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

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.