An itinerary number is a unique reference number assigned to a travel booking. Airlines, hotels, travel agencies and booking websites use it to find your reservation and show your trip details.

Depending on the provider, an itinerary number may also be called a:

  • Confirmation number
  • Booking reference
  • Reservation number
  • Record locator
  • Trip ID

The name and format vary by provider. American Airlines, for example, uses a six-character confirmation code or record locator for a booking, while United Hotels refers to its booking identifier as an itinerary number.

Itinerary Number at a Glance

Term What it identifies Typical format
Itinerary number A booking or complete trip Provider-specific
Confirmation number A reservation Letters and numbers
Record locator An airline reservation record Often six characters
Ticket number An issued travel ticket Often 13 digits
Flight number A scheduled flight Airline code plus numbers

Where Can You Find Your Itinerary Number?

You can usually find your itinerary number in:

  1. Your booking confirmation email
  2. The travel provider's mobile app
  3. The Manage Booking or My Trips section of the provider's website
  4. Your electronic travel document
  5. An airline, hotel or car-rental receipt

United Hotels states that its itinerary number appears at the top of the emailed travel confirmation. Look for labels such as Itinerary number, Confirmation number, Booking reference or Reservation number.

What Is an Itinerary Number Used For?

An itinerary number can help you:

  • View a flight, hotel or car-rental booking
  • Check in for a flight
  • Change or cancel a reservation
  • Select a seat
  • Download a boarding pass
  • Contact customer service
  • Find a lost booking confirmation
  • Check the status of a package trip

The number gives the provider a way to locate your reservation. Delta, for example, lets customers find a trip using a confirmation number, ticket number or payment-card details.

Is an Itinerary Number the Same as a Ticket Number?

No. An itinerary number identifies the reservation, while a ticket number identifies the issued ticket.

A single reservation may include:

  • Several passengers
  • Multiple flights
  • A hotel and car rental
  • Separate ticket numbers for each traveler
  • Different confirmation numbers for separate parts of the trip

American Airlines describes its ticket number as a unique 13-digit number. Its confirmation code is a separate six-character record locator. United Airlines also distinguishes between its confirmation number and 13-digit ticket number.

Is an Itinerary Number the Same as a Flight Number?

No. A flight number identifies the scheduled service, not your personal reservation.

For example:

  • Flight number: AA100
  • Itinerary or confirmation number: JCQNHD
  • Ticket number: A 13-digit number

Passengers on the same flight can share the flight number. Your itinerary number identifies your booking.

What Should You Enter If a Form Asks for an Itinerary Number?

Enter the reference that matches the wording used by the form.

  • If the form says itinerary number, enter the provider's itinerary number.
  • If it says confirmation code or record locator, enter the airline's booking reference.
  • If it says ticket number, enter the 13-digit ticket number instead.
  • If you booked through a travel agency, check the agency confirmation first. Its itinerary number may differ from the airline's confirmation code.

A third-party booking may also have an airline-specific confirmation code. United states that customers can use a six-character confirmation code to access a trip before check-in.

What If You Cannot Find Your Itinerary Number?

Search your email for:

  • "Booking confirmation"
  • "Travel confirmation"
  • "Reservation"
  • "Itinerary"
  • "Confirmation code"
  • The name of the airline, hotel or travel agency

You can also sign in to the provider's website or app. If that does not work, contact customer service and provide your name, travel date, destination and payment details. Delta advises customers who have lost a confirmation number to provide details such as their name, flight number, travel date and cities.

Keep your itinerary number private. Delta warns that someone with a booking reference may be able to access related booking details through its systems.