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My wife and I hope to be arriving October 5th. She booked online some time ago. She just noticed her ticket was issued under her maiden name. She called US Airways to get this corrected and was told they won't do it. She has to buy a new ticket at full price. Is this the new rule these days? Is there anything that can be done? Someone to complain to or are we scrooged.
I've never heard of that...I know there's usually a change fee $50-100 but purchasing a new ticket just for a name change is Crazy! I would call and speak to someone and see if they give the same advice and/or manager...
long standing policy - no name changes on tickets --- what name is her passport in --- if her passport is the same name as the ticket -- no problem --- if not --- MAYBE a certified marriage certificate might help - one with the raised seal
ticket name and passport name need to match --- you won't even make it through TSA if it doesn't - i know folks turned away at the ticket counter --- no boarding pass
otherwise rut ro . . .
Was it the wifes fault or airlines? Yes the passport and ticket need to match exactly.
I would keep trying until you reach somebody who is willing to help. It's happened to me before and I called several times and finally somebody helped me and changed the name.
She made another call since my first post and it seems to get even more complicated. Now there is another issue about my name showing with my middle initial on the ticket and my full name on the passport. Now my wife is worried about being required to purchase 2 new tickets. This second person says there may not be a problem as long as we arrive early and have our birth certificates and marriage license. The marriage license is a simple document issued in Jamaica in 1996. Does not look like any more than something that could be crafter by a middle school student. No embossed seal. This second individual seems to expect us to just take our chances. She also asked another woman somewhere near her and that is what they came up with for a solution. She also said there might be an out as the take off time has been changed but doesn't convince me to show up without some other resolution. We plan to drive to the airport this Saturday to see what we can find out.Quote:
Originally Posted by Seveen
I take that back. I just looked again and can see/feel a very faint stamped seal.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Angel
She doesn't know just how this could have happened. She was also supplying information to have passport form sent which is what we used when we went to the post office. We do have the passports and birth certificates and Marriage license. She might have given the incomplete info to the airline but isn't sure.
I don't think anyone at that place actually knows anything for sure. Sign of the times. Don't want to pay a decent wage to anyone and this is what you get. Sad.Quote:
Originally Posted by IRIEchic
reminds me of the night i ordered Chinese delivery and they delivered it to HIS house --- although he was no longer mine lol --- oh bwoy
Would be way cheaper to 'separate' and get her passport changed back to maiden name if that's even possible?
I know they gotta know "who" you are BUT at some point commons sense should rule...just sayin...
:) That's as good a reason as any. Unfortunately I don't thin there is enough time. We can always say we are going back to get a divorce. ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by NikkiB
Twice in the last few years I have gotten the spelling wrong on names with groups I have booked for. Both times I called and the airlines corrected them without a problem. Once with Delta, and once with American Airlines.
Good luck with this. I believe the websites make it extremely clear when booking that names much match the passports, and "policy" is that changes cannot be made. I know if it was my wife who did this, I'd be furious (and it's why I handle all the vacation details - Even though I know the names on the passports I don't book anything unless I have them in front of me and then double and triple check that I got it right!)
I'd suggest calling again, and being absolutely as nice as you possibly can be, and ask to be escalated to a manager if the first person can't help you... then their supervisor... etc. If you are in any way demanding or nasty, they definitely won't help. I'd also be sure to ask if instead of purchasing new tickets, if is there a fee you could pay to have these changed.
I'd also expect that they have a record of your calls for this with notes detailing the conversations.
When you call, get NAMES. I find that people tend to be a bit less offhand and more careful with the information they give you if you ask for and have written down their name. Something about accountability that seems to change things. Other than that, I would advise you to proceed as above post suggests, asking for a higher up every time you get to a point where that person cannot help you. I also find it helps to repeat things back to people, to confirm what they have said - especially when it is something really stupid. When they hear it said back to them, it sometimes prompts them to seek another answer. GOOD LUCK.
what a nightmare, good luck, i hope it works out.
Good luck Al Drake atleast you have time to try and resolve it keep at it and do like the others say get names etc...
It sounds like you are a travel agent. I would hope you would get special treatment.Quote:
Originally Posted by Todd
I finally got her to elaborate. I would never be furious at my wife for anything she ever does especially in this case. She booked before we had our passports because it seemed like we weren't going to get a room where we wanted to stay. She simply supplied our names like they appear on our driver's licenses and debit cards not realizing the passports would use our full names. At worse we will be buying a pair of tickets and end up paying double. In all honesty I can't say I would have done it differently so she gets a pass. She feels terrible and I would never want her to feel worse by a bad reaction from me. It's only money.Quote:
Originally Posted by HarryS
It does seem like US Airways is being a bit extreme. I won't be using them again if this turns out badly. We will be showing up at the airport tomorrow to try to get some satisfaction not having my hopes to high. I am always extremely respectful on the phone and never lose my cool for any reason. Life's to short. I feel the only way this could be resolved over the phone would be something immediate like having them put money into my bank account which I think would never happen. To late and stressful for her to have to wait any amount of time to see what happens.
Live and learn.
Thank you very much. Everything is Irie.Quote:
Originally Posted by jenb
Thank you IRIEchic. It has been a lesson at least.Quote:
Originally Posted by IRIEchic
Al Drake you are a GREAT Husband for not putting money before the wife. Way to handle yourself. LUCKY woman. Hope it all works out. Now I have to go look at out New passports~
Al - thank you so much for that response. As a wife who has also made mistakes, usually with the best intentions, your attitude is priceless. Really - bless you and your lucky wife! Hope this all turns out for the best - you and your wife deserve good karma!!
All I can is that this is an example of why it is a good idea for women to NOT change their name when marrying! :rolleyes:
As a forty year married couple we've had issues with names, her's, mine, hyphenated variations.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dwest
It's not any easier
Not sure about your airline as I'm from Canada, but I purchased 2 tickets for a friend and me for last April with Air Canada. The tickets were non refundable. My friend decided not to go. Found out that she could cancel and get a credit to use within one year of the booking date. There was a $150 cancellation fee, but she did use the credit before the deadline to fly somewhere else. Her name was correct on the ticket, but if you're paying the cancellation fee, I would think they'd make the corrections for you, under the circumstances and if you're sweet about it.
Surely anything is possible for a fee (less than the cost of buying a new set of tickets) and I agree, the reps over the phone I'm sure have leeway to make changes, if they want, keep calling until you find someone sympathetic and in a good mood. You may find someone who has had it happen to them or someone they know and is willing to help you, even though it's against official policy.
Good luck!
You are absolutely right, and your wife is a lucky one. I could learn something from your attitude, because after reading this I know exactly how it would have went down if it were me - I would have been mad, maybe yelled, and since she already felt horrible I just would have made it worse, and then not realized what a jackass I was until she was sitting there crying. It's so easy to realize that being supportive is the right way to go after you've already been a huge jerk and it's too late. I will think of this next time I'm feeling angry, thank you.Quote:
Originally Posted by Al Drake
I hope you have a great trip!
Thank you Jim-Donna. We have a perfect marriage and a perfect life and I have a perfect wife. Whatever happens it will be fine.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim-Donna
Thank you iowagirl. We have had a long life together of good Karma.Quote:
Originally Posted by iowagirl
Actually she can't figure out what she was thinking. We have been together for 40 years and finally got married in '96 in Negril. Those she spoke to thought she just got married thus the maiden name. Funny...........Quote:
Originally Posted by Dwest
I was just thinking maybe I could get them to make me a deal of credit for another pair of tickets and get to return real soon. I still have several weeks of vacation due me from work and this would be a great way to convince her boss to let her have more time off. Maybe all this will work out for the absolute best in the end. We can all have a great big laugh. I know it'll sure cheer her up.Quote:
Originally Posted by Melody
Thank you HarryS. I'm sure we will have a wonderful time. We always do. We love Jamaica and nothing could get in the way of that.Quote:
Originally Posted by HarryS
I was thinking that you could cancel, get the credit, and use it to rebook immediately for this trip, using the correct names.Quote:
Originally Posted by Al Drake
Melody that is a great idea. Thank you so very much. I know just by telling this to her she will feel better instantly. This time we'll pay extra and get the refundable tickets. Melody you have made my day.Quote:
Originally Posted by Melody
I just looked at my tickets and passports and realized that mine has an middle initial and hubby's doesn't but passports have our full names. I've booked through Travelocity and it keeps our names in my log-in so I hadn't changed or added anything. We've never had an issue with them in the past by using it this way but I will certainly make changes in the future with our full names including middle names.
Al Drake if you go to Airport today trying to resolve your tickets I hope you get it done without anymore expense. Or get a refund to use later then book on another airline. Other Airlines may have cheaper flights. We're you going for 1 week or 2 weeks? Hope it gets all sorted out today. So you can get packed to leave on the 5th of Oct.
You're very welcome! I hope it works, I don't see any reason why not. As your trip is so close, and you've now got your passports to refer to, you probably wouldn't need to add the expense of refundable tickets. Especially if you book with both of you present (2 sets of eyes to proofread). I understand though, after the stress of this, you are so kicking yourselves that you hadn't bought refundable tickets the first time around. If you take your passports to the airport and they are able to book new tickets at the counter there, it would be on them to enter your names correctly, and you could confirm yourselves on the spot. I don't know if it's even possible to book flights in person anymore?!Quote:
Originally Posted by Al Drake
Please let us know how it turns out!
That makes me feel a bit better about my ticket. The second call my wife made the woman seemed not to be all that sure. I hope to know later today. Thanks sharing your experiences.Quote:
Originally Posted by Schuttzie
Thanks for the well wishes. We can only stay one week due to my wife's work load. Hopefully the next time will be longer.Quote:
Originally Posted by Angel
For sure we will never go for the non-refundable. We are headed out now to I'll post back with the results.Quote:
Originally Posted by Melody