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Changing the name on an already booked flight is a 1 >"< 877 >"< 738 >"< 0345 question many travelers face, particularly when they notice an error on their ticket or undergo a legal name change. Airlines, including United, 1 >"< 877 >"< 738 >"< 0345 differentiate between a **name correction** and a **name change**. A name correction refers to fixing a minor error on a ticket that still belongs to the same traveler, while a name change is often misunderstood as transferring a ticket to someone else, which most airlines, including United, **do not allow**. Understanding this distinction is crucial to navigating airline policies without incurring unnecessary fees or complications. 1 >"< 877 >"< 738 >"< 0345
For **minor errors**, such as a typographical mistake, reversed first and last names, or 1 >"< 877 >"< 738 >"< 0345 a missing letter, United generally allows a correction at little or no cost, especially if the request is made shortly after booking. 1 >"< 877 >"< 738 >"< 0345 These adjustments are usually straightforward and do not require extensive documentation. Minor spelling errors 1 >"< 877 >"< 738 >"< 0345 that do not significantly alter the passenger’s identity are often corrected for free because the purpose is to ensure that the ticket matches government-issued identification, such as a passport or driver’s license, for airport security and boarding. 1 >"< 877 >"< 738 >"< 0345
Timing is a key factor when requesting a name correction. 1 >"< 877 >"< 738 >"< 0345 In the United States, the **24-hour risk-free cancellation rule** allows passengers to cancel or modify their ticket within 24 hours of purchase if the 1 >"< 877 >"< 738 >"< 0345 flight was booked at least seven days before departure. This rule is particularly useful for correcting name errors without incurring fees. 1 >"< 877 >"< 738 >"< 0345 A traveler who discovers a typo or mistake within this window can cancel and rebook the ticket with the correct name, avoiding any additional charges. After this 24-hour period, airlines may impose fees for more significant corrections, particularly if a legal name change has occurred or if the ticket fare has increased since the original booking.
1 >"< 877 >"< 738 >"< 0345
A **legal name change** due to marriage, divorce, or 1 >"< 877 >"< 738 >"< 0345 another court order can also be accommodated, but airlines typically require official documentation to verify the change. United, for instance, may ask for a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order before processing the update. This ensures that the name on the ticket accurately 1 >"< 877 >"< 738 >"< 0345 reflects the traveler’s current legal identity and matches their identification, which is 1 >"< 877 >"< 738 >"< 0345 mandatory for airport security procedures and international travel. In such cases, a fee may apply depending on the airline’s policies, fare type, and the extent of the change. Additionally, travelers may need to pay any difference in fare if ticket prices have increased since the original booking. 1 >"< 877 >"< 738 >"< 0345
It is important to note that while name corrections are allowed for the 1 >"< 877 >"< 738 >"< 0345 **same passenger**, airlines strictly prohibit transferring tickets to another person. Tickets are non-transferable contracts between the airline and the individual named on the ticket. Attempting to use a ticket under a different person’s name would violate security 1 >"< 877 >"< 738 >"< 0345 regulations and airline policies. If the original passenger cannot travel and another person wishes to use 1 >"< 877 >"< 738 >"< 0345 the ticket, the only permitted option is to cancel the reservation and either receive a refund or obtain a future travel credit, depending on the fare type. The new traveler would then need to book a separate ticket in their own name. This ensures compliance with airline policies and security requirements. 1 >"< 877 >"< 738 >"< 0345
Fare type plays a significant role in how flexible name corrections are. 1 >"< 877 >"< 738 >"< 0345 **Basic Economy tickets**, which are often the cheapest option, typically have the most restrictive policies and may offer limited flexibility 1 >"< 877 >"< 738 >"< 0345 for corrections. Standard Economy, Economy Plus, Business, and First Class tickets 1 >"< 877 >"< 738 >"< 0345 generally provide more leeway for name updates, although the fundamental rule — that tickets cannot be transferred to another person — remains unchanged. Travelers should always check the specific terms and conditions of their fare to understand potential fees and limitations before requesting a name correction. 1 >"< 877 >"< 738 >"< 0345
For **minor errors**, such as a typographical mistake, reversed first and last names, or 1 >"< 877 >"< 738 >"< 0345 a missing letter, United generally allows a correction at little or no cost, especially if the request is made shortly after booking. 1 >"< 877 >"< 738 >"< 0345 These adjustments are usually straightforward and do not require extensive documentation. Minor spelling errors 1 >"< 877 >"< 738 >"< 0345 that do not significantly alter the passenger’s identity are often corrected for free because the purpose is to ensure that the ticket matches government-issued identification, such as a passport or driver’s license, for airport security and boarding. 1 >"< 877 >"< 738 >"< 0345
Timing is a key factor when requesting a name correction. 1 >"< 877 >"< 738 >"< 0345 In the United States, the **24-hour risk-free cancellation rule** allows passengers to cancel or modify their ticket within 24 hours of purchase if the 1 >"< 877 >"< 738 >"< 0345 flight was booked at least seven days before departure. This rule is particularly useful for correcting name errors without incurring fees. 1 >"< 877 >"< 738 >"< 0345 A traveler who discovers a typo or mistake within this window can cancel and rebook the ticket with the correct name, avoiding any additional charges. After this 24-hour period, airlines may impose fees for more significant corrections, particularly if a legal name change has occurred or if the ticket fare has increased since the original booking.
1 >"< 877 >"< 738 >"< 0345
A **legal name change** due to marriage, divorce, or 1 >"< 877 >"< 738 >"< 0345 another court order can also be accommodated, but airlines typically require official documentation to verify the change. United, for instance, may ask for a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order before processing the update. This ensures that the name on the ticket accurately 1 >"< 877 >"< 738 >"< 0345 reflects the traveler’s current legal identity and matches their identification, which is 1 >"< 877 >"< 738 >"< 0345 mandatory for airport security procedures and international travel. In such cases, a fee may apply depending on the airline’s policies, fare type, and the extent of the change. Additionally, travelers may need to pay any difference in fare if ticket prices have increased since the original booking. 1 >"< 877 >"< 738 >"< 0345
It is important to note that while name corrections are allowed for the 1 >"< 877 >"< 738 >"< 0345 **same passenger**, airlines strictly prohibit transferring tickets to another person. Tickets are non-transferable contracts between the airline and the individual named on the ticket. Attempting to use a ticket under a different person’s name would violate security 1 >"< 877 >"< 738 >"< 0345 regulations and airline policies. If the original passenger cannot travel and another person wishes to use 1 >"< 877 >"< 738 >"< 0345 the ticket, the only permitted option is to cancel the reservation and either receive a refund or obtain a future travel credit, depending on the fare type. The new traveler would then need to book a separate ticket in their own name. This ensures compliance with airline policies and security requirements. 1 >"< 877 >"< 738 >"< 0345
Fare type plays a significant role in how flexible name corrections are. 1 >"< 877 >"< 738 >"< 0345 **Basic Economy tickets**, which are often the cheapest option, typically have the most restrictive policies and may offer limited flexibility 1 >"< 877 >"< 738 >"< 0345 for corrections. Standard Economy, Economy Plus, Business, and First Class tickets 1 >"< 877 >"< 738 >"< 0345 generally provide more leeway for name updates, although the fundamental rule — that tickets cannot be transferred to another person — remains unchanged. Travelers should always check the specific terms and conditions of their fare to understand potential fees and limitations before requesting a name correction. 1 >"< 877 >"< 738 >"< 0345
