People have been warned that posting a picture of your boarding pass online could see your holiday cancelled – or see you left seriously out of pocket. As Brits head abroad this summer, legal experts are warning against the increasingly common, and costly, mistake: posting photos of your boarding pass on social media.
According to Adam Jones, legal expert at HD Claims, sharing even part of your airline ticket or boarding pass on social media could hand cybercriminals the keys to your personal data — and in some cases, access to your account, passport details, or even future travel.
“Most travellers don’t realise their boarding pass contains far more than just a seat number,” said Jones. “It can include your full name, flight number, frequent flyer ID and booking reference – which criminals can use to log in, cancel or change your itinerary, steal miles, or worse, access stored passport and payment information.”
Recent cases have shown how scammers use boarding pass barcodes and QR codes to retrieve sensitive data from airline systems. In one high-profile incident, a traveller had their return flight altered after a scammer used a photo of their ticket to log into their booking.
The risk is particularly high with budget airlines and major carriers that allow online check-in and limited verification.
“This isn’t just about social embarrassment — it’s a serious data protection issue,” Jones adds. “If your ID or travel account is compromised as a result, you could end up footing the bill or losing your holiday altogether.”
What travellers should know:
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Don’t post photos of your boarding pass or baggage tag — even if it’s just a corner or barcode.
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Shred or destroy your ticket after flying — criminals have been known to retrieve them from bins or hotel rooms.
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If you’ve shared one by accident, contact your airline and change your login credentials immediately.
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Avoid public Wi-Fi when accessing airline apps or booking platforms abroad.
Jones says that airlines are increasingly warning passengers themselves — but legal protections for victims remain limited unless a clear breach or financial loss occurs.
“Ultimately, the best legal defence is prevention,” he says. “Treat your boarding pass like a credit card — don’t flash it on Instagram.”
