RAC problem on recent trip

[LoveToDisney]

I was totally surprised on our recent trip when we were not able to use RAC at Beach Club to send our bags to the airport. We have never had a problem before. They said that because of a recent software upgrade, anyone with a 2 word last name like "Van Rome" or a hyphenated name like "Van-Rome" would error and not allow them to check the luggage in. We already had our boarding passes so we know it was not the airline. We had to take our luggage with us on the Magical Express.

The RAC agent said they knew about the problem/bug and they were trying to fix it but he didn't know when it would be solved.

If anyone with a two word last name or a hyphenated name has been successful in using RAC since the end of October, please let us know with a post. We have a future trip planned and are wondering whether we will be able to use RAC the next time. Very frustrating!

 

[holden]

I have a two word last name and have never had a problem in the past using it. I’ll have to see what happens on our next trip.

Thanks for the heads up!

 

[hllb]

That’s me too. Not the rest of my family though so just to be safe I’ll check the bags under my husband and kids’ names. Sorry that happened!

 

[Sandiz08]

Also had an issue at the beach club with their system as it could not differentiate between two similar but different names. We couldn’t check all our bags, so we had to take A few with us. It was actually disappointing that their system is not up to date for things like this. I wonder if it is just the system at beach club?

 

[hllb]

As someone with a hyphen, many computer systems can’t handle it, not just theirs. Many don’t take longer names either and mine is 21 characters and frequently gets 6 cut off. I’m surprised I make it through the airport some days as my tickets frequently don’t have my full and complete name on them!

 

[AngiTN]

There are all kinds of things that can prevent Bags Inc (the name of the company that runs this service for Disney) from taking your bags at RAC
We were at CR last year, me, my Mom, DD and DGD. Go to RAC on departure day and all of us could check our bags except for DGD.
I never did fully understand the entire problem but something in their computer kicked her back and said her bags had to be checked at the airport. The Bags employee tried all they could to get around it, made number of phone calls, etc. Nothing they could do to get around it. We had her boarding pass, no name mis-matches, nothing. She was 8, and best they could guess was it was just a random flag that TSA will do on occassion
Unfortunately, we all had 2 bags to check (using Southwest) so we couldn't just add her bags to ours.
Anyway, just mentioning it because you never know when or why it happens. It's sometimes something TSA related, and when they can't take them, there's not much anyone can do about it.

 

[Ninja Mom]

I have a hyphenated name and I just left Oct 29th.

Southwest would not let me do resort bag check in for this airline. The CM had no idea why they wouldn't allow this.

I will tell you that the luggage carts in the Magical Express airport DROP OFF area disappeared but there were sky caps with carts looking for people who needed their luggage transported for check in. This was money well spent as the sky cap knew exactly where to go and he was able to expedite my bag check in by navigating through the new Southwest bag check kiosks.

I was a little put out by having to schlep the bags to the airport but it turned out that I was able to find help.

So all is not bad concerning this new development. I do have to wonder what will happen if you have a flight late at night when the sky caps disappear... But that is for another trip.

~NM

 

[Disflyer226]

Southwest won't allow anyone with a hyphenated name to do RAC. I've run into the problem in the past.

 

[Ninja Mom]

Bumping this thread to find out if this problem has been solved.

 

[LoveToDisney]

Bumping this thread to find out if this problem has been solved.

 

[LoveToDisney]

Bumping this thread to find out if this problem has been solved.

 

[WishICouldSpeakWhale]

My husband and son have the same name. My son gets "Jr" as part of his first name on his boarding pass. RAC couldn't check luggage for my husband or son on November 27. Luckily, we had 4 bags and could check 2 each using my daughter's and my tickets. Their boarding passes weren't even printed for us. We had to do that at the airport.

Not exactly the same issue, but something similar that the system clearly can't handle.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Not to micro-manage your posts, but if you don’t get responses here, I’d probably suggest creating a new thread on the Transportation board and make sure to put the issue/question in the thread title. Like “RAC Problem With Hyphenated Names” or something to get folks attention.

Also you’ve probably done this but you may want to check the RAC sticky in case this is covered there (I’m not sure if it is).

Good luck.

 

[bumbershoot]

I do have to wonder what will happen if you have a flight late at night when the sky caps disappear... But that is for another trip.

First time we used a porter was a late-night arriving flight, so I haven’t experienced them disappearing. I’d anything the hours when luggage delivery isn’t included would be better for them bc more luggage is coming to the carousels and people need the help.

Now, you’d perhaps have to wait for them to appear at the area where you’re dropped off...

 

[SpaceMtnGirl]

My husband and son have the same name. My son gets "Jr" as part of his first name on his boarding pass. RAC couldn't check luggage for my husband or son on November 27. Luckily, we had 4 bags and could check 2 each using my daughter's and my tickets. Their boarding passes weren't even printed for us. We had to do that at the airport.

Not exactly the same issue, but something similar that the system clearly can't handle.

Uh oh... same situation in my household. Glad to have a heads up...

 

[pooh2001]

What about not using the hyphen (-) ?
VanNess
SherwinAlbert
WillaimMary

WhatEver

 

[Ninja Mom]

What about not using the hyphen (-) ?
VanNess
SherwinAlbert
WillaimMary

WhatEver

The airlines and TSA are quite the sticklers when it comes to matching up the exact name on your ID and your boarding pass. If it's not absolutely the same it can cause you problems and they can refuse to let you go through security/board the plane. Is that a chance you need to take when on vacation?

ThatsWhy