Flying abroad in a slightly different name...
Discussion
Looking for the wisdom of any PH experienced travelers.
Now, I do quite a bit of traveling myself, but never encountered the following situation.
Basically, my girlfriends father has arranged our tickets to fly to Sweden, to be with her family at Christmas. But in arranging them, he spelled my last name wrong. It's not major, but I was just wondering if it would pose any issues in post 9/11 UK?
My last name is 'Penney' but my ticket is down as 'Penny'. Anyone reckon there will be issues?
By the way, It would take a mountain of effort to get him in gear to change it. Which is why I really wanted to check to see if it was worth me bothering him?
Cheers all! And no laughing at my last name!
Now, I do quite a bit of traveling myself, but never encountered the following situation.
Basically, my girlfriends father has arranged our tickets to fly to Sweden, to be with her family at Christmas. But in arranging them, he spelled my last name wrong. It's not major, but I was just wondering if it would pose any issues in post 9/11 UK?
My last name is 'Penney' but my ticket is down as 'Penny'. Anyone reckon there will be issues?
By the way, It would take a mountain of effort to get him in gear to change it. Which is why I really wanted to check to see if it was worth me bothering him?
Cheers all! And no laughing at my last name!
Courtesy of the other half (Immigration Officer) You COULD be refused exit or entry when providing tickets supplied in a wrong name, regardless of the circumstances they arose. In the small print Airlines do warn about supplying correct details. In her opinion the carrier could change the name for little or no charge. It's worth a phone call today than a refusal at your outbound (cost nothing) or a refusal to board in Sweden (cost lotsa £££!)
Sgt Bilko said:
Courtesy of the other half (Immigration Officer) You COULD be refused exit or entry when providing tickets supplied in a wrong name, regardless of the circumstances they arose. In the small print Airlines do warn about supplying correct details. In her opinion the carrier could change the name for little or no charge. It's worth a phone call today than a refusal at your outbound (cost nothing) or a refusal to board in Sweden (cost lotsa £££!)
Presumably this applies to the ticket only ? Like i said, i picked up tickets before (e-tickets at airport) with some minor mispelling and no one battered an eyelid.Not really worried about immigration at the other end. They are pretty lenient. Managed to get in on a soaking wet passport with dodgy pages before.
It's just boarding here in the UK, and potentially getting back in I suppose after Christmas!
Although, not being let back into the country is pretty good grounds for not returning to work after new years!
It's just boarding here in the UK, and potentially getting back in I suppose after Christmas!
Although, not being let back into the country is pretty good grounds for not returning to work after new years!
Had a similar situation when flying to the US. Make sure you tell the airline and that it's noted with the ticket details, preferably do it via email or other written form so you have evidence.
TBH most airline agents do have a brain and will know it's a spelling error, but you could have the luck to meet one that doesn't...
TBH most airline agents do have a brain and will know it's a spelling error, but you could have the luck to meet one that doesn't...
Sgt Bilko said:
Courtesy of the other half (Immigration Officer) You COULD be refused exit or entry when providing tickets supplied in a wrong name, regardless of the circumstances they arose. In the small print Airlines do warn about supplying correct details. In her opinion the carrier could change the name for little or no charge. It's worth a phone call today than a refusal at your outbound (cost nothing) or a refusal to board in Sweden (cost lotsa £££!)
Thats simply not true.The imigration people never see the tickets only the airline. All you present at imigration is your passport (and boarding card when departing the country) (not sure if that has your name on it). However, I have been on so many holidays where the names were spelt wrong first, last and middle initial, that I have lost count and never had a problem. I do agree though get it changed if you can but I cant see it being an issue.
Munter said:
Depends who you fly with. But my name was wrong on some tickets to the US and BA allowed upto a 3 character change for free. E.g. to get around this very problem. In my case a phone call to the booking agent sorted it out.
Will be flying with SAS from Heathrow to Gothenburg. I will drop him a mail to see what he can do about it, but I won't stress...Unless I read Sgt Bilko's post again...
cronk-flakes said:
Munter said:
Depends who you fly with. But my name was wrong on some tickets to the US and BA allowed upto a 3 character change for free. E.g. to get around this very problem. In my case a phone call to the booking agent sorted it out.
Will be flying with SAS from Heathrow to Gothenburg. I will drop him a mail to see what he can do about it, but I won't stress...Unless I read Sgt Bilko's post again...
Road2Ruin said:
Thats simply not true.
The imigration people never see the tickets only the airline. All you present at imigration is your passport (and boarding card when departing the country) (not sure if that has your name on it). However, I have been on so many holidays where the names were spelt wrong first, last and middle initial, that I have lost count and never had a problem. I do agree though get it changed if you can but I cant see it being an issue.
I didn't say Immigration checked the papers. I pointed out that the OH works at the Airport in Immigration, so has just been trained on the rules and operating conditions. She said in theory they COULD refuse travel. Not that they would or they would not. The imigration people never see the tickets only the airline. All you present at imigration is your passport (and boarding card when departing the country) (not sure if that has your name on it). However, I have been on so many holidays where the names were spelt wrong first, last and middle initial, that I have lost count and never had a problem. I do agree though get it changed if you can but I cant see it being an issue.
It probably falls down to the differences. If you turned up with Coooper instead of Cooper you are OK. If you turned up with Smythe instead of Smith, they might check it out. If you turned up with Jones instead of Davidson, you are not going anywhere.
(Edit to add: THEY being the Airline, security staff and boarding staff)
Edited by Sgt Bilko on Tuesday 18th November 11:20
williamp said:
Well it happens with Newlyweds (ish) where her name is officially different from that on her passport.
I think you are supposed to prove the change (ie Marriage certificate). Unlikely that it would be known since tickets and passport will be in the previous name so no conflicts.
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