Argh, wrong name on my flight ticket
By Darren Cronian on Friday, June 17th, 2011

There are many pitfalls when booking a flight online and one of the biggest traps that consumers get caught up in is when the passenger information is mistyped. I cannot tell you how many emails I receive about this travel issue.

Argh, wrong name on my flight ticket

Incorrect name on flight ticket

Last week, I booked a flight and mistakenly typed my friends surname incorrectly. I realised what I had done as soon as I received the confirmation email so I contacted the airline who has said that I will have to rebook the flight again, can you help?

Check passenger information

Firstly, it is important that you check and double check the passenger information before you click on the purchase button, because as soon as it’s clicked, you’ve agreed to the airlines booking terms and conditions.

Not all airlines are sympathetic

Some airlines are more sympathetic than others – I have heard of cases where the airline has charged a small admin fee for changing the booking information, but then some airlines have asked the consumer to rebook the flight – a lot depends on how inaccurate the passenger information is.

Passenger information must match passport

The fact is you’ve agreed to the airlines booking terms and conditions, you are really in their hands, the best advice I can give in this situation is to politely speak to them and be honest, tell them what you have done wrong. Bear in mind that the passenger information must match what is on your passport for security reasons.

Airline security and terrorism concerns

Airlines will also be cagey about changing passenger information because people could sell the tickets, for a more inflated price, or, they could be concerns over security, with terrorism, such is the world we live in nowadays.

It is a difficult question to give advice on, so check any passenger information before booking, it’s essential as more of us move to booking our holidays and flights online. If you’ve had this travel issue please feel free to share your experiences in the comments.

Does anyone have any additional advice?


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9 responses to “Argh, wrong name on my flight ticket”

Nick | 17 June, 2011 at 9:47 pm

Darren,

Ths is a hot issue currently with leading Travel Agents warning airlines that it is getting out of control. The problem does not seem to be with the lower end of the market (easyjet and flybe etc) but what you would think is the upper end. Some airlines have just lost where they are going or even what market they are supposed to be serving. A Travel Agent was recently charged £1500 for issuing the wrong ticket after both the computer and the airlines staff said it was ok.

It is the same with name changes, we used have 24 hours, now it seems some bigger airlines do not allow 24 seconds.

As to tips.

  • Be polite ask for help, stay cool. Nothing winds up people faster than someone getting cross or angry.
  • Ask if the fee can be reduced, I had a £250 fee reduced to £50 just by asking. (again do not push just ask)
  • Always Always ask for the persons name or referance when starting to talk to them and write it down, with the date and time.
  • Lastly a bit of a plug, Travel Agents are given time to correct mistakes by all but 7 of the largest airlines. So consider using one.

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Darren Cronian | 17 June, 2011 at 10:19 pm

Thanks for the tips and sharing your experiences Nick. Out of all of the issues that consumers have, this is probably the #1 most popular topic that I receive emails on.

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AJ | 17 June, 2011 at 11:00 pm

Darren, do you mean mistyped? Miss Typed has not been booked. No first name.

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Darren Cronian | 17 June, 2011 at 11:04 pm

Well spotted AJ, yes, I left that in for comedy value. Amended.

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Thristhan | 23 June, 2011 at 12:11 pm

When I booking for my tickets, I’ll double confirm, triple confirm the details. Airlines always look for ways to penalise you.

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David Cook | 1 July, 2011 at 9:49 am

For my sins I am responsible for booking 20 golfers to Spain and every year, I come out in a hot sweat when we get to check in just waiting for them to pull me up. Basically, low cost flyers are employing us to do theitr job for them and fining us if we do it wrong. Bit like an unpaid tax and vat collector.
Is what I do not understand is we put up with this?
Rip off Britain.

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Fatma | 11 July, 2011 at 3:18 pm

Well, my problem is a little different. I’m flying to the UK at the end of the month. I bought my arrival and return tickets from Thomson and BA. After checking my bookings, I realised that I’ve given my Turkish name. But I’m going to use my Bulgarian passport. And what is the difference? I have two different names. I know that it is a shame but all my life I’d been travelling to Bulgaria and by bus. And I have never used my Bulgarian name. After I realised the problem, I called Thomson. They wanted to take 50 GBP for charge. I made a long call, then they changed the name without any fee. I called BA today for the same reason. They didn’t want to change the name without 30 GBP. On the Turkish line, they said I have to pay 35 GBP. Then I called the office in England, the woman told me that I can use my Turkish passport while returning, then the name wouldn’t be a problem but my Turkish passport has expired. Also with my Bulgarian passport I don’t need any visa. I told that too. Now they want me to send the copies of both passports. Then they want me to pay. What should I do? Is there any option for me? Thomson did it with no charge but BA is very strict. I need your advice.

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Dan K | 14 July, 2011 at 4:25 am

A friend of mine accidentally typed in the wrong birth date on an airline ticket traveling overseas. We did not realize it until we were in line to check in. The airport was not happy, but did allow him on the plane.

Lesson we learned, check, double check and check again. Thanks for all these tips!

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Allan Singleton-Wood | 7 September, 2011 at 5:25 pm

My problem is somewhat different.

My legal name is Allan Singleton-Wood. Because of computer problems a number of airlines enter “Singletonwood” in their systems. Indeed, one booked me as Allan Singleton Woo!

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