Stupid question, can I buy flights for someone else?

[Big Rig]

The Mrs has relatives in Germany. For her and her daughter’s birthday I want to surprise them with flights to see them.

Silly question, I have their passport details, can I just book them flights and it’s done? There will be no problems at the airport that paid for them and I’m not on the traveler list to go?

[loskie]

You will be able to buy them but not check them in unless you too are travelling.

[Big Rig]

loskie said:

You will be able to buy them but not check them in unless you too are travelling.

Thank you

[Car bon]

Not a problem - I buy them for my kids & their partners on a regular basis.

As above, enter their email / phone numbers as the contacts. Make sure you get all their details right though - even a minor spelling mistake can cost you ££ to correct.

[ferret50]

When 'er indoors was still in gainfull employment I was expected to book, pay and check 'er in for 'er flights out and back Stansted/Faro. All she wanted was a printed boarding pass.

I got my own back, though, booked 'er on Ryanair!

[Saleen836]

I booked a flight with Virgin Atlantic for a friend who lives in Mexico, departing Cancun arrive Gatwick then return to Cancun
(this was before VA stopped flights to Mexico)

[Screenwash]

ISTR that on occasion the airline check-in desks want to see the credit card that was used to make the booking. If it was your card, and you aren’t there, it is problematic…

[Car bon]

Screenwash said:

ISTR that on occasion the airline check-in desks want to see the credit card that was used to make the booking. If it was your card, and you aren’t there, it is problematic…

Has this actually happened to you ?

I used to fly most weeks and I have never been asked for the original booking card, ever, on any airline.

A lot of people fly for work and have assistants, or booking agencies etc. so wouldn't have the card anyway.

[RGG]

We're in the UK

Son is in SA.

Wants to fly home. To buy a flight in SA is double the price of buying same flight in the UK.

The flight is "bought" in the UK by us - It's an E ticket, as they are.

Son goes to airport, checks in, boards flight and returns home.

It's no problem.

[4Q]

Screenwash said:

ISTR that on occasion the airline check-in desks want to see the credit card that was used to make the booking. If it was your card, and you aren’t there, it is problematic…

This has never happened to me and I take at least dozen flights a year. I’ve booked flights for all my kids many times without issue including for my Daughter who lives in Florida and my son who lives in Germany.

[croyde]

Screenwash said:

ISTR that on occasion the airline check-in desks want to see the credit card that was used to make the booking. If it was your card, and you aren’t there, it is problematic…

I used to get booked flights by whatever company I was working for so that would have been a pain.

All they ever gave me was the booking reference.