CONTINENTAL/UNITED EDI-EWR-MCO

[timboab]

Hi Everyone, Looking for some passenger information.

When booking a ticket for my sister to make the above trip (Next week) I mistakenly (DOH!) entered her maiden surname, instead of course, her married name.

Having spoken to Continental customer care (3 times) they say they cannot make changes to the name on the ticket (slight mistakes yes, complete surnames no.)

They say all we have to do is take her marrage certificate with her and all will be lovely.

Does anyone (perhaps that works with CO/United) know if she will definately be okay at check in at EDI - Or should there be a major panic on???

Look forward to hearing from you

[NWSRG]

Can't say for sure, but have used CO a few times from BFS to the US. Have found them very good to deal with...customer service (particularly stateside) is generally excellent. If you are close to EDI, why not nip in and speak to a real person.

I've flown BFS - EWR - MCO and it was very straightforward. The 757s are actually more spacious in economy than VS 747s (or it feels like it anyway)...comfortable, good IFE, immigration in EWR, so once you get to MCO, it's straight to the Magic Kingdom!

[timboab]

yeah flew loads of times with them - Just enevr had a problem like this before so looking for some more in depth knowledge.

If I don't get any clear information from here, I will make a trip to EDI to ask the ticket/counter staff.

Failing that I will book another ticket!!!!!!!!!!!

[edi_local]

As long as you have given the name that's in her passport then it will be fine.

If the passport has a different name then you will have a problem as it will simply not match the name on the passenger list. Your sister more than likely wont make it as far as the check in desk if her name does not match one they have at the pre-check in security clearance. The staff there may take it up with the ticket desk, but then you're leaving it until 3 hours before departure to get a result. Make sure her ESTA is done in the passport name as well, or that's a whole other problem.

I do know some of the CO/UA staff at EDI, however I don't have a direct number to get in touch with them, sorry. I would advise going in to the terminal and speaking to someone on the ticket desk (near the international arrivals doors, between Menzies and EasyJet). The desk at EDI is only open from 6am until about 9:30am (after the flight leaves, it closes up) so keep that in mind. Whether you speak to someone from CO/UA or Menzies, you should get a good result by seeing them face to face.

I cannot say if they will charge a name change fee or not as I'm not sure of the airline policy for this kind of thing, but you'll get a lot further speaking with them at EDI than you will at a call centre.

[Hartington]

Assume, for a moment, you get from EDI to EWR. Now you're standing in front of US immigration. "Show me the return half of your ticket" (you hand over the ticket in the Maiden name) "Who is <Maiden Name>? You haven't given me a passport for <Maiden Name>".

And let's assume you get through that hurdle (yeah, right) what about the check in staff at MCO when you want to come home?

This has too many risks. Pay up. Put it right.

[heidelberg]

If you have to re-book have a look at Aer Lingus to MCO via DUB.
If it was cost effective you should consider the fact there is full US Immigration/Customs clearance at DUB.
I've used it several times since it was introduced in 2010 and it is great to arrive in the US as a domestic flight from DUB!
Incidentally US Immigration/Customs clearance is available at DUB for all airlines whose flights depart for the US before 1600hrs.

[ExXB]

Assume, for a moment, you get from EDI to EWR. Now you're standing in front of US immigration. "Show me the return half of your ticket" (you hand over the ticket in the Maiden name) "Who is <Maiden Name>? You haven't given me a passport for <Maiden Name>".

And let's assume you get through that hurdle (yeah, right) what about the check in staff at MCO when you want to come home?

This has too many risks. Pay up. Put it right.

Hartington, it's worse than that. If the name on the ETS (i.e. the name on the passport) does not match the name on the PNR I doubt if CO will board them in EDI.

I'd go to the airport with the passport and the wedding certificate. It should be easy for CO staff to make the name change.

On another subject I can't recall ever being asked for a return ticket out of the US. These days it's only a piece of paper, unlike the carbon documents of old. The US authorities have access to your PNR and can see your complete itinerary in any case. Perhaps if you've booked two separate one-way tickets ...

[timboab]

Thank you to all who replied, unfortunately, I thought my initial post was clear enough as to my predicament, although it appears not.

So for the benefit of clarity I will try and simplify.

A ticket has been booked in one name, lets say Mrs Jane Smith. However, the name is actually Mrs Jane Jones. The passport is also in the name of Mrs Jane Jones. All other details, DOB/Address/Destination, times etc for the booking/eticket are correct.

After discussions with CO call centre, they say they cannot change 'major' name changes. Slight spelling, title, initial etc mistakes they can rectify.

It is not as Hartington puts it, anything to do with money. They will not do it, full stop!!! If money could change the details, then thats what would be done!!

CO call centre admitted that the advance passenger information (API) is correct (Mrs Jane Jones) but her eticket is Mrs Jane Smith. CO call centre says that US immigration do not use, or rely, on ticketing information, they use and rely on this API and ESTA.

As you say ExXB, in the many times I have visited the USA, I have never been asked to produce a return ticket.

What makes matters worse, and confusing, is CO call centre said that my own DOB was wrong (same as my sisters DOB) Thankfully this error is something they can change, but they admitted that my DOB was correct at point of booking ticket, but 'mysteriously' changed sometime in the last 4 months!!!

As I said in my initial post, CO said that a marriage certificate (Or old passport showing maiden name) would be sufficient to ensure admittance to the flight.

I had already decided to travel to EDI at the weekend to speak with the staff at the CO checkin desk - my reason for making a post here was to see if anyone knew [B]facts[B] on the matter,perhaps even something similar that has happened to themselves or knowledge, rather than speculation, which I can do myself.

However, I appreciate all constructive feedback on this case and hope to hear more if any available.

[Hartington]

I obviously wasn't clear enough so I'll be bad mannered and shout

BUY A NEW TICKET

The USA, like most other countries, says it wants you to prove you are going to leave their shores after your visit and the ticket copy (not your itinerary, it's not the same) is the way you do that. I've been asked for it within the last 5 years and I know of 2 people who were deported for failing to produce that ticket copy (at least that was the story told to their employer).

[timboab]

thanks for your help.

I will let you know how I get on (Buying another ticket or otherwise)

[Hartington]

Let me sweeten the pill, just a little. A surprisingly large proportion of what you paid was what the airlines call "Taxes, fees and charges". The fare may not be refundable, but the taxes, fees and charges are. The airline needs to be asked for the money and they may make a charge for refunding and they will take their time but you should get some money back if you cancel the ticket in the wrong name which will then help to buy a ticket in the right name.

[heidelberg]

Why is CO being so 'cussed' in this instance.
It's a simple click of a few computer keys plus a few quid for the trouble.
For example Aer Lingus offer this change per this taken from their website:

'Name changes are permitted for €100/£80/$157 per person, and may be changed up to 2 hours prior to commencement of the journey.
Names must be changed for all flights in the itinerary'.

Maybe, just maybe, if you did a printout of this from the AL site - I'm pretty sure the BA's and Virgin's of this world allow name change too - CO might change their 'cussed' attitude.

Good luck.

[jubilee]

click on site map at the bottom of the booking page. (United website).
Click on reservations, put your details in. Don't know if will work but you are allowed some changes.
J

[timboab]

Thanks for your help - I will be visiting EDI on Sunday and will update what happens then - fingers crossed!!!!!!

[edi_local]

Remember the desk will close shortly after 9am after the flight leaves (CO37 leaves at 9:05) so get there early! There will be no one to help with a CO flight issue after the desk closes and you will just be shown a number to call, which is a call centre.

[timboab]

thank you EDIlocal

I will post how I get on

Thank you

[iggie]

Does anybody here consider that post #8 clarified or simplified post #1? Nevertheless I am interestedly awaiting the report of the visit to EDI which presumably took place two days ago now.

[Hartington]

I just hope he managed to sort himself out.

[timboab]

Hi all.

Well, to keep it simple.........

We got on every single segment of our journey, there and back, with no more than a casual look at my sisters marriage certificate. In fact TSA at Orlando did NOT notice that passport and boarding pass was in two different names.

So no need, as some speculated, to have to purchase a new ticket.

Thanks for help and advice, and thank you to ticket/ground staff of continental/united at EDI.

[Hartington]

Good, well done.