A Name Question
 

Here's a little question which have been on my mind for a while. It may sound silly, but I really do wonder.

When buying plane tickets, which "name" should I give? The name on my passport differs from the one on my national issued ID. I haven't been on a plane in a while, and I assume there's more security these days. I found some plane tickets from a few years ago when I flew domestic regularly and they all have the name that is different from the one on my passport. But I didn't have to go through immigration since it was domestic flights.

Just to specify, the only difference is that my "middle name" does not show on my ID cards but it is on my passport. My first name and last name are the same.

I remember having trouble in Germany 3 years ago because my last name wasn't spelled properly on my ticket, which had to be the airline's fault since I triple-checked all the details and my name showed correctly on my receipt. I just don't want to have trouble with stuff like that again.

Generally, buy your ticket with the name on the document you're taking on that trip. If it's domestic, and you're using your DL/ID to get through security, then use that. If it's international, you need to match your passport.

For you specifically, you don't need to use your middle name at all. In fact, DON'T put it on your ticket if it's not on your ID.

I should probably say that I'm currently looking to buy a plane ticket from Canada to the UK, either with Air Canada or BA, depending on which gets cheaper.

From the BA website:

Laws in force in the UK require British Airways to collect the following information from all passengers travelling to and from certain cities in the USA, the United Arab Emirates, Thailand, South Africa (Johannesburg only), Pakistan, Jamaica, Kenya, Algeria, Iran, Syria and Morocco prior to travel.

Passport information, including:

* passport number
* country which issued passport
* passport expiry date
* given names (as they appear on the passport)
* last name
* gender
* date of birth
* nationality



It doesn't mention Canada but I would assume it's still similar. I'm confused about what "given names" mean. Because both names are clearly on my passport. Do immigration officers look at any other piece of ID aside from passports?

Since you'll be using your passport for your trip, then just book with your passport name. That's the only document you will need. Nobody will ask to see your DL/ID, if you have your passport with you.

Really doesn't matter.

My passport name is Raymond Kinyan Kwan. I can book with Raymond Kwan, Raymond Kinyan Kwan, Raymond K Kwan. Nobody anywhere in the world will have an issue with any of those 3 names on the plane ticket.

Now, sometimes it does help to put your middle name in. Like if your first and last name are the same as a known terrorist; while your middle name differs from his/hers. But it's never mandatory to have your middle name or even just the initial to be on the plane ticket.

My passport shows my full middle name, but I always buy my plane tickets under only my first and last.

I have never had it questioned.

The name on the ticket must be the same as the name on the passport for international travel.

If the only difference is the middle name I wold not worry. My passport spells out my middle name and adds the suffix "Jr." which I do not use since the death of my father many years ago. The name on my airline reservation is usually middle initial and no suffix. I have never had a problem anywhere in the world.

On a recent international trip, when doing OLCI with CO the screens included a question about the exact name that appears on the passport, and prompted me to enter that, as it differed from the name on the reservation.

"Exact" name means if you passport name is Richard, then please don't book your ticket as Dick. Or if your passport name is Elizabeth, then don't book your ticket as Lisa.

<The name on the ticket must be the same as the name on the passport for international travel>

That statement is simply not true in all cases. I've been to Europe 5 times and Mexico 20 times with my middle name on my passport but not on my plane ticket.

You asked about Britain's programme for requiring passernhers from some locations to file travel plans in advance.

This is a programme called eBorders. It will eventually require the information you cite from all passengers arriving from abroad, but is being phased in.

They've prioritised first passengers from countries most liable to generate illegal immigrants, asylum seekers or potential terrorists - plus (I suspect as a test) the US. It doesn't at present apply to arrivals from Canada - though Canada DOES require this information for passengers arriving from the UK

I've never travelled on a plane ticket which exactly replicated the names on my passport, and I've never heard of any airline that's even set up to do anything of the kind: most people have full names far longer than the space available on tickets.

"The name on the ticket must be the same as the name on the passport for international travel" is unmitigated codswallop, invented by someone without the faintest idea what they're talking about.

UK immigration doesn't give a flying fart about trivial discrepancies. All it's concerned about is that your Canadian passport is genuine and still valid, and that your entry is legitimate. I imagine, as a Canadian, your citizen's rights are the same as in the UK: you have an absolute right to enter your country and your public servants have no damn right to even think of delaying you - never mind obstructing you - because a couple of pieces of paper don't match

much to do about nothing.....

First initial and last name will do.

Next!

Thanks flanneruk! Makes much sense.

Sorry again for the silly question. I'd rather make sure before I get into some kind of trouble an ocean away from home.

No one cares about the middle name.
As long as you are using your legal first and last names (as they appear on your passport) that's all they care about.

Everyone note that new TSA rule making is going to require ALL names starting sometime next year (consensus is in the first quarter). The ticket is going to have to match the complete name on whatever ID is being shown. This is because TSA is going to take over matching names against the Do Not Fly list. Details are apparently still being negotiated.

We just went through this--my husband uses his second given name rather than his first, with the first as a middle name. His FF miles are under the second-name scenario, while his passport has the original names. This posed no problem on our recent six flight segments--I don't think anyone even noticed.

<<The name on the ticket must be the same as the name on the passport for international travel.>>

Not so.

I go by my middle name (always have), so my tickets always have my middle name/last name. My passport has my first name, middle name, maiden name, last name.

My kids go by their middle names (long story!). Their tickets are middle name/last name. Their passports have first name, middle name, last name.

We lived overseas for 7 years - traveling in and out of very weird, strict places. Never had a problem. My kids are teens and have flown without me or my husband on many school-related trips - again, no problems.

Now, we have rather unusual, unique names. But still, never had anyone question us.

The name on my passport shows my full middle name,surname and my given name which is incomplete. My first name is Cheryl and I do have a second name "Anne" and my ID's show Cheryl Anne [M.name] [Surname] except for my passport,that's why when I book a ticket, I don't include my second name Anne. I have traveled before internationally and had no troubles, but with the strict security nowadays, I'm wondering if my case won't do any problems.

You need to worry if your LAST names does not match in all places, due to change because of marriage, misspelling, whatever.

On our recent international trip the name on my husband's ticket did not match his passport, and that was never a problem. The ticket name reversed his first and middle names, which is his preference and what appears on his driver's license. We flew on two different airlines, incidentally, AA and BA.