Ticket name change workaround...?
Feb 15, 2023, 1:51 am
#1
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Join Date: Jun 2010
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Posts: 263
Ticket name change workaround...?
I booked an around the world trip on different airlines (not as one ticket - I booked every segment separately). All tickets are in Business. I made the booking almost a year ago for me and my wife, but meanwhile, we got divorced. Obviously, I don't want to take my ex on the trip, but since I now have a girlfriend, I would definitely like to take her... and wondered what I can do about this. I paid more than 10k/per person for the tickets in total. Since then, ticket prices increased significantly, so if I would have to buy brand new ones for my gf, that would probably be in the range of 20k... not good. All tickets for me and my ex are on the same PNRs. One of the tickets (HNL-NRT) is on ANA. My ideas:
1. Ticket name change - I am almost sure this is not allowed.
2. Get a refund for my ex's ticket and buy a new ticket for gf. Problem is that usually refunds are in flight credit only usable for the same person (no name change allowed).
3. Buy a Y ticket for my gf and once on the flight, move her to the empty seat in business (which I've paid for but my ex will obviously be a no-show if the ticket isn't cancelled in advance, so the seat should be empty. I just don't know if flight attendants will allow this or not.
Any input on the above ideas, or any other advice would be greatly appreciated.
1. Ticket name change - I am almost sure this is not allowed.
2. Get a refund for my ex's ticket and buy a new ticket for gf. Problem is that usually refunds are in flight credit only usable for the same person (no name change allowed).
3. Buy a Y ticket for my gf and once on the flight, move her to the empty seat in business (which I've paid for but my ex will obviously be a no-show if the ticket isn't cancelled in advance, so the seat should be empty. I just don't know if flight attendants will allow this or not.
Any input on the above ideas, or any other advice would be greatly appreciated.
Feb 16, 2023, 11:46 am
#2
Join Date: Nov 2001
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3. Buy a Y ticket for my gf and once on the flight, move her to the empty seat in business (which I've paid for but my ex will obviously be a no-show if the ticket isn't cancelled in advance, so the seat should be empty. I just don't know if flight attendants will allow this or not.
As for the name change/refund, check the fare rules. If it can be refunded (not travel credit) with a fee, take that option. It'll probably be a few hundred bucks per ticket. You can also call up and ask, "hey, we divorced and the ex is no longer traveling. What are my options?" It may involve sending in copies of your papers, but it's worth a shot.
Feb 23, 2023, 5:20 pm
#3
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Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Planet Earth (mostly)
Posts: 263
I can only speculate on the other ones, but this one 100% will not work, AFAIK, on any airline. That "empty" seat in business won't be empty for long (upgrade, nonrev, etc.), and even if it was, it wouldn't be yours to take. The ticket & seat are forfeited once the ex fails to show, so even though you've paid for it, it no longer belongs to you (or your ex).
As for the name change/refund, check the fare rules. If it can be refunded (not travel credit) with a fee, take that option. It'll probably be a few hundred bucks per ticket. You can also call up and ask, "hey, we divorced and the ex is no longer traveling. What are my options?" It may involve sending in copies of your papers, but it's worth a shot.
As for the name change/refund, check the fare rules. If it can be refunded (not travel credit) with a fee, take that option. It'll probably be a few hundred bucks per ticket. You can also call up and ask, "hey, we divorced and the ex is no longer traveling. What are my options?" It may involve sending in copies of your papers, but it's worth a shot.
Mar 23, 2023, 10:15 am
#5
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Generally, the original fare portion that was non refundable remains non refundable
Mar 23, 2023, 3:23 pm
#6
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Posts: 263
Mar 29, 2023, 3:06 am
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Planet Earth (mostly)
Posts: 263
On a different but related note... I can't seem to be doing anything to my flight on ANA's website (https://www.ana.co.jp/en/us/). It takes forever to pull up my flight and even when it does, it invariably gets stuck with a never ending progress indicator trying to change seats, etc. What's the magic trick to make their site work?