Airline Policy-name on ticket

[Dis703]

I'm looking this year to take each of my 3 boys to Disney separately. I've been watching for specials and want to be able to book as soon as something pops up, but I'm not 100% certain which of my three boys I'll end up taking first and may have to work out what might be going on with their own schedules after the fact.

As I understand it, once you buy a plane ticket you cannot change the name of the person on the ticket. Is that correct? But I also know they've never once asked for any sort of ID for my kids so I'm wondering if it even matters whose name is on the ticket? Two of my boys are also identical twins so even if they asked for ID they'd never know the difference.

Just trying to figure out if it's really going to matter and if I need to be certain who will be traveling with me before I book.

TIA!

 

[maxiesmom]

You need to be certain who is traveling before you book. They may not ask for ID but they may chat up your child, asking them questions about their name and such.

 

[Allison]

I agree with maxiesmom. Don't mess with something like that. Know for certain who is traveling when.

 

[alliecat523]

Agree. TSA always questions my child directly on name and age. That's a huge risk to take and it's not worth possibly losing the whole trip.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Minors don't need any type of id to fly domestically, so technically, you could use one son's ticket for the other son. If you want to do so, its up to you. BTW, I sometimes fly with my minor grandson and no TSA agent has ever spoken to him. You cannot change the name on tickets.

 

[gwynne]

I'm looking this year to take each of my 3 boys to Disney separately. I've been watching for specials and want to be able to book as soon as something pops up, but I'm not 100% certain which of my three boys I'll end up taking first and may have to work out what might be going on with their own schedules after the fact.

As I understand it, once you buy a plane ticket you cannot change the name of the person on the ticket. Is that correct? But I also know they've never once asked for any sort of ID for my kids so I'm wondering if it even matters whose name is on the ticket? Two of my boys are also identical twins so even if they asked for ID they'd never know the difference.

Just trying to figure out if it's really going to matter and if I need to be certain who will be traveling with me before I book.

TIA!

I think the wisest decision would be to select who you are taking and stick with that. Kids know their names. A TSA Officer could say, "Have a good flight Matthew" and if you subbed in Robert it could get awkward quickly.
Is it a for sure problem? Nope. But is this a potential problem that could be easily avoided? Yes.

 

[quagmire0]

Not sure if it's just the case for misspellings, but I was able to get the name changed on my wife's ticket. (They had her name in there as her first name for both first and last). They just re-did the reservation and fixed it. I can imagine that you could just contact them and say the first name is wrong and they'll fix it the same way.

 

[Gracie09]

Not sure if it's just the case for misspellings, but I was able to get the name changed on my wife's ticket. (They had her name in there as her first name for both first and last). They just re-did the reservation and fixed it. I can imagine that you could just contact them and say the first name is wrong and they'll fix it the same way.

there is an exception for misspelling. There was an error in my dh's ticket once so they were able to change it without a problem. This is more common because now names on tickets are supposed to match the name on your photo id. It would be difficult to say you mispelled Richard as Daniel or something like that.

OP your best option is deciding before your purchase who goes on the trip. If not you run the risk of either not going or having to buy a same day ticket (and a new return ticket).

 

[zoo2tycoon]

Not sure if it's just the case for misspellings, but I was able to get the name changed on my wife's ticket. (They had her name in there as her first name for both first and last). They just re-did the reservation and fixed it. I can imagine that you could just contact them and say the first name is wrong and they'll fix it the same way.

There is a huge difference between a misspelled name and a complete name change. As people said they will likely due a misspelled name. Can't imagine an airline changing a name to another.

OP wait and buy correct ticket. How old are your kids?

 

[Dis703]

I think the wisest decision would be to select who you are taking and stick with that. Kids know their names. A TSA Officer could say, "Have a good flight Matthew" and if you subbed in Robert it could get awkward quickly.
Is it a for sure problem? Nope. But is this a potential problem that could be easily avoided? Yes.

Except of course that my twins think it's hysterical to lie about which one they are so there's always a likelihood they won't answer truthfully anyhow, lol. I could totally see one of them causing this problem for me.

 

[Dis703]

There is a huge difference between a misspelled name and a complete name change. As people said they will likely due a misspelled name. Can't imagine an airline changing a name to another.

OP wait and buy correct ticket. How old are your kids?

My twins are 4 and my ODS is 7.

I had hoped it might not be a big deal but sounds like it is so I guess I just need to be sure when we book.

 

[gwynne]

Except of course that my twins think it's hysterical to lie about which one they are so there's always a likelihood they won't answer truthfully anyhow, lol. I could totally see one of them causing this problem for me.

Time and place...time and place..Giggles galore are no problem in the family room, school manners going through TSA. (Assuming they are pre-school or school age.)
Travel is an adventure, hopefully they will enjoy the trip to Florida along with WDW.

 

[Dis703]

Thanks for the replies. I did check the specific airline for what their name change policy is and pretty much you have to pay the difference in price from the original ticket and the price the day of the name change plus a $75 fee. Yikes! I'm not sure how they get away with that if it's done before the actual flight. Seems like such a crazy scam. But good to know before we buy our tickets at least.

So far I've never had TSA talk to the kids directly they just always ask who is who and I reply. But I wouldn't want it to be the one time that it goes the other way.

I guess we'll have to figure out who is going first so we are ready to book.

 

[gwynne]

Thanks for the replies. I did check the specific airline for what their name change policy is and pretty much you have to pay the difference in price from the original ticket and the price the day of the name change plus a $75 fee. Yikes! I'm not sure how they get away with that if it's done before the actual flight. Seems like such a crazy scam. But good to know before we buy our tickets at least.

So far I've never had TSA talk to the kids directly they just always ask who is who and I reply. But I wouldn't want it to be the one time that it goes the other way.

I guess we'll have to figure out who is going first so we are ready to book.

They are really strict about the name thing because of security concerns.
I hope you have great trips with your boys!

 

[Gracie09]

Thanks for the replies. I did check the specific airline for what their name change policy is and pretty much you have to pay the difference in price from the original ticket and the price the day of the name change plus a $75 fee. Yikes! I'm not sure how they get away with that if it's done before the actual flight. Seems like such a crazy scam. But good to know before we buy our tickets at least.

So far I've never had TSA talk to the kids directly they just always ask who is who and I reply. But I wouldn't want it to be the one time that it goes the other way.

I guess we'll have to figure out who is going first so we are ready to book.

when you buy tickets you agree that they are nonrefundable and nontransferable. If you want to be able to change, you can buy refundable tickets.

 

[tjmw2727]

If you book with SWA you only have to pay the fare difference (if any) for a change, they don't charge a change fee. I just had to change a flight for work with AA and it was $200 so this isn't unusual.

I do agree though that its best to have the correct name on the ticket as the TSA agent often does ask the child to state their full name and age.

The TSA website has a great section on flying with children including how to prepare them for the screening process.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

If you book with SWA you only have to pay the fare difference (if any) for a change, they don't charge a change fee. I just had to change a flight for work with AA and it was $200 so this isn't unusual.

......

The Op would not be changing a ticket; she would be cancelling a ticket and using travel funds to buy a new ticket.

 

[tjmw2727]

The Op would not be changing a ticket; she would be cancelling a ticket and using travel funds to buy a new ticket.

I was responding to the OP's post above where she said the airline quoted her $75 for a name change. Sounded to me like the airline would allow her to change the ticket rather than canceling and re-booking. Just trying to point out the OP that this isn't unusual when it comes to airfare.

 

[Day-Day]

They are really strict about the name thing because of security concerns.
I hope you have great trips with your boys!

I doubt its security concerns that lead to the extra charge. Probably more to do with control of prices and discouraging resales.