You're sitting there with your credit card out, trying to do something nice for your mom, or maybe you're just the "planner" in your friend group who got stuck organizing the bachelor party. You start typing, but then that little voice in your head stops you. Can I book someone else's flight without them being there? Is the airline going to think I'm a fraudster? It's a valid concern because, honestly, the travel industry is obsessed with security these days.
The short answer? Yes. Absolutely. You can buy a ticket for basically anyone with a valid ID. But the "how" matters way more than the "if." If you mess up a single letter of their name or forget a middle initial that’s on their passport, you aren't just looking at a typo. You're looking at a $200 change fee or, in the worst-case scenario, a person stuck at the gate while the plane takes off without them.
The mechanics of booking for others
Most people think the biggest hurdle is the payment. It's actually the data. When you go to a site like Delta, United, or even a third-party aggregator like Expedia, they don't really care whose card is swiping as long as the bank says "approved." What they care about is the Secure Flight data. This is a program managed by the TSA that requires the traveler's full name (as it appears on their government-issued ID), date of birth, and gender.
Don't guess.
I’ve seen people use nicknames—like booking for "Bill" when the passport says "William"—and it creates a nightmare. If the name on the boarding pass doesn't match the ID, the TSA agent is going to send them back to the check-in counter. If that counter has a long line and the flight leaves in 40 minutes, they're toast.
Using your credit card for their trip
Here is where it gets slightly hairy. Most of the time, the airline just wants the money. However, some international carriers, particularly in Southeast Asia or parts of Europe, have a "credit card verification" policy. They might actually ask the passenger to show the physical card used for the booking at the check-in desk.
Imagine you're in New York and you booked a flight for your brother who is currently in Bangkok. If the airline demands to see the card and you have it in your wallet thousands of miles away, he’s not getting on that plane.
To avoid this, look for a "third-party credit card authorization form" on the airline's website. You fill it out, sign it, and sometimes provide a copy of your ID to prove you gave permission. It’s an extra step, but it beats a stranded sibling.
What about the points?
If you’re a frequent flyer, you might be tempted to put their flight on your loyalty account to rack up some extra miles. Stop right there. That is not how it works. Frequent flyer miles are almost always tied to the person whose butt is actually in the seat. You can pay for the flight, but they get the miles.
However, you can use your miles to book a "Reward Flight" for them. Most major programs like American Airlines' AAdvantage or United MileagePlus allow you to book a ticket in someone else's name using your points. You just choose the "Use Miles" option and enter their details in the passenger section. It’s actually one of the best ways to use points if you have a surplus and want to help someone out.
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The "Contact Information" Trap
When you’re filling out the forms, the airline will ask for an email and phone number. Many people instinctively put their own because they’re the ones paying.
Don't do that.
Put the traveler's info. Why? Because if the flight is delayed three hours or the gate changes at the last minute, the airline is going to send a text. If that text goes to you while you’re asleep and the traveler is wandering around the airport oblivious, you’ve done them a massive disservice. You can usually put your email for the receipt but ensure the "Day of Travel" contact info belongs to the person actually flying.
Dealing with International Travel and Visas
Booking a domestic flight from Chicago to Dallas for a friend is a piece of cake. Booking a flight from San Francisco to Tokyo is a different beast entirely. You need to be 100% sure the person you are booking for has the right documentation.
Airlines are technically responsible for ensuring passengers have the right visas. If you book a flight for someone and they get denied entry at the destination because they don't have a visa, the airline can be fined heavily. Because of this, they are incredibly strict during check-in. Before you hit "buy," verify that their passport is valid for at least six months beyond the date of travel. That's a standard rule for many countries that catches people off guard constantly.
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The "Hidden City" and "Skiplagging" Warning
If you're trying to be clever and book a cheaper flight for someone else using tricks like "hidden city ticketing" (where you book a flight with a layover and have them get off at the layover city), be careful. If you do this on your own account for someone else, the airline might flag your frequent flyer account. It’s a risky move that can lead to banned accounts or canceled return legs. If you’re booking for someone else, keep it straightforward.
Practical steps to take right now
If you are ready to book that flight, don't just wing it. Follow this specific sequence to ensure nothing goes wrong.
- Get a photo of their ID. Do not rely on them texting you their name. People forget how their name is formatted on their legal documents. Have them snap a clear photo of their driver's license or the data page of their passport and send it to you.
- Check the middle name. If the ID has a middle name, the ticket should probably have it too. While some domestic airlines are lenient, many international ones are not.
- Ask about KTN/Redress numbers. Does your friend have TSA PreCheck or Global Entry? If so, they have a Known Traveler Number (KTN). If you don't enter this during the booking process, they won't get that "PreCheck" indicator on their boarding pass, and they’ll be stuck taking their shoes off in the long line.
- Confirm the birth date twice. A typo in the birth year can trigger a "No Fly List" false positive or just general security flagging.
- Select seats immediately. If you’re paying, you might as well make sure they aren't in a middle seat by the bathroom. Do it during the checkout process; waiting until later often means the good seats are gone or cost more.
- Send them the confirmation code. Once the "Success" screen pops up, take a screenshot of the 6-digit alphanumeric code (the PNR) and send it to them. They will need this to check in on their phone 24 hours before the flight.
Booking for someone else is a generous move, but it carries a bit of administrative weight. As long as you treat the data entry like a legal document and double-check the airline's policy on credit card verification, you’re good to go. Just remember that once that ticket is issued, changing it usually costs money, so "measure twice, cut once."