Travelling back home for first time.

[littlewingxx 29]

I've been in the USA now for almost two years, and finally booked flights for my husband and I to fly back home for Christmas. However, in my excitement in doing so when I purchased the tickets and the flights, everything is in my married name. I didn't think about it until recently, and figured it might be best to get my name changed on the ticket to my maiden name so that it will match up with my passport. I thought this would be a simple name change, but apparently not. The airline is now telling me that they have to cancel my current ticket and rebook it again under the new name which is going to cost me approx $1000. I realize this is entirely my own fault for screwing up in the first place, but can anyone advise me if there is a simple (cheaper) option out of my current predicament? I am so annoyed with myself right now.

[usmsbow 795]

Does your green card at least show your married name? 

 

Edited to add: assuming it does, I don't think you'll have a problem then. The airline will be satisfied with your UK passport for your trip going home, and will be satisfied with your green card with your trip back to the USA. 

Edited November 20, 2018 by usmsbow

[Umka36 781]

10 minutes ago, littlewingxx said:

I've been in the USA now for almost two years, and finally booked flights for my husband and I to fly back home for Christmas. However, in my excitement in doing so when I purchased the tickets and the flights, everything is in my married name. I didn't think about it until recently, and figured it might be best to get my name changed on the ticket to my maiden name so that it will match up with my passport. I thought this would be a simple name change, but apparently not. The airline is now telling me that they have to cancel my current ticket and rebook it again under the new name which is going to cost me approx $1000. I realize this is entirely my own fault for screwing up in the first place, but can anyone advise me if there is a simple (cheaper) option out of my current predicament? I am so annoyed with myself right now.

Tickets are supposed to match the passport. Why not renew  your passport in your married name (if that's what you want) at the local UK consulate in the US? That's got to be cheaper than $1k ticket change fee.

[littlewingxx 29]

7 minutes ago, Umka36 said:

Tickets are supposed to match the passport. Why not renew  your passport in your married name (if that's what you want) at the local UK consulate in the US? That's got to be cheaper than $1k ticket change fee.

That's what I'm thinking of doing. Unfortunately it seems like our "local" UK consulate is in San Francisco which isn't particularly convenient, although I may have no choice in the matter...I could kick myself for being so stupid 😩

[DmytriiD 186]

56 minutes ago, littlewingxx said:

I've been in the USA now for almost two years, and finally booked flights for my husband and I to fly back home for Christmas. However, in my excitement in doing so when I purchased the tickets and the flights, everything is in my married name. I didn't think about it until recently, and figured it might be best to get my name changed on the ticket to my maiden name so that it will match up with my passport. I thought this would be a simple name change, but apparently not. The airline is now telling me that they have to cancel my current ticket and rebook it again under the new name which is going to cost me approx $1000. I realize this is entirely my own fault for screwing up in the first place, but can anyone advise me if there is a simple (cheaper) option out of my current predicament? I am so annoyed with myself right now.

I think you can just get an original marriage certificate with your passport and it will work. but you can call the airline you will fly and check because ppl hired by the airline will perform the check-in process.

[Crazy Cat 39,215]

It will be much, much smoother now and later if you get a new passport in your married name.  Personally, that would be my #1 option.

[littlewingxx 29]

19 minutes ago, missileman said:

It will be much, much smoother now and later if you get a new passport in your married name.  Personally, that would be my #1 option.

That is for sure! I'm just not positive I'm going to have enough time to get a new passport issued, as it says this can take approx 4 weeks which will be cutting it way too fine for my liking. I'm planning to contact the British Consulate in SF tomorrow morning and see if there's any way to expedite a passport renewal, or whether I'd be eligible to apply for an Emergency Travel Document.

[Wuozopo 4,285]

3 hours ago, littlewingxx said:

I've been in the USA now for almost two years, and finally booked flights for my husband and I to fly back home for Christmas. However, in my excitement in doing so when I purchased the tickets and the flights, everything is in my married name. I didn't think about it until recently, and figured it might be best to get my name changed on the ticket to my maiden name so that it will match up with my passport. I thought this would be a simple name change, but apparently not. The airline is now telling me that they have to cancel my current ticket and rebook it again under the new name which is going to cost me approx $1000. I realize this is entirely my own fault for screwing up in the first place, but can anyone advise me if there is a simple (cheaper) option out of my current predicament? I am so annoyed with myself right now.

 

It is the airline counter that will give you a little grief before giving you a boarding  pass, but you can have them call over a supervisor.  I quizzed one of the guys at Heathrow who was checking the lines. I asked what if your ticket name is different than Passport name because you got married. He said we see that all day long. You just need the marriage certificate to show the name change. 

 

On the new passport. They issue them all in the UK now. No more British embassy passports for maybe five years now. You pay more when in  the US to cover courier costs to get it to you. You can submit paperwork online, but the documents and old passport have to get mailed to England.  

Edited November 20, 2018 by Wuozopo

[Umka36 781]

13 hours ago, Wuozopo said:

 

It is the airline counter that will give you a little grief before giving you a boarding  pass, but you can have them call over a supervisor.  I quizzed one of the guys at Heathrow who was checking the lines. I asked what if your ticket name is different than Passport name because you got married. He said we see that all day long. You just need the marriage certificate to show the name change. 

 

On the new passport. They issue them all in the UK now. No more British embassy passports for maybe five years now. You pay more when in  the US to cover courier costs to get it to you. You can submit paperwork online, but the documents and old passport have to get mailed to England.  

That stinks.