Name Change ??? Southwest

[taekwondo mom]

We purchased tickets for DD's friend , now she is unable to go

Will Southwest let us change the name to another child??

 

[ducklite]

I'm not sure if they will let you change the name on the booked ticket, but you can cancel it for a credit and rebook under a different name--it might be a more expensive ticket.

My mom was supposed to come visit a year ago, then my brother was in a terrible accident and she cancelled to stay with him. We cancelled her ticket, and DH used the credit for one ticket, then the bit that was leftover towards another.

Anne

 

[taekwondo mom]

Thank You

 

[poohbear7]

SW won't let you do a name change because of security. You can cancel the ticket and purchase a new one or get a credit. We did this last Dec.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

You cannot change the name on a ticket on any airline.

 

[Lewisc]

Some airlines have group sales. Frequently those programs allow for name changes but the fare isn't always as cheap as trolling for the cheapest internet fares.

Any airline will let you correct a nameif a typo is made or if a women changes her name (marriage or divorce). There is a difference between correcting a name and changing the passenger.

 

[NotUrsula]

Normally what everyone else has said is true, but in this instance there is a situational exception -- the original ticketholder was a child. Children are not required to present ID to pass through security, so there is no requirement for a positive ticket match, and thus no requirement to cancel and re-book, etc.

For the price of a fib, Mary Jones can be Nancy Smith for as long as it takes to get through security. Moral issues with this are up to your individual sense of right and wrong, but TSA cannot require ID for a child on a domestic flight.

 

[Lewisc]

OP said just said "friend of DD" but didn't give an age. The closer the friend is to 18 the less I think of your idea. It's a lot easier for a 16 year old to produce ID then to claim he's under 18. Might be a problem if the new passenger is a different sex.

SW doesn't have a change fee. I'd change the reservation if the fare is similar otherwise I'd consider your idea.

Normally what everyone else has said is true, but in this instance there is a situational exception -- the original ticketholder was a child. Children are not required to present ID to pass through security, so there is no requirement for a positive ticket match, and thus no requirement to cancel and re-book, etc.

For the price of a fib, Mary Jones can be Nancy Smith for as long as it takes to get through security. Moral issues with this are up to your individual sense of right and wrong, but TSA cannot require ID for a child on a domestic flight.

 

[NotUrsula]

Actually, I was making the assumption based on, "Will Southwest let us change the name to another child??" -- that kind of led me to believe that the OP was speaking of a child, for some reason.

I did think of the gender issue, but decided it was pretty unlikely in the "bring a friend" context, as most of the time that means that the "children" in question will be sharing a bed. I'd say that at least 98% of the time, a friend taken on a trip by a family will be of the same gender as the companion child.

IME, the only thing that an under-18 needs to say domestically is, "I don't have a license yet", and they will be waved through.

 

[Lewisc]

Go to the resort board. Numerous posters complain about having to pay the additional adult room charge for "their child" who's in college. Many posters suggest 17 year olds bring their drivers license. Other posters complain about unreasonable TSA agents.

I think you contributed an interesting idea for the OP to consider, I would think twice if the "child" looks like she's 18 or older. Also make sure the child doesn't have a name necklace with the "wrong" name.

Actually, I was making the assumption based on, "Will Southwest let us change the name to another child??" -- that kind of led me to believe that the OP was speaking of a child, for some reason.

I did think of the gender issue, but decided it was pretty unlikely in the "bring a friend" context, as most of the time that means that the "children" in question will be sharing a bed. I'd say that at least 98% of the time, a friend taken on a trip by a family will be of the same gender as the companion child.

IME, the only thing that an under-18 needs to say domestically is, "I don't have a license yet", and they will be waved through.

 

[Rpsemont]

For the price of a fib, Mary Jones can be Nancy Smith for as long as it takes to get through security. Moral issues with this are up to your individual sense of right and wrong, but TSA cannot require ID for a child on a domestic flight

Not to be a voice of doom and gloom, but if Mary Jones is Nancy Smith to board the plane, and there's any type of accident, clearly the passenger manifest will be wrong and could lead to complications

 

[NotUrsula]

Very true -- this is all about your personal comfort level.

I personally don't have an issue with it because IMO the practice of refusing to allow advance-notice ticket transfers is ridiculous, and protects no one from anything, especially when the passenger is a child. The airline still gets paid, one seat still gets occupied, and every passenger still gets screened for weapons.

FYI, it is fairly common practice for an adult to fly on someone else's discount ticket by purchasing a second fully-refundable ticket for a flight the same day, using *that* BP to go past security, and then calling to cancel and get a refund. If airlines allowed passengers to transfer paid-for tickets that kind of rigamarole wouldn't be worth the bother.

 

[Lewisc]

Never heard of it. Thanks for the information.

FYI, it is fairly common practice for an adult to fly on someone else's discount ticket by purchasing a second fully-refundable ticket for a flight the same day, using *that* BP to go past security, and then calling to cancel and get a refund. If airlines allowed passengers to transfer paid-for tickets that kind of rigamarole wouldn't be worth the bother.

 

[taekwondo mom]

I called southwest , they will give us credit for her ticket .. Thanks to everyone replies..
( DD's friend is 15)

 

[cajunfan]

Glad you are rebooking (or not bring a friend)...TSA will always ask a minor questions...what is your name? how old are you?...for some reason, this ALWAYS throws my son off, and he is a seasoned traveler (you would think he would remember this every time we go through security!)...he always looks at me...I keep telling myself that he is silently asking my permission to talk with strangers!

Lynn