Trip.com booking with apostrophe

Question

Hi,

When using Trip.com in China my surname has an apostrophe in it which the website is not accepting. In China should i replace the apostrophe with a space or just delete it leaving one word? How strict are they

Thanks

Answer

When booking travel in China on websites like Trip.com, handling special characters such as apostrophes in surnames can be tricky because some booking systems do not accept them.

Here’s how to handle your surname with an apostrophe:

Remove the apostrophe entirely: This is usually the safest option. For example, if your surname is O'Connor, enter it as OConnor. Most Chinese booking systems and airlines will accept this format without issues, as long as the first and last names match your passport closely.
Replace with a space: Some travelers replace the apostrophe with a space (e.g., O Connor). This is sometimes accepted, but less consistently than removing the apostrophe completely. It may cause minor confusion during check-in, though generally it is not a major problem.
Use the exact passport spelling: Some airline or hotel booking forms in China allow apostrophes, but if Trip.com is rejecting it, the system likely cannot handle the character. Always ensure the official documents (passport, visa, flight tickets) can be matched.

Additional considerations:

When checking in for flights or using e-tickets, the airline’s system usually overrides minor differences like apostrophes. What matters most is that the letters match exactly, even if punctuation is removed.
If you are unsure, contact Trip.com customer support before confirming the booking. They can advise whether the modified surname will be acceptable for your airline and hotel reservations.
For hotel bookings in China, staff generally focus on your passport at check-in, so removing the apostrophe is rarely an issue.

In summary, the safest approach is to delete the apostrophe and enter your surname as one continuous word, which is widely accepted across Chinese travel platforms.

Trip.com booking with apostrophe

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