First of all, I know I have a problem here, but I'm just looking for people who have experienced this first-hand.
My significant other decided to book a vacation for our families this summer, and included our daughter's boyfriends (they're in their mid 20s so don't get your undies in a knot over it). We call them Don and Danny but of course their names are Donald and Daniel. I suppose he should have remembered, this and I suppose the travel agent should have thought something similar. But neither did. And nobody thought to give me a call regarding this. So now they have airline tickets in their nicknames.
Our travel agent has made a notation in the airline record with their correct names, and also the TSA record reflects their real names. However, their airline ticket still has their nicknames and there is no way to change it without canceling the ticket (nonrefundable of course) and purchasing one in the correct names.
I'm thinking to avoid any hassle, that last option is the best, but also very. My significant other wants to leave it as is and see what happens. I'm not excited about seeing what happens with the TSA. That makes my stomach hurt actually.
Anybody been through this? Any advice? We travel the end of June, and it's a domestic flight. Thanks.
Thanks for your advice so far. I also wish there were a fee just to fix the name. I'd gladly pay it! Here's what the travel agent sent to us:The first thing we did was to have a notation put in the reservations regarding the first
names for Danny (Daniel) and Donny (Donald). In addition, the TSA format in
the record reflects their correct first names.
Since Disney issued the airline tickets they put this notation in the
airline reservation. We called United and they advised that we
would have to speak to Disney. Anytime you book air tickets through a source
other than the airline, they refer and it is proper protocol to do so - to
the
organization that issued the tickets. When we asked Disney what options
there were to correct the names, they advised that the only option
to correct the names on the tickets was purchase new ones. As the original
tickets are non-refundable, it means purchasing 2 new tickets at whatever
the current rate is for those flights.
The tickets will only show the names as they were issued. The correction
shows in the airline reservation data base.
My husband has a very stogy, passed-down-through-the-generations first name. He's always gone by his middle name. He often has tickets in one name and IDs in the other -- I can't even keep track of what says what. NO hassle from the TSA. This happens a lot. If they flipped out every time, air travel would grind to a complete and total halt. Try googling for a TSA FAQ. I bet this is addressed.
Contact the TSA...I bet it happens more often than you think.
When I have questions about air travel I call the TSA. They have always been very helpul and polite and answered my questions with patience. I would call them.
I've never been through this myself, but I can't imagine someone honestly questioning whether or not Danny is short for Daniel and Don or Donny is short for Donald.
If the nicknames were other than very common "short for" very common formal names, I might be concerned. But these are very, very common nicknames for their given names.
But I'm with you. It drives me crazy when people don't realize that there is a time for formal names. My niece's name is Elizabeth, but we often call her Lizzie. But I know better than to write a check out to Lizzie. Yes, I realize it's done all the time, but it bugs me. Checks, flight reservations,etc., should carry the same name as a birth certificate.
ETA - And can I just add that I think it's ridiculous that someone - the airline, the agent, whoever, just someone - can't make a simple change in the computer. Seriously?!?
Have you tried calling the airline to see what they have to say about it? Since the names are known nicknames for their real names they may let it pass with no problem.
I have a very complicated name due to names changes as a child that were never made legal. Under the current regulations it must match. There is a chance they won't notice, if they don't you are fine. Thing is if not you are buying a ticket on the spot which will be much more than it is now.
Personally I don't understand why they can't have an I effed up the name fee. Like 25 or even 50 bucks, to just change the dang name! Lot better than eating the whole ticket cost which I have had to do twice! Once because I didn't know the rules changed, the second because my husband didn't know how complicated my name truly is.
I've likely used my nickname and not had a problem but I understand not wanting to get caught that day. I've also flown under my married name with my maiden name as my middle name and on my id as my last name and been ok. A nickname is even clearer... But - one time I forgot my passport was in my maiden name and my reservation in my married. I had my marriage certificate but the problem was the different names on the reservation. The woman behind the counter was so nice and was able to switch the names for me - aka: reticket it. I don't know if i"d bought from the airline or via expedia which I use a lot. But if it's not super far, I'd go to the airline ticket counter and look for someone who seems nice. See if they can reticket. If that fails, I'd go talk to the TSA guys. These are obvious nicknames so I'd be surprised if there was a problem but it'd be nice to hear it from them.
I would wither call the airlines, or go to the airport to a ticket counter and follow up.
My husband goes by a nickname... His DL is in his formal name, credit card, frequent flyer card, etc is in the nickname. He never had any issues flying and he flies a lot.
I did make changes to the frequent flyer cards and credit card about a year ago so everything would match.
After missing a flight (not our fault) and being issued new tickets/boarding passes by the airline, my name was misspelled with an "i" instead of an "e." They are both common spellings for my name. The TSA person wouldn't let me through, and I had to run back to the ticket agent and have her reissue the boarding pass with the correct name. Maybe since it's not a misspelling it should be okay, but I'd do everything I could to make sure the boarding passes have the right name on it.
A lesson learned. Want something done right, do it yourself. Could be a potential problem with the wrong agent especially with the possible threats this past week. I would somehow try to get it fixed before hand. Not the travel agents fault. If you call, get all names, dates and times and carry with you this way if its a problem you have the names of agents who said "no problem." If you are prepared you will be OK. If you are not, you will run into problems. It is almost a guarantee. Be a BOy Scout; ready for anything.
I don't know but this may be cheaper. I applied for state issued ID's for my kids when we were flying since they are both minors. Maybe they can go to the local driver's license agency and get a photo ID made. The ones I purchased were less than $20. If they get a state issued photo ID In their nicknames it should suffice.
Just a thought.
Blessings!
L.
Did the travel agent make the mistake, ultimately? And if so, would the agent be willing to split the cost of new tickets with you?
I think you're okay. I think their nicknames are close enough to their real names, that it won't be a problem. And, if their last name is correct, then I think you're fine. My MIL bought a ticket once and made an error. She typed Lesliem Miller...Her name is Leslie Miller. She had no problem using it.
