Passport and tickets in different name....

[Lil_Halo 0]

I went and did something rather stupid.

I just recently got my greencard issued in my new married name. Now my grandparents are sick and have both had to go into hospital so I booked a ticket to go back to the UK to see them for just over a weeks time.

The stupid thing was I went and booked my ticket in my new married name which is what my visa debit card is in. I haven't had time to change my UK passport to my new married name so it's still in the maiden name and I don't have 4 weeks to get it done now.

I rang AA and she said she didn't think it would be a huge problem as along as I took my marriage certificate and the greencard and state ID with me but that I should check with the British Consulate as to whether I'd have problems when I try to come back to the US. She told me they can't change names on tickets once they're issued which just seems so very stupid.

I can't contact the Consulate until monday because they aren't open but I thought I'd ask here if anyone else has made the mistake that I have made.

As soon as I'd done it I realised my mistake and could have kicked myself. Short of cancelling the ticket and have to pay fees to get it done again I'm just really really keeping my fingers crossed I can still travel.

Can anyone calm me down?

[YuAndDan 153]

Traveling with the passport and ticket in different names only causes problem with the Airline ticket agent at the gate when they compare the name on the boarding pass and name in your ID (Passport). I would take the advice of the agent at American Airlines.

[Lansbury 19]

I went and did something rather stupid.

I just recently got my greencard issued in my new married name. Now my grandparents are sick and have both had to go into hospital so I booked a ticket to go back to the UK to see them for just over a weeks time.

The stupid thing was I went and booked my ticket in my new married name which is what my visa debit card is in. I haven't had time to change my UK passport to my new married name so it's still in the maiden name and I don't have 4 weeks to get it done now.

I rang AA and she said she didn't think it would be a huge problem as along as I took my marriage certificate and the greencard and state ID with me but that I should check with the British Consulate as to whether I'd have problems when I try to come back to the US. She told me they can't change names on tickets once they're issued which just seems so very stupid.

I can't contact the Consulate until monday because they aren't open but I thought I'd ask here if anyone else has made the mistake that I have made.

As soon as I'd done it I realised my mistake and could have kicked myself. Short of cancelling the ticket and have to pay fees to get it done again I'm just really really keeping my fingers crossed I can still travel.

Can anyone calm me down?

I used to work at Heathrow Airport and this will cause you problems when you check in for the return flight. (I don't know about the US end). The very worse that will happen is that they will insist you purchase a new ticket with the correct name on it. I have seen this happen quite a few times. If they want to be helpful and use their common sense they will accept the ID documentation as being proof, but common sense and airports do not mix well, especially as they have to submit the passenger list to the US prior to the flight departing. The passenger list is pre-screened before the flight arrives in the US and the airline will not want to be placed in a position where the US refuses to accept the flight and it has to return to the UK. Sorry if this sounds alarmist but I do have first hand experience of these sorts of problems and just how they escalate out of all proportion very quickly.

I would suggest that you contact the AA Station Manager at the UK airport you are flying back from and ask them. DO NOT accept the advice of someone in a call center who does not have first hand experience. The British Consulate will not have a clue either it will be solely down to the airline at the UK end as far as accepting the ticket.

[Kez/JWolf 6]

When we flew home last sept... the lady in front of us was in the same situation as you... sorry to say they would not allow her on to the flight as they told her that International law says that the ticket and passport must match... even if its the same name spelt wrong they will still refuse... the AA staff pointed out that it does say on the website to check that the name on your ticket matches your passport exactly...

Kez

[Lil_Halo 0]

Thanks for everyones advice.

I decided it was time to ring AA again and see if it was at all possible to cancel and rebook my non refundable ticket. Well this time I got a rather brilliant lady named Zoe (Zoe Rules!) and she was so very helpful.

She was able to do a name hyphen which has both my maiden and married surname on the ticket which will cover my passport and my greencard re-entry all at no cost!

So now I'm sorted and should be able to travel just fine.

Yippee the gods are on my side!!

[Kez/JWolf 6]

Great news....

Have a good trip home

Kez