Initial only on ticket? Problem with Intl travel
 

I inadvertently booked a ticket earlier with only the 1st initial of my travelling companion. It was one of those United *fire sale* business class deals to AKL.

When the sched changed the ticket had to be re-issued as our original flights no longer existed. Now UA is saying that to re-issue the ticket with the new flights that his full name needs to be there and oops to do that we need to cancel the ticket and then rebook it :rolleyes:

Although the ticket did not have a stopover in SYD, we would like to add that. We don't need visa's for AKL but he would for SYD (I already have a current ETA)... will this initial only be a problem for us?

One agent at UA said to change the name was only $100, not a re-issue - unfortunately I can't get anyone to agree with this (yes I have been doing the call, call again).

Any experience with this?

Merci.

Differs per airline. Many airlines require a new ticket and others $100 for a "re-issue". Check your fare. I was on an OS ticket yesterday that had the 100 re-issue clause. Also watch the vocabulary. Re-issue is the same ticket (by definition, re-) and issue is a new ticket.

When you reticket, just tell them that I. Lastname is the name on your friend's passport. They should then reticket. At check in, if they give you a problem, just ask them to SSSS your friend. Would not expect any issues at immigration, it's just US based UA check-in and security entry.

Thanks.

The only issue I have is we will need an ETA for Australia and I don't know if the initial only on the ticket versus the full name on the passport will make a difference in getting it approved.

I have to call the Consulate I think.

Have you tried to issue the ETA online?

That would certainly work, but would cost MapleLeaf 20 AU$. The ETA will be free if issued by UA, since the tix are C-class.

Best, Dave

That's how I do all my ticketing, never a problem and never SSSSed for it either. It's funny, I had to fool Expedia into accepting a single letter for a first name by using a "-" as the second "letter" but the hyphen never prints on anything. Only once when booking on their site did a CS rep actually call and ask about my name. Orbitz, Travelocity and airline sites never had an issue about it.