what is your experience with online check-in, qr codes, kiosks and printed boarding passes?

Rentlar , 4 months ago

So long as you have the QR Code/bar code available and printed out, then you will be fine. Many places will allow you to just pull up a screenshot of the code that was sent to your email on your mobile device. I dislike installing apps I don't need so I try to use alternatives where I can.

Failing that your name and reservation number (for airlines it is a 6 character alphanumeric string) should do the trick but then you still need to go to a kiosk or checkin counter.

_edge , 4 months ago

Short version: Follow the instructions you received, it will work.

Long version:

• Printed PDF on regular paper will always work. Just make sure that the 2D barcode (usually rectangular) gets printed. (Some countries may have other codes for domestic flights.)
• Mobile boarding pass with 2D barcode (usual square) also works on (practically all) airline/airports. (You don't need an internet connection, but if you receive this via email make sure it's available offline. If it's an airline app, make a screenshot. If it's Apple/Google Wallet or Passbook, don't worry.)
• As you noticed above, the print and mobile versions look different. Both will work.
• Most airlines have kiosks where you can get a printed boarding pass whether you checked-in online or not. This is your back-up option if your phone's battery is about to die, the mobile boarding pass does not work, or there was an operational change that requires a new boarding pass.
• Tiny airports that don't work with mobile boarding passes will have staff to print the boarding pass for you.
• If you are checking in luggage with a human agent, you will probably get a printed boarding pass.

If I download the airline’s app to [...], will the airline spam me with ads I don’t want?

Probably yes. Or the app just refuses to work. Airline apps deserve the bad app store rating.

Can I both print the boarding pass at home AND get the qr code to print the boarding pass at the kiosk?

With sane airlines, yes. Standard protocol is to use the last boarding pass generated. So, if for any reason, you get a new boarding pass at the airport, you will use this, not the one printed at home or on your phone. Some airlines will not accept the old barcode or it confuses their system.

Apparently there is something called ‘receive boarding pass by sms’. How does this work?

Old system. They will send you an MMS message or a link. If you don't have internet at the airport, you must download the link before you get there.

Another short version: Always have three things with you:

• The booking reference, usually 6 characters
• a valid ID
• whatever you received from the airline during booking or check-in

Booking reference and last name are the magic code that will get you a boarding pass most anywhere.

DeltaTangoLima , 4 months ago

Flawless for me, using the Qantas app here in Australia. Just a shame their service itself has turned to absolute flaming dogshit.

scytale , 4 months ago

For me, the primary advantages of a mobile boarding pass are:

• No need to get in line at the airline counter and you can go straight to security.

• You can sneak in your carry-on or personal bag without them inspecting the size or weight. Sure, some budget airlines still check at the boarding gate, but they only usually pick out bags that are obviously too large.

You usually have to register with an email to access your qr code on an airline’s app, so yes you will definitely be getting emails for promos and such. If you don’t want that, you can use a throwaway email when buying tickets ans registering on their app. The qr code is the boarding pass itself. So if you insist on printing a boarding pass, then just request one at the check-in counter.

Sequentialsilence , 4 months ago

I do a lot of traveling in the United States, this may vary depending on where you are.

I haven’t used a physical boarding pass in almost 9 years. Airlines want you to use a digital boarding pass as it costs them less money and is more secure, so you actually get less sales pitches with the digital boarding pass. It’s literally here’s your flight information, here’s your QR code, we’ll only text you if something changes, like the gate changed, or there was delay. Printing a pass is obsolete these days. As for offline use. You add it to your phone’s wallet, and most airports in the US have free WiFi, so you’re covered there as well if you didn’t save the image, or have no cell service.

The only time I got spam was when I signed up for airline miles and then I simply opted out and those stopped as well.

Go QR code all the way, no chance of it getting lost.