Passport Question
May 23, 2010 | 1:09 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: SFO
Programs: United Airlines Mileage Plus
Posts: 21
Passport Question
Hi Everyone,
This may be slightly off topic. My wife and I flew SFO-SYD on 5/21/10. I booked her flight on my itinerary and applied for SWUs for the flight. However, I booked her ticket using her married name but her passport was still in her maiden name. We had tried to get the name change before the flight but the passport agency told us that she needed to get an entirely new passport and wasn't eligible for a name change (long story). So, in order to get her past security, United had to break up our itinerary and issue her a new ticket. Therefore, she wasn't eligible for the upgrade (I'm 1K, she's not and had low priority since she wasn't on my itinerary anymore). Sufficed to say, they upgraded me and not her and I declined it so I could sit with my wife.
So, here's my question... The gate agent in SFO told us that we need to get an amendment on her passport that reflects her married name as an alias/AKA. We fly back SYD-SFO on the 30th and really want to avoid any immigration hassles as well as keep our upgrade eligibility in tact. We're going to go to the US consulate in sydney today with the marriage certificate and her passport in the hopes of getting this done. I was wondering if anyone here has had any kind of similar experience doing something like this and what your advice might be.
Sorry for the convoluted thread...
This may be slightly off topic. My wife and I flew SFO-SYD on 5/21/10. I booked her flight on my itinerary and applied for SWUs for the flight. However, I booked her ticket using her married name but her passport was still in her maiden name. We had tried to get the name change before the flight but the passport agency told us that she needed to get an entirely new passport and wasn't eligible for a name change (long story). So, in order to get her past security, United had to break up our itinerary and issue her a new ticket. Therefore, she wasn't eligible for the upgrade (I'm 1K, she's not and had low priority since she wasn't on my itinerary anymore). Sufficed to say, they upgraded me and not her and I declined it so I could sit with my wife.
So, here's my question... The gate agent in SFO told us that we need to get an amendment on her passport that reflects her married name as an alias/AKA. We fly back SYD-SFO on the 30th and really want to avoid any immigration hassles as well as keep our upgrade eligibility in tact. We're going to go to the US consulate in sydney today with the marriage certificate and her passport in the hopes of getting this done. I was wondering if anyone here has had any kind of similar experience doing something like this and what your advice might be.
Sorry for the convoluted thread...
May 23, 2010 | 2:06 pm
#2
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: AA, UA, GE
Posts: 5,388
Assuming that this is a US passport, it looks like you can easily have the name changed:
http://travel.state.gov/passport/fri...eName_851.html
Also I have had my wife upgraded with me on a separate itinerary. I had to spend some time on the phone with the MP support desk. This was a domestic upgrade and not international so I don't know if it is possible in your case.
http://travel.state.gov/passport/fri...eName_851.html
Also I have had my wife upgraded with me on a separate itinerary. I had to spend some time on the phone with the MP support desk. This was a domestic upgrade and not international so I don't know if it is possible in your case.
Last edited by cheltzel; May 23, 2010 at 2:16 pm
May 23, 2010 | 2:12 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: New York, NY, USA
Posts: 12,810
Passport amendments went away a long time ago. There is no way to amend US passports, any change requires a new passport to be issued. It can be done at Sydney embassy, call them to find out the procedure and timing.