I booked a ticket over the phone a couple of weeks ago, and after I looked at my itinerary online, I noticed that my name appeared as <firstname> K <lastname>, as opposed to my actual middle initial of L. I called in and tried to get them to change it, but the person I spoke to said that after it was ticketed, there was no way to change that without canceling the ticket and re-issuing (and probably losing my upgrades along the way).

So, a few questions:

1. Is this really correct -- they have no way to change the middle initial?

2. Will I run into potential problems flying internationally? Presumably the points that might cause problems are at security and at check-in getting my boarding pass... (I'm flying from the US to Singapore via NRT one way and via HKG the other)

Thanks! I'm really kind of irritated, since it's so clearly the reservation agent's fault, the two keys being adjacent and all that.

Ugh, wrong forum! Mods, can you please move to TravelBuzz? (All those buzzes sound alike...)

Turns out I've been flying with different middle names on my DL and passport for years. Tickets match passport, but I've often showed my DL and no one has batted an eye.

Going in tomorrow AM to have the DL fixed.

consider it done

regards

chrissxb
co-moderator
communitybuzz!

From my experience, it's all up to the gate agent.

On a recent itin US-Europe, I had a brain fart and purchased tix for my wife with her married last name. Her passport was in her maiden name. I thought this might cause a problem so I brought additional documentation - marriage cert, green card, etc. We checked in and got thru TSA at HNL without any problem. But at ORD, we weren't allowed to claim a boarding pass at two RCCs because the ticket didn't match the passport. We went to the gate, the agent looked over our papers and said "looks good to me" and gave us the BP. Coming back from Europe, same issue happened. We showed all the paperwork and it was ok.

That's probably true, but what they can do, is put a notation in your PNR explaining the discrepancy. You can get a printout of it just in case.

Yes it clearly is the fault of the airline... they should change it without charge...

Otherwise get them to put in a SSR message (they should know what it means) to the check-in agent that your middle initial should be L and not K..

But then it really does not matter much as it's only a letter. You won't have any problems at check in really.

Thanks... I'll try that. I'm actually more concerned with security than I am with airport check-in, now that I read these.