Status: checked against official sources; automated independent review
FREQUENT FLYER GLOSSARY
What is an e-ticket number?
An e-ticket number (also written electronic ticket number, or simply ticket number) is the reference that identifies the electronic ticket an airline has issued for a booking, and it is kept separately from the booking reference.
Facts checked: 18 October 2026
Key takeaways
- An e-ticket number is a ticketing reference, not a booking reference.
- IATA describes its code search as an official source for codes assigned by IATA; the tool looks up two-character airline codes and three-character airport codes. [1]
- IATA marks some code entries with an asterisk to indicate a “Controlled Duplicate”, where two carriers share one code but operate different, non-overlapping services. [1]
- For flights covered by US Department of Transportation rules, when a passenger rejects an alternative offer, a refund is due within 7 business days for credit card purchases and 20 calendar days for other payment methods. [3]
What the number identifies
An e-ticket number is the reference for the electronic ticket issued for a booking. It is separate from the booking reference, which identifies the reservation itself. The booking reference is also called the PNR.
How airline codes fit in
Airline identifiers in the industry come from IATA (the International Air Transport Association), which describes its code search as “an official source for codes assigned by IATA”. [1] The tool finds the two-letter code of an airline or identifies which airline a two-letter code corresponds to, and separately finds the three-letter code of an airport or identifies which airport uses that code. [1]
IATA notes that codes marked with an asterisk refer to a “Controlled Duplicate”, where two carriers have the same code but operate different types of non-overlapping services. [1]
Refunds and the ticket record
For flights to, from, or within the United States, the US Department of Transportation sets out the situations in which a passenger is entitled to a refund of the ticket price: when the airline cancels a flight, and when it significantly delays or significantly changes a flight, if the passenger chooses not to travel or declines travel credits, vouchers, or other forms of compensation. [3]
Where a passenger rejects an alternative offer, a refund is due within 7 business days for credit card purchases, and within 20 calendar days for other methods such as cash or check. [3] If the passenger does not respond to an offer of alternative transportation and does not fly, the airline must provide the refund to the original form of payment within the same periods after the significantly delayed or changed flight or alternative flight departs from its destination. [3]
Where a flight to, from, or within the United States is cancelled or significantly changed and the booking was made through a travel agent or online travel agency acting as merchant of record, that agent is responsible for making the proper refund of airfare. [3] Ticket agents are not responsible for refunding optional service fees if the service is not provided, or baggage fees if a checked bag is significantly delayed or lost; those refunds must be requested from the airline even if the agent is the merchant of record for the fee. [3]
Exceptions and limits
- Market. The US Department of Transportation rules described here concern flights to, from, or within the United States. [3]
- 24-hour rule, conditions. For tickets purchased at least seven days before scheduled departure, an airline must either allow the consumer to cancel within 24 hours and receive a full refund without penalty, or hold the reservation at the quoted price without payment for 24 hours; it is not required to offer both. [3]
- 24-hour rule, exclusions. The 24-hour refund or hold requirement does not apply to tickets booked through online travel agencies, travel agents or other third-party agents. [3]
- Not a free-change right. The 24-hour rule does not oblige an airline to make changes free of charge, such as moving a ticket to another date or correcting a misspelled name on the reservation. [3]
- Travel taken. A passenger who chooses to take a significantly delayed or changed flight, or an alternative flight offered by the airline, is not entitled to a refund under DOT rules. [3]
Frequently asked questions
Is an e-ticket number the same as a booking reference?
No. The e-ticket number is the reference for the electronic ticket; the booking reference is a separate identifier for the reservation.
How long does an airline have to pay a refund?
For flights covered by US Department of Transportation rules, where a passenger rejects an alternative offer, the refund is due within 7 business days for credit card purchases and within 20 calendar days for other payment methods, such as cash or check. [3]
Who issues the refund if I booked through an agent?
The agent, where it is the merchant of record — the entity shown on the card or bank statement for the purchase. [3] Optional service fees and delayed or lost baggage fees are requested from the airline, not the agent. [3]
Does the 24-hour cancellation right apply to every booking?
No. The 24-hour requirement applies to tickets purchased at least seven days before scheduled departure, and it does not apply to bookings made through online travel agencies, travel agents or other third-party agents. For covered tickets, the airline may instead offer a 24-hour hold. [3]
Sources
Sources checked on 18 October 2026. It draws on IATA’s code-assignment information and the US Department of Transportation’s refund rules.
- IATA — Airline and Airport Codes Search, checked 18 October 2026
- US Department of Transportation — Refunds, checked 18 October 2026