Can Someone Use a Flight Ticket without Paying for Name Change?

Ltmold94 on 20/12/2016 - 22:25
Last edited 20/12/2016 - 22:30

A cheeky question!

So I'm flying GC-Sydney return. One leg is with Tiger, the other with Jetstar. I am wanting to change the name of one of the passengers on the flight (as they can't attend) - but the cost is pretty steep.

I was wondering if it were possible to have another person use this ticket (without the airlines knowing of course) - and jump on the flight without showing ID. From my previous experiences in the past, if you web-check in it's only the boarding pass that's checked ie. no need to show ID..

Only I have a 20kg check-in bag so that would mean I could just check in the bag by myself? Meaning if they ask for ID it would just be me that would have to present it.

Reckon my friend could jump on these flights under someone elses name? Can anyone confirm?

Cheers!

PS: The name on the spare ticket is a female… my mate is a male.

Travel

Comments

  • whoopdeedoo on 20/12/2016 - 22:40
    -4

    yes, you can.report back with results.

  • altomic on 20/12/2016 - 22:57
    +1

    The name on the spare ticket is a female… my mate is a male.

    did you just assume your friends gender?!

    I was asked for ID for the first time in at least 25 domestic flights on friday night. probably because I actually had to go to the check in counter and talk to a person rather than using the self service machines.

  • peterpeterpumpkin on 20/12/2016 - 23:14
    +1

    I've done it with Jetstar using web check-in/carry-on only (same gender) but it's illegal. "Between 2013 and 2016, 60 people were charged with flying under false names." (http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-02-28/security-experts-call-…).

    I personally think all companies that sell tickets should be forced to have a "return to the pool at the original sale price" option with "majority refund if resold" to nullify the universal excuse of "preventing scalpers". In the digital age it's criminal to charge $50 or more for a name change.

    • JimmyF on 21/12/2016 - 10:11

      The steep name change fees are to stop people buying up 'cheap' tickets all over the place in advance and then reselling them to other people, doing a 'name change' on the way.

      Nothing criminal about it.

      • peterpeterpumpkin on 21/12/2016 - 10:21

        Yeah I agree. That's what a scalper is. That's why if they still have other tickets for sale anyway they should have an option to re-release tickets to the pool as I mentioned above so anti-scalping won't be an excuse for airlines. If the ticket resells at the original promo price to a first come first serve customer they aren't losing any money even if they partially refund the ticket. If they don't resell the ticket at the original price then no refund for the customer. No one is making an unfair profit.

        To be clear, right now it's "criminal" since they charge the "fare difference" as well as the name change fee. Only an idiot would pay a scalper more than the original fare!

        For sold out concert tickets they should enforce a pool-only system if scalping is such a big problem.

        • JimmyF on 21/12/2016 - 19:19

          Your 'pool' way, still would allow for scalping. You can 're-release' them in the middle of the night when no one is around and buy them straight back again at the cheaper price in the new name.

          I'm unaware of any airline that charges a "fare difference" as well as the name change fee for a name change. If they did, then yes that's criminal.

          The "fare difference" only normally kicks in when you want to move dates around. Again stops you buying the cheapest ticket and moving it to a 'prime' slot. Which is funny, as some status levels in reward programs allow you to do just that! ;)

  • captobvious on 21/12/2016 - 00:12
    +1

    Domestic not a problem unless you get caught
    Just dont get caught.

  • Stoozer on 21/12/2016 - 01:09
    +7

    Have you considered just changing your name instead to match the existing ticket?

    https://www.theguardian.com/money/2015/jun/05/student-change…

    • mskeggs on 21/12/2016 - 08:14
      +1

      That's gold.

  • k-rokfm on 21/12/2016 - 09:07
    +1

    Unless its a unisex name they may question it when you board the plane - welcome xyz

    • JimmyF on 21/12/2016 - 10:14

      yeah I think this will be the undoing…. Unless its a 'strange' name, or maybe a foreign sounding name that can be taking any way.

      Man presents a ticket for Alice Jones…… Ummm sorry sir

  • Ryanek on 21/12/2016 - 09:10
    +3

    There are some airlines that let you change one letter for free (because of typos). So some people have gone around this by changing one letter everyday until they have the new name :)

    • JimmyF on 21/12/2016 - 10:12

      which ones?

    • k-rokfm on 21/12/2016 - 10:28
      +2

      Sounds like a fake story IMO

  • SirFlibbled on 21/12/2016 - 10:48

    While the airlines don't often check, it is an offence to travel on a plane under the wrong name.

  • Toons on 21/12/2016 - 14:46

    it can be done domestically but………

    genuine mistakes are one thing, i'd be seeing what options you have before knowingly committing a criminal act.

    people are twitchy enough at airports, minor things can blow up quite badly especially if the flight is during busier times of year.

    sympathise with the cost of name change, i think your mate would prefer that to some of the alternatives

    maybe you can split the cost of the change since your helping each other outfit seems and have a merry hassle free christmas.

  • inherentchoice on 22/12/2016 - 11:47

    The Chaser's actually booked tickets for "Al Kyder" and "Terry Wrist" and it was broadcast on primetime tv…
    https://youtu.be/08yvKUW-9Bc

    See also: https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/269797

  • maddhatter87 on 07/12/2017 - 12:09
    -1

    So how did you go? Did you change them? My husbands mate has pulled out of a trip for tomorrow and so there are spare flights and a bed that will go to waste… Too expensive to pay all the fees but its under a Mr. name…

  • Donaldhump on 10/12/2017 - 22:49

    Didn't the chaser war staff fly domestically under the names terry wrist and al kieda to prove this lack of checking

    Oh crap just saw above

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join