Name on plane ticket vs name on ID

chelseamb11 · December 2011

So I'm a dummy. In my excitement to book our honeymoon, I accidentally put FI down as Alex lastname instead of Alexander which is is full name. We've flown togethre before (but not out of the country) and his ticket said Alex then too. We had no issues. But now I'm afraid of us getting to Cancun and them not letting him in or something dumb like that because of the names not matching. From what I remember, the only time they match the name to the ticket is when you're checking in at the first airport (which is the same airport we flew out of for NY). So I FEEL like he should be okay. Is this something I shouldn't worry about because it's clearly the same person (last names are the same and the first names are clearly the same, just one is shortened), or should I call them and have them change it and possibly incur a huge charge to change the name on the ticket?

I feel so dumb. I've traveled a million times before and didn't even think about it beforehand.

WDYT?

musicalsunlight · December 2011

I wouldn't worry TOO much about it. I guess I haven't traveled outside of the country super often but I don't think people are that picky, if he has his name on his passport that mostly matches w/ the ticket and the people in the photos are the same... it would be a huge PITA to get charged to change it. Then again I'd get a second opinion because like I said, I've only traveled outside of the US twice.

azdancer8 · December 2011

Can you call the airline(s) and ask them about it? That way you would know for sure whether it will be an issue.

ILoveMilkDuds · December 2011

It's better to be safe than sorry and I'd change the tickets so the travel documents match.

You never know what type of TSA agent you'll get at security or how the customs guy will be. One may let the Alex/Alexander thing slide while someone else won't.

Seshat411 · December 2011

I would call the airline and see what they say. I'd rather pay to change the name then not be able to get in. Would it really be that big a charge just to change a name? I've never tried before.

cfaszews25 · December 2011

I agree with Duds. You have the time, so I would go ahead and get the ticket changed. It shouldn't be too difficult to do so. Then you won't have to worry.

chelseamb11 · December 2011

I'm on the phone with expedia right now .. this is taking forever.

Y I Oughta · December 2011

I would check with the airline and see what they say. Try getting something in writing, like through email or from their website. You don't wasnt to risk missing your honey moon because you get a grumpy agent that won't let you board. My new last name is only two letters that I added after my maiden name. They told me it had to match exactly. My first is Amanda and Mandi was unacceptable for international flying. Our travel agent hammered it all out for us.

AllAboutTheBenjamin · December 2011

I think it's smart to call and check to make sure but it's probably not that big of a deal.

Ben flew with an expired ID when we went to Key West. No one at TSA caught it. In fact, he didn't know it was expired either until a waitress pointed it out on our last night.

jcbsjr · December 2011

Chels, I did the same thing when I booked our first trip together. We didn't go out of the country but the outbound flight TSA agent said nothing and the return TSA agent made fun of his name (pronouncing as if it were Spanish, I believe). No biggie. If the ticket said Ronald and his ID said Alexander, then I would worry.

PS I hate expedia.

maratea · December 2011

Y I Oughta:
I would check with the airline and see what they say. Try getting something in writing, like through email or from their website. You don't wasnt to risk missing your honey moon because you get a grumpy agent that won't let you board. My new last name is only two letters that I added after my maiden name. They told me it had to match exactly. My first is Amanda and Mandi was unacceptable for international flying. Our travel agent hammered it all out for us.

Yeah, when we came back into the US from Spain, the person at checking tickets said to H "Hello Matthew", then asked if he went by Matthew or Matt. Normally he shortens it, but we always use his full name for travel. The agent said, "Well good thing your ticket says Matthew." As in, if he'd used Matt we would have been fuucked. I was kind of surprised the agent talked to us that much actually.

Steph0871 · December 2011

I've done the Steph/Stephanie thing before, including to Cancun and the Dominican. I wouldn't risk it though. (Both times, my dad booked the flights and we didn't notice until the day of. oops.)

Blueyed228 · December 2011

Did you book your ticket in your maiden name or married name?

I almost booked ours in my married name because I wasnt thinking, and that would have been messy.

chelseamb11 · December 2011

jcbsjr:
Chels, I did the same thing when I booked our first trip together. We didn't go out of the country but the outbound flight TSA agent said nothing and the return TSA agent made fun of his name (pronouncing as if it were Spanish, I believe). No biggie. If the ticket said Ronald and his ID said Alexander, then I would worry.

PS I hate expedia.

Yeah it's a pain. I pointed out that we did it domestically just fine but they said he'd probably have a bigger issue getting into Cancun than leaving the states. Plus I'd hate for him to get stuck over there on our way back. That'd be even worse.

I've been talking to the lady since noon. It's 12:50. She's back and forth between the United people and me. But it's sounding promising. She asked me for the correct spelling of Alexander. My guess if they were going to charge me she woulda told me by now.

chelseamb11 · December 2011

Blueyed228:
Did you book your ticket in your maiden name or married name?

I almost booked ours in my married name because I wasnt thinking, and that would have been messy.

My name is fine. I booked maiden because I'm not changing it until we get back. One week is not enough time to change a name obviously

Blueyed228 · December 2011

Dont you need a passport to go to Mexico?

ILoveMilkDuds · December 2011

Blueyed228:
Dont you need a passport to go to Mexico?

Yes

Steph0871 · December 2011

Blueyed228:
Dont you need a passport to go to Mexico?

Yeah? I think that's the problem. His passport/ID is "Alexander", but she booked the ticket as "Alex."

chelseamb11 · December 2011

Steph0871:
Blueyed228:
Dont you need a passport to go to Mexico?
Yeah? I think that's the problem. His passport/ID is "Alexander", but she booked the ticket as "Alex."

This.

We just got through it though, fianlly. The flight is technically through two airlines so they can't change his name w/o cancelling the flight. However both the airlines have it noted, so we just have to go to the front desk when we check in to confirm

maratea · December 2011

While we're on the subject of flying, I'd just like to say I met a pilot at my ILs house the other night, and he was hot. OH and the flight attendants my MIL hangs out with like to get drunk a lot. I was doing this Indifferent

for most of our dinner with them.

ILoveMilkDuds · December 2011

maratea:
While we're on the subject of flying, I'd just like to say I met a pilot at my ILs house the other night, and he was hot. OH and the flight attendants my MIL hangs out with like to get drunk a lot. I was doing this for most of our dinner with them.

H's uncle is a pilot and he drinks a lot. I know a couple of flight attendants who like to party as well.

maratea · December 2011

These particular attendants are on reserve, meaning they are 'on call' from 3am to 3pm, so they could potentially get called to fly during that time. The one said as soon as 3pm hits they crack a bottle and get to it. The night that we were at ILs house, they were going on call at 3am and wouldn't get back to Indy until 2 am. Which means they probably had no sleep that day. I was just kind of surprised by it all.

AllAboutTheBenjamin · December 2011

I went to college with a ton of flight students. They drank more than anyone I've ever met. They roll hard.

Birdie1483 · December 2011

chelseamb11:
Steph0871:
Blueyed228:
Dont you need a passport to go to Mexico?
Yeah? I think that's the problem. His passport/ID is "Alexander", but she booked the ticket as "Alex."

This.
We just got through it though, fianlly. The flight is technically through two airlines so they can't change his name w/o cancelling the flight. However both the airlines have it noted, so we just have to go to the front desk when we check in to confirm

Hopefully it all works out easy for you. I can tell you it was much easier getting in to Costa Rica than it was coming out. I had my passport checked a billion times before we even got on the plane in CR and then had it checked another billion going through immigration and customs in Atlanta.

ETA: But I should add, I think they only looked at my actual plane ticket once or twice.

Name on plane ticket vs name on ID

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