John/Johnny name difference on ticket - will it be a problem
Aug 6, 2011 | 8:54 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Philadelphia
Posts: 2,944
John/Johnny name difference on ticket - will it be a problem
About 3 months ago, I bought tickets for several friends and I for a trip later this month. I just realized that I bought the ticket for one of them in the name of Johnny __________, while his name on his passport/DL is John _____________. Will that cause a problem, and if so, what do I do to fix it?
Aug 6, 2011 | 9:09 am
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2006
Location: SEA or BGR, Lower Earth Orbit
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 17,295
Domestic everything will be fine.
I have used my shortened name for years and never have had a problem. I don't even use my middle initial on my bookings since it feminizes my first name the way booking engines like to do thing.
I have used my shortened name for years and never have had a problem. I don't even use my middle initial on my bookings since it feminizes my first name the way booking engines like to do thing.
Aug 6, 2011 | 9:47 am
#3
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: BER, SAT, AUS
Programs: Feels like FO (AA EXP)
Posts: 1,611
From my experience, even internationally all will be fine. I personally have an umlaut in my name, which sometimes leads to a name on the ticket featuring unusual characters "/&20". I never had a problem or even a raised eyebrow. I usually just say "Delta IT" and get a smile in return.
Another data point, AFKLM sometimes attaches a "MR" to the name, which might be similar to John/Johnny.
Another data point, AFKLM sometimes attaches a "MR" to the name, which might be similar to John/Johnny.
Aug 6, 2011 | 10:16 am
#5
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: DCA
Programs: DL DM, AA EXP, various hotel
Posts: 2,231
Even though you obviously can't change the name on the ticket, you should be able to update the Secure flight info with "John," which should eliminate the 1% chance that it would cause a problem.
Aug 6, 2011 | 11:43 am
#8
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: DC
Programs: DL PM
Posts: 148
Why do you say that? I have had DL perform minor changes to names on tickets before (changing only the first name, from a nickname to a legal name).
Aug 6, 2011 | 12:02 pm
#9
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
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Adding junk data (e.g. typos) to (In)Secure Flight fields has sometimes even worked out better than adding the correct data. For most persons, even junk data in the (In)Secure Flight fields doesn't cause any substantive problem.
The more a passenger makes an issue about the name and contacts the airline about such, the more likely there is to be a problem.
Thousands of passengers even travel internationally in such daily circumstances without any substantive problem.
Thousands of passengers even travel internationally in such daily circumstances without any substantive problem.
Aug 6, 2011 | 12:34 pm
#10
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: ONT
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Posts: 2,159
I was in line in ATL when a guy's first name on the boarding pass and ID didn't match. Something about Carlos vs. Charlie. And no it wasn't Charlie Sheen.
Anyway, the TSO told him to go ticket counter to get it corrected. Not sure how it worked out, but definitely an inconvenience.
Anyway, the TSO told him to go ticket counter to get it corrected. Not sure how it worked out, but definitely an inconvenience.
Aug 6, 2011 | 1:32 pm
#11
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,039
. Problems arise when space is booked on other airlines....
Aug 6, 2011 | 3:16 pm
#12
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Portland, OR
Programs: DL MM Gold
Posts: 1,688
Aug 6, 2011 | 5:22 pm
#13
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: LAX - san fernando valley, CA
Programs: DL PM, Alaska Gold MVP, Expedia Elite Plus, Amex Reserve.
Posts: 1,156
If you were flying DL out of LAX I would say that would not be a problem, since they dont really read the name on the BP or ID.
The reason I say that is due to me having a female name, and I get question everywhere I go, or everytime I receive a call, but not at the airport ( LAX )
when I do enter the USA thru TBIT I do get question.
The reason I say that is due to me having a female name, and I get question everywhere I go, or everytime I receive a call, but not at the airport ( LAX )
when I do enter the USA thru TBIT I do get question.
Aug 6, 2011 | 5:37 pm
#14
Join Date: Aug 2007
Programs: DL DM
Posts: 1,118
I was in line in ATL when a guy's first name on the boarding pass and ID didn't match. Something about Carlos vs. Charlie. And no it wasn't Charlie Sheen.
Anyway, the TSO told him to go ticket counter to get it corrected. Not sure how it worked out, but definitely an inconvenience.
Anyway, the TSO told him to go ticket counter to get it corrected. Not sure how it worked out, but definitely an inconvenience.