The most common use for electronic tickets today is with air travel; airlines have virtually eliminated paper tickets by charging more for them than for electronic tickets. Although companies such as Greyhound, Amtrak, or Fandango offer the option to buy tickets online, technically these tickets are not electronic because they can be used by anyone holding the ticket you pick up at a ticketing counter at the business location, or printed out at home, or because a paper ticket is required to be verified for travel or entrance.
Electronic tickets are commonly purchased online, over the phone, or from travel agents. A merchant will inform you that the ticket is electronic, and will require you to provide personal information depending on its requirements. You will receive a confirmation number regarding your purchase; keep this number and any receipt that you receive. It's advisable to print the confirmation number and get a receipt for your own records.
The merchant providing your electronic ticket should inform you what forms of identification and documentation must be presented at the time of travel or the event. Most will require photo identification ,such as a driver's license or passport, but some accept alternative forms of ID such as marriage certificates, confirmation numbers or credit cards. Be sure to confirm that you have the appropriate ID in advance; on the day of travel or the event, present it at the check-in kiosk or counter.
Customers commonly worry that if they do not have a "real" paper ticket in hand their purchase might not be complete. The best way to satisfy this concern is by contacting the airline or other company directly to confirm that your ticket purchase is correct and complete. If you're traveling, many airlines allow you to look up your itineraries online using your credit card information, frequent-flier number, or confirmation code. Keep in mind that the confirmation number is almost always different than the actual ticket number, which will be issued when ID is presented.
