Philippine Airlines online booking: Read the fine print before you purchase!

My bro-in-law in Prague recently purchased a ticket for Mom’s trip from Bacolod to Cagayan de Oro via Cebu. The trip itinerary is Bacolod-Cebu-Cagayan de Oro and Cagayan de Oro-Cebu-Bacolod going back. Since Mom’s trip was decided upon few days before the flight, we can’t find available flights via Cebu Pacific which usually has cheaper rates. Thus, it was Philippine Airlines then.

After having booked all four flights, the two e-ticket copies Cebu-Cagayan de Oro and Cagayan de Oro-Cebu didn’t arrive in Mom’s email even until the next day. Unfortunately, my bro-in-law also didn’t print a hardcopy of the Cebu-Cagayan e-ticket or even saved the details in his computer. So, Mom went to the airport to get her details printed. That was when my sis told us about Philippine Airlines ruling that if the credit card owner is not part of the traveling party, a copy of the front of his credit card and a copy of his valid ID is needed upon check-in. It happened to them on their recent trip (and caused a lot of hassle), in which her hubby’s boss was the one who purchased their tickets via credit card, and they had to call him up in Europe just to get copies of his credit card and ID. The boss had to go to his office even if it was a Sunday just for that.

Unlike most airline companies’ online booking facilities, Philippine Airlines is strict about the credit card ruling, although they should have made the rule very prominent before somebody does the online purchase. This is what’s written in fine print in the Trip Itinerary Summary.

Successful completion of a transaction means that the credit card owner binds himself and the passenger(s) to the Terms and Conditions for online transactions, General Conditions of Carriage and the applicable Fare Rules.

To protect the true credit owner, PAL reserves the right to require presentation of the credit card used in purchasing tickets from this website at the ticket collection point or upon check-in. If the credit card owner is not part of the travelling party and is unable to present the credit card, clear photocopies of the front of the credit card and the valid PHOTO ID of the credit card owner may be required from the passengers at the ticket collection point or at check-in. It shall be the responsibility of the credit card owner to ensure that the passenger(s) comply with this requirement otherwise the passenger(s) may be denied boarding.

Only credit cards are accepted as form of payment. Virtual credit cards are NOT accepted as form of payment.

For check-in purposes, a valid PHOTO ID issued by the government or known corporations is required to enter the terminal.

Thus, if you will be buying air tickets online via Philippine Airlines for your family and friends and you’re not part of the traveling party, make sure to provide them a clear copy of the front of your credit card and a copy of your valid ID, so they won’t be refused boarding.

For me, it’s quite a hassle especially when you don’t know the rules. I’ve booked online a KLM flight Manila-Prague for my Dad using my Amex card, and no photocopy of my Amex card was required upon check-in. Even Cebu Pacific e-tickets don’t require credit card photocopies during check-in, it’s only Philippine Airlines. Why??? The staff said it’s an anti-fraud measure to protect the credit card owners. But how come they’re the only ones implementing this upon check-in? Do you know of any other airline that requires photocopy of the owner’s credit card before allowing passengers to board? Or maybe Philippine Airlines need to improve or upgrade the security of their online credit card ticketing system just like the other travel booking sites?

If you have purchased airline tickets online using your credit card, do read the fine print about check-in procedures and requirements. Being prepared with all the necessary documents means less stress during your trip.