Can I Change The Name on a American Airlines Flight?

With American Airlines, passengers have the ability to correct the name of an existing flight ticket, but they will not, under any circumstances, be permitted to change their name and transfer the ticket to a different individual. American Airlines divides the name change requests into two categories: minor name changes, which can be applied to the same booking, and major name changes, which might require the airline to issue a new flight ticket. To request the name change, dial +1 800 433 7300 and submit the name change request. 

However, in both cases, passengers are required to follow certain rules in order to request a name change, and an airline may impose a fee to handle the process. To get a full picture of the name change process at American Airlines, read on in this article so that you can be informed of all the details to be able to file your request.

How Do I Change The Name on My American Airlines Ticket?

There are a number of official ways to request a name correction on an American Airlines ticket. The process of the correction is determined by the presence or absence of partner airlines in the itinerary comprising only of American Airlines/American Eagle flights. The main methods of asking to change are as follows:

Official Options for Requesting Name Correction

1. Contact Customer Service American Airlines: To make minor or major corrections to the name, call American Airlines directly at 800-433-7300 (24/7) and ask them to help to do it. Agents will give directions and demand any supporting documentation as necessary.
2. Respond via the Online Contact Form: Fill out a request using the American Airlines official contact form, where you will choose the subject Reservations and ticket changes. This way enables formal record-keeping and monitoring of the request.
3. Check the Ticket Counter at the Airport: Sometimes a last-minute correction is necessary, particularly after entering the passport information (when it may be limited online) so visit the American Airlines check-in desk at the airport. The counter agents are able to make little corrections on the spot prior to departure.
4. By the SalesLink (Travel Agents): When a ticket is booked through a travel agency, the travel agent can do the name corrections through the SalesLink portal. Minor issues are addressed during the same booking, whereas significant corrections are made in a new booking with a different name but the same itinerary.

What is American Airlines? Policy on Name Changes?

American Airlines does not allow complete replacements of names to transfer a ticket to another individual, but does allow certain name corrections on legitimate unused tickets. It splits the corrections into two major categories which are minor and major each with its procedures and conditions under the policy.

Minor Name Correction

• Permitted for simple, minor mistakes (spelling errors, reversing first/last name, missing parts) on itineraries containing only American Airlines and American Eagle flights.
• Can be made within the same booking record (PNR).
• No name correction fees apply.
• The original date of birth and gender must remain unchanged.

Major Name Correction

• Required on itineraries that include codeshare, partner, or non-American Airlines flights, as well as some specific inventory types.
• Must be processed by creating a new booking (PNR) with the corrected name, matching the original itinerary route and fare.
• The original itinerary details (flights, dates, fare class) must be identical in the new reservation.
• No additional fare or service fees are usually applied, but the correction cannot be made within 24 hours of departure.

General Restrictions

• Tickets cannot be transferred to another person under any circumstances.
• Do not cancel the original booking until the correction or new reservation is fully confirmed.
• All corrections must comply with TSA requirements for name and identification matching.

Terms And Conditions To Change Name On American Airlines Flight Ticket

• An individual is allowed to change their name once at no cost. 
• A maximum of three characters can be changed in the name. 
• Travelers will not be allowed to change their complete name on the ticket. 
• American Airlines does not allow passengers to transfer their flight ticket to another person through a name change. 
• In minor alterations, like correcting an error in spelling or the addition of a title to a name, the airline does not usually demand a fee or an identification issued by a government.
• When a passenger needs to request a significant name change, the airline may require a fee and submit relevant documents. 

Key Scenarios for Name Change

The main categories of key scenarios for American Airlines change name on ticket include two categories: minor and major corrections. Each type has certain procedures, restrictions, and documentation requirements.

Minor Scenarios Name Correction

• Spelling mistakes or typing mistakes (e.g. Jonhson changed to Johnson).
• Switching first and last names (e.g. Smith/John to John/Smith).
• Removal or rectification of prefixes or suffixes (e.g. Smith Jr. into Smith).
• Nickname or first name changes (e.g. "Becca" to "Rebecca").

Major Name Correction Scenarios

• Itineraries containing codeshare segments, oneworld or partner airlines or a particular fare inventory are corrected with a correction to its name.
• Changes in legal name as a result of marriage, divorce or adoption, as long as supporting documents are made available.
• Situations that need a new booking with the same itinerary information because of system restrictions (e.g., ticket in "R" inventory).
• Several corrections are required if there is no change in the date of birth and/or gender data.

These situations include the most frequent causes of name corrections at American Airlines, and do distinguish between the easy fixes that can be corrected in the same booking and the hard fixes that need to be corrected by creating new booking records. It is usually allowed to make changes in the names of the law and correction of typing errors, but not complete transfers to another traveler are never permitted.

What Documents Are Needed For a Legal Name Change With American Airlines?

In the case of an official name change for American Airlines, passengers are required to obtain formal documents that confirm the name change. The most widely recognised documents are:

• Marriage certificate (to change name in connection with marriage)
• Divorce certificate (to change to an old surname)
• Court order or legal name change certificate (of any name change authorized by the court)
• New ID/passport with updated legal name issued by the government.

The connection between the former and new name must be made explicit in these documents; they may be needed both in digital (scanned/photo) and hardcopy formats throughout the correction process. These documents will be used to confirm and make the correction of names on the ticket by American Airlines. Ensure that the name on the ticket is that of the name on the traveling document (passport or ID) of the travel. for the journey.

Steps to Request Name Change

Procedures to change the name on an American airlines ticket:

Select Type of Name Correction:

1. Correctional changes (spelling mistakes, typing errors, name switching, etc.) can in most cases be done in the same booking (PNR).
2. Other corrections (such as codeshare or partner-flights, or R inventory tickets) must be done by creating a new booking.

Prepare Documentation:

1. In case the name change is legal (marriage, divorce, court order), prepare supporting documents, e.g. marriage certificate, divorce decree or legal name change certificate.

Call American Airlines or Travel Agency:

1. Book directly, then make contact with American Airlines customer service either by phone or through official contact forms.
2. When it is booked using a travel agency, ask the agent to effect the correction using the SalesLink system.

Submit the request:

1. Present correct information that corresponds to TSA-mandated travel documents.
2. Send the legal documentation on name change where required.

Wait for Confirmation:

1. Even exchange Minor corrections are resissued with the same fare and itinerary, often at no fee.
2. Significant corrections imply a new PNR with the same flights and the route, it is not possible to change the itinerary or fare class.

Do NOT cancel original booking:

1. Maintain the original PNR until the corrected/new booking is confirmed and reissue the ticket.

Note timing restrictions:

1. Corrections of names cannot be done within the 24-hours of departure through the normal customer service, and it may need help in the airport counters.

Receive updated ticket:

1. The ticket will be reissued by the airline with the correct name and confirmation given as to the amended reservation.

This is done to make sure that it complies with the release of American Airlines name change policy and TSA identification requirements. There are no extra charges that are usually charged on name corrections made within these policies.

What are Conditions of Name Change/Correction Eligibility?

Under American Airlines, the conditions of Name Change/Correction Eligibility are:

• Tickets have to be untouched and validated (001 tickets).
• Any corrections to the name are only possible in case itineraries include only flights operated by American Airlines (AA) and American Eagle flights. It is possible to make these corrections under the same booking (PNR) free.
• Corrections of major names are done when the booking contains codeshare (AA*/oneworld(r)) or other airline flight or when the ticket is in R inventory. Significant corrections need to be made by developing a new, identical itinerary with a new PNR and could comprise a correction fee.
• Information on original date of birth and gender cannot be changed on the Secure Flight Passenger Data (SFPD).
• It is not possible to change the flights within 24 hours of departure because they are under airport control.
• Corrections of the name should be in line with the required government IDs to travel.
• Change of legal name based on marriage, divorce, adoption, or court order is allowed with good documentary evidence.
• Several corrections can be made, provided that the DOB and gender are not changed.
• The new booking itinerary should include the same flights, dates, inventory, origin, destination, and routing as initially ticketed in case of major corrections.

The objectives of these eligibility conditions are the preservation of security compliance and system integrity when correcting names on American Airlines tickets.

What Are The Name Change Policies of American Airlines?

The American Airlines Name Change Policies in the mentioned situations are as follows:

First or Middle Name Correction in American

1. Expected to be changed in any way, including nickname to full name, middle name, or initial.
2. The middle name or initial is not needed on the ticket and boarding pass but it is used in the submission of Secure Flight Passenger Data (SFPD).
3. Corrections are of minor type when it comes to wholly American Airlines/ American Eagle flights within the same PNR, which is free of charge.
4. Itineraries that include code-sharing or other airlines involve major corrections and a new PNR could be charged.

Addition or Correction of Last Name.

1. Any alteration in the last name is permitted, including correction of spelling or the addition or deletion of elements in a last name.
2. Corrections to legal names like those that occur as a result of marriage, divorce or adoption are received with documents.

First and Last Names are Inverted on the American Ticket

1. Switching of the first and last names (inversion) may be used as minor correction in the same PNR in wholly AA flights.
2. Significant corrections, such as the inversion on itineraries with codeshares, need a new PNR.
3. There are no charges for minor corrections; charges on major corrections might be charged.

American Airlines Name Change After Marriage

1. Known as a correction of the legal name.
2. Demands the submission of official documents, e.g., a marriage certificate.
3. It is considered as a last name change and undergoes minor or major correction procedures depending on the itinerary.
4. No extra charge or fines provided that procedure is performed properly.

Name Change for MileagePlus Policy

1. Name corrections on Tickets on MileagePlus accounts are allowed.
2. The process and eligibility of American Airlines are to be accessed by the members through direct contact with American Airlines customer care.
3. Correction of names on tickets does not transfer or combine MileagePlus accounts.
4. Typically, the miles accrued to MileagePlus members requires the account holder to have their name on the ticket in which the miles are accrued.

American Airlines Name Change/Correction Fee Breakdown (2025)

Here is a table showing the American Airlines name change fee in 2025

Does American Airlines Allow Name Changes For Free?

American Airlines allows free name changes only in these cases:

• Correction of minor errors like spelling mistakes or typing mistakes on tickets that are wholly American Airlines/American Eagle itinerary.
• Correction of names within a 24-hour period compared to booking of a flight ticket.
• Minor corrections by the passengers using refundable tickets are not charged.

Beyond such instances, there are charges or the need to make a new reservation that would necessitate that American Airlines change the name on the ticket.