Rules are Rules.......

<p>In March this year I booked return domestic tickets online, to fly out on 14th January. I recently needed to amend the date and was unable to do so online. Hence I called at the SAA counter of King Shaka Airport. The Consultant informed me that the tickets had been booked in my initial and surname, and suggested that I contact the Johannesburg call-centre to have my full first name inserted, afterwhich I could amend the travel dates at a cost.<br />I subsequently took her advice and spoke to a Vuyani who undertook o revert to me in 24 hours. When this promise did not materialise I went to SAA's office in Durban where I was again advised by Clarissa (after consulting with her team-leader) to contact the call-centre.<br />After being kept on hold for 20 minutes, I was informed that my first name could not be inserted on the ticket as the ticket was "non-transferable". My assertion that the ticket was NOT being transferred to another traveller did not make any difference. <br />However, I was advised to produce my driver's license at boarding as this did not have first names, but initials, and hope for the best. Worst case scenario I would be declined boarding and have to purchase a brand new ticket, If seats were available. In view of the fact that I may be denied boarding, I could not now amend my travel dates on the current ticket.<br />Undoubtedly, this is bureaucracy and red-tape at its' worst. I cannot believe the intransigence of SAA. <br />If they really were so jacked up, their system would not have allowed me to book with my initial instead of full first name. This apparent flaw in their systems is ultimately costing me money and causing me stress.</p>