Help - Passport problem !
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: Duncraig, Oz
Well aware of the MRP requirement
Globaliser, I was well aware of the MRP requirement. It just never occurred to me to consider that my wife's passport wouldn't have it as she has used it frequently over the last few years.
However, her passport was issued in Jeddah some 9 years ago by the Consulate when she lived in Saudi Arabia - THAT passport didn't have the MRP at the bottom, yet her previous UK one did.
Anyway, the original post was about the lack of assistance from the Travel Agent - the MRP issue decided it in the end.
Skydriller, the whole thing started because I realised that any difference in the names viz passport and booking could cause major problems at the airport and at US immigration - I've heard from a number of people that US immigration will apply the letter of the law without any leeway and that in turn gives BA zero room for movement as well - 9/11 put paid to any kind of common-sense over these things.
However, her passport was issued in Jeddah some 9 years ago by the Consulate when she lived in Saudi Arabia - THAT passport didn't have the MRP at the bottom, yet her previous UK one did.
Anyway, the original post was about the lack of assistance from the Travel Agent - the MRP issue decided it in the end.
Skydriller, the whole thing started because I realised that any difference in the names viz passport and booking could cause major problems at the airport and at US immigration - I've heard from a number of people that US immigration will apply the letter of the law without any leeway and that in turn gives BA zero room for movement as well - 9/11 put paid to any kind of common-sense over these things.
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 978
Likes: 0
From: LGW - Hub of the Universe!
......... That said , I still cannot believe that someone higher up in the airline reservation heirarchy (in this case BA) do not have the right to over ride the process and change the name in the BA system, provided that he/she is convinced of your case
Ever since I've worked in the travel industry, the booking name and passport name must correspond - and even on UK Domestic trips tickets are strictly "Non Transferable!"
The only way is a passport change!
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 5,552
Likes: 25
From: ME
However, her passport was issued in Jeddah some 9 years ago by the Consulate when she lived in Saudi Arabia - THAT passport didn't have the MRP at the bottom, yet her previous UK one did.
The UK consulate in Jeddah only obtained the ability to produce MRP's in 2004.
If your wife had show up with her old passport full of Saudi visas and exit/re-entry stamps, she most probably would have had a inner cavity search.
Hope that the vacation goes well.
Mutt.
The UK consulate in Jeddah only obtained the ability to produce MRP's in 2004.
If your wife had show up with her old passport full of Saudi visas and exit/re-entry stamps, she most probably would have had a inner cavity search.
Hope that the vacation goes well.
Mutt.
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 581
Likes: 0
From: Bordeaux, France
No offence taken...
I know US immigration is bad, I have been over there regularly over the last 5 years or so due to work requirements. I whole-heartedly agree that checking everything out before travel is emminently sensible as opposed to being turned back.
Having thought about it a bit more, I have to ask the question though.....What do newly-weds on honeymoon (or otherwise travelling having just been married, for example in my case we got married in France but were living in the UK at the time) do these days? What is the line from the Holiday companies and Airlines regarding this as I imagine that the discrepancy of maiden and Married names must occur quite alot. As I recall, I didnt even think about the issue myself at the time, and suspect alot of others wouldnt either.
Regards, SD..
I know US immigration is bad, I have been over there regularly over the last 5 years or so due to work requirements. I whole-heartedly agree that checking everything out before travel is emminently sensible as opposed to being turned back.
Having thought about it a bit more, I have to ask the question though.....What do newly-weds on honeymoon (or otherwise travelling having just been married, for example in my case we got married in France but were living in the UK at the time) do these days? What is the line from the Holiday companies and Airlines regarding this as I imagine that the discrepancy of maiden and Married names must occur quite alot. As I recall, I didnt even think about the issue myself at the time, and suspect alot of others wouldnt either.
Regards, SD..
Too mean to buy a long personal title
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,981
Likes: 13
From: UK
skydriller: Having thought about it a bit more, I have to ask the question though.....What do newly-weds on honeymoon (or otherwise travelling having just been married, for example in my case we got married in France but were living in the UK at the time) do these days?
And then sort out the name change two weeks later, or whatever. It's hardly going to matter in the context of the rest of one's life.
But then most of my friends never seem to get round to changing anyone's name at any time after that, either.
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 407
Likes: 0
From: Chennai (MAA)
Bealine - Ever since I've worked in the travel industry, the booking name and passport name must correspond - and even on UK Domestic trips tickets are strictly "Non Transferable!"
**********
Bealine- we are not talking about changing the name from Mickey Mouse/Mr to Donald Duck/Mrs in this case.
The surname changes, the first name remains the same, and the case is genuine. I am not saying all and sundry can do it, but the airline reservation controllers- generally higher up in the heirarchy ( but not not the travel agent) does have some authority to do so. And if you read one of Hoofie's posts, this was confirmed by BA as well!
Believe me, I have worked a few years with the reservation toy your guys are playing with.
As for tickets being non transferrable, well a ID check for domestic trips is not a must everywhere in the world. I have made three trips in the last two months in two different airlines, and I was not asked for any ID (nor was I required to carry any!). However be rest assured I was travelling on my own ticket !
Cheerio
**********
Bealine- we are not talking about changing the name from Mickey Mouse/Mr to Donald Duck/Mrs in this case.
The surname changes, the first name remains the same, and the case is genuine. I am not saying all and sundry can do it, but the airline reservation controllers- generally higher up in the heirarchy ( but not not the travel agent) does have some authority to do so. And if you read one of Hoofie's posts, this was confirmed by BA as well!
Believe me, I have worked a few years with the reservation toy your guys are playing with.
As for tickets being non transferrable, well a ID check for domestic trips is not a must everywhere in the world. I have made three trips in the last two months in two different airlines, and I was not asked for any ID (nor was I required to carry any!). However be rest assured I was travelling on my own ticket !
Cheerio
Guest
Posts: n/a
skydriller: Having thought about it a bit more, I have to ask the question though.....What do newly-weds on honeymoon (or otherwise travelling having just been married, for example in my case we got married in France but were living in the UK at the time) do these days?
rsroman
I have always found Bealine to be genuine, truthful and helpful on this forum.
If he says that the ticket cannot be changed without a new reservation, then I for one believe him.
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 407
Likes: 0
From: Chennai (MAA)
Final 3 Greens
****
I have always found Bealine to be genuine, truthful and helpful on this forum.
****
I am not for one moment suggesting he isn't.
However like quite a few others here in PPRUNE, I also have some relevant experience in the industry in question, and when Hoofie had started this thread, requesting some help, I thought I could give an option, based on my understanding of the industry (which may or may not excced any other person's in this forum - that is irrelevant) which he can explore, that is all.
Cheers
****
I have always found Bealine to be genuine, truthful and helpful on this forum.
****
I am not for one moment suggesting he isn't.
However like quite a few others here in PPRUNE, I also have some relevant experience in the industry in question, and when Hoofie had started this thread, requesting some help, I thought I could give an option, based on my understanding of the industry (which may or may not excced any other person's in this forum - that is irrelevant) which he can explore, that is all.
Cheers
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 978
Likes: 0
From: LGW - Hub of the Universe!
No offence taken guys, but I would advise rsosman, your advice is not up to date enough with BA developments.
Short of management intervention, (and a normal customer will not get within half a mile of a BA manager and certainly would not reach one by telephone), authority to effect a name change, waive change/cancellation fees etc have been removed from all operations and reservations staff and supervisors.
We have a wonderful department at Waterworld called "Revenue Protection and Compliance" and disciplinary proceedings are likely if anyone of us failed to adhere to the rules!
Short of management intervention, (and a normal customer will not get within half a mile of a BA manager and certainly would not reach one by telephone), authority to effect a name change, waive change/cancellation fees etc have been removed from all operations and reservations staff and supervisors.
We have a wonderful department at Waterworld called "Revenue Protection and Compliance" and disciplinary proceedings are likely if anyone of us failed to adhere to the rules!
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 407
Likes: 0
From: Chennai (MAA)
Hi Bealine
Thanks for that. All I wanted to prove was that even in BA it is possible- even if not for the Commoners , atleast the Lords can do it! One reason I suppose is that atleast some of the call centre work is now handled in more salubrious climes under contract, now that WNS has got the chop.
As I mentioned earlier, I had worked long enough playing with your toy, (even before you guys started using it) to know what is possible and what not , from a system point of view . Anyway it appears that BA no longer believes in delegation of responsibilty but rather in consolidation!
Thanks for that. All I wanted to prove was that even in BA it is possible- even if not for the Commoners , atleast the Lords can do it! One reason I suppose is that atleast some of the call centre work is now handled in more salubrious climes under contract, now that WNS has got the chop.
As I mentioned earlier, I had worked long enough playing with your toy, (even before you guys started using it) to know what is possible and what not , from a system point of view . Anyway it appears that BA no longer believes in delegation of responsibilty but rather in consolidation!
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: Duncraig, Oz
Thanks to all
We've just returned from our holiday to the US. My wife managed to get her new passport in the end the day before we flew.
Thanks to all who replied with suggestions/brickbats etc - all appreciated.
Thanks to all who replied with suggestions/brickbats etc - all appreciated.
