Airline question?

[Once.Upon.A.Time]

Hi all, I normally fly with Delta, and last time I flew I had a different ID. Since then, I needed a new ID and upgraded to the Real ID you will need to fly with. I noticed my new ID has a full middle name, whereas my old ID only had my MI. For example, my old ID was (fake name) Smith, Kelly M and new Real ID has my full middle name Smith, Kelly Mae. It says your ID must match exactly and now I can’t change it unless I fill out a form and upload my ID. Any advice? Does the middle name really matter? Thank you.

 

[JenBush]

Last summer my sister flew delta and her ticket and id didn’t “match perfectly” because one had her middle initial and one had her full middle name and there were no issues no one even mentioned it.

 

[Once.Upon.A.Time]

Last summer my sister flew delta and her ticket and id didn’t “match perfectly” because one had her middle initial and one had her full middle name and there were no issues no one even mentioned it.

Thank you. It seems with the Real ID they are putting full middle names now.

 

[ford91exploder]

Hi all, I normally fly with Delta, and last time I flew I had a different ID. Since then, I needed a new ID and upgraded to the Real ID you will need to fly with. I noticed my new ID has a full middle name, whereas my old ID only had my MI. For example, my old ID was (fake name) was Smith, Kelly M and new Real ID has my full middle name Smith, Kelly Mae. It says your ID match match exactly and now I can’t change it unless I fill out a form and upload my ID. Any advice? Does the middle name really matter? Thank you.

It matters especially if you fly internationally, Considering I've always used a passport for ID never had these issues, But I'd recommend filling out the form and uploading your new ID, Airline travel is painful enough why add potential issues down the line.

 

[Once.Upon.A.Time]

It matters especially if you fly internationally, Considering I've always used a passport for ID never had these issues, But I'd recommend filling out the form and uploading your new ID, Airline travel is painful enough why add potential issues down the line.

Thank you. I appreciate it.

 

[sam_gordon]

Wait, why change the hard piece? Doesn't it make more sense to get your middle name added to your Delta information? Then your ID will match your BP.

 

[Once.Upon.A.Time]

Wait, why change the hard piece? Doesn't it make more sense to get your middle name added to your Delta information? Then your ID will match your BP.

Thank you for your reply. What do you mean by hard piece?

 

[sam_gordon]

Thank you for your reply. What do you mean by hard piece?

Maybe I misread. I thought PP was suggesting getting your Real ID changed to just middle initial.

 

[Lewisc]

I had a similar issue. My license, and my name on Southwest, had a MI and Jr. My passport had my full middle name and no Jr. Flight to Cancun. The SW checkin agent noticed the disparity and changed my ticketing to reflect my name as shown on the passport. I have global entry and am eligible for TSA Pre. Instead of TSA Pre I started getting SSS, starting with my return flight.
Southwest insisted they had nothing to do with it. I called the TSA. They don't answer any questions regarding why someone is picked for SSS. I asked it as a hypothetical, could an airline changing a name at checkin flag a passenger for SSS. The answer I was given was absolutely. The suggestion was to contact Southwest and have the name on my booking match the exact name on my passport. After another couple of flights I resumed getting TSA pre.

When I called Southwest I told them I was advised by the TSA to have the name I use in booking exactly match my passport. They made the change over the phone to my profile.

 

[_19disnA]

If the middle initial matches your middle name, I doubt there will be an issue. I have never used my middle name/initial on any airline reservation and never had an issue. My Real ID shows my real middle name. My experience is airlines look at your first/last names. I would try to be consistent with how your show your first name to avoid any confusion. If you travel internationally, you will be showing your passport as your main form of ID.

 

[easyas123]

My husband has two middle names, he only ever uses his first middle name initial, never the second on airline tickets. His passport and drivers license has BOTH middle names spelled out, and he has never had a issue and up until 2019 we flew out of the country a few times a year, plus domestically.

Joe Blow Smith Jones - say that is his full legal name.
Joe B. Jones - how he books his airline tickets
Joe Blow Smith Jones - how his name reads on his drivers license and all of his passports thru the years

 

[DeeBee3]

I just connected with Delta on the chat or on the phone and they changed it for me. I didn't have to do anything else.

 

[Once.Upon.A.Time]

Thank you all for the replies.

 

[ford91exploder]

I just connected with Delta on the chat or on the phone and they changed it for me. I didn't have to do anything else.

Perfect, happy flying sometimes they get sticky about uploading id

 

[ford91exploder]

I had a similar issue. My license, and my name on Southwest, had a MI and Jr. My passport had my full middle name and no Jr. Flight to Cancun. The SW checkin agent noticed the disparity and changed my ticketing to reflect my name as shown on the passport. I have global entry and am eligible for TSA Pre. Instead of TSA Pre I started getting SSS, starting with my return flight.
Southwest insisted they had nothing to do with it. I called the TSA. They don't answer any questions regarding why someone is picked for SSS. I asked it as a hypothetical, could an airline changing a name at checkin flag a passenger for SSS. The answer I was given was absolutely. The suggestion was to contact Southwest and have the name on my booking match the exact name on my passport. After another couple of flights I resumed getting TSA pre.

When I called Southwest I told them I was advised by the TSA to have the name I use in booking exactly match my passport. They made the change over the phone to my profile.

it HAS to match your ID exactly, I have Clear as well and everything has to match in spelling and punctuation like MacIntosh is considered different from Mac Intosh even though most places dont care

 

[KPeterso]

When I got TSA Pre Check, I discovered that required the full middle name. I had Delta tickets at the time with only my middle initial and I tried updating my profile line, and it errored online and told me to call. I called and explained to the agent and she fixed my profile to show my middle name on the Delta system. She says it happens all the time. Very easy and has been fine ever since.

 

[Once.Upon.A.Time]

Thank you all for the advice. I ended up uploading my ID and filling out the form. I called to see if they received it, and the representative changed it over the phone for me.

 

[_19disnA]

Typically, official govt documents like passport, TSA precheck or driver's license show your full middle name, which is how mine is shown. On any of the airline websites, I have only used a middle initial. Have flown several times using TSA precheck and never had any issues.

 

[Once.Upon.A.Time]

Typically, official govt documents like passport, TSA precheck or driver's license show your full middle name, which is how mine is shown. On any of the airline websites, I have only used a middle initial. Have flown several times using TSA precheck and never had any issues.

Thank you.

 

[PHXscuba]

Just be glad your husband isn't a (fake example) "Robert Thomas Jones III." That 3rd has cause so many ID problems over the years. I think we finally have the upgraded drivers license, passport, TSA PreCheck/Global Entry, and frequent flier accounts with the Exact. Same. Combination. It's difficult as some systems put "Robert III" as a first name and some use "Jones III". And how many time we have had to use his birthdate to distinguish him from his dad, who lives in the same city and alternately uses "Robert Jones", "Robert Jones Jr." and Robert Jones II."

Yet another reason there is no "Robert IV" in our house ...

PHXscuba