Why you shouldn't share a picture of your boarding pass
Friday, March 15, 2019
No matter the region, you'll agree with us when we mention that sharing a picture of your passport with your boarding pass on social media has become a habit for a large number of travellers.
What's the problem with sharing a photo of my boarding pass?
Unfortunately, by taking a picture of your boarding pass you may be turning your longed-for vacation into a horrible nightmare. Your boarding pass consists also of a QR code, which contains not only your flight information but also your personal information. It may even include the credit card number you used to purchase your ticket.
Electronic readers of these QR codes are quite accessible to the general public, so it is likely that someone will be able to access all the information on the ticket. Travel specialist Steve Hui saw how easy it is to access a passenger's information through a simple photo of a pass. Hui took a photo from Instagram that a passenger might have shared comfortably of his booking with Virgin Australia. Using the information in the photograph of the document, Hui gained access to the passenger's itinerary and credit card details.
What other information is on my boarding pass?
All your personal information may be included in your ticket. If you have an account with the airline, someone with a QR reader may be able to obtain your email address, home address, other reservations you have made, and even your ID or passport number. Scary stuff, right?
Next time you want to make your friends a little jealous, think about sharing photos of the spectacular places you're heading to and the moments you're going to enjoy. Everyone here at Flight-Delayed also believes that travelling is one of the best ways to enjoy life, but it is better not to risk our vacations by simply oversharing on social media.
Is it safer to print the boarding pass?
Keeping a digital copy on your phone is not only more environmentally friendly, but it's also safer. If you want to print your pass, don't forget to shred it before you get rid of it. However, sharing screenshots of your e-ticket is not a very good idea either. Remember, you will usually receive an electronic boarding pass if you check in online. If you wait until you get to the airport, you will receive a physical copy.
These are the dangers of sharing a photo of your boarding pass on social networks
Finally, this is a small list of information you may be sharing with strangers by uploading a photo of your boarding pass to social networks:
- Full name
- Date of birth
- Home Address
- E-mail address
- Itinerary of your trip
- Number of the credit/debit card with which you made the reservation
- Identification document number
So remember, it's better to travel safely and share pictures of the places you visit. We have excellent extra advice. If your flight has been delayed or cancelled and you are not sure if you are entitled to compensation, you can check it for free with us. Afterwards, you can decide if you want Flight-Delayed to manage your claim. We will not let the airline refuse your compensation without the necessary proof. Best of all, our 25% rate covers absolutely all possible expenses - claim your compensation and exercise your rights!
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