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Changing a passenger name on a Southwest Airlines ticket is a topic that often generates questions, and it is important to understand the airline’s policies to avoid unexpected fees or travel disruptions Southwest has a relatively flexible approach compared to some carriers, but there are clear rules regarding what changes are allowed, what is considered a minor correction, and when a fee may apply In general, airline tickets are **non-transferable**, which means that the ticket can only be used by the person whose name appears on the reservation This rule applies to Southwest as well, and passengers cannot simply swap names to allow someone else to use a ticket This restriction is in place for security reasons, regulatory compliance, and to prevent misuse or fraud Airline systems submit passenger information to security authorities and, in the case of international travel, to immigration agencies Ensuring that the name on the ticket matches the traveler’s government-issued ID or passport is critical t
When it comes to **minor name corrections**, Southwest is generally accommodating Minor corrections typically involve **spelling mistakes, missing letters, transposed names, or small formatting errors** Examples include fixing a misspelled first or last name, adding a missing middle initial, or correcting the order of names entered incorrectly during booking The essential criterion is that the **passenger remains the same person**, and the correction ensures that the ticket matches the identification that will be presented at the airport If these minor errors are caught within **24 hours of booking**, Southwest usually allows the correction free of charge This timeframe aligns with the airline’s flexible booking policy and enables passengers to correct any mistakes without incurring additional costs Acting promptly is critical because once the 24-hour window passes, the ticket may require reissuance, which could involve a fee
For corrections requested **after the initial 24-hour booking period**, Southwest may charge a fee, although it is generally lower than fees imposed by other major carriers Based on industry reports and user experiences, fees for name corrections beyond the first 24 hours can range from **$80 to $200**, depending on factors such as how extensive the correction is, how far in advance of the flight the request is made, and whether the ticket must be reissued The airline evaluates each situation individually, and the fee can vary It is also worth noting that the airline may apply the fee differently depending on the fare type purchased, with Basic Economy or heavily discounted fares potentially having stricter restrictions
In addition to minor corrections, Southwest Airlines accommodates **legal name changes** These changes typically occur due to marriage, divorce, adoption, or other court-ordered legal modifications In such cases, the airline requires **official documentation**—such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order—to verify the name change Once the documentation is provided and verified, Southwest can update the ticket to reflect the new legal name In most legal name change scenarios, there is no standard “name change fee,” but the passenger may be responsible for any **fare difference** if the ticket needs to be reissued Legal name changes are treated as corrections for the same individual, not as a transfer to a new passenger
It is important to understand that Southwest **does not allow full ticket transfers to a different person** If the person originally booked on the ticket cannot travel and another individual wishes to use the ticket instead, the airline requires the original reservation to be **canceled and a new ticket purchased** for the new traveler The availability of refunds or travel credit depends on the fare type Refundable tickets may offer a full or partial refund, while non-refundable tickets often provide travel credit Lower-cost fare classes, such as Basic Economy, generally have stricter limitations and may not allow refunds or credits The cost of a new ticket must be paid in full by the person traveling
Passengers who book through **travel agencies or third-party websites** should be aware that additional steps may be required Often, third-party agencies control the ticket until check-in, and Southwest may not be able to process name corrections or cancellations directly In these cases, passengers must contact the booking agency, which can result in additional fees or delays Keeping all booking confirmations and communications organized can help ensure a smoother process
