How to Book a Free Flight Reservation

Some visa applications, like the Schengen Visa, require a proof of flight reservation or some say a “dummy ticket”. For the purpose of this post, I’ll be using the term “flight reservation”.

Here’s what’s included in this post:

What’s a flight reservation?

A flight reservation is a booking or arrangement made by an individual or a travel agency to secure a seat or multiple seats on an airplane for a specific date, time, and destination. It’s essentially a confirmed plan to travel on a particular flight. Flight reservations typically include details such as passenger names, flight numbers, departure and arrival times, as well as the class of service (economy, business, first class) and any additional services or preferences requested by the traveler.

Who needs a flight reservation?

Various individuals may need flight reservations for different reasons:

Travelers: People planning vacations, business trips, family visits, or any other form of travel require flight reservations to secure their seats on a particular flight.
Visa Applications: Some countries require flight reservations as part of the visa application process to show proof of intended travel.
Group Travel: Organizations or groups traveling together, such as tour groups, school trips, or corporate teams, need flight reservations to ensure everyone travels together on the same flights.
Businesses: Companies often make flight reservations for employees traveling for business purposes to ensure they can attend meetings, conferences, or other work-related events.
Event Attendees: Attendees of events like conventions, festivals, or sports competitions may need flight reservations to reach the event location on time.

Flight reservations are essentially essential for anyone who intends to travel by air and needs assurance of a seat on a specific flight.

How do I make a flight reservation?

Making a flight reservation involves several steps:

Research: Begin by researching flights to your destination. Use travel websites, airline websites, or travel agencies to find available flights, considering factors like dates, times, airlines, and prices. I always use Google Flights to compare flight prices.
Choose Your Flight: Select the flight that best fits your schedule and preferences. Consider factors such as layovers, departure/arrival times, airline reputation, and any specific needs you might have (like extra baggage allowance or special services).
Contact the Airline or Use a Booking Platform: You can book directly through the airline’s website or contact their customer service. Alternatively, use online travel agencies (OTA) or booking platforms to reserve your flight. Provide necessary information like passenger details, flight preferences, and payment details.
Provide Personal Information: When making the reservation, you’ll need to provide personal information for all passengers, including full names (as per identification), dates of birth, contact information, and sometimes passport details.
Payment: Pay for the flight reservation using a credit/debit card, PayPal, or any other accepted payment method. Ensure the payment is processed to confirm your booking.
- For the Free Flight Reservation with the Emirates, KLM, AirFrance, or Ethiopian Airlines, choose the “Pay at Office/Bank Transfer” option.
  - Take note that this option is NOT AVAILABLE IN ALL COUNTRIES or DESTINATIONS
Receive Confirmation: After payment or reservation, you’ll receive a confirmation email or ticket. Make sure to review it for accuracy regarding flight details, passenger information, and any additional services you may have requested.
Check for Special Requirements: If you have any special requirements like dietary needs, seat preferences, or assistance for reduced mobility, inform the airline or booking agent at the time of reservation.

Remember, the process might slightly vary based on the airline, booking method, or specific circumstances. Always double-check the details before confirming to avoid any issues later.

YouTube Video

Still confused on how to book a flight reservation? You can watch these videos as reference.

Where can I get a FREE flight reservation?

From personal experience, you can get a FREE flight reservation directly via the airline websites of Emirates, KLM, AirFrance, or Ethiopian Airlines. In the Philippines, Qatar Airways is said to give a free flight reservation as well IF you call and request through their hotlines. HOWEVER, I haven’t tried this myself.

Here’s a screenshot of the FREE flight reservation from Emirates for a multi-trip itinerary from Manila, The Philippines to Zurich, Switzerland to Clark, Pampanga, The Philippines. I try to mix-and-match flights to check if the reservation option is available.

This flight reservation is from KLM and is valid for 48 hours. You can pay for the reservation through bank transfer.

Do take note that this flight booked here is for a return trip from Manila, The Philippines to Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Here’s the flight reservation from Ethiopian Airlines. I have only recently discovered their “free” reservation option when I was reading through a Facebook group post.

Flight Reservation FAQS

How long is the flight reservation valid for?

This varies per airline. The free flight reservation can be valid from approximately 24 – 72 hours.

Do I need to cancel the flight reservation?

No. The flight reservation is automatically cancelled once the reservation period has lapsed and not paid in full.