Spelling mistake on Flight Booking

eganandchips1

I booked a refundable hotel and British Airways flights package with Ebookers on Tuesday evening for 4 of us travelling to Dubai in November and I noticed Wednesday morning that when I coped and pasted one of my friends names into the booking it autocorrected and I ended up with Livwelyn instead of Llywelyn (basically 2 letters changed without me noticing) 

I range BA early in the morning and they told me they would be able to change the spelling mistake for free but I would need Ebookers to contact them with the details so I called Ebookers and spoke to a manager there who said he would do this and give me a call back in 72 hours and send a confirmation email. 

Today I called Ebookers as I noticed on BA app that the name still hasn't been changed. This time I was told that Ebookers were unable to change the spelling mistake and that I had to contact BA direct 72 hours before departure to correct the spelling. 

I then contacted Ebookers again this evening and this time I was told that it would cost me £150 for a name change and they would need to cancel the flight and rebook my friend on the same flight at the new cost (increase of £70) plus £150 name change. 

I have had 3 different responses to my query and I am so worried about this. I have no confidence in Ebookers to get this right as I have spoken to 3 different people with 3 different answers plus I am aware that this flight is now nearly sold out so the cancelling and rebooking would be a huge risk. 

How is that something so small like a spelling mistake can be so difficult to resolve? 

I dont know where to turn now and what to do but it is so worrying for myself and my friend. 

Any advice would be welcome as I cannot get through to BA - would they accept the spelling mistake on departure day and allow it? 

Westin

A quickly identified spelling error should as you say be something that could be quickly corrected.

Adding a 3rd party can often add to complexity and when airlines and agents seem so busy at the moment, what could have been a quick fix becomes more complicated as time goes on (and e-tickets issued).

I believe BA normally accept name corrections for up to 3 characters in the name. EBookers should know the limits.

It is important that you don’t continue to refer to this as a name change. You are trying to correct a spelling error. A name change is different and is either not possible given certain ticket types, or will cost you dearly.

EBookers, if within their T&C’s, may change an administrative charge for any new work done to your booking but possibly this could be a negotiation point as had they done as asked earlier on then their might not have been so much work.

An airline may simply choose to add a note in your reservation record (called a PNR) to indicate the spelling error and notify anyone dealing with your booking.  The old name may or may not get amended on a ticket, but notes in the PNR indicate the correction.

I personally would call BA again first, explain it is a spelling correction of just two characters that were mistyped, ask if they can adjust as you are having difficulties explaining the issue with the agent (or online ticket seller). Be nice, be charming. Hopefully some kind person at BA will just deal with it.

If that doesn’t work then unfortunately back to eBookers, but highlight a spelling error, not a name change.  If they still are difficult then you might have to concede and paid their fee (check T&C as it should be as much as £150).

Then turn off auto fill on your computer.  It’s a pain in the rear.

eganandchips1

I text chat to Ebookers again this morning and had a different response again. 

This time they told me to complete a name correction form for a spelling mistake which they sent me a link to. This is not showing anywhere on their website which to me is totally underhanded. 

I have completed it and sent it back to them and it said they would reply in 48 hours although I am not hopeful on that. Will wait to see what comes back. 

I also had a response from BA via email today who told me the contact is between me and the travel agent up until the day of travel so no idea where the 72 hours before I have to contact BA comes from. Baffling. 

Upsidedownandaround

https://www.ebookers.com/customersupport/name-form

eganandchips1

Upsidedownandaround said:

https://www.ebookers.com/customersupport/name-form

I have had another look and it is on there but you have to search for it - it is not in the list of actions showing on the site 

Thanks 

Upsidedownandaround

I just typed “Ebookers name correction” in to a search engine and that was the first result.

sammynunes

It's a minor change.

Go to the BA desk at the airport and ask them to change it before the flight. If you're not confident enough to do this then call BA in the last 24 hours before departure. At that point the airline will allow the traveller (rather than the agent) control of the booking.