Ticket Name Question About This Page:

[nutterbutter]

If my father has a nonrefundable, nontransferable ticket could another male use it? I know they check id, but if he had id....i'm just sayin' what are the chances?? I really want to use this ticket. Not sure why I even posted this, I know you guys will say "shame on you for even thinking that" b/c I'm thinkin that myself.. Delta has just REALLY screwed me over! GRRRRR.......

[MelissaL]

In order to go through security, passengers over 18 need to show both a boarding pass and a photo ID. The agents typically look at my driver's license carefully, so I'm pretty sure they are checking to make sure the names match.

You might, however, be able to pay a change fee to get the ticket reissued in a different name -- I've never tried that, but I know even nonrefundable tickets can be exchanged for a different flight. If the ticket is worth more than the change fee and your father really can't/won't use it, it may be worth investigating.

Good luck,
Melissa

[MMMD]

I can certainly understand you wanting to use a ticket that's already been paid for! But unless the male using your father's ticket has ID issued to him in your father's name I really don't think you'll get past security.

Good luck.

[modisney]

I'd call the airline and see what they can do for you. The passenger info. on the ticket and boarding pass has to match photo i.d. presented at the various points at the airport. Good luck, hope something works out for you.

[HiddenMickey]

My Dad and Brother have the same name....they could get away with it, most likely.
Do you have a brother with the same name as your Dad?

I'd also call and see about the change fee for changing the name on the ticket.

[tinker_me_happy]

I would just call Delta and find out how much it would cost to transfer it. Even though it says nonrefunable nontransferable, often if there is a good reason (especially MEDICAL ie get a doctors note!!) they will for a fee STILL change it! GOOD LUCK!

[Tigger71]

It could be your lucky day! Call up the airline and be honest about why you need to change it. Never know your luck...

[Dave Marx]

I wouldn't call this one a "shame on you" situation - it's just very unlikely to work. And if you arrived at the airport, tried, and it didn't work, what would you do then?

Part of the issue with not working (since security scruitiny is tight) is that it could result in arrest and/or charges being filed. The TSA does not have a sense of humor about these things. The TSA checks the names on the passenger list against the No Fly list and makes other pre-flight security checks. If someone other than the person named on the ticket tries to use that ticket, their job is to assume "Potential terrorist." End of story.

Call the airline. They may allow you to transfer it for a fee. Alternately, they will allow you to keep the unused ticket for your father's future use (and charge a change fee for using it on a different flight).

[coffeechef]

I am guessing that you want to use the ticket for a child , who would not have to show ID and either has the same name or is old enough to say that is who they are? I don't know, I guess that would work. And though I might be tempted to do just that, I would be afraid that somehow in thier data base they know " John Doe" is a 60 yr old man and not a 12 yr old boy. If the person has the exact name, named for this person , right down to the middle initial, then I guess thats him,,, he is the owner of that ticket.
As Dave just said" What would you do if they figured it out? , Not just one way either, but on your return flight. I would look to changing the ticket name... It seems like such a small thing that you would not get charged , though they probably do since it happens a lot and someone has to be paid to make those changes ( its a sad world) But maybe it won't be a lot.
Good Luck with what ever you decide. I have often thought about this if a situation came up and I had to take the brother of the child I got a ticket for. As fo the shame on you part.... really it just people giving you thier view on things and its good to have different persectives to figuring out what is right for you. Opinions at least let you know whzt other think to help you make an informed decision. It does not mean anyone person is right or wrong for their thinking as its their opinion. You know kind of a Survey says

[Dave Marx]

I decided to do a bit more research into this.

The TSA is now completely responsible for "positive verification of identity," something the airlines used to handle. That's why a TSA officer now inspects ID and boarding passes, rather than private security. So, if anything comes up during boarding pass/ID inspection, you're dealing directly with the TSA, not an airline employee.

As I read the federal regulations, at the least, trying to fly on a ticket issued for another person seems to come under the heading of " Fraud and Intentional Falsification 49 C.F.R. § 1540.103". Under the TSA's Enforcement Sanction Guideline Policy (their equivalent of "sentencing guidelines" for civil infractions), the penalty is $2,500 - $6,000 plus criminal referral.

Another infraction that might apply is, "Tampering or interfering with, compromising, modifying, attempting to circumvent, or causing a person to tamper or interfere with, compromise, modify or attempt to circumvent any security system, measure, or procedure. 49 C.F.R. § 1540.105(a)," another $2,500 - $6,000.

Next, you'd have to add anything the airline might do. At the least, if caught, they'd void the ticket, no refund. They're also free to sue for fraud, since this would be a violation of the Contract of Carriage.

Chances are that, if a member of your party is stopped, everyone is going to miss their flight, and may not even be re-booked on a later flight (since everyone in the party will probably be presumed to be part of the fraud). Even if that doesn't happen, you'll probably still have to buy a new ticket for one person, at high. last-minute prices.

OK, none of this may happen. I'm not even going to guess whether a court of law would find someone guilty. It's all a matter of how the TSA is likely to behave if they become aware of an attempt, and chances are, they will try to show the public just how serious they are about protecting the traveling public.