Apr 19, 2016, 4:36 am
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Posts prior to 2016 have been archived, and can be read here.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
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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Posts prior to 2016 have been archived, and can be read here.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
Nov 6, 2016, 9:13 am
#76
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Benicia, California, USA
Programs: AA PLT,AS,UA PP,J6,FB,EY,LH,SQ,HH Dmd,Hyatt Glbl,Marriott Plat,IHG Plat,Accor Gold
Posts: 10,820
Nov 6, 2016, 12:28 pm
#79
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: SAN
Programs: AA CK, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 839
My passport has first, middle and last names and all my tickets are issued with first and last names only and it has never been a problem in the past ten years and at least 60 international trips on my current US passport which will expire next month.
Nov 6, 2016, 12:45 pm
#80
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: ORD
Programs: AA EXP & million miler
Posts: 3,992
German ex-girlfriend had recurring problems due to the umlaut. In German her last name was Lutzexxx with the umlaut over the u. In English it was spelled on all her docs as Luetzexxxxx. So US drivers license, etc. Believe it happened both at the desk and TSA. Never prevented her from flying but was questioned occasionally. Must happen with folks using the eszett, though I guess its been replaced by 'ss' formally.
Nov 6, 2016, 2:07 pm
#81
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: AA EXP >3 Million miles,HH Lifetime Diamond
Posts: 2,887
This has been my experience as well with about the same number of trips, using AA and many partners.
Nov 7, 2016, 7:59 am
#82
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP, UA Plat
Posts: 311
Incorrect Name on Email Upgrade Notification
This is the first time I've seen this one. I received an upgrade email notification this morning and the name the email is addressed to is not a name I recognize. The rest of the information is otherwise correct (record locator, passenger name, etc.).
I reviewed a number of my prior upgrade notifications and can't find anything similar. Anyone else noticed this before?
Seems like this should be a pretty easy thing to get right...
I reviewed a number of my prior upgrade notifications and can't find anything similar. Anyone else noticed this before?
Seems like this should be a pretty easy thing to get right...
Nov 7, 2016, 8:42 am
#83
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Benicia, California, USA
Programs: AA PLT,AS,UA PP,J6,FB,EY,LH,SQ,HH Dmd,Hyatt Glbl,Marriott Plat,IHG Plat,Accor Gold
Posts: 10,820
Thanks once again for the useful and much appreciated replies, folks.
My wife was just able to check in online, though we have to pick up her boarding pass at the airport tomorrow night. We'll leave early just in case that process takes some time.
If anyone thinks we should nevertheless try to change her AA/ticket name to be fully consistent with her passport at this point, or advice on anything else (such as what to expect in transit in Hong Kong), please weigh in. But my inclination is to not muck with this any further and to harmonize the names after we get back.
Ironically, I'm getting a message at CX's site that it can't find my ticket number, even though I confirmed it by phone with a CX rep just a couple of days ago.
Anyway, I hope I'll sort out that latest issue fairly easily.
And I'll post down the line about how things go at the airport and in transit in Hong Kong.
My wife was just able to check in online, though we have to pick up her boarding pass at the airport tomorrow night. We'll leave early just in case that process takes some time.
If anyone thinks we should nevertheless try to change her AA/ticket name to be fully consistent with her passport at this point, or advice on anything else (such as what to expect in transit in Hong Kong), please weigh in. But my inclination is to not muck with this any further and to harmonize the names after we get back.
Ironically, I'm getting a message at CX's site that it can't find my ticket number, even though I confirmed it by phone with a CX rep just a couple of days ago.
Anyway, I hope I'll sort out that latest issue fairly easily.
And I'll post down the line about how things go at the airport and in transit in Hong Kong.
Nov 7, 2016, 9:02 am
#84
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: AA Gold, Enterprise PLT, Marriott Gold
Posts: 604
Had an issue with the gf's ticket in CUN. Her passport says Kaitlyn, her ticket says Kaity. I never had a problem anywhere as we made several international trips with no questions. However, the CUN's version of TSA would not let her through. I had to go back to the AA counter and have them change the name, which fortunately they were able to do. Then once going back through, a new security person was there, and they didn't even look at her ticket.
So I would have it fixed if you can, never know what kind of jerk you may run into.
So I would have it fixed if you can, never know what kind of jerk you may run into.
Nov 7, 2016, 12:18 pm
#85
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: CGK/LAX
Programs: KF,JMB, OZ, SPG,AA,UA,AS
Posts: 1,163
I don't think you will have any issues with CX. We fly CX regularly and my wife only has one name so we repeat it in the first and last name field and have never had an issue.
Nov 7, 2016, 1:01 pm
#86
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Benicia, California, USA
Programs: AA PLT,AS,UA PP,J6,FB,EY,LH,SQ,HH Dmd,Hyatt Glbl,Marriott Plat,IHG Plat,Accor Gold
Posts: 10,820
Nov 7, 2016, 1:33 pm
#87
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Roswell, GA
Programs: AA EXP 2.8m,Lifetime PLT, Hilton Diamond, IHG PlLT, SPG Gold
Posts: 3,193
so no, most of the times I am not even getting those emails.
I could call AA and have them take care of it now, hate for you to lose your upgrade becausse of a name mix up
I could call AA and have them take care of it now, hate for you to lose your upgrade becausse of a name mix up
Nov 12, 2016, 7:18 am
#88
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Benicia, California, USA
Programs: AA PLT,AS,UA PP,J6,FB,EY,LH,SQ,HH Dmd,Hyatt Glbl,Marriott Plat,IHG Plat,Accor Gold
Posts: 10,820
Using my wife's AA miles, we have a CX award ticket for next week, flying to China via Hong Kong. The potential problem, which I'd forgotten at the time of booking the tickets, is that her AA account name is somewhat different from her passport name in the following way:
Her AA account name: First name: Joan. Last name: Smith
Her passport name: First name: Joan. Last name: Green Smith (Yes, two words in the last name. "Green" is her maiden name).
FWIW, my ticket and passport name is: First name: John. Last name: Smith
In anyone's experience, is this a potential problem? I'd think that passport control outbound in the USA and in transferring at Hong Kong would see that part of the last name on the passport matches her ticket and not have a problem, but I'm far from certain.
I think, but again am not certain, that it won't be a problem with CX, especially since we might be able to get our boarding passes online. But I can check that at the CX forum.
And if it is a problem, any advice on how to deal with it?
Thanks for any help.
Her AA account name: First name: Joan. Last name: Smith
Her passport name: First name: Joan. Last name: Green Smith (Yes, two words in the last name. "Green" is her maiden name).
FWIW, my ticket and passport name is: First name: John. Last name: Smith
In anyone's experience, is this a potential problem? I'd think that passport control outbound in the USA and in transferring at Hong Kong would see that part of the last name on the passport matches her ticket and not have a problem, but I'm far from certain.
I think, but again am not certain, that it won't be a problem with CX, especially since we might be able to get our boarding passes online. But I can check that at the CX forum.
And if it is a problem, any advice on how to deal with it?
Thanks for any help.
Jan 17, 2017, 3:53 pm
#90
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Jamison, PA
Programs: AA Platinum Pro
Posts: 288
I've had this problem with my husband's AA profile. He is the fourth, so it showed Smith Iv.
His drivers license does not hav Iv but passport does. Last ticket I purchased I just let it out. However, I couldn't put in his AA umber. Previously, I've emailed them about changing profile and it sounded like a big deal and gave up.Im going to call to have them override and put in AA number.
His drivers license does not hav Iv but passport does. Last ticket I purchased I just let it out. However, I couldn't put in his AA umber. Previously, I've emailed them about changing profile and it sounded like a big deal and gave up.Im going to call to have them override and put in AA number.