Ticketless Trend Gathers Momentum

<H1>Ticketless Trend Gathers Momentum</H1><H3>by Jay Campbell</H3>The already-hot trends of ticketless travel and online reservations continue to get hotter. Here are some updates on developments around the world:

United has modified its electronic ticketing program to simplify mailed receipts and reduce them to one page, make available faxed receipts for immediate confirmation and minimize credit card fraud by requiring passengers to present their card at the airport upon checkin. United said e-ticket credit card fraud occurs in a "very small percentage of transactions."

Air Canada, which earlier in the month said electronic ticketing will be available across Canada by mid-June, will offer the product throughout North America by the summer, according to executive vice president and CFO Robert Milton. Asked whether use of electronic ticketing could provide a savings to corporate buyers, Milton said, "we're working closely with our corporate customers to provide what's best for them. They'll be looped in soon."

TWA announced that it will introduce ticketless travel through Worldspan for 15 cities this month. The carrier expects to provide the service throughout its domestic system by November. That leaves American and Delta as the only major domestic carriers yet to move ticketless travel beyond the trial period. Delta announced a trial period between five city pairs effective May 1.

Japan Airlines will make two forays into the world of electronic commerce starting in July, when it begins offering ticketless travel and Internet reservations in Japan. Ticketless travel will require passengers to show their credit cards at the airport to pick up their boarding passes.