The troubles of a first name ending in 'M'
Feb 18, 2019, 3:18 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: YYC, Canada
Programs: AC 35k
Posts: 1,900
The troubles of a first name ending in 'M'
So - I booked an AC flight successfully with LifeMiles, but I unluckily have a first name ending in "M". My ticket therefore has a wrong name, because the M is truncated off my name, and presumable was taken for Monsieur. This is usually a bad idea, because the name has to match.
LM has the name correct, AC does not. Do I have to call AC reservations to fix it? The reservation is locked down on AC's side - no problem getting seats etc. through Avianca.
Another question - is there a way to change the FF on the ticket? Avianca allows you to add Aeroplan after the fact but AC still won't recognize it.
LM has the name correct, AC does not. Do I have to call AC reservations to fix it? The reservation is locked down on AC's side - no problem getting seats etc. through Avianca.
Another question - is there a way to change the FF on the ticket? Avianca allows you to add Aeroplan after the fact but AC still won't recognize it.
Last edited by YXUFlyboy; Feb 18, 2019 at 3:25 pm
Feb 18, 2019, 3:56 pm
#2
Moderator, Air Canada; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: YYC
Programs: AC SE MM, FB Plat, WS Plat, BA Silver, DL GM, Marriott Plat, Hilton Gold, Accor Silver
Posts: 16,855
See here. Hasn't prevented me from getting on a plane yet. The M is still there in the system, just gets shunted way off to the right on their screens.
Feb 18, 2019, 5:00 pm
#3
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 3,359
Hope that provides some guidance.
Safe Travels,
James
Feb 18, 2019, 9:07 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: YYC, Canada
Programs: AC 35k
Posts: 1,900
James: thanks for advice but the reservation is completely locked down. I can't even select seats via AC; I have to use Avianca.
Adam: For giggles I called AC res; they said - common problem but your ticket is fine and your name is correct and will show correctly on BP. So you are correct. It's a J ticket so I didn't want to risk it.
Adam: For giggles I called AC res; they said - common problem but your ticket is fine and your name is correct and will show correctly on BP. So you are correct. It's a J ticket so I didn't want to risk it.
Feb 18, 2019, 9:24 pm
#5
Moderator, Air Canada; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: YYC
Programs: AC SE MM, FB Plat, WS Plat, BA Silver, DL GM, Marriott Plat, Hilton Gold, Accor Silver
Posts: 16,855
Actually, the name probably won't show up correctly on the BP. If I don't put my middle name (which doesn't end in M), my BPs show SMITH/ADA. But it still works out.
Feb 18, 2019, 11:09 pm
#6
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: YVR
Programs: UA Premier Platinum
Posts: 3,759
One of the interesting quirks of having your name not exactly right on the reservation is you can't use a kiosk to check in with a Nexus card, as the system enforces exact name matching. You can, however, OLCI to your heart's content or just use your passport.
Feb 27, 2019, 12:30 pm
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: YYC, Canada
Programs: AC 35k
Posts: 1,900
Has anyone entered their first name as NAMEMMR (adding MR after M) to get it to work properly when ticketing to AC where the system doesn't accept a title? Does this work? Or best not to fudget this?