Answered9 years ago
Will Korean Air block a passenger if the ticket name does not match the passport name, despite providing a marriage license?
Not really a TV question, but I'm sure you guys have experience. Thai wife with Thai passport and US green card... Traveling to Korea from the US, then to Japan, back to Korea, and then onward to Thailand. Her passport uses her maiden name, and her ticket uses her married name. In the past, United and Thai Air didn't give us any grief over this as we showed our marriage license. Korean air is now saying that her ticket must match her passport. But are they just saying that is their policy? Because CBP and the Korean consulate have said our documentation is fine for travel. Would korean air really block her from boarding? Thanks so much for any real experience in this matter, particularly with Korean air.
Answer summary
The user is concerned about a name discrepancy between their Thai wife's passport and her travel ticket while flying with Korean Air. The passport lists her maiden name, while her ticket is in her married name. Although previous airlines accepted their marriage license as documentation, Korean Air has informed them that the names must match. Responses from the community indicate that this is likely a strict policy aimed at ensuring compliance with international travel regulations. A few recommend changing the ticket to match the passport, while others share their experiences with similar situations, suggesting that some airlines can be lenient depending on the documentation provided.
14 repliesnewest first
Click comment and we will ask for your email, then OTP, then name.
Bryan *****
OPSo in the end, korean air will reissue the exact same ticket with the name change. Just had to submit proper documentation and will take about 5 days as it needs to be approved by corporate hq. No cost... Which is great. Lesson learned!
Mark ********
Have you checked if you can replace Thai ID and passport in US at Thai Embassy/Consulate?
Mark ********
I suspect they do, but might take a few weeks rather than the walk in walk out service you get in Thailand
Francis ********
Maybe but I would not expect them to do everything
Mark ********
I suspect that it's mostly to do with international requirements that passenger manifest matches passport/ID details for security etc. So some airlines may be more rigid than others as to how they interpret and/or apply the regulations. Easiest to have matching documentation long term as you can appreciate.
Kris ******
I think airlines all around the world are tightening their security.Things are only going to get stricter,so why not change it as Tod mentioned earlier or one day they may just say no ..you fix it and rebook !
Michiko **********
I've noticed that in Asia that is not a big deal. But if an airline policy is to overcomply they may not care if your embassy said it's OK on a case by case basis, because it's now become about the airline company's own rule enforcement, not government compliance. I have experienced similar situations as this with Delta and Air Canada and neither changed airline policy for us.
Francis ********
Ok I have had this issue with my wife flying to America with China southern airlines. My wife’s USA visa is in her maiden name . And her new passport is in my last name . The airlines at first it was an issue but they let us board in Bangkok . When we got to China we still had the same issue but the airlines still let us fly that was the only time we had an issue . I fly every year to see my family in the USA .I recommend when flying buy the tickets in her married name the USA government will allow her to use 2 passports to travel to the USA . That’s what we do and it does work I am in the USA right now with my wife.
Tod *********
not to be pedantic but as easy as it is for a thai to change names and as fast as they get passports here why doesn't she just get a passport with her married name to forgo any problems in the future. There's no benefit to her NOT taking your name
Johnsuma ******
why she did not ask a passport in your own country, she will travel more easily ?
Bryan *****
OPHi Tod, We haven't registered our marriage in Thailand, so my understanding is that she can't get a new passport yet. Am I mistaken about the process? I thought the name change had to happen in Thailand, but we're in the US. Was going to handle this on our trip back.
Michael *********
Every Airline I travel with stipulates that the passport name & ticketed name must match exactly, Thai Airways have questioned myself previously on this matter.
Robert *******
If the policy of Korean Air is only matching names on ticket and passport, as you informed Us. I can really understand if they block you for boarding if the names are not the same. You have to settle this with Korean Air, policies or lenience from other companies are not relevant.
Bryan *****
OPI hear you, Robert. Found no reports of people being blocked because of this situation when they had their marriage license on hand. So it seemed like something the airlines say, but don't actually enforce. Because they're checking that their passengers can legally enter the destination country, I can see why they would issue a blanket statement that names must match. But in practice, there are plenty of situations where that might not be the case, and the passengers can prove their legal right. Customs and Border Patrol state that a marriage license is all that's needed. I think korean is just covering themselves, but in practice will not block us. That said, we can't take a chance without some real confidence. And as you said, relying on our experience with united and Thai Air doesn't really do it. Oh well. Guess I'll see what the options are with Korean air. Thx
Activity
9 joined9
people
Related
25Can a Nepali passport holder transit through Thailand without a visa on a same-day flight?
9813610mo
Can I leave and re-enter Laos while waiting for my DTV visa interview at the Thai Embassy?
1.5k1371y
Will I face issues re-entering Thailand multiple times on a tourist visa?
6.1k50611y
Why did Delta Airlines ask for a visa when flying to Thailand?
6.5k45822y
What are the best practices for traveling with dual US-Thai citizenship regarding passport usage?
3.9k21212y
Can I return to Thailand for a week to retrieve my belongings after staying in Vietnam for 90 days?
14.2k972122y
Will I face issues entering Thailand after leaving without an exit stamp?
2.4k8383y
What are the implications for a Thai-American dual citizen entering Thailand on a US passport and wishing to stay long-term?
10.5k671483y
How can airlines deny boarding based on blacklists despite issuing visas?
6k47543y
What happens at Bangkok airport if you arrive without an English vaccine passport or test result?
3.8k39154y
What are the overstay rules for half-Thai children in Thailand?
1.9k11225y
What documentation do I need for a one-way flight to Thailand, especially during layovers?
4.4k27645y
Can a Thai national resolve their entry status in Thailand if they enter with a US passport instead of their Thai passport?
1.3k8105y
What passport should my Thai-American wife use when buying airline tickets and traveling to Thailand?
3.1k22335y
Is it safe to book a flight from England to Thailand during the pandemic?
1.8k13146y
What are the passport validity requirements for traveling to Thailand and Indonesia for residents?
2.2k8367y
Do I need to update my TM30 if I travel within Chiang Mai for a weekend?
759367y
Do Thai airlines require an onward ticket for travel from Stockholm?
523137y
What are the guidelines for posting Thai visa-related questions in this group?
1.1k228y
What should I do if I can't report TM30 within 24 hours of returning to Chiang Mai after a trip abroad?
3.7k29368y
What issues might arise when returning to Thailand after a short trip abroad on a tourist visa?
752438y
What are the current rules and challenges regarding the TM30 form in Thailand's immigration process?
2.8k13479y
What do I need to know when applying for a SETV in Laos and for the visa on arrival?
837459y
What are the current rules for extending an F-Type visa stay in Thailand?
3.4k3679y
Will I be allowed to re-enter Thailand on a one-way ticket with an upcoming flight back to Sweden?
2.7k22229y
Resources
Need help with your Thai visa?
#1 visa agent · 4,000+ reviews · 100,000+ expats served