Will This Be A Problem With The Airline....?

[CaseyJr]

DH's company just booked airfare for the 3 of us for July. The person who made the reservations booked my by my nickname (that's what they know me as at work) instead of my "legal" name. My nickname IS a derivative of my "legal" name ("Maggie" instead of "Margaret"), but of course, all of my ID is in my "legal" name. The airlines are so strict about proper ID and all. I voiced my concerns to DH, but he didn't seem concerned.

Should I be?

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[Laurajean1014]

Good question. I think you should be alright but instead of chancing it; call the airline and ask. There maybe no charge for them to change the first name on the ressie.

 

[safetymom]

That shouldn't be a problem. My tickets are like that all the time. I called US Airways yesterday because I misspelled my daughters name. I know I was in a hurry. There would have been a $100 change fee or I could have cancelled the ticket and started over. When I said what I did he said we wouldn't have any problems with her getting through security.

 

[Stimpy]

Definately call the airline to make sure. It shouldn't be a problem but you don't want to take a chance at the airport.

I almost always get questioned about my name because my legal name is too long for my driver's license. My license has my name as A B Smith-Jones, (first, middle initial, last name) But my tix always have my full name on them. Sometimes I have to show a second form of ID. Since I have to show ID when checking in and when going through security, it gets to be time consuming. (I really don't mind, I know they are doing their job. )

 

[Gary M]

I once had my last name spelled wrong on my e-ticket. I called the airline and they changed it on the computer to the correct spelling. When I got to the airport and got my boarding pass it was spelled right. I would call and have it corrected.

 

[CarolA]

Call the airline... my TA once booked me with the names reversed. (Last name as first) Delta said no way.... so we rebooked.

However, I had one of my Girl Scouts on a ticket lately where I misspelled her last name and the airline was fine with it...

 

[bavaria]

United has my name spelled wrong on my Mileage Plus, and I've been trying to change it for years. Occaissionally, the record will be in the (incorrect) name. I call and have them add a note in the PNR with the correct spelling/name...

 

[CaseyJr]

Thanks, guys! I will call ASAP! I would rather be safe than sorry! I'll post back with their reply.

 

[CaseyJr]

I just got off the phone with Delta and they are going to put a notation in the computer. The rep. said there shouldn't be a problem.


WHEWWWW!! I feel SOOOO much better now!

 

[prncess674]

As long as you are only flying domestic you should be fine with a note in the PNR. It can be problematic if you are flying internationally because your ticket really needs to match the name on your passport.

 

[Dznypal]

My DD's boss had her and a 2 others from the restraunt here go with him to Fl to open a franshince in Coopers City.

When he gave the group their tickets he had put a "T" in our last name its a common mistake with our name well got on the phone and had it corected.

The last thing he needed was problems at the airport!!!

By the way the airlines made the correction at no cost

 

[Troy08]

My sister once booked tickets for myself, hubby and daughter using the internet. She's great at that stuff, I'm not! She used my nickname, Kathy for Kathleen, that was o.k. with secuity but my husbands legal name is Lionel, but he goes by Lenny, thats what she booked ticket as. Security had a hard time getting Lenny out of Lionel. We were actually stopped by gun toting soldiers! We didn't mind though-better to be safe then sorry! Taught me a good lesson though about making sure legal names are used when booking tickets.

 

[CaseyJr]

We started out yesterday, and there was no problem at the airport. Just to be on the safe side, as we were leaving the house I grabbed a membership card that had my nickname and home address on it. But didn't need it....

 

[bavaria]

I was thinking of you and this post last week, as I arrived at the airport and discovered that United had misspelled my FIRST name this time (tough German names! )

Nobody batted an eye.......

 

[MAH4546]

That shouldn't be a problem. My tickets are like that all the time. I called US Airways yesterday because I misspelled my daughters name. I know I was in a hurry. There would have been a $100 change fee or I could have cancelled the ticket and started over. When I said what I did he said we wouldn't have any problems with her getting through security.

That's just one very lazy customer service agent who didn't want to waste an extra five minutes pushing some more buttons. Call again, have them change the name, and, if they don't, ask to speak to a supervisor.

 

[ClanHarrison]

When I booked our airfare, I used my Niece's married last name because that's what she goes by for everything; but she never changed her driver's license to her married name. The 2 last names are similar i.e. White vs. Wyche. Do you think she will have a problem going through security? Do you think I should just call SW and change it? I was thinking if she just carried a copy of her marriage license she'd be O.K.--especially if it's going to cost us to change it.

Thanks guys!

 

[ClanHarrison]

Bump

 

[bavaria]

When I booked our airfare, I used my Niece's married last name because that's what she goes by for everything; but she never changed her driver's license to her married name. The 2 last names are similar i.e. White vs. Wyche. Do you think she will have a problem going through security? Do you think I should just call SW and change it? I was thinking if she just carried a copy of her marriage license she'd be O.K.--especially if it's going to cost us to change it.

Thanks guys!

In this instance, I think that you definitely need to call and ask them to add a note in the PNR. If her ID and the reservation don't match, there is a good chance that she will have problems at check in. In addition, if the name on her boarding pass and ID don't match, she may not be able to pass security.

In this instance, it's not a nickname vs a full name, or one letter spelling error. This is definitely a case where something needs to be done in advance to avoid disappointment at the airport.

Note that you can't just necessarily call and change the name - airline tickets are issued in one persons name, and a name change is considered a cancellation and new booking, with applicable cancellation fees.

 

[ClanHarrison]

Thanks for the info. Bavaria. I just spoke to my niece and she's just going to go to DMV and get her name changed to avoid ANY complications. It's weird that she's never run into any problems. I mean, everything she has (credit/debit cards, Social Security card etc.) has been changed to her married name. She just never changed her license.

 

[bavaria]

Good plan - it will avoid a lot of headaches. Even pre 9/11, it would have been a potential issue. The last thing that everyone would want is to leave her behind, or purchase a new (full fare) ticket at the airport!!

Have a great trip!