Weird BP issue
Jan 15, 2016, 9:47 pm
#16
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: YOW
Programs: AC SE, FOTSG Platinum
Posts: 5,727
1. You are not entitled to free E+ on United. Whether or not you can get it free is another matter.
2. The only way you're getting a free upgrade is if there aren't enough UA elites to fill the J cabin (which is DEFINITELY possible out of CUN - I flew CUN-ORD recently and J had 10 of 20 seats empty), AND they're oversold in the back. But you may be offered a relatively cheap upgrade at check-in if they know they can't fill J any other way.
3. The only way you're going to be able to switch airlines is if there are IRROPS.
2. The only way you're getting a free upgrade is if there aren't enough UA elites to fill the J cabin (which is DEFINITELY possible out of CUN - I flew CUN-ORD recently and J had 10 of 20 seats empty), AND they're oversold in the back. But you may be offered a relatively cheap upgrade at check-in if they know they can't fill J any other way.
3. The only way you're going to be able to switch airlines is if there are IRROPS.
Work just stuck me on a pair of UA flights to SFO, and worse yet, it's booked through Expedia (and they didn't add my FF#).
Jan 16, 2016, 10:44 am
#17
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, BA Gold, SQ Silver, Bonvoy Tit LTG, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond
Posts: 44,331
Reservation systems do not entirely support the concept of a distinct 'middle' name field. This is why it gets squished together with the first name and title.
The middle name needs to be entered into APIS which distinctly has a middle name field and that is what really matters. I have flown, and continue to fly to and from the US and other countries on a regular basis with only my last name and first name on the ticket and reservation without issue.
The middle name needs to be entered into APIS which distinctly has a middle name field and that is what really matters. I have flown, and continue to fly to and from the US and other countries on a regular basis with only my last name and first name on the ticket and reservation without issue.
Yes, but you can't change to a flight operated by a different airline.
Jan 16, 2016, 10:51 am
#18
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: YOW
Programs: AC SE, FOTSG Platinum
Posts: 5,727
Jan 16, 2016, 11:50 am
#19
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, BA Gold, SQ Silver, Bonvoy Tit LTG, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond
Posts: 44,331
Jan 16, 2016, 5:10 pm
#21
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Canada
Programs: Aeroplan E50/MM, HH gold, Nat Exec Elite, Kimpton Karma
Posts: 2,354
I was warned by AC, a couple of US airlines, and the Nexus people (at renewal time) about the importance of the tx reflecting the exact name in the passport. Hawaiian actually checked for this. I have had AC agents do the API for me and they ask. Have also see a couple of stories/reports of boarding being denied. It's a pain to remember to add it but I haven't been willing to risk being denied boarding or issues at US border control.
Jan 16, 2016, 5:52 pm
#22
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Seat 1A
Programs: Non-status paid F/J (best value for $$$)
Posts: 4,124
I was warned by AC, a couple of US airlines, and the Nexus people (at renewal time) about the importance of the tx reflecting the exact name in the passport. Hawaiian actually checked for this. I have had AC agents do the API for me and they ask. Have also see a couple of stories/reports of boarding being denied. It's a pain to remember to add it but I haven't been willing to risk being denied boarding or issues at US border control.
There are two separate fields in the reservations system:
1. The names field used for the boarding pass/ticket should be fine with just your first/last name.
2. The APIS/SecureFlight field in the PNR (only visible to airline staff and travel agents) needs to have your full name as on ID, date of birth, sex, and known traveller number if nexus member.
To simply things, most online booking sites/corporate travel tools/corporate travel agents pulling data from travel profiles etc. use the same data field to populate both the "ticket/boarding pass name" and "APIS/SecureFlight" fields.
Once a flight reservation is made/ticket issued, it is always possible to manually edit the APIS/SecureFlight field. Also, an airport agent manually swiping your passport at check-in also updates this field.
Note: If you open up your booking on the aircanada.com website, you can also edit the APIS/SecureFlight field to include your other middle names if you only used your first/last name to make the initial booking. You can also edit your passport number, expiry date, destination address in the US etc.
Jan 16, 2016, 9:11 pm
#23
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Western Canada
Programs: Air Canada SE, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 331
Update:
Went to the airport, checked in my baggage. He couldn't figure out why status wasn't showing. Asked him to remove and re-add my Aeroplan number, as I had read on here to do that sometimes.
It worked, he printed me new BP's that had my status on it. Also had FirstMiddle Last. I asked if this was ok, he said totally fine as the system says First Middle Last.
Flew YEG-YYZ-CUN, no problems with status or BPs!
Also, holy crap is premium rouge small. I'd hate to fly in regular rouge for 5 hours
Went to the airport, checked in my baggage. He couldn't figure out why status wasn't showing. Asked him to remove and re-add my Aeroplan number, as I had read on here to do that sometimes.
It worked, he printed me new BP's that had my status on it. Also had FirstMiddle Last. I asked if this was ok, he said totally fine as the system says First Middle Last.
Flew YEG-YYZ-CUN, no problems with status or BPs!
Also, holy crap is premium rouge small. I'd hate to fly in regular rouge for 5 hours
Jan 16, 2016, 10:55 pm
#25
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Western Canada
Programs: Air Canada SE, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 331
I wish I had a choice... we contracted it out to some trip group who did the lowest fare humanly possible.
Tango fare, which is kind of ok. I accrue AQS not AQM anyways.
Tango fare, which is kind of ok. I accrue AQS not AQM anyways.
Jan 16, 2016, 11:47 pm
#26
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: YYC
Posts: 23,804
That's really what the problem is about. Why airlines have "unbundled.' Moved as most as they could out of the "fare."
Jan 17, 2016, 1:19 pm
#27
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, BA Gold, SQ Silver, Bonvoy Tit LTG, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond
Posts: 44,331
I was warned by AC, a couple of US airlines, and the Nexus people (at renewal time) about the importance of the tx reflecting the exact name in the passport. Hawaiian actually checked for this. I have had AC agents do the API for me and they ask. Have also see a couple of stories/reports of boarding being denied. It's a pain to remember to add it but I haven't been willing to risk being denied boarding or issues at US border control.
But I cross the border very regularly in both directions, with NEXUS, Global Entry, and just regular screening, and there has never been an issue. So until then...
They just told you the "simplified watered down" version.
There are two separate fields in the reservations system:
1. The names field used for the boarding pass/ticket should be fine with just your first/last name.
2. The APIS/SecureFlight field in the PNR (only visible to airline staff and travel agents) needs to have your full name as on ID, date of birth, sex, and known traveller number if nexus member.
To simply things, most online booking sites/corporate travel tools/corporate travel agents pulling data from travel profiles etc. use the same data field to populate both the "ticket/boarding pass name" and "APIS/SecureFlight" fields.
Once a flight reservation is made/ticket issued, it is always possible to manually edit the APIS/SecureFlight field. Also, an airport agent manually swiping your passport at check-in also updates this field.
Note: If you open up your booking on the aircanada.com website, you can also edit the APIS/SecureFlight field to include your other middle names if you only used your first/last name to make the initial booking. You can also edit your passport number, expiry date, destination address in the US etc.
There are two separate fields in the reservations system:
1. The names field used for the boarding pass/ticket should be fine with just your first/last name.
2. The APIS/SecureFlight field in the PNR (only visible to airline staff and travel agents) needs to have your full name as on ID, date of birth, sex, and known traveller number if nexus member.
To simply things, most online booking sites/corporate travel tools/corporate travel agents pulling data from travel profiles etc. use the same data field to populate both the "ticket/boarding pass name" and "APIS/SecureFlight" fields.
Once a flight reservation is made/ticket issued, it is always possible to manually edit the APIS/SecureFlight field. Also, an airport agent manually swiping your passport at check-in also updates this field.
Note: If you open up your booking on the aircanada.com website, you can also edit the APIS/SecureFlight field to include your other middle names if you only used your first/last name to make the initial booking. You can also edit your passport number, expiry date, destination address in the US etc.
So while I'm certainly not offering legal advice, I don't think it matters.
Jan 17, 2016, 2:29 pm
#28
Join Date: Aug 2012
Programs: AC E35K, NEXUS
Posts: 4,368
I've never had problems using my first-last no-middle despite middle on passport and NEXUS, but after some Asian travel where TA insisted on middle on the ticket, I have started using it. I figure, it doesn't cost me anything. I thought about it and decided holding out would be based merely on inertia. Refusing to change has no other payoff to me, and once I started thinking about whether I wanted to change or not, I had already done 90% of the work involved. Unlike other people who write articles as "John Q. Doe", I never ever ever use my middle name or initial but if they prefer it, I guess that's why I have it. I don't see any reason not to use it other than forgetting out of habit. But if the field is there as a separate field, I'll put it.
Jan 17, 2016, 2:49 pm
#29
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, BA Gold, SQ Silver, Bonvoy Tit LTG, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond
Posts: 44,331
I've never had problems using my first-last no-middle despite middle on passport and NEXUS, but after some Asian travel where TA insisted on middle on the ticket, I have started using it. I figure, it doesn't cost me anything. I thought about it and decided holding out would be based merely on inertia. Refusing to change has no other payoff to me, and once I started thinking about whether I wanted to change or not, I had already done 90% of the work involved. Unlike other people who write articles as "John Q. Doe", I never ever ever use my middle name or initial but if they prefer it, I guess that's why I have it. I don't see any reason not to use it other than forgetting out of habit. But if the field is there as a separate field, I'll put it.
Jan 17, 2016, 3:40 pm
#30
Join Date: Aug 2012
Programs: AC E35K, NEXUS
Posts: 4,368
I knew a guy at work who had a pretty common surname and fairly common first name, and every time he applied for a loan, he had to sign a stack of papers saying "I am not nor have I ever been known as firstname A lastname, or firstname B lastname, or firstname C lastname, ..." so if you dropped your middle, you'd probably still have to encounter it occasionally as an AKA or formerly-known-as. But anyway... good luck!