Reservation, itinerary or ticket: a plain guide
What a flight reservation, an itinerary plan and a paid ticket each are, what they prove and how to pick the right one for your request.
Three flight documents are often confused. Knowing the difference saves time with embassies, employers and airlines.
A paid ticket
- A ticket is issued by the airline after payment. It lets you board the flight. It has a ticket number.
A reservation
- A reservation is a booking held by the airline for a limited time. It has a booking reference (PNR) you can check on the airline website. It is not paid and it is not a ticket.
An itinerary plan
- An itinerary plan is a list of flights built from real schedules. Nothing is booked, so it has no booking reference. It shows a clear travel plan.
How to choose
- Read the request word by word.
- "Reservation" or "booking reference": choose a reservation.
- "Itinerary" or "travel plan": an itinerary plan may be enough.
- "Ticket" or "proof of payment": ask the requester or buy a ticket.
Check the official checklist
This guide is general information, not legal advice, and it does not guarantee a visa. Rules differ by country, visa type and consulate, and they change. Follow the checklist of the embassy or visa centre you apply to.