I have seen a few threads on this but they seemed older so I thought I'd try a new one. Bear with me.

I don't even know where to start. A family member booked several flights for a family trip to the Czech Republic in June. He is a very experience international traveler so I felt completely comfortable letting him have the task.

When he emailed me the itinerary, from Travelocity, I noticed he booked using my shortened version of my name rather than my full name as it appears on my passport. It was past the 24 hour window but I still was not in a panic because I thought, even if a fee applied, it would be an easy fix. He said he had anticipated a page following the page that booked it asking for passport information and when he clicked "book it" or something, that was it. It was booked.

Both of us spent several hours on hold (4+) to their call center in India. Initially, we were told, no problem Aeroflot is an easy airline to work with they will fix it no problem. Then they claimed they couldn't get through to Aeroflot. Then we were told because there was a connecting flight with another carrier, it could not be done. Ever. By anyone. Unless, miraculously I showed up at the Aeroflot office in NY or Miami and somehow then they could change it.

The manager in India actually told me I should have booked it right the first time. When I asked what I should no--he replied "Buy a new ticket". As though, everyone just has $1200 laying around to buy plane tickets.

FInally, after I Tweeted my complete desperation a higher up American rep called me and seemed to want to help. She was looking into getting a refund and having Aeroflot rebook a new ticket. No go. I was told they did agree to refund me the taxes. I was given a "special" number and a case number to call to facilitate this refund but that it would take many weeks". (about $480--which I later found out is required to offer by law for a non-refundable ticket)

The next day I call the number and give my information. I am back at the India (I assume it is India) call center and back on hold. She can't look at a case number. She looks up my ticket number and name and says she does not see me in her system and can't help me. I try to give her my case number and she says I basically don't exist.

I am basically told by Travelocity that they are powerless. After all this I receive this email from Aeroflot:

Dear Mrs. XXX,
Thank you for contacting Aeroflot call center.

According to the rules, all modifications at completely unused ticket can be made only by the agency, issued the ticket initially.

It is necessary to contact the place of purchase the ticket:

LAS855 201 7800 A TRAVELOCITY 5056098

So, that is basically where I am at. I Have emailed back Aeroflot and told them I have been told that only they can make the change. No one can do anything--it's not even a material change. It would involve adding 5 digits to a name for a flight that is 3 months from now. I can not afford a new ticket ---Now, I do understand that an error was made on our end and I'd even be willing to pay a fair sum to have it made. However, now I am basically being told by both companies, it is the other company's policy that prevents the change.


Anybody who is still with me, bless your heart. (:

Anyhow, my thought is --if I can't get it fixed, I have a 12 hour layover in Miami on that day. I might just go to Miami (like they said I could) and try to get it fixed or try to get through with the truncated first name. (Kim, supposed to be Kimberly)

Any thoughts, wisdom, insight, words of encouragement???

You didn't indicate what the shortened vs the passport names were, but I sincerely doubt that you would be barred from traveling. If you have a birth certificate or any other documentation with either version of your name, take it with you. You might get questioned a little but I doubt anything other than that.

Also, I suggest you call the airline directly and explain the situation. Give them the name on the passport and also the passport number. They will put a note in your reservation that should minimize the problem at the airport.

Given that "Kim" will be universally recognized as simply a shortened form of "Kimberly" by even the dimmest witted TSA drone or check in agent, I think it is highly unlikely you will have problems upon departing the US. At most, you'll get a "don't do that next time." You're slightly more likely to have issues on your return when dealing with agents who might not recognize the short name.

I've had clients book tickets in a shortened of my name before asking (Alex vs Alexander) and never had any real trouble, nor did I expend any effort trying to get it fixed. I was once asked internationally if "Alex" was really a shortened name, so I showed a credit card with it and that satisfied them.

LOL, the presenter of the podcast I'm listening to has a similar problem, his ticket was booked as "Bob" instead of "Robert". Though he eventually able to fly, TSA gave him lots of problem

Thanks for the replies. This is giving me great anxiety. Not only do I want to go on this trip but I really, really don't want to lose $1500 (tix to Miami as well which I booked correctly)
@9Benua Did this Robert/Bob say what TSA did?

This is not a TSA issue. It's an issue for the operating carrier of OP's international segment. If that carrier reviews documents, sees note to the effect that a change is not to be made and is intransigent, OP may never make it to the security checkpoint or won't be boarded.

The issue for OP is to determine what the difference is between the two names.

What's in a name? :-)

What is OP?

Original Post or Original Poster. In this case, you are the Original Poster and your first post was the Original Post that started this thread.

Original Post. In this case, your post was the Original Post that started this thread.

OP, is your name Kim on any other ID? If it is (like on your DL, for example), it would be much cheaper to look into getting a replacement passport with the shortened form of your name (based on the DL as identifying document + birth certificate in long form as proof of citizenship). Then the name on the passport would match the name on the ticket (make sure it's an exact match!)

Honestly, when it comes to cancelling/reissuing a ticket for this reason, I'd be surprised if even an American airlines would accommodate you with charging cancellation+upfare fees. In that case, you'd almost be better off buying an entirely new ticket.

http://www.us-passport-service-guide...plication.html

Op, I get it now. I was thinking it was some airline lingo.

Anyhow, three separate agents verbally told me, no big deal send a scan of your passport and the request to a .ru email and they can do this. 25 euro fee. The czech airline, also, was like, "no biggie, we will add a note to your reservation". I was not about to mail a scan of my passport and have it bouncing off who knows how many Russian servers. (Call me paranoid). But when I just sent an inquiry I got the reply above.

I don't know. 20 people have told me 20 different things. I see stories all over the internet where people have had this and had it fixed for a nominal fee. So, I wonder do I try to get them to correct it in the 12 hours I have in Miami or just try to get through as is?

The only answer is: It depends on exactly what is in the ticket and exactly what is on your ID.

IMHO, as others have mentioned, your problem won't be dealing with TSA. For the Robert/Bob story, the TSA agent which handle it the first time didn't know that Bob is the nickname for Robert. The manager eventually called to let him pass the security check

So, you think it would be dealing with the Russians at Aeroflot?

yeaaah, might be easier to be at the mercy of TSA. I could bring a bottle of Vodka, put it on the counter and give a wink. Maybe? (just a little levity for an otherwise maddening situation)

Actually, Aeroflot has been extremely professional despite being told 15 different things to do and how to handle it.

You can't change a name without re-issuing the ticket and paying all the associated costs, which are likely higher than buying a new ticket. This has to be done by the travel agent, however the costs are established by the airline. That is why both of them are pointing at each other.

As long as the short version of your name bears some resemblance to the name on your passport, I highly doubt this will be an issue. It's not worth worrying about.