idea of stopping at Airtran at MCO when you land.... give that a try if a phone call doens't work.

Duds