What Is a PNR, an E-Ticket Number, and a Record Locator — and Why Do We Need One?
When you submit a refund claim at TicketRefund.com, we always ask for at least one important number from your booking:
- A PNR
- An e-ticket number
- Or a record locator
Many passengers aren’t sure what these are — or why they matter.
Let’s break it down clearly and simply.
✈️ What Is a PNR (Passenger Name Record)?
A PNR (Passenger Name Record) is the booking reference stored in the airline’s reservation system.
It is usually:
- A 6-character combination of letters and/or numbers
- Something like: AB12CD or X7YZ9Q
The PNR contains:
- Passenger name(s)
- Flight details
- Travel dates
- Fare type
- Contact details
- Ticket status
Think of the PNR as your booking’s digital file inside the airline’s system.
If you booked directly with the airline, the PNR is typically the main reference number you receive.
🎟️ What Is an E-Ticket Number?
The e-ticket number is different from the PNR.
This is the actual ticket issued for travel.
It is:
- A 13-digit number
- Often starting with a 3-digit airline code
- Example: 220-1234567890
Important difference:
- The PNR is the reservation
- The e-ticket is the payment-based travel document
You can have a PNR without a valid ticket (for example, if payment fails).
But you cannot travel without a valid e-ticket number.
The e-ticket number is often the most powerful reference when claiming a refund because it is directly tied to the financial transaction.
🌍 What Is a Record Locator?
A record locator is very similar to a PNR — but it is often issued by:
- Online Travel Agencies (OTAs)
- Travel agencies
- Booking platforms
Examples include bookings made via:
- Online travel websites
- Corporate travel agencies
- Third-party booking portals
Here’s where it gets confusing:
You may receive:
- One record locator from the travel agency
- And a different PNR from the airline
Both refer to the same booking — but exist in different systems.
The airline cannot always locate your booking using only the agency’s internal reference. That’s why having at least one airline-recognized identifier is essential.
🔎 What’s the Difference Between the Three?
| PNR | E-Ticket Number | Record Locator |
|---|---|---|
| Booking reference in airline system | Official issued travel document number | Booking reference from travel agency or OTA |
| Usually 6 characters | 13-digit number | Usually 6 characters |
| Identifies reservation | Identifies paid ticket | Identifies booking in agency system |
| Used to retrieve booking | Used for financial & ticket validation | Used to find booking via third party |
In short:
- PNR = your reservation file
- E-ticket number = your paid ticket
- Record locator = agency booking reference
Why TicketRefund.com Needs One of These Numbers
To successfully claim a refund from an airline or travel agent, we must:
- Locate your booking in the correct system
- Verify ticket status
- Confirm unused flight segments
- Identify refundable tax components
- Submit a formal claim linked to the ticket
Without a PNR, e-ticket number, or record locator, the airline cannot identify your booking.
And if the booking cannot be identified, no refund can be processed.
There is simply no way for us — or the airline — to recover funds without one of these unique identifiers.
Where Can You Find These Numbers?
They are usually located:
- On your booking confirmation email
- On your e-ticket receipt
- In your travel agency confirmation
- On your invoice
- In your airline account under “My Trips”
Look for:
- A 6-digit alphanumeric code (PNR or record locator)
- Or a 13-digit ticket number
The Bottom Line
If you want us to recover money from an unused ticket, we must be able to trace your booking inside the airline or agency system.
And to do that, we need at least one of these:
✔ PNR
✔ E-ticket number
✔ Record locator
Without one of them, the airline cannot identify your ticket — and no refund is possible.
If you’re unsure whether your document contains the correct number, simply upload it. Our team will review it and extract the necessary information.
Start your claim today and let us turn an unused ticket into money back in your pocket.