Must the name on ID match EXACTLY??

[SusanJN]

In my haste to book our tickets with Southwest, I did not confirm everyone's name as shown on their Drivers License--7 of us going. Turns out my one sister uses her full middle name. Did not use middle name or initial when I booked ticket. Will this be a problem? Do I need to contact Southwest and correct it? Will it cause a change fee?? Help!

 

[Muhlenberg]

I would call Southwest and ask them that question. They may be able to "fix" it on their end if it does make a difference. You wouldn't want any "surprises" at the gate.

 

[SusanJN]

I sent an email to Customer Service. Hopefully they can fix it for me without any problems.

I do have another question or two. Since we have layovers, will our second leg be the same boarding group as the first leg? And, this might be a really stupid question, but does our luggage go straight through to the final destination? Thanks in advance!

 

[Zerosinthecloset]

Nothing to worry about. I know that someone who flies once every 2 or 3 years will tell you everything must be exact, but that is not the case. If you pay attention to what the TSA agents go through, looking at thousands of IDs and boarding passes every day, whether a middle name/initial is on the boarding pass is no big deal. If you have the correct first and last name, you are fine.

 

[DebbieB]

I sent an email to Customer Service. Hopefully they can fix it for me without any problems.

I do have another question or two. Since we have layovers, will our second leg be the same boarding group as the first leg? And, this might be a really stupid question, but does our luggage go straight through to the final destination? Thanks in advance!

I agree, the middle name is not a big deal.

Your second leg may not be the same boarding # as the first if it is a different flight #. If it's the same flight #, you don't even get off.

Your luggage will be transferred automatically.

 

[SusanJN]

We have to change planes. I'm worried about getting split up.

 

[ajpa]

I think you can call the airline and they can fix the name for you. I don't believe there is any charge for it -- must happen a lot with typos etc.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

You have nothing to worry about regarding the name. My passport has my full first, middle, last name and my license has my middle initial. I always buy tickets using just my first and last name. I travel fairly often and have had zero problems. You don't need to "fix" this. Same goes for buying a ticket using a shortened version of your name as it appears on an official id, i.e. Tom for Thomas, or Kate for Katherine.

 

[dudspizza]

I do have another question or two. Since we have layovers, will our second leg be the same boarding group as the first leg? And, this might be a really stupid question, but does our luggage go straight through to the final destination? Thanks in advance!

You will have separate boarding groups for each flight. The good thing is that you are checked in for both flights at the same time, so you are checked in before the people that are originating at your connecting airport. If that makes sense...... The one thing you have to worry about is that if your connecting flight is late or if you have a tight connection.... in that case if they have already started the boarding process and you have missed your group, you will just have to board when you get there.......

Duds

 

[SusanJN]

Thanks for your help everyone! One more question (for now)..it's my first time flying with children. What kind of ID do they need? Birth cert?

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Thanks for your help everyone! One more question (for now)..it's my first time flying with children. What kind of ID do they need? Birth cert?

Under 18 don't need an id for domestic flights, unless they are a lap baby.

You really should go to tsa.gov to review these types of policies. They have some good information as to how to prepare your children for their flight.

 

[sam_gordon]

Thanks for your help everyone! One more question (for now)..it's my first time flying with children. What kind of ID do they need? Birth cert?

The only time kids need ID is to verify their age if they have some kind of "child's ticket" (which I don't know any airline that offers that)... which includes a "lap baby".

 

[bytheblood]

In my haste to book our tickets with Southwest, I did not confirm everyone's name as shown on their Drivers License--7 of us going. Turns out my one sister uses her full middle name. Did not use middle name or initial when I booked ticket. Will this be a problem? Do I need to contact Southwest and correct it? Will it cause a change fee?? Help!

With some of the TSA reps being ridiculous, I would most definitely call and have it corrected. SW doesn't have change fees.

 

[gmeh1]

The only time kids need ID is to verify their age if they have some kind of "child's ticket" (which I don't know any airline that offers that)... which includes a "lap baby".

Sam, many airlines offer "children's tickets". They are often more expensive than the lowest fares, but, they are out there. IE:
Special Rules and Fares for Infants and Children
Infant and Child Fares are not available on southwest.com. Contact a Southwest Airlines Customer Representative at 1-800-I-FLY-SWA (1-800-435-9792) for further details.

 

[EMAW_KSU]

In my haste to book our tickets with Southwest, I did not confirm everyone's name as shown on their Drivers License--7 of us going. Turns out my one sister uses her full middle name. Did not use middle name or initial when I booked ticket. Will this be a problem? Do I need to contact Southwest and correct it? Will it cause a change fee?? Help!

I am on the no fly list due to a terrorist having the same name as me. When I purchase tickets i get them with my first name and middle initial as my first name. My ID has my full middle name.

 

[SusanJN]

Got an email reply from Southwest. They fixed the name, no problem! Woo hoo!

 

[jlovesee]

If you it makes you feel better then do it. However, I have had a legally hyphenated last name for the last 10 years, my Southwest Rapids Rewards is still under my maiden name only though (part of the hyphenation), so because of that all boarding passes are maiden name only (Lovesee). I have flown probably atleast 30-40 times on southwest since my Drivers License was legally changed to the hyphenated version. Basically its a bigger issue then you have as I am technically only including half of my last name on my boarding pass! I have had two TSA guys mention something about it (joking about it), no one has EVER said anything about me needing to change it, or declined me going through security. I don't think you will have a problem.

Yes I am just lazy.

Jennifer