One of the growing trends is so-called paperless tickets. (“So-called” because there’s still paper involved; just far less.) Last week, the IATA (International Air Transport Association) — which represents more than 240 airlines comprising 94 percent of international scheduled air traffic — said that it would stop issuing paper tickets come May 31, 2008.
On a related note, CavsNews reported a story on Flash Seats, which is pushing electronic tickets to concerts, sporting events, and the like.
It works similarly to the e-tickets for airlines: When you order your tickets online, the order is associated with your credit card or identification.  And when it’s time to go to the game or show, you don’t scour the house for the tickets or stand in line at will call; you swipe your credit card or driver’s license as you go in. In turn, you get a paper guide telling you where your seats are.
In case your card isn’t read, “venue officials verify the person’s identity by asking agreed-upon security questions, such as mother’s maiden name or first pet’s name.”
The Cleveland Cavaliers gave the system a spin last season. Participation was voluntary. About 17 percent of season ticket holders used the system last season, a portion that [increased] to 50 percent during the club’s playoff run into the NBA Finals.
In addition to reducing paper waste, the system means potentially better control and security. Team officials say they would like to maintain greater control to improve security, to prevent counterfeiting, and to reclaim some of the money that is going to third-party resellers such as eBay, StubHub, RazorGator, and AceTicket.
From an end-user perspective, though, you do lose some convenience. Rather than being able to give tickets to friends so they can meet you at a show later, you have to go through the steps of having the electronic tickets transferred to their names, or else be sure that everyone arrives on time to go in together.
Source:Â INFOWORLD