Can you change the name on a plane ticket? Curiosities about air travel

When booking flights online for business trips, errors can quickly occur when entering passenger details. Maybe you typed the name too quickly or forgot a letter. You can pay a big price for small mistakes that wouldn’t be noticeable otherwise. But when it comes to airline tickets, typos can quickly become expensive or cause problems at the airport. Therefore, you should always proofread all your details before confirming your booking and ensure that they are correct.

But what if an error has crept up despite proofreading three times? Can you still change the name on a plane ticket? As soon as the error is noticed, passengers should have it corrected. Depending on the airline, changing the name later can cost quite a bit of money. In our article we have put together an overview for you of the best way to proceed with name changes.

Why is it so hard to change a name after purchasing a flight?

Airlines and immigration authorities (for flights abroad) put an emphasis on security regulations and confirming the identity of passengers. Most airlines allow you to have small typos, such as inverted letters, corrected later. However, conditions vary greatly from airline to airline. You should definitely pay attention to the terms and conditions when booking. In addition, it may be that the entry requirements in the destination country are very strict, especially when visas are required, and even small discrepancies in passenger data can lead to major difficulties.

Typos and spelling are also problematic

As you can see, even reinverted letters and spelling mistakes can be problematic, as the passenger details may not exactly match the corresponding passport. This is not to be taken lightly, especially when flying abroad. So if you find an error in your booking for your next business trip, you should take action before departure.

Some countries with a visa requirement may insist upon entry that the name on the flight ticket exactly matches the details on the passport. In the worst case scenario, you might be unable to take a flight due to a typo. Most airlines allow a name change for a fee, but there are also airlines that exclude a name change after booking. Here it is extremely important to pay attention to the regulations and requirements of the airlines.

When can you change a name on a plane ticket?

Depending on the scenario, name changes on your flight ticket are still possible even after the actual booking. This depends on the reason why the name on the ticket should be changed.

Small typos and inverted letters

When it comes to small typos and inverted letters, many airlines are accommodating and allow changes to be made to ensure that the name on the flight ticket exactly matches the name on the business traveler’s passport. Some airlines differentiate depending on the booking category as to whether a fee is charged or not.

Legal name change

If the name on the flight ticket has to be changed after a marriage or a name change due to other legal circumstances, there is a current ruling from the Munich Regional Court AZ: 12 O 5413/13. This means that travelers are allowed to correct their name or appoint a replacement person up until the start of their journey (at least in the EU).

If the passport is already issued in the new passport, then the flight ticket must also be issued in this name. If a visa or travel authorization is required to enter your destination country, the name on these documents must also match the name on the identification documents.

Completely different name

If you want to change the name of an airline ticket because someone else is planning to take the flight, you must ensure that you have booked a transferable airline ticket for your business trip. With so-called “non-transferable” tickets, it is not possible to transfer them to another person.

How to change the name on your plane ticket

To change the name on an airline ticket, you should always contact the airline or travel agent you booked with as soon as you realize a change is necessary. This is because many airlines have a deadline for name changes (usually 24 hours before departure).

Errors of up to three letters are usually corrected free of charge, but larger changes will most likely incur a charge. In certain cases, the flight booking may even have to be canceled and rebooked.

If you want to legally change your name, you will also need to provide additional identification documents, such as your marriage certificate. The fee charged for name correction depends heavily on the type of ticket, when and how the ticket was booked, how the correction is made and, in some cases, whether payment of any fare/tax differences is required. Some airlines allow you to change your married name for free, while others don’t allow corrections, so you’ll have to cancel and rebook your ticket. You can find tips for unused flight tickets or overbooking here.

Challenges in changing names on plane tickets

As already described above, there are some difficulties when changing the name of an airline ticket. Even if it’s just a small typo or spelling error.

Many airlines only have ticket options that do not allow transfer to other people. So-called non-transferable tickets. And even for tickets that can be changed later, fees are often charged for name changes. As the departure date approaches, it becomes more difficult to make changes to the ticket name. If you notice any typos or need to change a name for legal reasons, you should contact your airline as soon as possible.

General tips for booking flights for business trips

To be on the safe side, take extra care when booking tickets for business trips, as a simple spelling mistake could cost you more than the flight itself! Always go over passenger details before confirming a flight for a business trip.

It is also worth checking the terms and conditions of your chosen airline before booking. As explained above, some airlines charge a high fee for the name change, while others also offer so-called transferable tickets or change up to three letters in the name free of charge if necessary.

Air travel curiosities bottom line

It is important to pay close attention to the spelling of names when booking flights. However, if an error occurs, you should contact your airline as soon as possible (preferably within 24 hours) to have any typos or legal name changes corrected.

Before booking, check the airline’s terms and conditions to make sure there are no exorbitant fees if there is a typo somewhere. Alternatively, you can simply contact your airline’s customer service for further assistance.

Feel free to share your own experiences or tips. What do you do if names on the flight ticket are spelled incorrectly or a name needs to be changed? On our blog you will find further articles on the topic of air travel and business trips. You will also find helpful hints like what are the ten best flight apps to book your business trip and search for flights online.