Continental/Virgin online check in & combined middle name

[barry7767]

Hello - I have booked with Continental, but the flight to orlando is on a Virgin flight, operated by Continental. Can I still use the online check in facility, and if so I presume it is via Continentals website and not Virgin's. Has anyone done this before?

Thanks

 

[wicket2005]

I have booked via Thomas Cook Signature before, I had to ring Virgin up with my booking reference they then gave me a locator code to input on the Virgin Atlantic site, that brings up all my details and also allows for online check in. I presume this would be the same booking via Continental.

 

[barry7767]

Thanks - i have just tried my confirmation no. from Continental in the Virgin atlantic site and it worked! Therefore I guess I can use Virgin's online check in for the outbound flight? I have been able to select my seats through Virgin's site too.

As a side - having looked at the details on Virgin's website, it has combined our middle name initial with our first name, ie Barry Jon becomes Barryj. Virgin's site says to ensure the names are correct etc, but they have been entered correctly at the time of booking with Continental. I guess it has happened when importing the booking. This shouldn't be a problem should it? I am concerned only because the check in process is with Virgin, not Continental. Can anyone with just a Virgin booking confirm if anything like this has happened with their middle initial?

 

[baboons]

Hi Barry

I've checked my booking with Virgin (made through Virgin Holidays) and the middle names/initials are missing.

The website says:

For security reasons it is absolutely essential that the name on your booking, ticket and passport are exactly the same. Your booking and ticket must reflect your first and last names only. Middle names are not required.

If they are not you will be unable to board the flight. Please enter all passenger names exactly as they appear in the passports. This rule also applies to marriage or maiden names.

If a mistake has been made you can amend the name to reflect the correct spelling in the passport, up to 2 hours before the flight is due to depart. However you cannot transfer the ticket to another person. To amend the name on your ticket please contact your travel agent or our contact centre.

There will be a charge of £30 to amend each name.

I'd start making enquiries quickly just in case.

 

[barry7767]

Thanks for reply - thought as much. I will be somewhat agrieved if we have to pay £60 to change the names, given they were input correctly at time of booking. I will ring later and let you know how I got on!

 

[sandshal]

Already asked the question as our first and middle names have been joined - apparently VA don't ask for middle names hence the error but the lady assured me it's absolutely fine and not to worry

 

[barry7767]

Thanks - i knew it would be down to different computer systems etc - may call them for peace of mind anyhow. Out of interest, who did you book with? Are you planning on using online check-in?

 

[PrstnKaren]

Hi

I booked with Continental for flight in August which is a codeshare with Virgin and have exactly the same problem with first initial of middle name straight after first name. Looks as though it is a problem with the transfer of info from Continental to Virgin! I will ring Virgin to make sure all is ok for my peace of mind!!!!

 

[barry7767]

I rang Virgin last night - all appears well. I thought they would struggle to understand what I was saying, but to be fair they knew straight away and said it was normal and nothing to worry about. It is simply because they do not request a middle name, thus when Continental transfer info there is nowhere for it to go other than on end of first name.

One other thing, if you plan on using online check in, I was told to use Virgin's website but ensure you input your name WITH the middle initial on end. Then proceed to the Virgin baggage drop at airport.

This will apply to everyone who has booked with Continental - so nothing to worry about. Majority of people won't have even realised.

 

[baboons]

I rang Virgin last night - all appears well. I thought they would struggle to understand what I was saying, but to be fair they knew straight away and said it was normal and nothing to worry about. It is simply because they do not request a middle name, thus when Continental transfer info there is nowhere for it to go other than on end of first name.

One other thing, if you plan on using online check in, I was told to use Virgin's website but ensure you input your name WITH the middle initial on end. Then proceed to the Virgin baggage drop at airport.

This will apply to everyone who has booked with Continental - so nothing to worry about. Majority of people won't have even realised.

That's good to know. Glad you're not being hit with the £60!

 

[wicket2005]

It may be worth your while double checking the name situation in the light of this http://www.wdwinfo.com/news/Travel_News/TSA_cracks_down_on_mismatched_tickets_ID_s.htm

I am going to have to dig my e tickets out from last year to check but I am sure only the first name is given and on this link it states id and tickets need to match exactly, as I think the passport has my middle name on. It may be it is just the first name that has to match exactly.