StillFlying

Asking for a non-social media friend:

Is it possible to purchase a ticket via Global Travel months in advance? And if so, how?

This guy wants to travel to a destination months from now (this summer) which will have a block time greater than 5 hours and they want to ensure they are in first class when the time comes. Is there a way to buy a ticket now and hold on to it until that later date? The person has seniority to hold trips pretty much whenever he wants, so he can pretty much guarantee that they are operating within 3 days of departure. From what I am told, when he goes to the Deviation and Deadheads screen they can select an April trip and try to book a ticket. However, with the information added it states, No flight available for this request. (I actually tried this myself and I see the same thing.) Is it too early? Or is it not even possible? Not sure if he called GT, but by asking me, I am assuming not. (If I remember right, I think GT asks what trip to attach it to, but I rarely call them, so I really can't remember.)

I thought I would put this out there to see if any of you had seen this done.

SF

BlueMoon

No idea, he could probably buy it on his own card form the airlines website and the Out of pocket expense it when the time comes.

cliffnd

Call GT. They can book it without attaching it to a trip. Obviously, when it comes to expensing it, he’ll have to attach it to a trip. He can also call GT after his/her schedule comes out and have them attach it to a trip to.


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cargoforlife

Just book it through vips off one of his current trips.

busdriver12

However, that is an issue when it shows up on your expense report and you can’t attach it to anything. What I did for over 20 years was to buy tickets on my personal credit card, and then file for reimbursement if I was able to attach the ticket within three days of a trip. Never, ever had a problem getting reimbursed if it was within contract parameters.

BlueMoon

It shouldn’t show up in the expense report until after the date of the ticket right?

StillFlying

Sounds like a pretty good option. I'll pass it on. He'll just be out of pocket the money from now until the expense report finally closes out.

StillFlying

Sounds like a plan if it works out. I'll let the guy know.

StillFlying

That was the problem. VIPS wouldn't or couldn't get a ticket that far out. My guess after trying this myself was that the fares weren't loaded in the VIPS system yet.

StillFlying

I think it will probably sit at the bottom of the Airline Ticket screen in the "Tickets for Future Travel" (or whatever it's called) until after the travel date. Then I think you're forced to attach it to a trip to move it to the expense report.