Frequently asked questions
Is the reservation real?
Yes. We create an actual booking in the airline's reservation system — the same kind a travel agency creates before ticketing. It has a real PNR code held by the airline for as long as it is valid. Some carriers also show it in their online “Manage booking” tool; many do not display a reservation there until a ticket is issued, which does not affect its validity. The PDF itinerary is the document to present.
Can I check the reservation myself?
Yes, and so can anyone you show it to. Open validflight.com/verify, enter the booking reference and the passenger’s surname, and the page shows the passenger, the flights and until when the reservation is held. A consular officer can open it too — we answer officials directly and do not need the traveller’s consent. With some airlines you can also check it on the airline’s own site; your itinerary says when that applies.
Can I fly with it?
No. A reservation is not a ticket — no ticket number is issued and it cannot be used to board. It is supporting documentation for a visa application or proof of onward travel.
How long is it valid?
The airline holds an unpaid booking for 48–72 hours, depending on the carrier. With the 7-day or 14-day option we automatically create a fresh reservation each time one is released and e-mail you the new PNR, so you have a live booking for the whole period.
How far ahead must my departure be?
At least 10 days. The airline reservation system we use does not accept earlier departures, so the date picker starts ten days from today. If you fly sooner than that, we cannot help — and we would rather say so here than take your money and refund it.
Do embassies accept it?
Most embassies ask for a flight reservation or itinerary — many explicitly advise not to buy a ticket before the visa is approved. An unticketed reservation is the standard document for this purpose. Always check your embassy's exact requirements; time your appointment so the reservation is valid on the day it is checked (or use auto-renew).
How fast will I get it?
Within 15 minutes of payment, at any hour of the day — nights and weekends included. If you told us the date you need it for, we create it the day before that date instead, so that it is still held when you present it. If no hold-capable fare exists for your route and date, we'll tell you right away and refund you in full.
Is this legal?
Yes. A reservation held without payment is a normal part of how airlines sell seats — travel agencies have done it for decades. We book one in your name and tell you plainly that it is a reservation, not a ticket. What would not be legal is a forged document; this is the opposite of that, which is precisely why it can be verified on the airline's own website.
Which countries ask for proof of onward travel?
Two situations come up most often. Visa applications usually require a flight itinerary, and many embassies explicitly advise not to buy a ticket before the visa is granted. Visa-free or visa-on-arrival entry often requires proof that you will leave again — travellers most commonly report being asked when flying to Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, Costa Rica, Peru and New Zealand, and airlines check this at the departure gate because they carry the cost of a refused entry. Rules change, so always confirm with your embassy or airline; we cannot advise on your specific case.
What if it is checked after it expires?
It will show as released and will not help you. The airline holds an unpaid booking for 48–72 hours and then frees the seat — that is how holds work everywhere, not a limitation on our side. If your appointment or flight is further away, tell us the date it must be valid and we will create the reservation the evening before, or choose the 7-day or 14-day option and we will keep replacing it with a fresh PNR.
What is your refund policy?
If we cannot create your reservation, you are refunded in full automatically — you do not have to ask. Once the reservation has been delivered the fee is non-refundable, and a reservation not being visible on an airline's website is not a ground for a refund. See Terms.