Air New Zealand Air Points - Reversed First and Lastname

Got a ticket that showed my first and lastname reversed. Called and was told that it's only $75 to make the change at the airport.

Most likely happened when I purchased the ticket online. Still $75 for a simple reissue at the airport for a simple mistake seems a little excessive.

Assuming you arent flying international, why bother?

Assuming you arent flying international, why bother?
Because I am. :( LAX-PPT

My experience with this - although not on NZ, is that they will probably allow you to fly and the most difficulty is that you will have is with FF programmes.

I would, however, confirm that you can change it on the day of travel. Turn up as normal, look ignorant, smile and see what happens.

Mark

you could try ringing back until you get someone who is helpful.

On flights that don't transit, originate, or terminate in the USA, NZ would most probably not require a ticket reissue.

However, in the current climate in the USA, ticket names must match exactly the passport name - even a spelling mistake of one letter requires a ticket reissue. Ringing back until you get someone who is "helpful" (in flyertalk parlance, I believe this unfortunately means "someone who is unlucky enough to erronously give you the answer that you want) usually won't make a difference, as most PNRs are commented with records of previous conversations.

You may be able to get away with it. Just returned from SFO and virgin spelt the surname of my partner wrong. As it was an e-ticket they said couldn't reissue and that there was a note on the account to let us fly anyway.

I'd try it on first before fronting the extra cash.

Ringing back until you get someone who is "helpful" (in flyertalk parlance, I believe this unfortunately means "someone who is unlucky enough to erronously give you the answer that you want) won't make a jot of difference, given that this is not really an NZ regulation. Wrong -- it is indeed a NZ regulation the original poster seems to be taking issue with. The NZ "regulation" of charging $75 for a ticket reissue, i.e.:

Still $75 for a simple reissue at the airport for a simple mistake seems a little excessive.

While the US has its rule, the US certainly doesn't require Air NZ to charge the fee or cause Air NZ to be unable to waive or reduce it in the interests of customer relations.

Wrong -- it is indeed a NZ regulation the original poster seems to be taking issue with. The NZ "regulation" of charging $75 for a ticket reissue, i.e.:

Still $75 for a simple reissue at the airport for a simple mistake seems a little excessive.

While the US has its rule, the US certainly doesn't require Air NZ to charge the fee or cause Air NZ to be unable to waive or reduce it in the interests of customer relations.

Yes, the issue is the $75 which in this particular case I find over the top. Either way, I was told to do this at the ticket counter and I will deal with it then and there. I did try to call them one more time and got the same answer, namely it's $75 and should be done at the ticket counter on the day of travel.

Ringing back until you get someone who is "helpful" (in flyertalk parlance, I believe this unfortunately means "someone who is unlucky enough to erronously give you the answer that you want) usually won't make a difference, as most PNRs are commented with records of previous conversations.

That depends if how much information you give them. Just giving enough to see if they will be helpful is a good idea.

Got a ticket that showed my first and lastname reversed. Called and was told that it's only $75 to make the change at the airport.

Most likely happened when I purchased the ticket online. Still $75 for a simple reissue at the airport for a simple mistake seems a little excessive.

I feel really stupid pointing this out, but don't last names always appear before first names on tickets? It doesn't mean that they've accidentally reversed them...

Just insert a comma after the last name and that'll do the trick.
Richard Michael
Richard,Michael
:p

Just a followup.

The reversed name was not a problem whatsoever. Miles posted to UA automatically, I was admitted without a hitch in both LAX and on the return in PPT.

Air NZ is very nice compared to the US carriers I usually fly. Service, food, attitude, even in coach was great.

It was cute to be called Mr. Michael in LAX...upon entering the craft.

Two Thumbs Up!

I feel really stupid pointing this out, but don't last names always appear before first names on tickets? It doesn't mean that they've accidentally reversed them...

Yes, it's LASTNAME/FIRSTNAME but mine was very definitely reversed.

Happy everything worked out. Now you know why we like NZ :D