Misspelled name on ticket
 

The travel agency misspelled my middle name on my Lufthansa ticket. The agency refuses to issue a new ticket with the correct spelling because the correction is "in the computer."

Will I have any trouble with the airline or, more importantly, with security or passport control, because my middle name on the ticket does not match the name on my passport? I must have an answer before 04 Dec. 2006 because I will cancel the trip at that time if I am not satisfied there will be no problem.

I suggest posting on FlyerTalk.com in the TravelBuzz section. But I am pretty sure I have seen similar posts in the past, and it's not been a problem, particularly since the error has been noted.

I had some experience with this when block booking about 80 delegates' airline tickets for a conference. Obviously with so many names, we got a couple wrong. One was my own (!) who had my forename as Alan and not Alun, as often happens. This was no problem as I was told that enough of the characters were correct (they allow - according to BA check-in at Gatwick - two mistaken characters).
Another was ridiculously problematic in that the ticket was purchased for a Tony whereas the passport had Anthony. It was refused and we had to purchase a new ticket.
The third was due to the fact that a lady with the forenames Margaret Enid is known as Enid but her ticket just had Margaret. This was no problem as her passport had the forename Margaret (although she was miffed at having to travel as Margaret!).
Lesson learned, we now ask for the details as they appear on the passport.

You'll have no trouble with security or passport control. The only place you may get a problem is with check-in and if the agency says it is OK then I'd be inclined to believe them.

The above experiences may not be the same with all carriers as airlines may have different standards.

Airlines and immigration authorities have to deal with lots of misspellings. Generally, common sense prevails (helped along by a few backup documents if necessary). Once you get away from the occidental world, it is the authorities who begin modifying your name because they can't figure out last names from first names from middle names. In countries like Vietnam, Laos or Saudi Arabia, I have received boarding passes printed "Mr. Joseph" -- which is my middle name -- only.

Hi R,

I went through this recently.

I called the airline and spoke to a "supervisor".

I was assured that the correction had been entered into the computer and that there would be no problem.

There wasn't.

((I))

How can anyone misspell Ira?

My mom and I took a trip this past May, and the ticket had her last name misspelled, as they left one letter out. I called and AA changed it in the computer. Everything was fine on the trip.

Tracy

If your middle name is Lucy and they misspelled it as Mohammed, I'd worry. Otherwise, a single letter? Forget about it.

Thanks, Fodorites. This helps put my mind at ease.

2 years ago I bought tickets to Paris on air france. I stupidly put Elisabeth on my friends ticket, I know her as Betty. So I thought that was her nickname, but it isn't, her birthname is Betty not Elisabeth. It was not a problem getting it amended in the computer and we had no problems flying.

Maybe ask the travel agency, or better yet, Lufthansa, to send you an e-mail which highlights the problem and confirms the change has been made. Then print the e-mail and carry it with you. However, I haven't found Lufthansa to be all that flexible or customer-oriented. If it's just a misspelling, not an entire name that's wrong, you'll probably be fine.
:)>-

A "misspelled" name of one or two characters is completely different than a "wrong" name. Misspelled is okay (especially a middle name)as others have pointed out but it is still important to have it noted in the record. I would call the airline directly just to make sure that has been done.
On the other hand I would NEVER travel with a ticket that had a "wrong" (all characters wrong or even a diminutive) name no matter what anyone says, that is just asking for trouble somewhere along the way. If it is the agency that messed up it is their obligation to fix the error and give you a document with your correct name.

The computer fix worked for us last time.