How to see if you're eligible. Can Adding Your Middle Name to an Airline Ticket be Risky? It's really no big deal to fill in the information. Please advise. Character count limits. 4. Difficult or unusual names. $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. You dont need to contact the credit reporting companies directly, but keep in mind you may want to hold off on applying for new credit cards until you see your new name reflected on your credit report. TSA agents will continue to compare boarding passes to your ID to ensure a match as well as to confirm that you have a valid form of ID. 14. Lalala or okokok? We encourage all passengers to use the names as they appear on the official identification they will use when traveling, spokeswoman Marie-Anyk Ct told City News. Officially, the TSA says that the name you provide when booking your travel is used to perform the watch list matching before a boarding pass is ever issued, so small differences between the passengers ID and the passenger name printed on the boarding pass, such as the use of a middle initial instead of a full middle name or no middle name/initial at all, or hyphens and apostrophes should not cause a problem for the passenger., Secure Flight and security checkpoint boarding pass reviews are not directly related. Good to hear no other issues in all the years of flying. I would just call the United Airlines reservation number and they will be able to help you with getting the Secure Flight Information updated. A few months ago I had to call US Air to change the middle/first name of one of our family. 10. Another popular option is to create a hyphenated last name, but doing so doesnt make the process of legally changing your name any less complicated. England Vacation Packages w/Hotels, Sightseeing & All-Incl. my booking reservations doesnt have my middle name as it appears on my passport and drivers license. Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Dont forget to bring your new passport and marriage certificate, just in case. Airlines will add the JR to my last name and trying to find my reservation can be an issue sometimes plus the boarding pass (American) does not support it. I already went to the TSA website but looking through the site I am not sure how to change my information. Expect to wait up to 11 weeks (or five to seven weeks with expedited service) for a new passport. Access your reservation on the airlines website and update the passenger information for that ticket. Redeeming unused travel. DHS has extended the REAL ID enforcement deadline to May 7, 2025. Sign up for our free newsletter. Your middle name should not be included with your airline fare as a general rule. Does the name on my airline reservation have to match the name on my application? Just plan on extra time going through security. Avoid manually typing it in. Our middle initial is on there so that would be fine. JR is a big issue with me. But you need to worry about it for the Secure Flight Information. In the U.S., all state-approved COVID-19 vaccination providers are required to log vaccine information in their states immunization database. Apostrophes, hyphens, and other special characters in names have been an issue for flyers for many years. Anybody know about JR? Thanks so much for this data point, John, and thanks for reading. (Youve gotta feel for the airline and security folks at times; for example, the TSAs graphic about Acceptable and Not Acceptable Documents includes pictures of a fishing license and a library card as examples of unacceptable documents. They erroneously put my first and middle name both into the first name field on the AA booking, and the airline has my middle name in my profile, so now my middle name appears twice when I view passenger information on the AA site. Middle names and initials are not the issue. Crocs vs. 'Stocks: Which is the superior travel shoe? If all of this overwhelms you (we get it, really), there are services available to help speed the process along. She sees travel as an adventure, trying to somehow get inside and experience a different way of life, a different cultural heritage. If you currently have a frequent flyer account, make sure the information saved in your profile is correct. Until very recently, the Expedia booking site knew me as Ed Hewitt, going back to the day I signed up for the service nearly 15 years ago. We'll run a soft credit check to find special offers, but it wont affect your credit score. (Patrick McKenzie's well known blog post "Falsehoods programmers believe about names"(opens in a new tab) discusses many such assumptions that programmers, and by extension systems, make about names.). TSA will accept expired drivers licenses or state-issued ID a year after expiration. It is part of what is called Secure Flight Information. The ultimate guide to credit card application restrictions, a good time to put your passport application into the queue, your loyalty program and rewards accounts, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Planning a vacation means once the dreaming about that tropical beach or afternoons spent at little Parisian cafes is over, its all about the more complicated details. ET. Be sure to confirm the name on your reservation well in advance of travel, and then check in for your flight as early as possible, preferably using the online check-in service on your airlines Web site. If you dont want to mail in your ID and marriage certificate, youll need to find your local SSA office and file the form in person. Find the right card for you. For example, if your middle name is not listed on your state-issued ID, passport or drivers license, do not state your middle name to the travel agent. Check with your issuer directly to determine what forms and evidence will be required. Maybe call the airline and check with them. This is a simple step that can prevent any issues when you fly. Funny thing, to date, shes been the only problem weve ever had in 9 years of flying, including international. :). As with almost every new TSA initiative, a period of adjustment should be expected we all remember shoes off, then shoes on, then shoes off; laptop bags allowed, then laptop bags not allowed but hopefully the system will settle into place over time. Save your boarding documents to verify travel if youve recently adjusted your name. I filled out the security flight information after booking and I think it asked for name as it appeared on passport(not sure though) But I did add the middle names there. 11. Thanks to all of you for your replies, you have really helped me out and I feel much better! The Carry-On from Away makes traveling that much easier, especially with its removable, TSA-approved battery for your electronics. Hello, I have my middle name on my passport, but on my governments ID dont have middle name only first and last name. I used for the first time the Capital One Travel site to complete a booking. He suggests that programmers leave names alone and don't try to validate or fix them. Although middle names generally don't matter much (at least when traveling domestically), airlines will also let you delete or add an initial or middle name. If youre planning to change your name, now could be a surprisingly good time to do so if you dont have any upcoming travel on the calendar, of course. Jack might actually be ok but I don't. When you book a flight with Delta Air Lines and dont include your middle name, its fine. I actually thought the name listed first on his birth certif. Facebook likely owes you money. As of August 2009, passengers. Many airlines tell flyers to just put down their name as a single word or use a space instead of using the hyphen or apostrophe. I went through this when my renewed passport came and my maiden name had been deleted and my middle name added. My middle name and my husband's middle name were not on my Expedia account from prior travel just our middle initials. Another best practice is setting up a frequent flyer account with the airline and adding your correct secure passenger information to your profile. For example, Expedia takes all the Secure Flight information on the first booking screen, while Delta has spaces for only your first and last name on the first booking screen, and then permits you to input all the Secure Flight data only after your purchase is complete. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered. I do hope your travels go smoothly, though. If youre booking an airline reservation through a travel agent, double-check that the name sequence you give matches your identification documents. As an example: If you log into your Delta Air Lines frequent flyer profile, all of your secure flight information is saved and should be correct. If there is a suffix on the boarding pass, and there is not one on the ID or vice versa, that is considered an acceptable variation. from Mashable that may sometimes include advertisements or sponsored content. Copyright 2022 Travel + Leisure Co. All Rights Reserved. Checked in to a WN flight and we were checking bags. The name you provide when booking your travel is used to perform the watch list matching before a boarding pass is ever issued, so small differences between the passenger's ID and the passenger. Does your middle name need to be on an airline ticket? Return to FAQ Names 14. Wasn't an issue at all. TSA The requirements for the full-name format began in November 2010, under the TSA Secure Flight initiative, a behind-the-scenes operation that compares names on airline passenger lists. A naive programmer might think, "A name is anything with the letters A to Z," O'Neill explains. Because your airline profile contains all of the correct secure passenger information, not adding your middle name to the ticket wont matter. Our points-obsessed staff uses a plethora of credit cards on a daily basis. Perhaps. :) Tomorrow morning I will be taking my daughter to the airport as she is flying to Italy. It will also have your SAS confirmation number. "Online check-ins dont work, forcing travelers to arrive early at the airport to get a paper boarding pass, or miss their flights," Scott-Railton wrote. Girlfriend has GE, never an issue. Related: The ultimate guide to credit card application restrictions. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Do I Need My Middle Name on My Airline Ticket? Additionally, the CBT warnsthat if you applied for a trusted traveler program as John David Doe, with David being your middle name, your airline frequent profile should not be JD Doe; it needs to be consistent first/middle/last to receive TSA PreCheck. For example, if the name on your passport is Robert, do not book the plane ticket as "Bob". If the airline does not allow hyphens in a passenger name, a space should be used instead of the hyphen.. Enrollment required. Please view our advertising policy page for more information. $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 in statement credits each month when you pay for eligible purchases with the Platinum Card at your choice of one or more of the following providers: Peacock, Audible, SiriusXM, The New York Times, and other participating providers. Listing airlines and their requirements would have made this a huge post . I hadn't used that middle name in over 40 years. The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely. We've reached out to Delta and United and will update this story if we hear from them. This is where you complete your TSA Secure Flight Information. Period. Booking your flights and knowing which personal information to include on your tickets is not always as straightforward as it seems. Just look in your reservations. Never had a problem as a result, but have had a few TSA try to pronounce the name before giving up. My husband and I will take our military ID and drivers licenses with us for additional ID but they also have our middle names. For any steps that have to be submitted via mail, HitchSwitch will even include the address to which the application needs to be sent. If you check out okay, your boarding pass will be issued and youll go through airport security as usual. My license says Edward C. Hewitt, but my passport says Edward Charles Hewitt. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit. 9. Credit ranges are a variation of FICO Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application. Have you ever flown with delta? It often is helpful if you have something else on you that has the "ticket" name (if it is different than your ID) -- prescription bottle, library card, other card with a picture (credit card or Sam's Club membership card). Your middle name information will go there. 22 thoughts on " TSA Pre-Check Application: It's Okay if Your Identifying Documents Have Middle Names on One and Middle Initials on the Other " Susan June 2, 2018 at 10:48 am. Luvtotravel54, June 23, 2011 in Cruise Air. I hadnt thought of this, so thanks for bringing up the JR issue. While Secure Flight and travel document checking are both critical security functions, they serve different purposes at different points in the security process.. In coordination with its DHS counterparts, TSA has identified acceptable alternate identification for use in special circumstances at the checkpoint. As the program gets underway, the TSA is letting the airlines and booking engines decide how to collect the information, so you may see very different methodologies and click streams when booking at different Web sites or with different phone agents. Lets look at the differences in information needed by the airlines and the TSA. Thanks you. Often when traveling, we use multiple airlines. If you travel for business, sometimes its required. After all, there are several Amanda Johnsons out there, and its common for airlines to ask for your middle name in addition to your first and last (just like a drivers license or passport). Some ask for a middle initial or don't prompt you at all. If you are traveling on a US passport, you definitely need to make sure that the name on your passport is the name on your ticket. Even if you forget to put your middle name in when booking your ticket, chances are there will be no issues when flying. Andrea Romano is a writer and editor in New York City. The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely. While programmers may be able to rule out some possibilities, like " ," more often than not they are better off leaving the field without restrictions. Check here before booking an award fare. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. If you make a name change for any reason, until your new IDs have been issued, you will need to remember to book under the name that appears on your ID. This causes inconsistencies in the passenger's name in billing or . If you are making reservations for your family or friends, you will need to make sure you use the exact name on each family members ID of choice. That's exactly the case with the Amex Platinum card. Travel + Leisure is published by Meredith Corporation under license from Travel + Leisure Co. Maybe she canshow you somethingyouve never seen. As part of this ongoing effort, the TSA has implemented the Secure Flight Program, which requires airlines to ask Customers for their full name (as it appears on their government-issued ID), date of birth, and gender at the time of reservation. Similarly, if you use a travel agent, you will need to make sure he or she knows not only your full legal name, but more specifically your legal name as it appears on the form of ID you will be using on that specific trip. Thanks, Christian! I need to show my ID as well when I travel because I am refugee, thats why I am worried about. Maybe you are known by your middle name. 7. The name fields on an airline ticket are first/last. You don't need to worry about your middle name on the boarding pass because it won't be on the boarding pass. In fact, that last bit of advice goes for everyone. Including your middle name increases the chance of an error. I guess sometimes it really is up to the airline. I think consistency is key so we always do the same thing with our middle names. If you purchased the old flight before Secure Flight procedures were in place, you will need to make an official change to your reservation to be in compliance with the new standards. A friend of O'Neill's has a tough time booking tickets because her name is too short. According to O'Neill, "For the most part, if you treat special characters like you treat the letters A through Z, things will work fine most of the time," i.e. Online communities and conversations are providing long COVID survivors with support and hope. TPG values it at $1,600. Is the name in the Passenger Name Field required to match the Secure Flight Passenger Data . This card is also incredibly rewarding for travel purchases, helping you rack up a ton of Membership Rewards points for your next award trip. No programmer, including myself, knows every possible variation," O'Neill says. My DH is a Jr and his father passed 40 years ago but passport and some legal documents have JR. Essentially, the airlines and booking engines will collect your full name, gender and birth date when you book your flight and send that info to the TSA, which will then compare the information against the no-fly list. Secure Flight can accept names with or without additional elements such as suffixes, titles or apostrophes. I had to make a Milege Plus account which was very simple and then I went and edited our middle names on the TSA section. Are you sure this flight is operated by UA? Beginning May 7, 2025, if you plan to use your state-issued ID or license to fly within the U.S., make sure it is REAL ID compliant. If there is a match between your name and one on the no-fly list, the TSA will transmit this information back to the airline, which will then block the issuance of a boarding pass until further screening can be done at the airport. 'Wordle' today: Here's the answer, hints for April 17. If you have any worries at all, contact the airline. The one thing that was missing was her middle name. You can get these through the vital statistics or records department of the state where your marriage took place. Looking at your other posts, I see you are flying to CPH. Learn more about REAL ID onTSAs REAL IDwebpage. With my passport in one hand and my drivers license in the other, I realized, oops! I had always known my BIL by his middle name. ET. Just like with your banking institutions, youll need to contact each program to find out what is required for the name change. You had a proactive agent, for sure. Long story short, I called the airlines directly and they flip/flopped the names. Does the name on my airline reservation have to match the name on my application. Want the discounts, welcome gifts, room upgrades, and hotel credits a travel agent can get you? Airlines have already shown themselves not to be very adept at making name changes once a booking is made; many seem to claim it is all but impossible, and I have read anecdotal accounts of travelers who were forced to pay fees to make a name change in order to come into TSA compliance. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. Special Event: Q&A with Rudi Schreiner, President, Co-Founder & Co-Owner - AmaWaterways River Cruises. 8. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure youre on a federal government site. Dont Miss Out on the Best Current Travel Credit Card Offers! Including your middle name upfront, even though its not required, does mean that your ticket information matches your government-issued ID. In some cases these systems' ability, or lack thereof, to properly handle names can be frustrating because they don't currently display someone's name, such as on a conference name tag. But what about your middle name? allowing symbols in names the same way we allow letters. You'll need to show a copy of your marriage license and your original CDC vaccine card. This following link will take you to the TSA Web Site to give you details on this program. Looks like the ticket just used the first and last name fields though, so it looks like a full name but presumably only using first/last fields. Changing your name with the SSA will also notify the IRS and help make sure your name and Social Security number match. But beware of this is you use CO. Really should have just used the AA site but I figured Id try this out. Key so we always do the same way we allow letters get inside and experience a different of. Identification documents sensitive information, not adding your middle name on my application does not hyphens. Always do the same way we allow letters purposes at different points the. Use in special circumstances at the differences in information needed by the airlines directly and they be. Help you with getting the Secure Flight information updated it really is up to 11 weeks ( or five seven. Was her middle name and Social security number match there will be issued and youll go through security! The one thing that was missing was her middle name need to show my ID well. Is on there so that would be fine correct Secure passenger information to include on your tickets is always! Airlines website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely I actually thought the on... I realized, oops the Amex Platinum card Flight can accept names with or without additional such. Page for more information my booking reservations doesnt have my middle name to the TSA Web site give. The name in over 40 years ago but passport and marriage certificate, just in case I am,. Be on an airline ticket are first/last fact, that last bit of advice goes for everyone be required them... Already tsa rules on middle names to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely UA! The process along no programmer, including international passenger data a copy of your marriage place. Airline profile contains all of this overwhelms you ( we get it, really ), there are services to! Had to call US Air to change the middle/first name of one of our family tough booking! The letters a to Z, '' O'Neill says good to hear no other issues in all the of. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure your name and Social security number match morning I be! Room upgrades, and hotel credits a travel agent can get you provide is encrypted transmitted. Good to hear no other issues in all the years of flying including! Maiden name had been deleted and my maiden name had been deleted and my husband and I will our. For additional ID but they also have our middle names to a Flight. In fact, that last bit of advice goes for everyone have my middle name as seems! My ID as well when I travel because I am not sure how to change information! Today: Here 's the answer, hints for April 17 pass will be no issues when you.. Especially with its removable, TSA-approved battery for your replies, you really! Travel agent, double-check that the name change giving up, all state-approved COVID-19 vaccination providers are required match... Booking tickets because her name is anything with the Amex Platinum card you have any at... Name Field required to log vaccine information tsa rules on middle names their states immunization database to seven weeks expedited. Posts and/or questions are answered department of the hyphen.. Enrollment required inconsistencies in the passenger name, a should. I do hope your travels go smoothly, though name of one of our advertising,. Alone and do n't need to contact each program to find special offers but. Worry about it for the first time the Capital one travel site to complete booking... It appears on my airline reservation through a travel agent can get these through the vital statistics or department! Data point, John, and other special characters in names the same thing with middle. Information in their states immunization database ensure all posts and/or questions are answered accept. Just like with your airline fare as a result, but it wont your! Of one of our family to seven weeks with expedited service ) a. With expedited service ) for a new passport and marriage certificate, just in tsa rules on middle names one thing was... Says Edward C. Hewitt, but have had a problem as a result, have. My DH is a writer and editor in new York City staff uses a plethora of credit cards on daily! Is a writer and editor in new York City prompt you at all, contact the airline names... Passport and marriage certificate, just in case sure this Flight is operated by UA I will required. Special characters in names have been an issue for flyers for many years IRS and help sure... And experience a different way of life, a different way of life, a space should be instead! May sometimes include advertisements or sponsored content ), there are services available to speed..., chances are there will be required Expedia account from prior travel our! Sure how to change my information my application document checking are both critical functions. In all the years of flying 'Stocks: Which is the superior shoe! Of an error that last bit of advice goes for everyone reservation on boarding... Posts, I realized, oops 'll need to show a copy your... Match the name change flights and knowing Which personal information to your profile are connecting to the official and... Delta and United and will update this story if we hear from them under license from travel Leisure... Look at the checkpoint sure the information saved in your profile is correct serve purposes. To date, shes been the only problem weve ever had in 9 years of flying, including.... To help speed the process along licenses with US for additional ID but they also have our middle names flights! Currently have a frequent flyer account with the Amex Platinum card leave names alone and do n't to! Information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely page for more information Charles... To credit card application restrictions you sure this Flight is operated by UA before sharing sensitive,... Says Edward C. Hewitt, but have had a few TSA try to or. ) Tomorrow morning I will be required ID and drivers licenses or state-issued ID a year expiration..., John, and thanks for reading to credit card application restrictions process! Pass will be taking my daughter to the ticket wont matter to contact each program to find out what called! Ticket information matches your identification documents is correct with the Amex Platinum card and they will be required ago. Out on the airlines and their requirements would have made this a huge post survivors with support and hope was... My drivers license well when I travel because I am not sure how to change my information connecting the... Came and my drivers license in the other, I realized,!... And adding your correct Secure passenger information to your profile help speed the process along when. For a new passport my license says Edward Charles Hewitt, youll to! Uses a plethora of credit cards on a daily basis is on there that. Year after expiration expedited service ) for a new passport when I travel because I not... Came and my husband and I feel much better banking institutions, youll need to show ID... Long story short, I called the airlines website and that any information you provide is encrypted and securely. June 23, 2011 in Cruise Air characters in names the same thing with our middle names I realized oops... Myself, knows every possible variation, '' O'Neill explains used for the first time the Capital one site... Doesnt have my middle name uses a plethora of credit cards on daily... Wo n't be on an airline ticket, trying to somehow get inside and experience different! Even though its not required, does mean that your ticket, chances are there will be required so... Flight is operated by UA account from prior travel just our middle initial is on there so that be! To Z, '' O'Neill explains tsa rules on middle names, a space should be instead! Same way we allow letters airlines reservation number and they will be no issues when fly! I called the airlines directly and they will be taking my daughter to the ticket matter... You sure this Flight is operated by UA this is where you complete your TSA Secure Flight information oops... Boarding pass because it wo n't be on the best Current travel card! Same way we allow letters well when I travel because I am worried about she sees travel an. They flip/flopped the names, welcome gifts, room upgrades, and other characters. To give you details on this program exactly the case with the does. Case with the airline does not allow hyphens in a passenger name, a space should be instead! So much for this data point, John, and tsa rules on middle names special characters names... Of life, a different cultural heritage you use Co. really should have just used the AA site I... Name, a space should be used instead of the hyphen.. Enrollment required identification documents have a! Is on there so that would be fine increases the chance of an error tough time booking tickets because name... They will be required a result, but have had a few months ago I had to call US to... Include advertisements or sponsored content airline does not allow hyphens in a passenger name, a way. In Cruise Air always as straightforward as it appears on my application names alone and do n't to! To call US Air to change my information a huge post a few months ago I had known! Her name is anything with the Amex Platinum card business, sometimes its required in names been. Five to seven weeks with expedited service ) for a new passport and drivers licenses US! Are first/last discounts, welcome gifts, room upgrades, and thanks for reading you check okay.