Workaround for Full Name on Airline Tickets

[mousemom11]

I booked our November airfare on SW today. When entering our names, there was only a space for first and last name. However, all our ID's have our first, middle, and last names. So what I did was to put my first and middle name in the "first name" box. The system accepted it and our ressies show full first, middle, and last names.

I don't know if this will work with other airlines besides SW, but it doesn't hurt to try it.

 

[NJ Goofy]

I just typed in our first and last names.

Plus every time I try to show the TSA agent my DS's (12 & 15) Id's they tell me they don't need them.

It will be SW's problem if they give me an issue.

 

[wdwluver]

I've never entered my middle name, though my ID does list it.

If you use the airport kiosks, you might actually have problems checking in because of the way you entered your name. Usually they allow you to scan your driver's license, passport or credit card. Even if you have your middle name on those items, the system is only looking for First and Last name.

By entering your middle name with your first, the system will probably not be able to locate you.

I've had this problem in the past because I go by just my married name, but my Id lists my hyphenated maiden-lastname (too much to enter/say in everyday life.)

Just make sure to keep your confirmation number/record locator with you.

 

[mousemom11]

I just typed in our first and last names.

Plus every time I try to show the TSA agent my DS's (12 & 15) Id's they tell me they don't need them.

It will be SW's problem if they give me an issue.

That's correct, you don't need ID for minors when going through security at the airport.

But for DH and I, it was nice to find a way to get our names on our ID's to match our boarding passes.

 

[mousemom11]

Just make sure to keep your confirmation number/record locator with you.

Already printed out and in my travel binder.

 

[CPT Tripss]

Until the airlines get their ressie systems matched up with what is claimed that TSA wants, I would not worry about it. It's a mess with a hyphenated last name and a spelled out middle name on the passport (which I use for air travel as it has the least personal information of any government issued ID I have.

No sense worrying about a rule that doesn't exist just yet.

 

[clanmcculloch]

I spoke with an SW agent yesterday about this issue because I was concerned that I couldn't put middle names or initials and had heard that airlines were supposed to be collecting this info now. According the person I spoke with, SWA has not implemented this yet and TSA is fine with this. Boy do I hope that's correct. My understanding of the rule is that it's the airlines that are subject to the rule at this point (obviously what info is there needs to match but that's not the same as all portions of the name being required) and that the ability to collect the info is in preparation for the full implementation some time mid-late 2010 when passengers will be subject to the full name matching. Of course we have to even take that date and even eventual rule with a bit of a grain of salt considering how long it took for border and custom patrol to implement the passport rules and how those rules have changed since the originally stated rule. For now, I plan to make sure that what I do/can enter on the website matches our IDs and I'm not going to worry beyond that.

 

[DebbieB]

Until the airlines get their ressie systems matched up with what is claimed that TSA wants, I would not worry about it. It's a mess with a hyphenated last name and a spelled out middle name on the passport (which I use for air travel as it has the least personal information of any government issued ID I have.

No sense worrying about a rule that doesn't exist just yet.

I agree, I would not be creating your own workaround, it could trip you up later if they make changes to their system.

 

[nanceliz]

I was wondering about the middle name or initial but when I purchase tickets yesterday it just had a space to enter first and last name. No place to enter a middle name that I could see.

 

[SassyCat]

I booked our November airfare on SW today. When entering our names, there was only a space for first and last name. However, all our ID's have our first, middle, and last names. So what I did was to put my first and middle name in the "first name" box. The system accepted it and our ressies show full first, middle, and last names.

I don't know if this will work with other airlines besides SW, but it doesn't hurt to try it.

I also did this when I booked my SW tickets for our flights for our trip next week. I hope it works out okay, but I was just really paranoid and wanted it to match our IDs.

 

[My 2 princesses]

Not sure if this helps any, but y/day I had to call a 800 # at SWA for help as I could not enter my Luv Voucher number on-line. The lady on the other end immediately started asking for my details and I had to stop and ask her if she was doing my booking for me, to which she answered 'yes'. She did not ask for middle name or initial or anything, though she did ask for the name exactly as it appears on my credit card for billing my card. I think if it was going to be a problem, she would have asked me for exact name as appears on ID.

 

[tkldisney]

I booked our November airfare on SW today. When entering our names, there was only a space for first and last name. However, all our ID's have our first, middle, and last names. So what I did was to put my first and middle name in the "first name" box. The system accepted it and our ressies show full first, middle, and last names.

I don't know if this will work with other airlines besides SW, but it doesn't hurt to try it.

I do the same thing when booking on any airline. Most of them don't have place for middle name or initial.

 

[Lewisc]

I wouldn't worry about middle name until the airline systems are upgraded. I don't agree with the OPs solution. Assume the OP is John Michael Doe.
His first name isn't "John Michael" and that could be an issue with any automated name check search routine. You can tell the TSA agent the airline didn't have space for a middle name but there isn't much you can do if a computer selects you for SSS.

For now make sure your first name is accurate, if your license says James don't list your first name as Jim or Jimmy.

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

The TSA Secure Flight Program is being implemented on a carrier-by-carrier basis. Until your airline's reservation system requires you to use your first, middle and last name to book a flight you DO NOT NEED to do a 'workaround'.

In fact, I wouldn't recommend altering what's in the field for your first name at all. One thing that can help you is to make sure that the frequent flyer programs to which you belong are updated with your full first, middle and last name as they appear on your government-issued ID and your date of birth. When your airline(s) of choice DOES implement the new data collection procedures, any flights you have booked in the interim will automatically pull the additional data without action from you.