Paying for friends flights on credit card

AMG762

I will be paying for a friend to fly from Bangkok to Heathrow. I usually fly with EVA air and would like to use them again.


I have noticed they are strict in that when you check in you must show the credit card used to pay for the booking.


Does anyone have experience of this? Would it be okay to email my friend a scanned copy of my credit card and passport to show at check in?


The EVA website says you must visit a ticket office to complete an Indemnity form. Surely it must be common to use other peoples credit cards and does everyone have to travel to Heathrow airport each time to complete a form?


Other airlines seem to have the same rules

gillypoof

this happened to me recently in south africa when flights were bought for me. you can show a photo on your smart phone of the credit card,back and front. ok if you have a smart phone,dunno what happens if you havent. This is a new thing to stop money laundering.I think its just more big brother.

eDicky

Earlier this year I used my (prepaid) card to pay for a colleague's flight to Europe from Caracas, where buying a flight out is difficult. Air Europa sent me a form to download and fill and email back with photos of both sides of my card. Perhaps if you call EVA they can offer a similar arrangement.

fifeken

gillypoof wrote: »

you can show a photo on your smart phone of the credit card,back and front.

Just because that worked on your airline does not mean it will work for EVA.

gillypoof wrote: »

This is a new thing to stop money laundering.

Define new? It has been happening for years. It's an anti fraud measure.


To the OP:- Make the purchase using Expedia or another of the on-line travel agents. This will then remove the requirement for checking by EVA, as they will be paid by Expedia.

Voyager2002

Either use an intermediary like Expedia, or contact the airline directly to follow their procedures.

AMG762

Thanks guys, EVA have said to pay a travel agent for the flights. They even advised a company called Ours Travel in London.


The problem I have now is my friend is a Thai national. They plan to stay in the UK for three months. But we may need to change the return date. I know this can be done easily if booked directly with EVA but I believe you loose everything if using a travel agent.


I think the easiest way would be to transfer the money across to my friends bank and let them use their own card to book.

eDicky

AMG762 wrote: »

But we may need to change the return date. I know this can be done easily if booked directly with EVA but I believe you loose everything if using a travel agent..

This is probably a mistaken belief - the ticket issued by the travel agent should have the same flexibility as the equivalent class and price ticket direct from EVA. It would be worth checking with the agent they recommend.

fifeken

Once the passenger has travelled on the first flight (to the UK in this case), EVA will take control of the ticket. This means any changes can be done direct without going through the travel agent.

Voyager2002

AMG762 wrote: »

Thanks guys, EVA have said to pay a travel agent for the flights. They even advised a company called Ours Travel in London.


The problem I have now is my friend is a Thai national. They plan to stay in the UK for three months. But we may need to change the return date. I know this can be done easily if booked directly with EVA but I believe you loose everything if using a travel agent.


I think the easiest way would be to transfer the money across to my friends bank and let them use their own card to book.

You could do that... or you could telephone the agent and ask them to sell you a ticket that allows a date change for the return flight. Such a ticket might cost a bit more than the cheapest return ticket, but if you need flexibility you have to pay for it.

Incidentally, I hope that your friend has already got a UK visa. There is no point in buying an air ticket before the visa has been issued.

19lottie82

If you pay with a debit card you don't have to show it, only a credit card.