Christine007

Hi all,

Currently I live in Oslo, Norway but am from the U.S. I am due to have my first baby next week and booked tickets for my mom to fly over here. I wasn't really thinking about it when I booked the tickets, but I booked them under the name Kim instead of Kimberly which is the name that is on her passport. I called American Airlines but they told me that they couldn't change the name on the tickets and that I would need to contact the company I booked the tickets through. I called them, and they said there was nothing they could do except make a notation stating that her name is Kimberly and not Kim. I called AA back, they told me that the booking company WOULD be able to make the change, and that there were instructions on how to do so on their website. I called the booking company yet again, they called U.S. Airways themselves (she is flying AA and then switching to BA in London), and they told the booking company they could not actually change the name on the tickets, only make notations. The notations do not guarantee she'll be able to fly though.

The lady at the booking company told me to go to the airline companies websites, and put in all of her passport information including the correct, unshortened version of her name. I went to do so and it looks like it's already been done.

I guess my question is has anyone had any similar experiences? And if so, were you able to fly? I am really freaking out over this, as, if she can't come and share in this experience with me I'll be absolutely devastated, not to mention the large amount of money I've spent on these tickets.

sparkchaser

Your mom will have no issue leaving the U.S. as it is understood that Kim is short of Kimberly.

Regardless, it sounds like the issue is resolved since you noted that the info in the airline's database matches what is on her passport.

Christine007

Okay. Both the airlines and the booking agency told me that couldn't guarantee that she'd be allowed to fly, even with the notations. But they weren't able to change the name.

And what about when she changes planes in Heathrow and switches to BA? I had posted this topic in another category, but was told to post it here because of the trouble she might run into in London.

sparkchaser

People in England understand that Kim is short of Kimberly. Besides, since she's flying within a single alliance, she gets her BA ticket when she picks up her AA/USeless Air ticket.

Your mom should be ok but this should be a lesson to everyone reading to use the full name and book directly with the airline if possible.

When you go to the airline's site and look up your mom's reservation, what name is shown?

bilboburgler

"People in England understand that Kim is short of Kimberly"

just to be clear Kimberly is not a "big" name in England and most people would probably think of Koreans or a diamond mine, , however a smile and explanation (if asked) will do wonders

Christine007

No, Icompletely agree with you and feel so stupid. I know better, and can't believe I did this and booked the tickets under her shortened name. I'm so angry at myself.

On the BA website, the name is Kim, but under advanced passenger information it says Kimberly and it has all of her passport information.

On the U.S. Airways website, it says Kimberly. That must be because of the note they put in. I believe that it says Kim on AA.

sparkchaser

I think you'll be fine.

bilboburgler, I look forward to grabbing a pint or three with you when I move to England.

Christine007

Okay, thank you. One last question: should I ask her to bring her birth certificate just in case? I don't see how it would help things but a friend suggested she take it with her.

sparkchaser

How would that help? Her passport is her legal international identification.

bilboburgler

She'll be fine, no need for birth or wedding cert.

nytraveler

Have you asked them how much it would cost to have the tickets reissued in her official name? If the amount isn't great it might be worth it for your peace of mind until she arrives.

sandralist

I think you are having a hormonal rush and are too excited about this, which will all work out just fine. If your mother is worrying about this, she should be on the phone, not you.

I am especially upset to read that you are saying you are so angry at yourself. Please let it go. I have booked airline tickets for my husband with his wrong birth date, and my husband once got three-quarters of the way to the airport before announcing to me he just realized he hadn't brought his passport. I almost threw my passport away one night 2 days before I was booked to relocate to another country. I could go on and on.

You did a very normal thing. You call your mother Kim. That is her name. It's a very small lapse on your part. Cheer up. Things will be fine.

Christina

I also think you don't have to worry about this, it's not that big a difference (Kim to Kimberly).

I've had airline tickets abbreviate my first name because they ran out of space so it didn't look like my passport, anyway (ie Christ or Christin), as I have a very long last name. However, when I questioned that once I think they told me internally in the computer, it was what I had put in, anyway, so I guess not exactly the same situation. However, if internally it is correct, anyway, you are just worried about what is printed, then really do not worry at all, it doesn't matter, it happens to me ALL the time.

I agree, why would bringing a birth certificate help, the issue isn't that her passport is wrong, but that the airline ticket had a nickname on it.

you're fine, you fixed it internally.

Elainee

ESpecially since it is a shortened first name...no problem. I bought tickets for Bill, not William for my husband...no problem.