At some point in your life, you may find yourself needing to buy an airline ticket for someone else. It could be for a girlfriend or boyfriend, a child, or elderly parents who are going through a senior relocation.
Whatever the case, buying an airline ticket for someone else requires knowing all the information you will need beforehand and following the proper steps.
In some cases, it might be easier to hire a non-emergency medical transport (NEMT) company that handles booking all the arrangements for a flight. This is especially useful for those who might need assistance during the flight, including elderly parents, those with chronic conditions that impact mobility, or those who are ill or have been injured.
Flying Angels offers NEMT services worldwide, using commercial airline flights with clients accompanied by experienced flight nurses. The company also has RN Flight Coordinators who book all the flights and make all travel arrangements. It’s an approach that provides a cost-effective alternative to traditional air ambulance services, catering to clients with various medical needs, including senior relocation, long-distance medical transport, hospital discharge transportation, and travel companionship.
Is It OK to Buy an Airline Ticket for Someone Else?
It’s absolutely OK to buy an airline ticket for someone else. It’s a great gift to give someone. It’s also necessary for some situations.
As the following steps will show, buying a plane ticket for someone else just requires knowing the right information before you make the purchase. It’s also important for the person taking the flight to bring the proper identification to the airport.
The following steps provide a general guideline for how to buy an airline ticket for someone else. These apply whether you are a member of an airline’s rewards program or buying for the first time from an airline. They also apply no matter how you choose to pay.
How to Buy an Airline Ticket for Someone Else
There are two main phases when buying an airline ticket for someone else. The first is when you purchase the tickets through an online portal. The second is when the ticket recipient goes to the airport on the day of the flight.
Purchasing a Ticket for Someone Else
During the purchasing process, you will want to keep the following in mind.
Information Needed
Much like when you buy your own ticket, you will need specific information for the person who is going to fly. That includes date of birth, their full name (as it appears on a driver’s license or other official ID). You also must know the person’s country of residence. While this seems simple and straightforward, it often trips people up because they don’t ask their parents how their name appears on their IDs! You want to have an exact match.
International Flight
If you are buying a ticket for someone to fly internationally, you will want to ensure that you have the person’s passport information when purchasing the tickets.
Payment Methods
You can use the payment methods you typically use for your own tickets, including credit cards. The name and address associated with the card does not have to match the passenger’s name. Also, most airlines will let you use frequent flier points or air miles. Always check to see if you can use these first because it can save you a substantial amount of money.
Adding Amenities
As an extra bonus for the person you are buying the ticket for, you might want to add bonuses such as early boarding or preferred seating. This is especially important for older parents or travelers who have mobility issues.
What Passengers Should Do
As important as information is when purchasing a ticket, it’s even more important for people to know what they need to make the trip.
Getting Itinerary
Sending the itinerary is a simple step that people can forget. With some airlines, you can send the itinerary directly to the people who are flying. However, in some cases, all the information is going to come to you. Make sure you forward all the information to your parents or ticket recipients. Also, communicate any other useful information, such as parking garage locations and all the extras you may have purchased.
Research Airline
Since they are the ones who are actually flying, the ticket recipient should double-check the itinerary the night before departure to make sure that all flights are still scheduled (this is a process they should repeat before leaving for the airport). They also should find out any rules about where they need to be for early boarding or items they need to check in with security.
Bring ID That Matches
When checking in for the flight, the passenger should make sure they have identification that matches the name given when the ticket was purchased. This is a very important step. Without proper identification – including a passport if the travel is international – they will not be able to receive their tickets.
Information From Major Airlines
Buying an airline ticket for someone else is a great gift. It’s especially true if it’s your parents and they want to come spend time with you, their grandchildren, and other family members. With the ease of purchasing online, it’s easier than ever to book travel for parents and spend quality time together.
Most major airlines provide information about purchasing tickets for someone else, or about using a gift card or transferable points and credits to buy flights for others. Here are some helpful links for the major airlines that offer a good place to start:
How Flying Angels Can Help You Purchase Airline Tickets
Flying Angels helps customers purchase airline tickets by managing all travel logistics. This includes booking flights for both the patient and the accompanying flight nurse, ensuring control over medical clearances and accommodating any necessary changes due to delays or cancellations. By handling these arrangements, Flying Angels provides a seamless travel experience tailored to match each individual client’s needs.
Flying Angels works with a diverse range of patients requiring specialized care while traveling. Their services cater to individuals with medical conditions that make flying on commercial airlines challenging.
One of the primary groups Flying Angels serves includes elderly patients, particularly those with mobility limitations or cognitive conditions such as Dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. These individuals may require assistance navigating airports, managing medications, and ensuring a stress-free journey.
Flying Angels also helps patients with chronic illnesses such as heart disease, respiratory conditions, or neurological disorders who need continuous monitoring and in-flight medical support.
Another key group consists of post-surgical or recovering patients who need to travel home or to a rehabilitation center after a hospital stay. Since commercial airlines do not provide specialized medical care, Flying Angels ensures these patients have the necessary support, including oxygen, mobility assistance and medication management. Similarly, patients with disabilities who require adaptive equipment or a special accommodation benefit from the expertise of Flying Angels’ medical transport team.
Flying Angels also assists cancer patients and individuals undergoing long-term treatments. They provide services for military veterans and individuals with service-related injuries, offering compassionate care during air travel.
For families, Flying Angels supports children with medical conditions who need to fly with trained healthcare professionals, ensuring their safety and comfort throughout the journey. Whether it’s a senior citizen relocating to be with family, a recovering patient heading home, or someone needing to travel for specialized care, Flying Angels offers a trusted, medically supported travel solution.
Traveling with medical needs requires careful planning, but you don’t have to do it alone. Our expert Flight Coordinators can create a customized care plan to ensure a smooth, stress-free journey for you or your loved one. Fill out the Contact Us form on this page or call 610-228-4667 to speak with our team today.
