Thai Airways Apologizes After Charging Passenger for Having a Long Last Name
A Thai Airways passenger was charged an extra fee at the airline's check-in counter for having a last name that was too long to fit in the online booking platform.
The unidentified passenger was charged a change fee when the name on his boarding pass did not match the name on his passport. The flyer told the Bangkok Post on Saturday it was because Thai's internet booking platform only allotted 25 characters for a passenger's last name, and his was much longer.
The airline reimbursed the customer for the fee and said it's working on fixing the problem on its website. "We apologise for the inconvenience since the internet booking system allows up to 25 characters each for the first name and family name when booking a ticket," Thai Airways Acting Executive Vice President Wiwat Piyawiroj posted on the airline's Facebook.
TPG readers have had similar travel snags, including one who lost 20,000 points when the name on his passport and boarding pass didn't match after he forgot to include his middle name in the booking.
When you book airfare, airlines recommend using your full name as it appears on your government-issued photo ID. That’s true for both domestic and international itineraries — the TSA won’t consistently hassle you over middle names or initials, but it’s best to include them. Ultimately, inputting your complete name is far easier than having to rebook or update your ticket.
H/T: Traveller.com.au
