Last edit by: Prospero
Trivial name differences - first and last names without middle name, blending of middle or Latin style names, etc. should not cause trouble flying, as long as the identification used displays the primary characteristics of the name on the boarding pass / ticket on AA, and on most airlines.
However, Cathay Pacific and some airlines are genuine sticklers and may not make changes at their end. Members have reported challenging times getting fixes for otherwise trivial name issues.
Changing a name on an issued ticket - reissuing the same ticket to another person - will not happen.
Changing a date of birth due to an accidental account entry must be rectified by contact with AA.; you may (or not) be asked to fax supporting documentation. Some other account changes that don’t “stick” (sometimes passport information, etc.) will also have to be called in. Contact for gender changes or issues as well. See here for AAdvantage Account contact form (AAdvantage Customer Service is only open work days 7-7 Central time.) See post #1 for contact phone numbers and aa.com contact form page illustration.
See:
U.S. Department of State: Change or Correct a Passport link
Posts prior to 2016 have been archived, and can be read here.
Signed in members with 90 days / 90 posts can edit this Wikipost. Wiki contents may be printed by using the (lower right wiki corner)
However, Cathay Pacific and some airlines are genuine sticklers and may not make changes at their end. Members have reported challenging times getting fixes for otherwise trivial name issues.
Changing a name on an issued ticket - reissuing the same ticket to another person - will not happen.
Changing a date of birth due to an accidental account entry must be rectified by contact with AA.; you may (or not) be asked to fax supporting documentation. Some other account changes that don’t “stick” (sometimes passport information, etc.) will also have to be called in. Contact for gender changes or issues as well. See here for AAdvantage Account contact form (AAdvantage Customer Service is only open work days 7-7 Central time.) See post #1 for contact phone numbers and aa.com contact form page illustration.
See:
U.S. Department of State: Change or Correct a Passport link
Posts prior to 2016 have been archived, and can be read here.
Signed in members with 90 days / 90 posts can edit this Wikipost. Wiki contents may be printed by using the (lower right wiki corner)
Name, Gender Difference, Date of Birth, Change, Errors, etc. Account, Ticket, Award
#31
Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: AS MVPG
Posts: 2,206
Maybe it's something else, but when using TYP I've always had issues when it combines my first and middle name. Last time I didn't get Pre at online check-in I called AA and asked to fix my TSA info, they did and got Pre.
I started booking TYP reservations without putting my middle name in, then after making the reservation go to AA.com and put my middle name in. That's worked 100% of the time.
I started booking TYP reservations without putting my middle name in, then after making the reservation go to AA.com and put my middle name in. That's worked 100% of the time.
#32
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: PDX
Programs: AA (Gold), Alaska MVP, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Plat, IHG Plat, SPG Gold,
Posts: 513
Maybe it's something else, but when using TYP I've always had issues when it combines my first and middle name. Last time I didn't get Pre at online check-in I called AA and asked to fix my TSA info, they did and got Pre.
I started booking TYP reservations without putting my middle name in, then after making the reservation go to AA.com and put my middle name in. That's worked 100% of the time.
I started booking TYP reservations without putting my middle name in, then after making the reservation go to AA.com and put my middle name in. That's worked 100% of the time.
#33
Join Date: Nov 2011
Programs: AA EXP, HH Diamond
Posts: 28
It's been OK for me. I have a suffix "III" that sometimes runs into my last name. Sometimes it gets truncated and the then it only reads "lastnameII" ... I've been delighted and TSA precheck works even with this on the ticket. I make sure my TSA known traveler number is in the airline reservation system.
#35
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: New York City
Programs: AA EXP, DL DM, SPG Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 2,127
You can, in the future, just leave off your middle name. It does not matter in the slightest. I have booked many many tickets, domestic and international, without my middle name and never had a problem with pre-check or anything else.
#36
Moderator: American AAdvantage, Signatures
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: London, England
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond Ambassador, National Exec, AA EXP Emeritus
Posts: 9,765
I booked tickets on AA using Chase UR points. The name came through incorrectly on the reservation. It shows correctly on the Chase site but incorrect on the AA site.
It should say:
Mary Jane Smith
but it is showing up as:
Maryjane Smith
I was able to input my KTN number but I'm still worried that I won't get TSA-pre or will have some sort of hassle at the airport.
I phoned AA and the agent says it's okay to leave the reservation as it is (with the wrong name issue) and wouldn't change it for me.
Advice please? HUCA, tweet AA? Or just leave it alone?
It should say:
Mary Jane Smith
but it is showing up as:
Maryjane Smith
I was able to input my KTN number but I'm still worried that I won't get TSA-pre or will have some sort of hassle at the airport.
I phoned AA and the agent says it's okay to leave the reservation as it is (with the wrong name issue) and wouldn't change it for me.
Advice please? HUCA, tweet AA? Or just leave it alone?
~Moderator
#37
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: San Francisco
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, UA 1K, Hertz Platinum
Posts: 286
Award Travel on CX Today No middle Name
AA booked an award ticket for me without a middle name per CX. AA claims that it is in my secure passenger profile and things are golden! CX says without middle name you will have difficulties at the airport. I have spoken with several AA reps all saying NO PROBLEM, which is contradicting CX. I will be leaving in 10 hours. Any suggestions... International travel
thanks
thanks
#40
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Orange County, CA, USA
Programs: AA (Life Plat), Marriott (Life Titanium) and every other US program
Posts: 6,411
Generally speaking I don't use my middle name. The State of California still requires it for my Driver's License. But an advantage of a U.S. Passport is that they don't require middle name. So my Passport (and Passport ID Card) don't have a middle name, which matches my reservations.
#41
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Long Beach, CA
Programs: AA PLTPRO, HH Diamond, IHG Plat, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 3,559
As a rule, I don't ever include my middle name on flight reservations - even though it's in my passport. Mine is hyphenated in my passport but not on my drivers license. I have issues in systems where they sometimes do and don't allow the hyphen.
As I understand it, middles names are not required so I just leave it out versus having non-matching versions of it from time to time.
As I understand it, middles names are not required so I just leave it out versus having non-matching versions of it from time to time.
#42
Moderator, Amtrak & Spirit Airlines
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: EWR :rolleyes:
Programs: AC 50K, AS MVP, AA Plat Pro, DL Plat, UA Silver, IHG Spire, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 9,625
Yeah I echo what was said here. I have flown CX 10+ times with no middle name on my reservation although it does appear in my passport.
#43
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 19
AA booked an award ticket for me without a middle name per CX. AA claims that it is in my secure passenger profile and things are golden! CX says without middle name you will have difficulties at the airport. I have spoken with several AA reps all saying NO PROBLEM, which is contradicting CX. I will be leaving in 10 hours. Any suggestions... International travel
thanks
thanks
#44
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: San Francisco
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, UA 1K, Hertz Platinum
Posts: 286
You may get into problems in at HKG because the first+last name does not match the full name on your passport. This happened to me a few times before when I flew on codeshare. After those few times, I had to call AA to change my account info and put the middle name portion under first name with a 'space'. Just get there a bit earlier...
HKG is not my final destination period so hopefully transiting would be easier? How bothersome was the ordeal? did it happen at the Gate or it was a check-in issue?
thanks to all that chimed in BTW