Originally Posted by
idiosyncrasy
I booked an award reservation through AA who asked me for first and last name. I never provide my middle name for any itineary, but in any case the AA reservations line never asked and I expected no issue.
I showed up to the airport (HKG) where the CX agents were adamant they could not check me in because the middle name was missing. The system let me add the Asia Miles number which had the middle name and everything. CX agent on the ground forced me to call AA reservations on roaming to reissue the ticket. Told me it was strict policy to have middle name and told me it was my fault for not checking in advance.
Some seriously great ground service from CX flying C. Gifted me SSSS on the boarding pass too.
In this age of flying, you probably will get SSSS due to the fact that the names are not exactly the same, especially after the new restrictions applied on all US bound flights.
However, I had an even more serious problem than you back in Feb: AA award on CX. Multiple words in my first name, AA messed up my first name in the award tix on CX. I remembered I checked in without problem on CX website. CX airport check-in desk showed the first name wasn't right. I asked if all the words were in middle name section, but CX agent couldn't figure it out. She took it up to the manager, and manager just put a stamp on it saying I was ok to fly. Considered ridiculously lucky.