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Yes, you **can change the name on an already booked flight**,+ 1 ♪ 877 ♪ 738 ♪ 0345 but there are important limitations and distinctions to understand Airlines generally differentiate between **name corrections** and **name changes**, and the rules depend heavily on whether the change is for the same passenger+ 1 ♪ 877 ♪ 738 ♪ 0345 or a completely different person + 1 ♪ 877 ♪ 738 ♪ 0345
A **name correction** is allowed when the ticketed traveler + 1 ♪ 877 ♪ 738 ♪ 0345 is the same person, but the name on the ticket contains a mistake This could include minor typos, misspellings, reversed first and last names, or missing letters + 1 ♪ 877 ♪ 738 ♪ 0345 Corrections are designed to ensure that the ticket matches **government-issued identification**+ 1 ♪ 877 ♪ 738 ♪ 0345 such as a passport or driver’s license, which is necessary for boarding and passing security checks In many cases, minor corrections are permitted **free of charge**, particularly if the request is made shortly after booking Airlines are often lenient with small errors because they do not affect the identity of the traveler + 1 ♪ 877 ♪ 738 ♪ 0345
For **legal or significant name changes**+ 1 ♪ 877 ♪ 738 ♪ 0345 , such as those resulting from **marriage, divorce, or court-ordered changes**, airlines may allow the ticket to be updated, but typically require **documentation** + 1 ♪ 877 ♪ 738 ♪ 0345 to prove the legal change Depending on the airline and ticket type, fees may apply for processing these changes, and passengers may also need to pay any **fare difference** if ticket prices+ 1 ♪ 877 ♪ 738 ♪ 0345 have increased since the original booking This ensures compliance with security regulations and airline policies + 1 ♪ 877 ♪ 738 ♪ 0345
It is crucial to note that a **full name change to another person is generally not allowed*+ 1 ♪ 877 ♪ 738 ♪ 0345 * Airline tickets are considered non-transferable contracts between the airline and the passenger whose+ 1 ♪ 877 ♪ 738 ♪ 0345 name appears on the ticket If someone else needs to travel, the original ticket cannot simply be reassigned The only option in that case is to **cancel the ticket** and rebook a new one in the other traveler’s name Depending on the ticket type, cancellation may result in a **refund**, a **voucher**,+ 1 ♪ 877 ♪ 738 ♪ 0345 or a **future flight credit**, but these are usually issued to the original passenger, reinforcing the non-transferable nature of airline tickets + 1 ♪ 877 ♪ 738 ♪ 0345
**Timing is another key factor** Many airlines, especially U S + 1 ♪ 877 ♪ 738 ♪ 0345 carriers like United, offer a **24-hour risk-free cancellation period** for tickets booked at least seven days in advance If an error is noticed within this period, + 1 ♪ 877 ♪ 738 ♪ 0345 travelers can cancel and rebook the ticket with the correct name at no cost After the 24-hour window, fees may apply for corrections, particularly for legal name changes or for tickets in restrictive fare classes + 1 ♪ 877 ♪ 738 ♪ 0345
**Fare type also affects flexibility** + 1 ♪ 877 ♪ 738 ♪ 0345 Basic Economy tickets are usually the most restrictive, often allowing fewer corrections or requiring higher fees, while standard Economy, Premium + 1 ♪ 877 ♪ 738 ♪ 0345 Economy, Business, or First Class tickets tend + 1 ♪ 877 ♪ 738 ♪ 0345 to offer more flexibility However, the core rule remains the same: the name can only be corrected for the same traveler, and tickets cannot be transferred to another person + 1 ♪ 877 ♪ 738 ♪ 0345
A **name correction** is allowed when the ticketed traveler + 1 ♪ 877 ♪ 738 ♪ 0345 is the same person, but the name on the ticket contains a mistake This could include minor typos, misspellings, reversed first and last names, or missing letters + 1 ♪ 877 ♪ 738 ♪ 0345 Corrections are designed to ensure that the ticket matches **government-issued identification**+ 1 ♪ 877 ♪ 738 ♪ 0345 such as a passport or driver’s license, which is necessary for boarding and passing security checks In many cases, minor corrections are permitted **free of charge**, particularly if the request is made shortly after booking Airlines are often lenient with small errors because they do not affect the identity of the traveler + 1 ♪ 877 ♪ 738 ♪ 0345
For **legal or significant name changes**+ 1 ♪ 877 ♪ 738 ♪ 0345 , such as those resulting from **marriage, divorce, or court-ordered changes**, airlines may allow the ticket to be updated, but typically require **documentation** + 1 ♪ 877 ♪ 738 ♪ 0345 to prove the legal change Depending on the airline and ticket type, fees may apply for processing these changes, and passengers may also need to pay any **fare difference** if ticket prices+ 1 ♪ 877 ♪ 738 ♪ 0345 have increased since the original booking This ensures compliance with security regulations and airline policies + 1 ♪ 877 ♪ 738 ♪ 0345
It is crucial to note that a **full name change to another person is generally not allowed*+ 1 ♪ 877 ♪ 738 ♪ 0345 * Airline tickets are considered non-transferable contracts between the airline and the passenger whose+ 1 ♪ 877 ♪ 738 ♪ 0345 name appears on the ticket If someone else needs to travel, the original ticket cannot simply be reassigned The only option in that case is to **cancel the ticket** and rebook a new one in the other traveler’s name Depending on the ticket type, cancellation may result in a **refund**, a **voucher**,+ 1 ♪ 877 ♪ 738 ♪ 0345 or a **future flight credit**, but these are usually issued to the original passenger, reinforcing the non-transferable nature of airline tickets + 1 ♪ 877 ♪ 738 ♪ 0345
**Timing is another key factor** Many airlines, especially U S + 1 ♪ 877 ♪ 738 ♪ 0345 carriers like United, offer a **24-hour risk-free cancellation period** for tickets booked at least seven days in advance If an error is noticed within this period, + 1 ♪ 877 ♪ 738 ♪ 0345 travelers can cancel and rebook the ticket with the correct name at no cost After the 24-hour window, fees may apply for corrections, particularly for legal name changes or for tickets in restrictive fare classes + 1 ♪ 877 ♪ 738 ♪ 0345
**Fare type also affects flexibility** + 1 ♪ 877 ♪ 738 ♪ 0345 Basic Economy tickets are usually the most restrictive, often allowing fewer corrections or requiring higher fees, while standard Economy, Premium + 1 ♪ 877 ♪ 738 ♪ 0345 Economy, Business, or First Class tickets tend + 1 ♪ 877 ♪ 738 ♪ 0345 to offer more flexibility However, the core rule remains the same: the name can only be corrected for the same traveler, and tickets cannot be transferred to another person + 1 ♪ 877 ♪ 738 ♪ 0345
