A reservation is not a ticket

A reservation stores an itinerary and passenger details for a defined time. A ticket is issued only after the fare is paid and carries its own e-ticket number and fare conditions.

What should the document show?

Check that the passenger name matches the passport, the route and dates are correct, and the airline or flight details and booking reference appear when available. A designed image or random number is not a verifiable reservation.

When does it expire?

The airline or issuing provider determines the hold period. It varies by route, booking class and issue time, so rely on the expiry shown in your confirmation rather than assuming a fixed number of hours.

Quick checklist

  • Match the name to the passport exactly.
  • Review the route and dates before issue.
  • Confirm the actual validity window.
  • Check the receiving authority’s requirements.