Go Back  FlyerTalk Forums > Travel&Dining > TravelBuzz
Reload this Page >

Mis-spelled name on Ticket. Any problems?

Community
Wiki Posts
Search

Mis-spelled name on Ticket. Any problems?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 20, 2003 | 5:21 am
  #1  
Original Poster
All eyes on you!
25 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: HKG/HND/OOL
Programs: QF Emerald. SQ Gold.
Posts: 3,588
Mis-spelled name on Ticket. Any problems?

I have booked a OW award tix for my mother between HKG-SYD on CX & QF, but have just recently found out that her name on the ticket has been mis-spelled for one of the character. I could not initiate a new-booking with correct name because there were no more awards spaces available for the upcoming flight.

CX agent has advised that there is a note on her PNR regarding the mis-spelled name. They claim that my mother will not be denied boarding. I'm still worried.

Has anybody been refused boarding due to mis-spelled name? Or should I not worry?
fakecd is online now  
Old Aug 20, 2003 | 5:27 am
  #2  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Conversation Starter
All eyes on you!
20 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Department of Homeland Sincerity
Programs: WN Platinum, UA 1k, AA EP, Marriott Plat
Posts: 12,319
past experience dictates that this will be okay.

As an example, when my friend got married, his wife's last name did not match the last name on the ticket, but everything worked out okay.

UALOneKPlus is offline  
Old Aug 20, 2003 | 6:06 am
  #3  
Suspended
 
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Canada, USA, Europe
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 31,439
I think she'll probably be fine but I'm surprised that they can't reissue the ticket with the correct spelling on it.

I had a similar experience on UA once where they got two letters jumbled in my name. When the ticket arrived they told me to send it back. Two days later I had the replcement ticket arrive by courier.
LondonElite is offline  
Old Aug 20, 2003 | 6:08 am
  #4  
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Benicia CA
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold 75K, AA 3.8MM, UA 1.1MM, enjoying the retired life
Posts: 31,849
I had the same problem when I took friends to Japan last year (UA misspelled a first name). They noted it in the PNR, told me they didn't need to reissue the ticket, and we didn't encounter any problems at all. I wouldn't worry about it being that you've had the record notated.
tom911 is offline  
Old Aug 20, 2003 | 10:17 am
  #5  
All eyes on you!
20 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: UK
Posts: 7,566
A friend of mine was denied boarding by Lufthansa many years ago because of a missing "d" in his surname (and hasn't flown with them since!). I believe the mistake was discovered at check-in, though, so there won't have been a note in his PNR.

As a former airline employee I am a bit surprised that your booking agent claims they can't re-issue the ticket without initiating a new booking. Unless their system is radically different from the one I used it should be possible to amend the existing booking (open record - edit name field - save record - print ticket). Have you tried talking to a supervisor?
Aviatrix is offline  
Old Aug 20, 2003 | 1:01 pm
  #6  
In Memoriam
 
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Easton, CT, USA
Programs: ua prem exec, Former hilton diamond
Posts: 31,801
We had this happen, the receipt and the envelope were file, but the ticket was one letter off. They made a note of it, and said it would be fine, and it was.
cordelli is offline  
Old Aug 20, 2003 | 7:26 pm
  #7  
Original Poster
All eyes on you!
25 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: HKG/HND/OOL
Programs: QF Emerald. SQ Gold.
Posts: 3,588
Thanks for all the comments.

I also believe technically it is possible to change names prior to issue, but ALL of the agents I've talked to is hesitant to do so. Don't ask me why, and I'm annoyed about it.

On the other hand, it seems most of you with similar problem had no issues with boarding, so I will try not to worry.

Thanks again
fakecd is online now  
Old Aug 20, 2003 | 7:48 pm
  #8  
40 Countries Visited
3M
All eyes on you!
25 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: SoCal to the rest of the world...
Programs: AA 1MM EXP. UA 2MM Lifetime Plat
Posts: 6,742
At check in *most* agents can correct this to what prints on the boarding passes... Again though your mileage on this varies greatly from airline to airline and different CRS/Common user systems....
NickP 1K is offline  
Old Aug 20, 2003 | 9:57 pm
  #9  
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: YYZ
Posts: 389
BA changed an award ticket for me sans probleme, although I would have liked to have kept the misspelling (Brian/Brain)
schreibsman is offline  
Old Aug 21, 2003 | 7:16 am
  #10  
30 Countries Visited
20 Years on Site
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: EDI
Programs: KL, BA
Posts: 360
This commonly happens to me in that the office books tickets with the christian name i'm known by... trouble is that it happens to be the 2nd christian name, with the result that i frequently don't get miles added to my account because the airline systems see a 'discrepancy' between the christian name on my ticket versus the christian name the computer automatically thinks is the given one.

i hasten to add it doesn't stop me boarding aircraft.. merely adds a lot of hassle to getting miles or FFP upgrades.

I always ask the office to book tickets using my initials but agents often don't bother.

moral of the story is ensure that you are called by your first christian name all the time!
Seachain is offline  
Old Aug 22, 2003 | 4:12 am
  #11  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
150 Countries Visited
Community Builder
All eyes on you!
20 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: SE1, London & White River, South Africa
Posts: 24,662
I've had no problem on BA with 2 misplaced letters in my name, and that was to SVO where they are very hot on checking passports, tickets and visas. I phoned up in advance to complain and was told it was policy not to re-issue where there were less than 2 'mistakes'. So, I wouldn't worry. However, if you are the stressed type, phone up and make a fuss until it gets sorted.
Swanhunter is offline  
Old Aug 22, 2003 | 7:48 am
  #12  
Original Poster
All eyes on you!
25 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: HKG/HND/OOL
Programs: QF Emerald. SQ Gold.
Posts: 3,588
There's only single mistake, unfortunately , which makes it difficult for me to request the change. In addition, the fact there's already a note in my PNR makes the agent even more hesitant to act on behalf of me.

I guess she'd fly okay.
fakecd is online now  


Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.