6 Things to Know Before Booking a Flight Online from Pakistan

  Last updated on 6 Jun, 2025

People in Pakistan are increasingly embracing the digital economy, with more travelers now choosing to book their flights online. The ease of comparing fares, accessing promotions, and securing instant confirmations has made online flight booking a preferred choice.

Popular international travel websites like Expedia, Skyscanner, and Booking.com are widely used by Pakistani travelers. While this shift offers convenience, there are also important factors to keep in mind before booking.

1. Taxes on credit card international transactions
2. Spending limits on most credit cards
3. Customer support after ticket issuance
4. Non refundable tickets - without baggage tickets
5. Problem with third party ticketing and fare comparison websites
6. Visa and travel document requirements

1. Taxes on credit card international transactions in Pakistan

Online fares may look attractive, but a ticket purchased through an international travel website comes with an unwanted surprise. All foreign transactions (payments made on non Pakistani websites), are subject to minimum 3 government taxes that add up on the amount spent:

• Rate of exchange (2% to 3%): Although the prices shown on website may be in PKR, but they are ultimately charged on international USD or EUR based payment gateways. The conversion cost between foreign currency and PKR adds up 2 to 3 percent on total value.
• Foreign Transaction Fee (4.5%): A foreign transaction fee is added on all international transactions made through debit or credit cards.
• Excise Duty on Fee (0.72%): An excise duty charge is the second tax that will added to the amount. The excise duty is usually 16% of the foreign transaction fee amount.
• Advance Tax (5%): Advance income tax is deducted with each transaction. This is minimum 5% for registered tax filers and higher for non tax filers.
• PRA and SRA Tax (optional): In some cases Punjab Revenue Authority or Sindh Revenue Authority tax can also be deducted that is a hefty 10% to 15%.

So you pay minimum 14% to 16% additional tax with each international transaction. You wanted to save 10,000 rupees with a lucrative fare online? but spending Rs 200,000 online comes with a surprise unavoidable fee of up to Rs 32,000 on your credit card statement.

2. Spending limits on most credit cards

You are ready to pay additional taxes and want to buy tickets for you and your family for your next vacation, But most basic debit and credit cards in Pakistan come with a maximum per transaction limit (of usually PKR 100,000 to 200,000). 

While making bigger price transactions, traveler may face limit issues and need to take alternate path for ticketing.

3. Customer support after ticket issuance

One major challenge travelers face with well-known international travel websites is reaching their customer support after booking. These platforms issue thousands of tickets daily, making personalized assistance difficult to access.

If you need to change travel dates, request a refund, or resolve any issue post-booking, the process can be time-consuming and frustrating. Long wait times, automated responses, language barriers, and limited local support often leave travelers without timely help.

4. Non refundable tickets - without baggage tickets

While booking flights online, many travelers find themselves overwhelmed by the flood of information, fare options, airline rules, and policies. In an attempt to save money, it's easy to accidentally select a ticket that’s non-refundable, non-changeable, or missing essential features like baggage allowance or onboard meals.

These small details can lead to major inconveniences later. Understanding the fare conditions before confirming the booking is crucial to avoid regrets.

5. Problem with third party ticketing and fare comparison websites

Metasearch travel websites like Skyscanner and Trip.com display attractive discounted fares by comparing prices from various sources. However, they don't sell tickets themselves; instead, they redirect users to third-party travel agencies or websites to complete the booking - which may not be credible enough.

While this can help you find cheaper options, it also carries certain risks. After-sales support, such as making changes, cancellations, or resolving issues, becomes more difficult since you're dealing with a third-party provider. In many cases, getting timely assistance or a refund can be frustrating and time-consuming.

6. Visa and travel document requirements

Online flight booking website may show you great fare options, but they do not assist you to check and verify your travel document requirements. Booking a wrong route, or flight option can result in catastrophic problems and financial losses. You may be denied boarding at the airport and your ticket may be wasted.

What can go wrong?

1. Travelers may wrongly book a flight with a transit in a country that does not allow transiting without visa.
2. You may book one-way ticket but with the type of visa you have, you must have a return ticket.
3. There may be a health requirement (like polio vaccination for some countries from Pakistan), but you never get to know that.
4. There may be local requirements, like Pakistani government requires all employment and work visa holders to get Protector (a kind of insurance issued by government) before their first travel.
5. Also there may be 'OK to Board' verification requirement on many e-visas.

Failing to comply with any of above may result in a definite offloading from your booked flight.

Conclusion

Online flight booking offers great convenience, flexibility, and access to competitive fares, but it also comes with certain challenges like limited after-sales support and confusing fare conditions. For many travelers, especially those unfamiliar with airline policies, these issues can lead to costly mistakes.

Booking through a trusted local travel agent or a Pakistan-based travel website can provide better guidance and quicker support. It ensures peace of mind, especially when plans change or problems arise.