Name change via travel agent

Chandni_Shah

Hi There,


I was wondering if someone could please help me?


I am due to travel end of Feb to India via Etihad and Jet Airways. I booked my flights via a travel agent and on my booking form I correctly entered my name as per my passport (married name), however they issued me the tickets in my maiden name (my email address and debit card are still in my maiden name). I called them up as soon as I noticed the error (after the 24 hour leeway period as I didnt have access to my emails) and they said in order to make the change I need to pay GBP 300. I was shocked at this.


I am trying to argue with them about this but they are not budging. They are adamant that it is my mistake. Unfortunetely I have no proof that I entered my name as per my passport as it was an online booking form. They didnt send me any emails to confirm before the payment went through. They put the payment through right away.


I simply cannot afford this money right now for something as simple as a name change. I have my old passport and my marriage certificate if that helps.


Any advice on what I can do please?


Thanks!
Chandni

Voyager2002

Two possible strategies...

One would be to travel using your maiden name: is your old passport still valid? Could it be renewed in time for your journey? Alternatively, speak directly with the airlines and explain the documentation that you hold: would they allow you to travel?

The other strategy would be to contact your debit card issuer and request a "chargeback" since the agent did not provide what you paid for, an air ticket in the name you entered on the booking form. You would need to provide something to convince them that you did not inadvertently type in your former name: it is hard to believe that a travel agent would have ignored what was on the booking form and assumed that the person paying was the person travelling, since it is not exactly unusual to buy an air ticket for someone else.