American Airlines Name Change Policy

Can I change my name on my American Airlines ticket?

Airmonks
5 min readMay 17, 2024

Can I change my name on my American Airlines ticket?

Yes, you can potentially change the name on your American Airlines ticket, but it depends on a few factors: +1–800–419–8165

Type of name change: American Airlines distinguishes between minor and major name corrections. Minor corrections involve fixing typos or misspellings within the same name, while major changes involve alterations like a complete name change due to marriage.
Ticket status: The process is easier for unused (unflown) tickets.
Itinerary: The complexity increases if your flight includes codeshare segments with other airlines.

Here’s a breakdown of the possibilities:

Minor name correction on unused ticket: If it’s a minor correction for a wholly unused American Airlines or American Eagle flight, you might be able to change it online or by calling customer service.
Major name correction or used ticket: For major changes or used tickets, you’ll likely need to contact American Airlines customer service at +1–800–419–8165 [American Airlines phone number] to discuss the options and any applicable fees.

Here are some resources that might be helpful:

American Airlines Name Correction Guidelines: https://saleslink.aa.com/en-US/resources/html/name-correction-guidelines.html
American Airlines phone number: +1–800–419–8165 [American Airlines phone number]
Remember, fees may apply depending on your situation. It’s always best to contact American Airlines directly to confirm the process and any associated costs.

Can I change the passenger name on an airline ticket?

Generally, changing the passenger name on an airline ticket is not allowed for most airlines. Airline tickets are considered non-transferable, meaning the person named on the ticket must be the one who travels. This is for security reasons and ensures the passenger matches their identification.

There are a few exceptions:

Minor name correction: Some airlines may allow minor corrections to typos or misspellings in the passenger name. This is usually only applicable if the correction keeps the name essentially the same.

Within 24 hours of booking: Some airlines offer a 24-hour grace period where you can cancel or change your flight for free, including potentially changing the passenger name. However, this is not always the case and depends on the airline’s specific policy.

Here’s what you can do:

Contact the airline: This is your best course of action. Explain the situation and see if they offer any exceptions or flexibility. They might be able to offer you a few options:

Cancellation and rebooking: You might have to cancel the original ticket and rebook a new one under the correct name. This could result in a change fee and potentially a difference in fare price depending on availability.

Name correction fee: For a minor correction, the airline may allow it for a fee. +1–800–419–8165

Check the airline’s website: Most airlines outline their policies on name changes on their website. Look for a section titled “cancellations” or “name changes.”

Remember, it’s always better to be proactive. Double-check the passenger name during booking to avoid this situation altogether.

Can I transfer my American Airlines ticket to another person?

No, you cannot transfer your American Airlines ticket to another person in the traditional sense. American Airlines, like most airlines, has a policy of non-transferable tickets. This means the passenger named on the ticket must be the one who travels for security reasons. +1–800–419–8165

Here’s what you can do instead:

Cancel and rebook: You can cancel your original ticket and rebook a new one under the other person’s name. However, this might come with a cancellation fee and a difference in fare price depending on availability at the time of rebooking.
See if the ticket is refundable: If you purchased a refundable ticket, you can cancel it and get a refund to use towards a new ticket for the other person.
Here are some resources from American Airlines that you can refer to for more details:

American Airlines’ cancellation policy page [American Airlines cancellation policy]
American Airlines’ refunds page [American Airlines refund]
It’s always best to contact American Airlines directly at +1–800–419–8165 [American Airlines phone number] to discuss your specific situation and see if there are any other options available.

Can I change my American Airlines flight free of charge?

Whether you can change your American Airlines flight free of charge depends on two main factors: +1–800–419–8165

Your ticket type: American Airlines offers different fare classes with varying change fees. Here’s a breakdown:

Refundable tickets: Allow for changes without a fee, but you might need to pay the difference in fare price if the new flight is more expensive.
Non-refundable tickets (including Basic Economy): Typically incur a change fee to make any modifications.
When you’re making the change: American Airlines offers a 24-hour grace period for some situations.

Here’s a more detailed explanation:

Free changes within 24 hours: If you booked your flight directly with American Airlines (website, phone, airport kiosk) at least two days before departure, you can change it for free within 24 hours of booking, as long as the new flight departs on the same day or the next day on the same route [American Airlines cancellation policy]. +1–800–419–8165

Change fees for non-refundable tickets: If you have a non-refundable ticket and are outside the 24-hour grace period, you’ll likely be charged a change fee to modify your flight. The exact fee amount can vary depending on the specific fare class, route, and time of change.

Here are some resources to help you find out more:

American Airlines’ website with information on fares and fees: https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/travel/american-airlines-fare-classes
American Airlines’ cancellation policy page: [American Airlines cancellation policy]

Tips to potentially reduce change fees:

Consider refundable tickets: If flexibility is important to you, purchasing a refundable ticket from the beginning might be worthwhile, although it might cost more upfront.

Check AAdvantage status: If you’re a member of American Airlines’ AAdvantage loyalty program, your status might entitle you to free changes on certain fares or waived change fees.

To confirm your specific situation:

Check your ticket confirmation email to see what type of ticket you have.
Contact American Airlines customer service at +1–800–419–8165 [American Airlines phone number] to inquire about change fees for your specific flight and fare class.

American airlines Name change Policy

American Airlines offers some flexibility for name changes on tickets, but it depends on a few factors:

Type of name change:
Minor correction: This involves fixing typos or misspellings within the same name (ex: Smith -> Smyth).
Major change: This involves alterations like a complete name change due to marriage (ex: Jane Doe -> Jane Smith).
Ticket status: Changes are easier for unused (unflown) tickets.
Itinerary: Complexity increases if your flight includes codeshare segments with other airlines.
Here’s a breakdown of the general policy:

Minor correction on unused ticket: You might be able to change it online or by calling customer service for American or American Eagle flights only.
Major change or used ticket: Contact American Airlines customer service (+1–800–419–8165 [American Airlines phone number]) to discuss options and any applicable fees.
Key points to remember:

Fees may apply: There might be a fee for name changes, especially for major changes or used tickets.
24-hour grace period: You can usually cancel and rebook within 24 hours of booking for free (if at least 2 days before departure) but the new ticket might cost more.
Check your ticket type: Refundable tickets allow more flexibility for changes, while non-refundable tickets typically incur fees.
Here are some helpful resources:

American Airlines Name Correction Guidelines: ссылка на документ по исправлению имени в American Airlines
American Airlines phone number: +1–800–419–8165 [American Airlines phone number]
Always contact American Airlines directly to confirm the process and any associated costs for your specific situation.

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