A booking reference (also known as a PNR code and record locator) is a unique identifier assigned to a reservation made with an airline. When you book a flight, this code — a combination of letters and numbers — is generated to identify and manage your booking.
A booking reference is used to retrieve, manage, and confirm the details of a flight when contacting airline customer service. It allows you to access your flight details, check in online, and choose seats.
The booking reference serves as proof that a reservation has been made and paid for. It helps avoid confusion or disputes about whether a booking exists and what services have been confirmed.
While it’s most commonly associated with airlines, this term is also sometimes used in hospitality. For example, after reserving a room at a hotel, you can use this code to confirm your stay dates, request special services, check in, or contact the hotel for any modifications or cancellations.