How to Change the Name on an Airline Ticket

Changing the name on a ticket is possible under the right circumstances. (Photo: ticket image by CORRADO RIVA from Fotolia.com )

Related Articles

Ask almost anyone in the travel industry about changing a name on an airplane ticket and the response will be: You can't. Sometimes that is the case. If your name changed, or is misspelled on the ticket, you may be able to get it changed. However, it is extremely unlikely that the airline will allow you to transfer a ticket to someone else. Exceptions are made, though, and rather than accept the no-name-change policy as absolute, there are steps you can take to try and get the name on the ticket corrected.

Step 1

Read the ticket. If your ticket says it's non-refundable and non-transferable, then you will have a bigger struggle changing your name on it. However, if you purchased it with cash and it is refundable, you will have more options.

Step 2

Visit your airline's website. They will usually have a list of issues that can be fixed easily, but for an additional fee. Some of these issues include changing the name on the ticket if there has been a misspelling or typo or if you purchased your ticket months in advance and then your name changed (through marriage, divorce or other circumstances).

Call your airline. Explain your situation to your airline. Some airlines are more flexible than others in this regard. If you can't go on the trip explain why and ask that the ticket be given to the person you'd like to give it to. More often than not, the airline will comply as long as the person has valid identification and you agree to pay any difference in fare and additional fees.

Confer with a travel agent. A travel agent who has an established relationship with the airline will often be successful in getting a name changed on a ticket. A travel agent is usually a trusted third party and can help the airline decide if there is a security risk in allowing the name change.