Potential Ticketing Issue?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Nova Scotia
Programs: SPG Lifetime Gold
Posts: 82
Potential Ticketing Issue?
I booked a Mini-RTW this morning and I thought that all was done correctly. I never got the confirmation email so tonight I checked AC with the booking reference provided by Aeroplan. I saw that the ticket information only displays my first and last name but my passport shows all three names (so the middle name is missing from the ticket info). I have called Aeroplan several times and I have been provided with the same answer - This is not a problem as the passenger security information reflects the full passport name. So essentially I have been told to not worry. But if I wanted Aeroplan would cancel my tickets (my wife's and mine) and not charge me any fees other than the $30 service charge (although they might waive that). However, there is no assurance that I would be able to get this exact itinerary when they rebooked it.
I have put a lot of work into this itinerary to have it all disappear because Aeroplan didn't enter the full name properly. It has been drummed into my head that the ticket must match the passport 100%. I don't want to end up in Taipei or Singapore and be denied boarding. So is Aeroplan right to not worry about this or should I start over?
Thx
I have put a lot of work into this itinerary to have it all disappear because Aeroplan didn't enter the full name properly. It has been drummed into my head that the ticket must match the passport 100%. I don't want to end up in Taipei or Singapore and be denied boarding. So is Aeroplan right to not worry about this or should I start over?
Thx
#2
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: YYC
Programs: AC SE100K, *G, Bonvoy Platinum Elite, Hertz 5*
Posts: 552
I booked a Mini-RTW this morning and I thought that all was done correctly. I never got the confirmation email so tonight I checked AC with the booking reference provided by Aeroplan. I saw that the ticket information only displays my first and last name but my passport shows all three names (so the middle name is missing from the ticket info). I have called Aeroplan several times and I have been provided with the same answer - This is not a problem as the passenger security information reflects the full passport name. So essentially I have been told to not worry. But if I wanted Aeroplan would cancel my tickets (my wife's and mine) and not charge me any fees other than the $30 service charge (although they might waive that). However, there is no assurance that I would be able to get this exact itinerary when they rebooked it.
I have put a lot of work into this itinerary to have it all disappear because Aeroplan didn't enter the full name properly. It has been drummed into my head that the ticket must match the passport 100%. I don't want to end up in Taipei or Singapore and be denied boarding. So is Aeroplan right to not worry about this or should I start over?
Thx
I have put a lot of work into this itinerary to have it all disappear because Aeroplan didn't enter the full name properly. It has been drummed into my head that the ticket must match the passport 100%. I don't want to end up in Taipei or Singapore and be denied boarding. So is Aeroplan right to not worry about this or should I start over?
Thx
#3
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Nova Scotia
Programs: SPG Lifetime Gold
Posts: 82
Thanks to all for your responses. I also found a thread from last November that extensively talked about this issue with the same positive conclusion! Me being me, I know that I will still worry some but hopefully that will recede once in J with a good drink in hand!
#8
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Seat 1A
Programs: Non-status paid F/J (best value for $$$)
Posts: 3,970
It's only a problem if you have a two-part Asian first name (eg. KIM/JONG UN where "JONG UN" is considered your "given name") and you normally just go by "Jong" in the Western world and have your ticket issued as "KIM/JONG" as opposed to "KIM/JONG UN" and you are travelling to an Asian country. When travelling outside of Asia, it is not a problem as people won't understand the nuances of Asian names. However, when travelling in Asia, airport staff who are of Asian origin might consider your "given name" to be incomplete. This is akin to Westerners booking their ticket as "Rob" instead of "Robert".
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: YYC
Posts: 22,471
It's only a problem if you have a two-part Asian first name (eg. KIM/JONG UN where "JONG UN" is considered your "given name") and you normally just go by "Jong" in the Western world and have your ticket issued as "KIM/JONG" as opposed to "KIM/JONG UN" and you are travelling to an Asian country. When travelling outside of Asia, it is not a problem as people won't understand the nuances of Asian names. However, when travelling in Asia, airport staff who are of Asian origin might consider your "given name" to be incomplete. This is akin to Westerners booking their ticket as "Rob" instead of "Robert".
Non-issue. Using KIM/JongUN will work fine every time. Even if you enter your two-part first name with a space when booking or on your Aeroplan account, on the ticket they come joined together.
#10
Join Date: Sep 2011
Programs: AC SE*100K
Posts: 1,393
FWIW I have seen this work out too. Last time I switched employers my first trip booked using our corp travel used the abbreviated version of my first name, and no middle name. I was worried it was going to be a disaster (multi-segment trip booked on AC with AC and UA flights) and it was fine, I never has any issues. Not that I would recommend doing this, especially some place more challenging than a Canada / US border crossing, but it worked out okay for me.
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, Bonvoy Tit, HH Diamond, Hyatt Glob, Accor Gold, UA Silver
Posts: 34,947
I never put it on tickets. I never fill out APIS, and I never ever it during check-in.
It's on my passport, but it never gets entered anywhere.
And it's never caused me a problem on any airline in any country.
It's on my passport, but it never gets entered anywhere.
And it's never caused me a problem on any airline in any country.
#13
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: ZRH
Programs: AC SE 100K
Posts: 650
That being said - I never put it on a ticket and only once was worried. There were stories of some airlines in Asia having problems with no middle name but when I ended up in that situation - nothing came of it.