Journey reference card

Compact journey card

Three uses: before leaving, check feasibility; at the airport, identify the next step; after a change, confirm the complete new plan. The examples below help interpret the fields. Keep an offline copy without exposing document or booking details publicly.

Before leaving: does the journey fit your plan?

Use these points to review your plan before leaving.

• Identify date, airport and terminal for every leg. A 00:30 flight may require leaving home the previous day.
• Confirm ticket issuance and matching name. A booking reference, receipt and boarding pass serve different purposes.
• Check departure, transit and destination documents, including children and permissions. Keep accepted formats accessible; a copy does not replace a required original or official app.
• Compare purchased allowance with packed bags: count, weight, dimensions and contents. Separate essentials and batteries that must remain in the cabin.
• Record bag-drop and gate deadlines, terminal transport and queue margin. Confirm requested assistance.
• Plan connections and arrival, including bag collection, country entry and the last transport leg to accommodation.

Decision example: the fare appears affordable but needs paid baggage and an airport transfer. Complete the comparison only after adding both costs and checking the route. Use the planning sheet and quick reference to keep details together.

At the airport: identify your next step

The usual route is check-in/verification → bag drop if needed → screening → gate → boarding. Border controls and route-specific arrangements may add steps.

• Without a pass or with checks outstanding, contact the airline. Hand in checked bags before the deadline and keep receipts.
• At screening, follow that checkpoint’s procedure; afterwards account for every tray and essential item.
• On displays, match flight number, destination and status. Recheck the gate; the old pass may be outdated.
• Locate the route before taking a break. “Thirty minutes until departure” does not mean thirty minutes available to reach the gate.
• Board with the called group, check the seat, stow bags and follow the safety briefing. Keep the belt fastened while seated.

For a connection: follow the confirmed route and check the next leg and bags before leaving for the public area. At destination: pass applicable controls, collect the correct bag, report baggage issues, then find planned ground transport. Ask for help using the flight number and a specific question.

When plans change: confirm, request a solution and retain evidence

First identify what changed: flight, gate, time, documents or baggage. Contact whoever can act — airline for transport and checked bags, security staff for screening, the relevant authority for country entry.

• Confirm information through the official channel and record the time. Do not base a major decision solely on another passenger’s message.
• Explain the objective: reach the destination, clarify a document or locate a bag. Provide flight and case reference where available.
• Ask about alternatives and consequences before accepting: new flight, refund, waiting or further assistance. Check connections, return legs, baggage and assistance too.
• Retain confirmations, receipts and relevant records. Paying an expense yourself does not make reimbursement automatic.
• If unresolved, send a short account with facts, evidence and a clear request through the competent channel. Protect personal data.

Case: rebooking arrives after the last transport to accommodation. Beyond the new flight, revise the final transfer and any applicable assistance. A solution must consider the whole journey. The disruption reference includes a worked example for organizing that request.

References

• Buying a ticket in Brazil
• Travel documents: route, nationality and residence
• Baggage: preparation and problems
• Check-in and bag drop at Heathrow
• Zone boarding and flight information
• Passenger safety tips
• Baggage reclaim and assistance
• Delays, cancellations and assistance
• Anac Passageiro: airline complaints

Sources checked 2026-09-27.