Can You Hold Your USA To India Flight Ticket Without Paying?

Understanding What a Flight Ticket Hold Means

A flight ticket hold option is offered by most of the international airlines on the long haul and medium haul flights. With this incredible option, the passenger will have the benefit of placing the seat on hold without actually paying for the seat. When the passenger becomes sure of his or her travel plans, s/he can book the flight by paying the designated airfare.

Holding, Booking and Ticketing – What’s the Real Difference?

In the air travel phraseology, holding a reservation means when the passenger has booked a flight ticket without paying for it and the flight ticket is therefore on a temporary hold. 

Booking is when the passenger holding the flight ticket enters his or her valid information into the system and a booking reference is then generated. Booking a flight ticket does not mean that the flight ticket is paid or issued to the traveler. 

The term “Ticketing” becomes applicable when the purchase of the flight is confirmed and the payments have been made for the ticket. 

When and Why Travelers Choose to Hold a Flight Ticket?

The main area of concern for the travelers to choose to hold a flight ticket is when they are not sure of their travel plans. They have not decided on their travel itineraries, and there is a possibility of changing their travel plans in the immediate future.

Major Airlines That Offer Hold Options and Their Policies

American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Airlines, Lufthansa, Qatar Airways, Emirates, Air France / KLM, Singapore Airlines and Turkish Airlines are among the major airlines that offer hold options to the passengers. The policies of holding the ticket for these airlines is based on Department of Transportation (DOT) 24-Hour Rule, which acts as a and besides there are specific policies of Airlines that become applicable. For example, in case of American Airlines, the airline charges a non-refundable service fee of $5 to $20, to hold exact itinerary and price for 3, 5, or 7 days. Similarly, United Airlines charge the service fee and offer the passengers the benefit of holding the reservation for 3, 7, or 14 days. Delta Airlines offer DOT’s 24-hour risk-free cancellation policy, whereby the passenger could cancel the held ticket from 24 to 48 hours without any penalty.

Your Rights Under the 24-Hour Rule for U.S. Flights

According to DoT guidelines, the airlines will provide the option of canceling the purchased flight reservation inside the window period of 24 hours without charging any penalty and giving full refund to the passenger in toto.

Step-by-Step Guide to Holding a USA–India Flight Ticket

Step#1 -Visit a genuine travel agency that has experience in holding a USA to India flight ticket.

Step#2-Provide your flight priority and the details in the field of the passenger.

Step#3-Next, search for the “Fare Lock” “Hold My Fare” or “Price Lock” before making a check out or payments.

Step#4-Click on the “Hold” option and later make the confirmation and acceptance of any non-refundable cost that may otherwise become applicable.

Step#5- An email is sent with your booking PNR and this is not the actual flight ticket.

Stp#6- In the end, the passenger needs to pay the whole amount of the flight ticket before the end of the hold period, and this would mean that you have received a confirmed ticket.

Free vs. Paid Ticket Holds – What’s Worth Choosing?

There is always a point of contention in the mind of a traveler whether s/he should pay for the flight ticket in advance or hold the ticket for free. Well, in a real sense, free and paid tickets come with their own set of realizations. A free ticket hold is good when the passenger is absolutely unsure and uncertain about their travel plans. However, when there is a concrete travel plan in place, the passenger should go for the paid ticket. Paid ticket hold offers more window period in comparison to Free ticket hold. The worthiness of both these options will depend upon the priority of a traveler.

Alternatives: Dummy Tickets, Visa Reservations, and Safe Practices

A dummy ticket basically represents a temporary flight reservation, which is the proof of your travel plan. With a dummy ticket you do not have to pay the complete ticket price. The dummy ticket has equal validity as compared to a real ticket, provided it contains the verifiable and real flight details such as the Name, Airline, Route, and PNR. A dummy ticket should not contain obscure information, in which case it becomes null and void.With the help of a genuine Dummy Ticket, the passenger’s application in the embassy will move forward smoothly. S/he will have the advantage of visa reservation.

Tips to Safely Hold and Confirm Your Fare Without Overpaying

Holding a flight ticket and then finally making a valid confirmation of the flight without overpaying could turn out to be a win-win bargain for the passenger. Here are a few tips to hold and conform the flight ticket without overpaying for it:

Tip#1- Check the holding options offered by the airlines by visiting the website of the airlines.

Tip#2- Use the flight aggregator websites like Expedia, Skyscanner as they have partnered with the airlines and they offer you the advantage of holding the flight ticket on your behalf.

Tip#3- Take advantage of the free cancellation policy of the airline.

Tip#4- Leverage the power of the Frequent Flyer Program that allows a passenger to hold the reservation with the help of Miles or Points.

Tip#5- Utilize the credit card benefits that offer goodie advantages on holding the flight reservations

Conclusion:

Finally, do you have clear or unclear flight plans? You do not have to worry at all. There are ways to hold your reservations without paying even a dime. Holding a ticket would outrightly mean that you are protected from the airfare increase, and get plenty of time to buy the ticket to your favorite destination.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Can I hold flight tickets for free?
A: It is quite easy and legal to hold the flight ticket without paying even a dime. You need to check on the airline’s website to get the precise idea on the relevant regulations with respect to holding the flight tickets without paying from your pocket.

Q: Can you pay to hold a flight?
A: Many flight aggregator websites offer you the privilege to hold the flight if you put a meager amount of money. The flight reservation could be held from two days up to a week and you will get the protection from the price increase, and no hassles of experiencing the change fee and plenty of time in hand to make the decision.

Q: Is it possible to put a flight ticket on hold?
A: It is very legal to put your flight ticket on hold if you are unsure of your travel plans or have many other things in your mind.

Q: How long can I hold my flight reservation without paying?
A: Depending on the individual airlines, a prospective passenger could hold the ticket from 24 hours to 72 hours without paying any amount.

Q: Do all airlines allow you to hold tickets before payment?
A: In accordance with the federal protocols as set by the Department of Transportation, the airlines should allow travelers to have the reservation for the quoted airfare for a maximum period of 24 hours without making any payment. Similarly, according to DoT guidelines, the airlines will provide the option of canceling the purchased flight reservation inside the window period of 24 hours without charging any penalty and giving full refund.

Q: What happens if my flight hold expires before I pay?
A: Just in the worst-case scenario where your flight hold expires before you pay for the ticket, your flight reservation will get canceled automatically. You need to create a new reservation for the flight. 

Q: Can I cancel a held reservation?
A: Most international airlines follow a very generous cancellation policy if you have held a seat reservation on the flight. The reservation could be canceled 10 minutes before the flight, but it requires you topay the cancellation fee, irrespective of the fact that the flight ticket was a paid fare or it was booked on miles or points. Check with the respective airlines to know about their cancellation policy. 

Q: Are dummy tickets valid for visa applications?
A: A dummy ticket basically represents a temporary flight reservation, which is the proof of your travel plan. With a dummy ticket you do not have to pay the complete ticket price. The dummy ticket has equal validity as compared to a real ticket, provided it contains the verifiable and real flight details such as the Name, Airline, Route, and PNR. A dummy ticket should not contain obscure information, in which case it becomes null and void.