Changing names on airline tickets

sweetlady

In another thread, I posted about my brother's problem of obtaining a visa to go to the USA. He's booked and paid for his flight and his hotel room, but has decided he is not going to go. Period.

He has, however, suggested that his younger brother go in his place, on the same flight and staying in the same, booked hotel room. His younger brother would be eligible for the visa waiver. However........

....the flight was booked with American Airlines (for January). They have e-mailed him to say he cannot change the forename on the tickets from his name to that of his brother. He would have to cancel the flight and rebook. The flight is non-refundable.

Does anyone have any experience of such situations and is this really the case? Or is the airline just trying to keep the cash and get another booking out of him and his borther?

Ther may also be an issue with the hotel room - again, does anyone have any experience of changing the rooms on a New York hotel booking?

Sorry to ask, but none of us have any experience of travelling to the USA and would be grateful for any suggestions. Thanks.

sturll

sweetlady wrote: »

In another thread, I posted about my brother's problem of obtaining a visa to go to the USA. He's booked and paid for his flight and his hotel room, but has decided he is not going to go. Period.

He has, however, suggested that his younger brother go in his place, on the same flight and staying in the same, booked hotel room. His younger brother would be eligible for the visa waiver. However........

....the flight was booked with American Airlines (for January). They have e-mailed him to say he cannot change the forename on the tickets from his name to that of his brother. He would have to cancel the flight and rebook. The flight is non-refundable.

Does anyone have any experience of such situations and is this really the case? Or is the airline just trying to keep the cash and get another booking out of him and his borther?

Ther may also be an issue with the hotel room - again, does anyone have any experience of changing the rooms on a New York hotel booking?

Sorry to ask, but none of us have any experience of travelling to the USA and would be grateful for any suggestions. Thanks.

Its true, but when you look at the cost of the ticket he may have paid as little as £130 for the actual flight or perhaps even less. The remainder of the ticket would be taxes etc which are refundable (usually the most part and tend to be approx 60%)
If it were me id phone AA and tell them you wish to cancel and at least get your taxes back. Id be very surprised if you were somehow successful with the name change. Getting a name changed on a restricted ticket is probably harder than getting bumped to first class by telling the woman checking you in she looks like a man.

Wouldnt worry about the hotel.

Bob63

Virgin Atlantic will not change names, so AA aren't acting alone.