danco35

Hi
I made a group booking (7 people) on Cathay Pacific flying London to Taipei and booked via GoToGate. To my horror I realised I had written one name in the incorrect order (surname is listed as first name and visa versa)

I've phoned GoToGate who initially said Cathay wouldn't let them change the name and I would have to pay a large cancellation fee. I then phoned Cathay who said they would change it, but only if the agent contacted them. The agent say they will contact Cathay but they expect to be denied permission (GoToGate do not seem to have very good customer service in general it seems)

My question is - in the worst case scenario and I cannot change the order of the names - will the person be denied boarding by Cathay Pacific. Or is it likely this will be overlooked?
Thank you!

Often1

1. Do a three-way call with the TA and CX. That way, this all gets done with you on the phone and you can then go online and verify that it was done.

2. Names in the wrong order are very common. Especially because across different culture, name order may be different. So long as both names are correct, you won't have any trouble, but still want this corrected so as to save time.

For example:

OK Harry Smith vs. Smith Harry
BAD Harry Smith vs. Tom Smith

LondonElite

You’ve double posted this in the online TA forum as well.

SK AAR

This will not cause any issues at check-in. It happens every day; airport staff is used to deal with it. Leave it as it is. You are will not be allowed to change the names with cancelling/rebooking - you don't want to do that.

No need to worry - you will be fine.

cfischer

it's not a problem

Efrem

Has happened to me several times. Only issue is when airline agents try to find me in their computer. I have to tell them to look under [given name as on passport], not [family name as on passport]. Sometimes wastes a whole fifteen seconds.

MichaelBaku

Yes agree with above. It happened to me and check in agent couldn't find the reservation until I told him to check using last name first/first name last. Found it no problem and checked in without any further problem.

beckoa

Please follow the redirect as we send this to our CX forum.

~beckoa, co-moderator Information Desk

landingpoint

Agree with previous kind posters that there should be no problem checking in.
My situation is somewhat a permanent mismatch - if that helps.
Passport is First Middle / Last. But MP account (and therefore, all tickets) is First / Middle Last. Agents usually get it right on second try when they try to locate the reservation.

ernestnywang

I'd seriously recommend that you request MPO to change your name.

Cathay Dragon 666

Your problem isn't airline, your problem is customs. Airline, as a business entity, probably will be more lenient (as many posters here seems to be able to overcome this problem). However, the custom agent may or may not be as lenient.

Taipei is a friendly nation and you might get away with it. But keep in mind you're taking a risk.

I would do all I can to change it, if not, pray as you land in Taipei.

NetJets Germany

Not wanting to be a stickler for detail, but I think you mean the "immigration" officer / agent, not the "customs" officer.

SK AAR

My impression is that an immigration officer couldn't care less how your name is stated on the BP; as long as you have your passport the imm. officer will be satisfied. Often the officer will not even look at the boarding pass.

Likewise, customs doesn't deal with or have an interest in your BP.

Rest assured that as long as you are able to get a BP from the check-in agent (which all the replies so far seem to agree will not turn out to be problem) the rest will be fine. No need to stress about this.

SK AAR

Advice like this is not helpful to the OP. It should be apparent from the replies above that there is almost zero risk with switched last and first names in the ticket.

LondonElite

Customs agents will not care at all (neither will immigration officers). Your recommendations are wrong and not helpful to the OP.