Potential impact of new passport number on an international ticket

[bushtuckerman]

Hi all

Re Potential impact of a new passport number on an international ticket

My current passport expires in September 2015. It has insufficient validity for my China trip commencing 7 July 2015. China visas require 6 months validity from proposed date of entry into China.

I have applied for a new passport, which will take another 2 weeks at least. The new one will have a different number from the current one.

I am looking to book a well-priced one-way fare back to Australia. In order to book and pay for this fare, I need to quote my passport number. I doubt the special fare will still be available in 2 weeks.

If I quote my current passport number when booking this fare, will I later run into trouble at Bangkok airport when I front up at check-in with a new passport that has a different number from the one used to book the flight?

Clearly, I could also take my current passport with me as evidence, but I am unsure if that will be sufficient.

I hope I explained the situation adequately.

If anyone has first-hand experience, your advice would be appreciated.

Cheers
Bush

 

[Aussie_flyer]

The number can be changed, not a problem. You shouldn't need to provide a passport number at time of booking anyway, but if the website you are using requests this then you can change it later.

 

[RooFlyer]

Agree with Aussie_flyer - it shouldn't be an issue, but when the booking is made, go on line on the airline's web site with booking reference number and you should be able to change it. Which airline, by the way?

But in any event, it won't hurt to take both passports with you (the old one will come back from passports office with corner cut off).

Of course the more relevant issue is going TO China and by the sound of it you haven't yet booked that fare, or got the visa, and will use the new one for those.

Edit: One thought. The only way I think a problem might arise if the new passport has your name set out differently than in your old passport. I assume it will be, but check when you get the new one back. Tickets have to be issued in the name 'exactly as it appears in your passport'.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Hi all

Re Potential impact of a new passport number on an international ticket

My current passport expires in September 2015. It has insufficient validity for my China trip commencing 7 July 2015. China visas require 6 months validity from proposed date of entry into China.

I have applied for a new passport, which will take another 2 weeks at least. The new one will have a different number from the current one.

I am looking to book a well-priced one-way fare back to Australia. In order to book and pay for this fare, I need to quote my passport number. I doubt the special fare will still be available in 2 weeks.

If I quote my current passport number when booking this fare, will I later run into trouble at Bangkok airport when I front up at check-in with a new passport that has a different number from the one used to book the flight?

Clearly, I could also take my current passport with me as evidence, but I am unsure if that will be sufficient.

I hope I explained the situation adequately.

If anyone has first-hand experience, your advice would be appreciated.

Cheers
Bush

No worries. The passport you provide at check-in is the passport that will be used for ID and cross-referencing with any 'no-fly' lists (if applicable for your flight).

Pax with dual passports will often turn up with a completely different passport, on the same booking, to the one quoted in the reservation.

The important thing is generally the credit card - which should be the same one you used for the booking (again, only if required).

 

[bushtuckerman]

Thanks AussieFlyer, RooFlyer and Mel-traveller for your very informative responses.

Following your responses, I feel much better.

The return airline is MAS ($415, BKK-SYD with 30kg baggage allowance. Sufficient for bike and panniers and trinkets picked up along the way). Its pretty competitive, particularly against QFF,which is 30,000 points plus $264
The outbound airline is Sichuan Airlines ($543, SYD-CTU with 23kg baggage)
I have been very careful about name consistency.

Its a bit early to grab the China visa.

Cheers
Bush