Different name on passport and air ticket!!!

[MommyRobin]

Dh's given name is Christopher. He goes by Chris, which is what was on his expired passport. We didn't have new passports at the time that our flight was booked, so I used the name that was on his old passport, thinking that the new one was the same. Nope! They refused to put anything other than Christopher on his passport that I got on Friday. So how much of a problem has this caused?? What can we do to rectify this? I've already emailed our travel agent, but I won't hear back from her until at least Monday.
FWIW, we are flying Airtran and don't leave until later in the summer so this isn't a last-minute panic.

 

[addicted2mickey]

I just did the same thing (with another airline) so I just sent off an email explaining what I did (with apologies for my error) and the options that I had (pay to change with airline, get new ID with same name listed on reservation) and thinking here goes all the money I just saved and within an hour, I get an email from them with new reservation and they changed the name. Try it, all it took was a few minutes to type up the email.

 

[Alexander]

I honestly can't believe he even got a passport with his nickname! Wow!
Just call them and tell them you mistakenly put Chris instead of Christopher. Nothing else is changing--should be no big deal.

 

[chamonix]

Does his drivers license have Chris or Christopher on it? TSA only requires that you have a govt ID that matches to go through security at the airport, it doesn't have to be a passport. Now that being said, of course you will need a passport if you are traveling internationally, but he could use his drivers license to go through TSA security, and his passport for Immigration. Two separate things. Immigration does not require his ticket match his passport exactly.

If I was you, I would try to get Airtran to change the name to Christopher, but if that fails, bring his drivers license as well as his expired passport with you. I would want things to be "perfect" but if you can't change it, I think this may work. good luck

 

[disney david]

Dh's given name is Christopher. He goes by Chris, which is what was on his expired passport. We didn't have new passports at the time that our flight was booked, so I used the name that was on his old passport, thinking that the new one was the same. Nope! They refused to put anything other than Christopher on his passport that I got on Friday. So how much of a problem has this caused?? What can we do to rectify this? I've already emailed our travel agent, but I won't hear back from her until at least Monday.
FWIW, we are flying Airtran and don't leave until later in the summer so this isn't a last-minute panic.

Does his drivers license have Chris or Christopher on it? TSA only requires that you have a govt ID that matches to go through security at the airport, it doesn't have to be a passport. Now that being said, of course you will need a passport if you are traveling internationally, but he could use his drivers license to go through TSA security, and his passport for Immigration. Two separate things. Immigration does not require his ticket match his passport exactly.

If I was you, I would try to get Airtran to change the name to Christopher, but if that fails, bring his drivers license as well as his expired passport with you. I would want things to be "perfect" but if you can't change it, I think this may work. good luck

these are all great post but just be carefully using an expired passport. they will not except an expired passport or drivers license even if you explain the problem. if he dose not have a driver license then you could get him a state id with his picture on it. if you dont mind me asking he age is he to young to get a driver license. because each state mybe differnt age for the id which he could not use to drive but use to get through tsa. it also depends on the tsa agent some my not make a big deal and there other that would make a big deal.

 

[DebbieB]

I honestly can't believe he even got a passport with his nickname! Wow!
Just call them and tell them you mistakenly put Chris instead of Christopher. Nothing else is changing--should be no big deal.

I can't figure that out either because you need to submit a birth certificate with the passport application.

 

[MommyRobin]

Thanks everyone. We are from Canada (flying out of the States, though), so a passport is a must. Every other piece of ID that he has is in the name of Christopher, so I have NO idea how he got his old passport to say Chris. When I asked the lady at the passport office, she just told me that it was before 9/11 and they were a lot more lax back then. Hopefully my travel agent and Airtran can make me happy tomorrow!

 

[chamonix]

Gosh, just to clarify: of course he will need a current, non-expired passport to enter the US! I was simply suggesting you bring along the old one as well and in addition to the current one to show the "history" of the name. It can't hurt, LOL. But hopefully the airline will fix this for you beforehand.

I don't think that the actual US Immigration/Passport Control cares if your passport matches your plane ticket, but TSA security at the airport (to go from landside to airside security) for sure does, so that's why I suggested a drivers license would work for airport security.......but not for USA Immigration/Passport Control. Good luck!

 

[chamonix]

Oh, just realized you are flying out from an airport in the States.....to WDW or some other destination that is inside the US? I figure you need a passport to go back and forth across the border from your home in Canada (I assume you are driving?) but can't you use other ID to fly domestically as long as it's all within the US? Does TSA require passports of all non-US citizens to fly inside the US? Sorry for asking so many questions, I guess it's all a moot point since his drivers license has Christopher on it anyway!

 

[MommyRobin]

I *think* that we still need passports to fly in the US, but not too sure on that one. Definitely one to get across the border, but that part won't be an issue since that has nothing to do with the airline ticket. And chamonix - I knew what you meant! That's a great suggestion - I'm planning on bringing quite a few pieces of id, just to avoid any issues.

Our travel agent just called anyways. She had Airtran make a note of it in their system, but she doesn't think that it's going to be an issue. That makes me feel a lot better!

 

[rewok]

I *think* that we still need passports to fly in the US, but not too sure on that one. Definitely one to get across the border, but that part won't be an issue since that has nothing to do with the airline ticket. And chamonix - I knew what you meant! That's a great suggestion - I'm planning on bringing quite a few pieces of id, just to avoid any issues.

Our travel agent just called anyways. She had Airtran make a note of it in their system, but she doesn't think that it's going to be an issue. That makes me feel a lot better!

Fellow Canadian here! You don't need your passport to fly domestic in the US, just to cross the border. Your DH driver's license will be perfectly all right, that's what we use all the time. I never use my passport unless it's really required, less chance for theft or loss. With the passport and license, you should be covered in all cases. Don't bring expired documents, they are not valid anywhere, not even to buy a drink! (Was in NH this week-end and boy did they check for everything on that license...)

So it shouldn't be a problem in the end!

 

[onelilspark]

Just allow for a little extra time at security in case they pull him aside and want to do a more thorough screening. I flew with my Grandmother when she had an expired ID (don't get me started!) and all that happened is they put us through a different line that gets a little more scrutiny...this was in Buffalo, NY btw, don't know which airport you're looking at!

 

[MommyRobin]

Unfortunately, dh's airline ticket name (Chris) is different than all other ID, except his expired passport. Everything else is in Christopher. The only reason that I made the airline ticket in Chris is because I assumed that his new passport would be in the name of Chris, too (since that's how his old one was). But we will definitely leave a bit more time at the airport (we are flying out of Detroit).

 

[disney david]

Unfortunately, dh's airline ticket name (Chris) is different than all other ID, except his expired passport. Everything else is in Christopher. The only reason that I made the airline ticket in Chris is because I assumed that his new passport would be in the name of Chris, too (since that's how his old one was). But we will definitely leave a bit more time at the airport (we are flying out of Detroit).[/QUOhttp://http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/acceptable_documents.shtm try this. it says it accept candain dravers licnces to go through securty i know you said it has christopher on it. just read the link it says you need an id with nam and date of birth if you dont you just need to present more info to the tsa checking your document. so if you bring his pass port drivers license it has his name on it and it close enough to chris if anything they my just pull him aside and do extra screening but he will be able to fly. it might take a little long to get through but atleast you will be able to go through.

 

[disney david]

Unfortunately, dh's airline ticket name (Chris) is different than all other ID, except his expired passport. Everything else is in Christopher. The only reason that I made the airline ticket in Chris is because I assumed that his new passport would be in the name of Chris, too (since that's how his old one was). But we will definitely leave a bit more time at the airport (we are flying out of Detroit).

this is off tsa web site

If the name printed on my boarding pass is different than what appears on my government ID, will I still be able to fly?


Secure Flight is a behind-the-scenes process that TSA and airlines collaborate on to compare the information you provide against government watch lists. The additional data elements that you may be asked to provide, such as date of birth and gender, serve to better differentiate you from individuals on the government watch lists.

Due to differences in boarding pass systems, boarding passes may not always display the exact name you provided when booking your travel. The name you provide when booking your travel is used to perform the watch list matching before a boarding pass is ever issued, so small differences between the passenger's ID and the passenger name printed on the boarding pass, such as the use of a middle initial instead of a full middle name or no middle name/initial at all, or hyphens and apostrophes should not cause a problem for the passenger.