Situation: I signed up for an MP college when I was in college. The State of California allows the use of common law names, so I used my nickname rather than legal name. No official court documents involved.

Post 9/11, and the feds don't like nicknames, so I've had to use my legal name on reservations now, which is a problem because now my name doesn't match. (I got denied credit for a return transatlantic flight on LH) I changed it on da.bomb, but apparently that's obviously not good enough, when I tried entering my MP number after I was invol'ed over to UA last week (number wouldn't go through, GA "overrode the system" but still no credit).

Now, I'd like to take advantage of some of the current UA promos. My question:

Do you know what ducks do I have to get in a row before I have to call India and wait my non-status butt on hold forever? I'm betting it's not a simple "my name is wrong, please change it" request.

(I thought about starting a new MP number, and figure out if I can merge them later, but again with the different names).

Thanks.