A method of validating an e-ticket includes the step of sending the e-ticket from an initial receiving server S.sub.i to a plurality of servers including S.sub.i. Each server returns an answer indicative of whether that server previously answered an inquiry for the e-ticket. A conflict mode of validation is selected if at least one selected server of a majority of servers answered a previous inquiry for the e-ticket. A conflict-free mode of validation is selected if none of the majority of servers has answered any previous inquiry for the e-ticket.