Non-refundable tickets. Bad idea?

[HarryS]

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.

[Al Drake]

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.

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.

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.

[HarryS]

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.

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.

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.

I hope you have a great trip!

[Al Drake]

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.

I hope you have a great trip!

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.