The gift of flight might seem like the perfect idea – but is it allowed?
It’s the season of gifting! If you’re not a fan of the annual present-shopping scramble, perhaps this might be an idea you’d like to consider: the gift of travel. Flight tickets, be it for a holiday or to visit loved ones, can make meaningful and memorable gifts. But are you actually allowed to buy someone an airline ticket as a gift?
Technically, airlines allow you to purchase tickets on behalf of someone else, as long as you have all the required information:
Before placing the booking, always ensure that the above documents are valid and are not close to expiration. Most countries will only accept passports that are at least six months from expiration.
One other very important thing to remember is that the ticket should be in the passenger’s name and not yours. Their name must be spelled correctly – even a minor mistake could prevent your passenger from boarding, which will certainly turn your perfect gift into an unforgettably tragic one!
So you’ve decided to go ahead with buying the ticket – here’s how you can make it the best possible gift. You may want to think about adding extra touches: purchasing lounge access, getting the best seats, and opting for priority boarding could make the trip more enjoyable, especially for nervous flyers.
If, after reading this, you feel like buying a flight ticket for someone else might be too much effort, you could consider flight passes (like Singapore Airlines’ Flight Pass, Malaysia Airlines’ MHflypass, and TAP Air Portugal’s unlimited Europe Flight Pass), which are essentially credit vouchers that your loved ones can use to purchase tickets of their choice.
Buying tickets for an unaccompanied minor? Check this out instead.
Writer – Nicole holds a bachelor’s degree in aviation management and has worked in the CEO’s office of a major flag carrier. She has written about healthcare, lifestyle, and travel but says that “aviation trumps all else”. Based in Australia