Importance

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Abstract

A method of and system for issuing an electronic authorization and validation for pre-scheduled activities, such as airline reservations, to eliminate paper tickets. The passenger makes the reservation and a reservation number is issued in the central computer of the airline reservation center. The passenger is then issued a plastic I.D. card that may be used to access the computer for validation purposes. An automatic teller machine, at the airport, allows the passenger to receive specific flight information, departure gate information, and a boarding pass, and to make reservations and access frequent flier information and messages, simply by the insertion of the I.D. card in a card a reader at the ATM. A mobile airline communications system at the departure gate includes a magnetic card reader that provides validation of the reservation at the departure, which allows the passenger to board the aircraft. The system may be utilized for hotel reservations, car rentals and other types of pre-scheduled, pre-payable activities that require authorization and validation at each scheduled activity. Also, goods and services provided by the airline may be obtained using the I.D. card, including charging purchases against the passenger's accumulated frequent flier miles.

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First Claim