How to Hold a Flight Ticket Without Paying in 2026 (Step-by-Step Guide)

Hold a flight ticket without paying is a smart travel strategy that lets you reserve a seat and lock in the current price without completing the full payment upfront. Most major airlines including Delta, American, United, and Lufthansa offer an official hold option that keeps your fare secure for 24 to 72 hours at little to no cost. In the United States, the Department of Transportation (DOT) legally requires airlines to allow passengers to hold a flight ticket without paying for a full 24 hours, as long as the booking is made at least seven days before departure.

There are several reasons you might need to hold a flight ticket without paying from waiting on visa approval and confirming travel dates to comparing prices or simply needing a few extra days before committing. Third party platforms like Hopper, Kayak, and Farelock have made this process even easier in 2026, offering Price Freeze features that protect your fare for up to 14 days. Whether you are booking for leisure or business, knowing how to hold a flight ticket without paying can save you both money and unnecessary stress.

What Does Holding a Flight Ticket Actually Mean

Holding a flight ticket means reserving a seat on a specific flight at a specific price for a set period of time, without completing the full payment. Think of it like putting an item on layaway the seat is yours temporarily, the price is locked in, and you have a window of time to decide whether to confirm or cancel.

This is different from booking a refundable ticket. A hold doesn’t charge your card upfront. You’re essentially creating a reservation that expires unless you pay by a deadline. Some holds are completely free, while others charge a small holding fee which is almost always far cheaper than the full ticket price.

Why Would You Need to Hold a Flight

There are plenty of practical reasons travelers choose to hold a ticket rather than book outright:

• You’re waiting for a visa or travel permit approval
• You need to confirm dates with your employer, family, or travel companions
• You want to compare prices across multiple airlines before committing
• You’ve found a great fare but your paycheck hasn’t come in yet
• You need a confirmed itinerary to submit for a visa application without paying for the ticket
• You’re unsure about accommodation or connecting travel arrangements

Whatever the reason, holding a ticket gives you breathing room without losing a good price. If you’re applying for travel permission, you may also want to review common documentation issues in this guide on common reasons for visa rejection to avoid costly mistakes.

How Long Can You Hold a Flight Ticket

Hold durations vary depending on the airline, the booking platform, and how far in advance you’re booking. Here’s a general overview:

Hold Duration	Common Providers	Typical Fee
24 Hours	Most US airlines (DOT regulation), Expedia, Kayak	Free
3 to 7 Days	Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Priceline	$5 – $30
Up to 14 Days	Farelock (Farecompare), Reservations.com	$10 – $50
Up to 72 Hours	Emirates, Qatar Airways, Lufthansa	Free or small fee
Flexible (varies)	Trip.com, Kiwi.com, Hopper	$5 – $40

Important Note: In the United States, the Department of Transportation (DOT) mandates that airlines allow passengers to hold a reservation for 24 hours without payment as long as the booking is made at least 7 days before departure. This is a legal right, not a favour.

Step by Step: How to Hold a Flight Ticket Without Paying

Step 1: Search for Your Flight

Start by searching for your desired route on an airline’s official website or a third-party booking platform. Use tools like:

• Google Flights – Great for price tracking and calendar views
• Skyscanner – Compares hundreds of airlines at once
• Hopper – Predicts price changes and offers hold options
• Kayak – Has a “Price Freeze” feature
• Expedia – Offers hold options on select fares

Once you’ve found a fare you like, don’t book it immediately. First, check whether the airline or platform offers a hold option.

Step 2: Look for the Hold or Price Freeze Option

On most airline websites, you’ll see this option either on the fare selection page or during checkout. It may be labeled as:

• “Hold this fare”
• “Price Freeze”
• “Reserve this seat”
• “Option to Purchase”
• “Farelock”

If you’re using the airline’s website and don’t see a hold option, look under “Manage Booking” or call their customer service line directly. Many airlines offer holds over the phone even when the website doesn’t display the feature prominently.

Step 3: Review the Hold Terms and Conditions

Before agreeing to a hold, carefully read the terms. Pay attention to:

• Expiry time – When exactly does the hold expire? (Time zone matters)
• Hold fee – Is it refundable if you don’t book? Usually not.
• Price guarantee – Is the price fully locked in, or can it change?
• Seat guarantee – Is your specific seat held, or just the fare?
• Cancellation rules – Can you cancel the hold early?

Step 4: Create an Account or Log In

Most airlines and booking platforms require you to have an account before placing a hold. Creating one is free and takes only a minute. Having an account also means:

• You can easily manage or cancel your hold
• You’ll receive email reminders about your hold expiry
• Loyalty points may apply once you complete the booking

Step 5: Enter Passenger Details

You’ll need to fill in passenger information even for a hold booking. This typically includes:

• Full name (as it appears on passport or ID)
• Date of birth
• Nationality
• Passport number (for international flights)
• Contact email and phone number

Make sure this information is accurate, as most airlines will not allow name changes on tickets once booked. If your passport has expired, read this before placing a hold: Can I book a flight with an expired passport.

Step 6: Pay the Holding Fee (If Applicable)

If the hold requires a small fee, you’ll be asked to pay it at this stage. Common holding fees range from $5 to $50 depending on the flight length and provider. This fee is typically:

• Non-refundable whether you book or cancel
• Deducted from your total fare if you go ahead with the purchase
• Charged to any major credit or debit card

Some platforms like Hopper charge a Price Freeze fee and will actually compensate you the difference if the price drops below what you locked in making it a clever way to hedge against price changes.

Step 7: Confirm the Hold and Save Your Reference Number

Once the hold is placed, you’ll receive a confirmation email with a booking reference or PNR (Passenger Name Record). Save this carefully. You’ll need it to:

• Complete the payment before the deadline
• Show as proof of reservation for visa applications
• Contact the airline if something changes

Step 8: Complete the Payment Before Expiry

Mark the hold expiry date and time in your calendar with a reminder set a few hours before. To complete the booking:

• Go to “Manage Booking” on the airline’s website
• Enter your reference number and last name
• Review the full fare and proceed to payment
• Complete the transaction with your preferred payment method

If you miss the deadline, the hold expires and the seat is released back into inventory. You’ll lose your holding fee and may find the price has increased.

Top Airlines With Official Hold Policies in 2026

Airline	Hold Duration	Hold Fee	Notes
American Airlines	Up to 24 hours	Free	DOT compliant, 7+ days before departure
Delta Air Lines	Up to 24 hours	Free	Available on all domestic and most international routes
United Airlines	Up to 24 hours	Free	Extended holds available for a fee via third parties
Alaska Airlines	Up to 24 hours	Free	Award tickets excluded
Lufthansa	Up to 72 hours	Free	Available on long-haul international routes
Emirates	Up to 72 hours	Free on select fares	Varies by fare class
Qatar Airways	Up to 48 hours	Free	Available via their website
British Airways	Up to 72 hours	Small fee applies	Called “Hold a Booking”
Air Canada	Up to 24 hours	Free	Available for 7+ days in advance
Singapore Airlines	Up to 72 hours	Varies	Available on select international routes

Third Party Platforms That Offer Price Holds

Beyond airlines themselves, several third-party booking platforms have built their business model around helping you hold fares:

• Hopper – Their “Price Freeze” feature lets you lock in a price for up to 14 days. If the price drops, Hopper covers the difference. If it rises, you pay the frozen price.
• Kayak – Offers a “Price Freeze” add-on during checkout on select routes.
• Priceline – Allows a “Hold” option on hotel and flight combinations.
• Farelock (via various OTAs) – A specialized holding service that works across multiple airlines and allows holds of up to 7 days.
• Trip.com – Provides flexible booking holds on select international routes.

How to Use a Flight Hold for a Visa Application

One of the most common reasons people hold a flight ticket is to meet visa requirements. Many embassies ask for proof of onward travel a confirmed itinerary before granting a visa. But buying a fully non-refundable ticket before visa approval is a significant financial risk.

Here’s how to use a flight hold for your visa application:

• Place a hold on your desired flight using any of the methods described above
• Download or screenshot the confirmation email with your booking reference
• Submit this as your “proof of onward travel” in your visa application
• Wait for visa approval before completing payment
• If your visa is approved, pay for the ticket; if denied, let the hold expire or cancel it

Tip: Some visa consultants recommend services like Onward Ticket or Fly Onward, which provide temporary dummy tickets specifically for visa applications. These are not holds they are temporary bookings that are cancelled after a set period. However, these services carry some risk and are not accepted by all embassies.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Holding a Flight

• Missing the expiry deadline – Set multiple reminders. Holds don’t auto-renew and won’t warn you with enough notice.
• Assuming the price is always locked – Read the fine print. Some “holds” don’t guarantee the price, only the seat.
• Using dummy ticket services for official visa applications – These may be flagged as fraudulent by embassies and immigration officers.
• Ignoring time zones – A hold expiring at “11:59 PM” may be the airline’s local time, not yours.
• Providing incorrect passenger details – Information submitted at hold stage is usually carried forward to the final ticket.

Tips to Get the Most Out of Flight Holds in 2026

• Always book directly through the airline’s website when using the free 24-hour DOT rule third-party bookings may not qualify
• Use Google Flights’ price tracking feature alongside a hold to monitor whether prices are rising or falling
• If you’re booking for a group, hold all seats in one reservation to avoid someone in your party losing their spot
• Consider the Hopper Price Freeze if you’re booking a route where prices are volatile it functions almost like flight insurance
• Use your airline’s loyalty program login when placing holds, as some programs offer extended hold windows to members
  
  If you’re still deciding when to book, this breakdown of the cheapest day to book flights can help you plan better.

Final Thoughts

Holding a flight ticket without paying is not a loophole or a trick it’s an official feature offered by airlines and booking platforms to make travel planning more flexible and less stressful. In 2026, the options available to travelers are better than ever, with multiple airlines offering free holds and third-party platforms like Hopper turning price freezes into a genuine consumer benefit.

The key is knowing where to look, reading the terms carefully, and making sure you complete the payment well before the hold expires. Whether you’re navigating visa paperwork, coordinating with travel partners, or simply waiting for payday, a flight hold gives you the time you need without losing the price you want.