CoolGuy From United States of America, joined Jan 2005, 410 posts, RR: 0 Posted (6 years 1 month 1 week 6 days 18 hours ago) and read 7575 times:
A reservation agent messed up my name. It was correct on the first reservation I made, then the agent on the phone copied it to a new reservation (I changed the dates) and added and extra letter "i" to my last name. As an example, it's like spelling a name as "Bill Cliinton". This is with Virgin Atlantic, EWR-LHR (Upper class), flying tomorrow. I called up and made them put a note in there about this, but I emailed and the response was that no such note existed. But then I called again, and the agent said everything would be fine and that she did see a note.
HBDAN From Switzerland, joined Jan 2006, 661 posts, RR: 4 Reply 1, posted (6 years 1 month 1 week 6 days 18 hours ago) and read 7536 times:
Do not worry!
Name + Surname have to contain 3 wrong elements in order to be considered not valid for pax identification and therefore boarding. So enjoy your flight tomorrow!
At least in Switzerland. But i'm pretty sure it's an international rule.
TonyBurr From United States of America, joined Mar 2001, 983 posts, RR: 0 Reply 2, posted (6 years 1 month 1 week 6 days 17 hours ago) and read 7470 times:
I agree with HBDAN, it is OK up to 3 wrong letters. I made a reservation for my boss and mispelled his name with just one letter and he had no problems (or rather I should say, I had no problems). I doubt the boss even saw it.
Jetdeltamsy From United States of America, joined Nov 2000, 2984 posts, RR: 8 Reply 3, posted (6 years 1 month 1 week 6 days 17 hours ago) and read 7455 times:
Quoting HBDAN (Reply 1): Name + Surname have to contain 3 wrong elements in order to be considered not valid for pax identification and therefore boarding.
I don't know where he gets his information.
At my company, the name must match exactly. Obvious typos, like "Cliinton" are exceptions. Other than that, it must match exactly.
Worked for too many airlines to list. Banktupcy after bankruptcy after bankruptcy.
Bond007 From United States of America, joined Mar 2005, 5098 posts, RR: 8 Reply 4, posted (6 years 1 month 1 week 6 days 17 hours ago) and read 7455 times:
My Delta name is wrong in my profile and I travel frequently with an extra letter on the end of my first name. Never had anything mentioned US domestic.
...I know....I should change it anyway!
Jimbo
I'd rather be on the ground wishing I was in the air, than in the air wishing I was on the ground!
Go3Team From United States of America, joined Mar 2004, 3266 posts, RR: 22 Reply 5, posted (6 years 1 month 1 week 6 days 17 hours ago) and read 7400 times:
Some carriers add the first initial of the middle name (if entered) to the end of the first name, such as: FRED/SMITHT.
Bond007 From United States of America, joined Mar 2005, 5098 posts, RR: 8 Reply 7, posted (6 years 1 month 1 week 6 days 16 hours ago) and read 7302 times:
Quoting Go3Team (Reply 5): Some carriers add the first initial of the middle name (if entered) to the end of the first name, such as: FRED/SMITHT
Yes, DL does that. Problem is that none of my ID mentions my middle name or initial, so as far as anybody 'matching' my ID to my ticket, it looks incorrect.
Jetdeltamsy From United States of America, joined Nov 2000, 2984 posts, RR: 8 Reply 8, posted (6 years 1 month 1 week 6 days 15 hours ago) and read 7221 times:
Quoting Swiftski (Reply 6): I had an issue with VS today in fact. My reservation was made at the Hong Kong ticket office and was spelled wrong.
It was down as Firstmiddle Surname
rather than
First Middle Surname
I don't think that is considered is an error. I frequently see such things...hyphonated also names give our systems fits. Generally you just run the two names together.
What we watch out for is John Smith, Jr. showing up with a ticket that just says John Smith..no Jr. or Sr. or anything listed.. Or a completely different name than is presented on the ID. My father, for example, has his drivers license issued as his first initial, period, middle name, last name .. i.e. J. Paul Smith....his first name does not appear on his license at all. This has caused him to undergo some scrutiny at airports in the past. He's always been able to explain himself, but it is something that raises eyebrows.
Worked for too many airlines to list. Banktupcy after bankruptcy after bankruptcy.
VgnAtl747 From United States of America, joined Apr 2001, 1492 posts, RR: 2 Reply 9, posted (6 years 1 month 1 week 6 days 15 hours ago) and read 7195 times:
I've never heard that you are allowed to have three letters incorrect, and I used to work check-in for DL. To my knowledge your ticket and e-ticket names much match specifically your ID/passport/etc. Typos as the one CoolGuy mentioned shouldn't be a problem though. The only problem that may arise is when the computer compares the name entered off the passport to the ticket name, and it may give the agent an error. In addition, what I saw a lot at DL was problems with the Frequent Flyer account name not matching the ticket name, which will give the agent a "NO FF ACCT/NAME MISMATCH" error. For example if you're Bob M Smith, your SkyMiles account would me SMITH/BOBM. If your boss or corporate travel agent booked your ticket as SMITH/BOB, then it wouldn't match and might not automatically credit your miles to your account.
At any rate, a quick chat with the sup at EWR on checkin should be able to correct your ticket name and negate any problems you might have. VS staff at EWR is generally pretty good...especially as you'll be checking in for J you should have an experienced agent that will be able to fix the name for you.
CoolGuy From United States of America, joined Jan 2005, 410 posts, RR: 0 Reply 10, posted (6 years 1 month 1 week 6 days 15 hours ago) and read 7183 times:
Got it. I think the easiest thing to do is just leave it as is and deal with it at the airport if necessary.
I'm a little upset because I want to check in online and I doubt the system will allow me to do so, it's a 747 and I really wanted to try for the upstairs, which are not assigned until check-in time, or the first row downstairs. I hope I get it!
Remcor From United States of America, joined Feb 2006, 351 posts, RR: 0 Reply 12, posted (6 years 1 month 1 week 6 days 15 hours ago) and read 7147 times:
What about transliterations of foreign names?
For example my wife's aunt can go by Hasanova, or Khasanova (the K being silent), because in her native country the name is spelled using a letter somewhat between the 'h' and 'kh' sound.
I bought a ticket for her on B6 and spelled her name Hasanova, but I believe in her passport it says Khasanova. Will she face any problems?
MCIGuy From United States of America, joined Mar 2006, 1936 posts, RR: 0 Reply 13, posted (6 years 1 month 1 week 6 days 15 hours ago) and read 7138 times:
My name is Matthew but my credit card says "Matt". Last time I bought tickets with it the tickets said "Matt" to match my credti card. My drivers license says "Matthew" and it wasn't and issue at all. This was on US.
OA260 From Ireland, joined Nov 2006, 24891 posts, RR: 60 Reply 14, posted (6 years 1 month 1 week 6 days 15 hours ago) and read 7126 times:
Quoting Remcor (Reply 12): I bought a ticket for her on B6 and spelled her name Hasanova, but I believe in her passport it says Khasanova. Will she face any problems?
You need to call them and check their policy . Normally they just put a note into the PNR but in future you should book it exactly as it appears on her passport.
OLYMPIC AIR - ΟΛΥΜΠΙΑΚΗ "Η ΕΛΛΑΔΑ ΨΗΛΑ" "GREECE FLYING HIGH"
Swiftski From Australia, joined Dec 2006, 2701 posts, RR: 2 Reply 15, posted (6 years 1 month 1 week 6 days 15 hours ago) and read 7112 times:
Quoting OA260 (Reply 11): God Swiftski you had a bad trip what with your non machine readable passport and then this !!! You must have been glad to get home.
... but I love flying so it's all worth it.
Didn't want to dedicate an entire thread to my trip and I've never done a trip report before so just dropping things in as they come up!
Afay1 From United States of America, joined Oct 2001, 1293 posts, RR: 3 Reply 16, posted (6 years 1 month 1 week 6 days 13 hours ago) and read 7009 times:
My first name (Ashley) is a common girl's name in the US, but I am male, and frequently have travel agencies and/or the airlines themselves think they are doing me a favor and change MR to MS or even worse, MRS! Most of the time a note is added, but sometimes the agents refuse and say I just have to deal with it. In all of the cases, it has never been a problem in the US or abroad at the actual airport...
TK787 From United States of America, joined Jan 2006, 4104 posts, RR: 13 Reply 17, posted (6 years 1 month 1 week 6 days 13 hours ago) and read 6987 times:
Couple of years back in VIE, the agent at the gate caught a space missing between my name and middle initial on my ticket compared to my passport. It was an OS VIE-JFK flight, and to my surprise he pulled out a palm-pilot and checked my name and in a second he said "Have a nice flight sir"
TPAPDX From United States of America, joined Oct 2005, 87 posts, RR: 0 Reply 18, posted (6 years 1 month 1 week 6 days 13 hours ago) and read 6947 times:
According to the TSA website, it only indicates that "The absence of proper identification will result in additional screening" at check-in. However, it doesn't address the implications if your name "mispelling" is an attempt to thwart the dreaded no-fly list, especially for an international trip.
I too have been told on many occasions that the TSA allows upto 3 letters wrong and/or missing from the reservation without causing any issues. And of course the usual Tim/Timothy, Mike/Michael, Teri/Teresa spellings don't usually even get a second-look by airline or TSA personnel, as reasonable assumptions can be easily made.
For proof of your conversation with the airline agent, I always write down their name (and agent code, if they'll give it to you), where they are, and I note the date and time I spoke to them. This is handy at the airport when the check-in agents/supervisors ask "Do you know who told you that?" It's nice to have a legitimate response with details to back you up.
JJeff From United States of America, joined Nov 2003, 131 posts, RR: 0 Reply 19, posted (6 years 1 month 1 week 6 days 12 hours ago) and read 6909 times:
I too use only my first initial followed by my full middle name. All credit cards, bills, and most importantly mileage programs correctly reflect this arrangement. (In some cases I've had to have them enter my first initial and full middle name in the first name field on their systems.) As such, airline tickets are always issued as I prefer they be. However, I have been challenged twice now when travelling internationally as my passport and CA drivers license reflect my full first and midlle names. Ultimately, a note in the reservation record for international flights seems to be fine and to do the trick as others have noted.
Domokun From United States of America, joined Sep 2006, 202 posts, RR: 0 Reply 20, posted (6 years 1 month 1 week 6 days 12 hours ago) and read 6884 times:
When my wife and I got married her ticket had my last name and her IDs had her maiden name. One person in OGG asked questions but really did not care too much. So out of about 20 people who saw the mismatch, barely one cared.
Of course, this is in addition to my passport being way out of date (10 years old) which nobody caught either. It was amazing actually since my picture was from when I was about eleven years old. I would have thought *someone* would mention it... I had my DL on hand just in case someone asked though it was not needed.
ETStar From Canada, joined Jan 2004, 2103 posts, RR: 9 Reply 21, posted (6 years 1 month 1 week 6 days 9 hours ago) and read 6792 times:
Legal first name and that on the major credit card I use to make purchases have a one letter difference. I have always used the name on the credit card to book, and it has never been an issue on flights within North America and overseas. Have had gate agents check drivers' license/passport, same with immigration on all ends in different countries.
Also have my Air Canada Aeroplan name the same as what's on my credit card. But, AC being the $&*($% that it is, has a rule taking effect on the 15th barring mileage accrual on mismatching legal/aeroplan names. I sent in a name change request to Aeroplan the other day, and will have to start my legal first name to book from now on...
Avt007 From Canada, joined Jul 2000, 2131 posts, RR: 5 Reply 22, posted (6 years 1 month 1 week 6 days 8 hours ago) and read 6761 times:
I've flown international legs with the tickets (paper ones) with my name as Surname First. So now my last name bears no relation to my passport, yet I flew a few legs before anyone noticed. I sure didn't notice. I've also had extra letters added to my name, and only an FA ever said anything, since the addition made my name sound more "ethnic" than I appeared.
GregQuinn From United States of America, joined Jun 2005, 33 posts, RR: 0 Reply 23, posted (6 years 1 month 1 week 6 days 8 hours ago) and read 6752 times:
My recent ten-month exasperation on this matter demonstrates that there's some variance among airlines, perhaps even within alliances. As part of a RTW last summer I flew the end of June EWR-FRA-FCO-FRA-ICN on LH. I arrived in ICN the morning of July 1st. Subsequent flights involved OZ, NZ and SQ. When I returned in mid-July I looked up my Mileage Plus account with UA and all four LH flights were recorded. After two months nothing happened so I investigated .... had to send in my boarding-passes and a copy of the receipt demonstrating that I had in fact paid for the flights. Then I receive the rejection letter from UA that I wasn't being given any mileage at all (including the LH miles, 'though they didn't deduct those) because the name on the boarding-passes did not match the name of the MP account. BP name matches my passport: First Name/Middle Name/Surname, whereas the MP account was First Initial/Middle Name/Surname. Now smoke is pouring out of my ears. I called UA, and the solution was amazing: send a copy of the main page of my passport, request that the name on the MP account be changed to FN/MN/S, and reapply for the mileage. Finally, after much dilly-dallying around and the elapse of much time, the missing miles were put into my account EXCEPT for the Asiana ones: OZ was turning my "request" down because they couldn't find me in their records. This time I sent UA a sweet let's-kiss-and-make-up letter and asked if they couldn't try again on my behalf. After all, I had done my part and had provided all of the requested documentation, and it felt as if I were being penalized because of Asiana's shoddy record-keeping. I got the OZ miles. Moral of story: try to have as much as possible match, and be prepared to do Battle Royale if need be.
KEno From Malaysia, joined Feb 2004, 1841 posts, RR: 31 Reply 24, posted (6 years 1 month 1 week 6 days 7 hours ago) and read 6714 times:
Quoting HBDAN (Reply 1): Name + Surname have to contain 3 wrong elements in order to be considered not valid for pax identification and therefore boarding
While this may be accepted by most airlines, it's not always a guarantee when it comes to the immigration, at least not in Saudi Arabia anyway. Few months ago, my colleague had to spend 2 hours with Riyadh Airport immigration before he could enter the country. Since Saudi govt always insists on a return ticket, the issue arose when they noticed his ticket does not tally exactly with his passport name - if recall correctly his name was misspelt by only 2 letters.
Unless you are travelling to a country whose immigration officers are famous for being notoriously paranoid or always on the look out in picking up a fight with the visitors, then you should be OK.
Sentiasa Melepasi Jangkaan bersama Penerbangan Malaysia
25 Avt007: A little off topic, but I used to argue with the people checking visas and tickets at FRA, before boarding a flight to TIP, Libya. "Sir, you do not h
26 MPDPilot: To some of you who work in this area what about like Joe, Joseph, Joey, Jo, or even Josephine? I have never had problems but like what does the rule b
27 DernierVirage: For more than 10 years now, my AF tickets never exactly match my name (the AF system adds an extra letter at the end of my first name). I have never h
28 CoolGuy: To follow up on my original post, I was able to check in online and got the seat I wanted. I ended up taking the first seat up front on the downstair
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