Ticketing Procedures

The following are harmonised ticketing policies and procedures.

 

Initial Issue

Each carrier's policies and procedures related to the issuance of tickets will be in accordance with the IATA Ticketing Handbook.

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Reissue

Each carrier’s policies and procedures related to the reissue of tickets will be in accordance with the IATA Ticketing Handbook.

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Reservation Changes/Revalidation

Each carrier’s policies and procedures related to the revalidation of tickets will be in accordance with the IATA Ticketing Handbook.

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Endorsement Waiver

Each carrier will publish and honour the Star Alliance Endorsement Waiver Agreement (EWA) policy1, as agreed on a multilateral basis between Star Alliance member carriers.

For electronic tickets, the endorsement, as described in the following conditions, is granted by giving airport control from the validating carrier to the Star Alliance member carrier performing the reissue/exchange.

Paper tickets: Any Star Alliance member carrier or one of its agents will be able to reissue or exchange a ticket or MCO without having to request a written or stamped endorsement, under the described conditions:

1 Exceptions apply to SQ.

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Conditions

Voluntary

• When a customer requests a change of airline or re-routing (as described in IATA Resolution 736), the Star Alliance member carriers agree to grant airport control (thus waive the endorsement requirement between themselves) for non-restricted tickets or MCOs provided that:
• A. such tickets or MCOs do not bear carrier validation restrictions, which by their terms prohibit the transfer of the ticket or MCOs such as “Valid on XX only” and “Non-Endorsable”;
• B. such tickets or MCOs are not governed by fare rules that prohibit transfer of the ticket to the other party.
• No endorsement required for First Class, Business Class, full Economy Class and non-restricted excursion fare tickets.
• Does not apply to ID/AD tickets.

Involuntary

• When an airline undergoes a schedule change or encounters an irregularity in accordance with the general provisions of IATA Resolution 735D, the two Star Alliance member carriers agree to grant airport control (and thereby waive the endorsement requirement) for the following:
• A. non-restricted tickets;
• B. restricted tickets;
• C. frequent flyer redemption tickets.
• No endorsement required for any fare types when an airline encounters an irregular operation (within 24 hours of departure).
• Does not apply to ID tickets.

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Miscellaneous Charges Order (MCO)

Each carrier’s own MCO is handled according to the carrier’s policies and procedures and in accordance with the IATA Ticketing Handbook.

MCOs for Star Alliance member carriers

Each member issues MCOs for travel on other member carriers, using its own MCO stock. The MCO is issued for the purpose of service recovery, and is endorsed valid for redemption on any Star Alliance member for the following purposes:

• It can be used to pay for tickets, upgrades and excess baggage;
• It can be redeemed at all Star Alliance member carriers’ sales offices or airport ticket offices but not at travel agencies;
• The MCO tendered to all member carriers must be limited to US$750, or its equivalent in other currencies: 
• A) if the value of the service purchased exceeds that of the MCO, payment of the outstanding sum can be made in any form accepted by the Star Alliance member carrier,
• B) if the value of the service purchased is less than the value of the MCO, a new MCO will be issued for the remaining amount. A new MCO will be issued under the same conditions as the original MCO if the amount exceeds US$50;
• MCOs valued at less than US$50 cannot be renewed. Cash payments against the MCO are not possible;
• MCOs are valid for one year from the date of issue. Extension of validity is at the discretion of the issuing member;
• Lost MCOs cannot be reissued.

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Multi-Purpose Document (MPD)

Each carrier’s policies and procedures related to the use of an MPD will be in accordance with the IATA Ticketing Handbook.

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Transmittal of Ticket Number(s) in the PNR

Each carrier agrees, by automated or procedural means, to transmit the ticket numbers to any Star Alliance member carriers participating in the ticketed itinerary.

Note: Carrier positions:

• Automated for AC, BD, LH, LO, OS, SK, SN, TG, UA as SSR TKT(–) element
• Automated for CO, MS, NH, SQ and US as SSR TKN(-) element
• Automated for TP
• Automated for NZ (procedural for paper tickets) 
• Automated for TK and OZ as OSI TKNO and SSR TKNE element
• Automated for JP, SN, SA, LX as SSR TKNx element (x = A or M or E)
• Automated for OU as SSR TKNx element (x = A or M or E)
  
• Automated for TG as SSRTKNE for ETKT numbers, while OSI TKNA, OSI TKNM, SSRTKNA or SSRTKNM for paper ticket numbers depending on specific requirements of the airlines in the ticketed itinerary.

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Prepaid Ticket Advice (PTA)

If carriers still use PTAs (e.g. for non-e-ticket eligible sales) these carriers' policies and procedures related to the issuance and refunding of PTAs will be in accordance with the IATA Ticketing Handbook.

Note: AC, LO and LX do not allow PTAs.

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Lost Ticket Indemnity

If a paper ticket is lost, each carrier will issue a ticket against a Lost Ticket Indemnity if the original ticket was plated on its own ticket stock for travel on its own or another carrier’s flight.

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Flight Interruption Manifest (FIM)

A FIM is a document used in place of a ticket when a passenger is involuntarily re-routed and the appropriate flight coupon(s) is (are) no longer available.

IATA resolutions have been adopted with the intent of reducing the number of FIMs issued in the event of an involuntary re-route. The FIM format has been standardised allowing for a ticket-sized FIM and two coupons.

For details about how to process FIMs, please consult your own carrier’s procedural training manuals, or contact your training representative.