Problem with misspelling on last name (1 letter) from Amsterdam to JFK with KLM
Sep 11, 2015, 11:36 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 10
Problem with misspelling on last name (1 letter) from Amsterdam to JFK with KLM
Hi to all,
I have a reservation made with KLM for march 2016 flying from Amsterdam to New york JFK, performed by an online travel agent (big mistake).
The problem I have is that the last name of one of the passengers instead of appearing in the reservation as Berastegui , it appears as Berastegi.
I have contacted KLM who said that the Travel Agent is the only person allowed to perform changes on reservation.
The Travel Agent sais that it is not allowed to perform changes on reservation.
I have entered the reservation code into KLM website and I have modified the info in secure flight API data in order to include full name (with 2 surnames as appears on passport) and I will also ask for the ESTA with full name with both surnames.
Do you think that i could get in trouble due to that missing "u" ?
I have a reservation made with KLM for march 2016 flying from Amsterdam to New york JFK, performed by an online travel agent (big mistake).
The problem I have is that the last name of one of the passengers instead of appearing in the reservation as Berastegui , it appears as Berastegi.
I have contacted KLM who said that the Travel Agent is the only person allowed to perform changes on reservation.
The Travel Agent sais that it is not allowed to perform changes on reservation.
I have entered the reservation code into KLM website and I have modified the info in secure flight API data in order to include full name (with 2 surnames as appears on passport) and I will also ask for the ESTA with full name with both surnames.
Do you think that i could get in trouble due to that missing "u" ?
Sep 11, 2015, 2:23 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
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There is no need to post your questions in several forums. You already asked the same in the Skyteam forum.
Sep 13, 2015, 7:28 am
#5
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: NCL
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Posts: 933
You may need to pursue this with the OTA. This is one problem with using these, unless the fare is significantly cheaper I always book direct.
There maybe an issue with your ESTA application (providing you need one) with names spelt differently. I think KLM will see it is a genuine mistake but U.S. Immigration may not be so relaxed.
Keep pushing the OTA and escalate. They will be able to fix it but they may need pushing as you have found out.
There maybe an issue with your ESTA application (providing you need one) with names spelt differently. I think KLM will see it is a genuine mistake but U.S. Immigration may not be so relaxed.
Keep pushing the OTA and escalate. They will be able to fix it but they may need pushing as you have found out.
Sep 13, 2015, 11:45 am
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 10
You may need to pursue this with the OTA. This is one problem with using these, unless the fare is significantly cheaper I always book direct.
There maybe an issue with your ESTA application (providing you need one) with names spelt differently. I think KLM will see it is a genuine mistake but U.S. Immigration may not be so relaxed.
Keep pushing the OTA and escalate. They will be able to fix it but they may need pushing as you have found out.
There maybe an issue with your ESTA application (providing you need one) with names spelt differently. I think KLM will see it is a genuine mistake but U.S. Immigration may not be so relaxed.
Keep pushing the OTA and escalate. They will be able to fix it but they may need pushing as you have found out.
Sep 13, 2015, 11:45 am
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 10
OK Thank you for your reply!, yes as you say API and ESTA will have SAME info and spelling as passport
Sep 14, 2015, 2:20 am
#10
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Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Netherlands
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Posts: 29,258
I think that once we arrive to the U.S airport, U.S inmigration should only check my ESTA and passport and they have the same information(Also I have modified the secure flight information(a.k.a API) to correct it). The only thing that would have that incorrect spelling would be the boarding pass that i think that once you get into the plane is not needed anymore
You say that "API and ESTA will have SAME info and spelling as passport", but this is clearly not the case; the API will have the surname as spelled on your ticket.
Sep 14, 2015, 2:26 am
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 10
But in order for you to board your flight, KLM will have to reconcile your ticket with your ESTA and the fact that your surname doesn't match might cause a problem.
You say that "API and ESTA will have SAME info and spelling as passport", but this is clearly not the case; the API will have the surname as spelled on your ticket.
You say that "API and ESTA will have SAME info and spelling as passport", but this is clearly not the case; the API will have the surname as spelled on your ticket.
Also...
With my ESTA KLM will know that "David Berastegui" is allowed to enter into the United States
My passport says that I am David Berastegui
the fact is that the boarding pass says "David Berastegi"
Last edited by dvdstbn; Sep 14, 2015 at 2:32 am
Sep 14, 2015, 2:38 am
#12
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Name and Surname is NOT an editable part of the API information stored in your KLM profile. It picks up the name and surname that you registered your Flying Blue account under; these cannot be self-edited.
You also cannot self-edit the name associated with your ticket - so there will remain a discrepancy with your travel documents until you get the OTA to correct the surname.
You still run the risk of an anomaly being flagged when you come to check in. The surname on your ticket does not match that on your passport; I don't know how "sensitive" or intelligent the systems are, so whether or not these systems can tolerate the surname being one character out, when everything else should match, I do not know.
My guess is that you will be unable to check in online (this is certainly NOT unusual for tickets involving travel to the US) and will instead have to check-in at a desk at the airport where an agent can better understand your situation.
But please try it out, and report back on what your experiences were.
Sep 14, 2015, 3:15 am
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 10
I am not sure I would rely on that.
Name and Surname is NOT an editable part of the API information stored in your KLM profile. It picks up the name and surname that you registered your Flying Blue account under; these cannot be self-edited.
You also cannot self-edit the name associated with your ticket - so there will remain a discrepancy with your travel documents until you get the OTA to correct the surname.
You still run the risk of an anomaly being flagged when you come to check in. The surname on your ticket does not match that on your passport; I don't know how "sensitive" or intelligent the systems are, so whether or not these systems can tolerate the surname being one character out, when everything else should match, I do not know.
My guess is that you will be unable to check in online (this is certainly NOT unusual for tickets involving travel to the US) and will instead have to check-in at a desk at the airport where an agent can better understand your situation.
But please try it out, and report back on what your experiences were.
Name and Surname is NOT an editable part of the API information stored in your KLM profile. It picks up the name and surname that you registered your Flying Blue account under; these cannot be self-edited.
You also cannot self-edit the name associated with your ticket - so there will remain a discrepancy with your travel documents until you get the OTA to correct the surname.
You still run the risk of an anomaly being flagged when you come to check in. The surname on your ticket does not match that on your passport; I don't know how "sensitive" or intelligent the systems are, so whether or not these systems can tolerate the surname being one character out, when everything else should match, I do not know.
My guess is that you will be unable to check in online (this is certainly NOT unusual for tickets involving travel to the US) and will instead have to check-in at a desk at the airport where an agent can better understand your situation.
But please try it out, and report back on what your experiences were.
BTW: thanks for taking that picture!
Last edited by dvdstbn; Sep 14, 2015 at 3:22 am