Hi Guys,
So I am in a unique situation. I applied and got approved for TSA Pre-check with my full legal name on my license and passport:
John XXX-ZZZ Doe
As you can see, I have a hyphenated middle name.
I travel a decent amount for work (once a month) and when I went to book some flights, I realized the following:
#1: My traveler agency American Express does not allow hyphenated names in the profile (They automatically combine so it is XXXZZZ after you switch to another field)
#2: Some airlines also do not allow you to have hyphenated names in their profile, ie: Southwest
#3: Some airlines allow you to have a hyphenated name in the profile, but when asked to see my secured flight data, they realized the hyphen is removed and the name is combined or a space (ie: United).
So I am a little concerned about not getting TSA pre-check on any of my flights.
I immediately called TSA and asked if it has to match 100% exactly. The TSA agent replied and said it needs to. I could tell the TSA agent was just reading from a policy and procedure book.
So I called the Universal Enroll and explained my situation. The agent was very surprised a hyphen would prevent my TSA pre-check and asked me to double check.
I went back and called TSA to speak with another agent and double check. The agent actually had my previous conversation on record so sounded annoyed that he had to repeat the previous agents statement, even though I had said I wanted to call and double check. I apologized but really just wanted to understand.
I finally called Universal Enroll back and asked if they can remove the hyphen and add a space in between so my middle name will now be XXX ZZZ. They put in a ticket. I was hoping to get it done relatively quickly so I can book by business trips so i called a few days later and asked if the change went through and was told not yet. They sounded a little annoyed that I called to check so quickly.
Anyways, so I went ahead and booked a couple of flights, and while booking the flights I asked them to put my middle name as XXX ZZZ in the secured flight data. The airline said she put a space but when looking at it after the fact, the system combined, so XXXZZZ.
I thought it would just be easier then to have Universal Enroll switch my name to XXXZZZ instead of XXX ZZZ, to prevent any future issues. So I immediately called Universal Enroll, explained my discovery and situation. The guy said he will put in the ticket per my request but then warned me I may not get through security at the airport as now it shows my middle name as one combined name and not two separate.
Just wanted your thoughts and/or advice on whether or not I did the right thing or what I should do.
Thanks everyone!
So I am in a unique situation. I applied and got approved for TSA Pre-check with my full legal name on my license and passport:
John XXX-ZZZ Doe
As you can see, I have a hyphenated middle name.
I travel a decent amount for work (once a month) and when I went to book some flights, I realized the following:
#1: My traveler agency American Express does not allow hyphenated names in the profile (They automatically combine so it is XXXZZZ after you switch to another field)
#2: Some airlines also do not allow you to have hyphenated names in their profile, ie: Southwest
#3: Some airlines allow you to have a hyphenated name in the profile, but when asked to see my secured flight data, they realized the hyphen is removed and the name is combined or a space (ie: United).
So I am a little concerned about not getting TSA pre-check on any of my flights.
I immediately called TSA and asked if it has to match 100% exactly. The TSA agent replied and said it needs to. I could tell the TSA agent was just reading from a policy and procedure book.
So I called the Universal Enroll and explained my situation. The agent was very surprised a hyphen would prevent my TSA pre-check and asked me to double check.
I went back and called TSA to speak with another agent and double check. The agent actually had my previous conversation on record so sounded annoyed that he had to repeat the previous agents statement, even though I had said I wanted to call and double check. I apologized but really just wanted to understand.
I finally called Universal Enroll back and asked if they can remove the hyphen and add a space in between so my middle name will now be XXX ZZZ. They put in a ticket. I was hoping to get it done relatively quickly so I can book by business trips so i called a few days later and asked if the change went through and was told not yet. They sounded a little annoyed that I called to check so quickly.
Anyways, so I went ahead and booked a couple of flights, and while booking the flights I asked them to put my middle name as XXX ZZZ in the secured flight data. The airline said she put a space but when looking at it after the fact, the system combined, so XXXZZZ.
I thought it would just be easier then to have Universal Enroll switch my name to XXXZZZ instead of XXX ZZZ, to prevent any future issues. So I immediately called Universal Enroll, explained my discovery and situation. The guy said he will put in the ticket per my request but then warned me I may not get through security at the airport as now it shows my middle name as one combined name and not two separate.
Just wanted your thoughts and/or advice on whether or not I did the right thing or what I should do.
Thanks everyone!