Changing your name on an airline ticket may appear to be complex, but United Airlines has a formal policy that facilitates passengers in correcting or updating names with ease. Whether it’s a simple spelling mistake or a name change as per law, knowing United Airlines Name Change Policy can help you save time, money, and travel inconvenience.
Understanding United Airlines Name Change Policy
United Airlines permits some name changes in passenger names on tickets in specified circumstances. These usually involve minor corrections such as misspellings, name changes due to marriage or divorce (legal name change), and confirmation that the name corresponds to the government-issued identification.
It is to be noted that United does not support a complete name change that causes a ticket to be transferred to someone else. The name corrections are supported only for fixing or updating the original passenger’s details.
Types of Name Corrections Allowed
United Airlines generally allows:
- Minor spelling corrections (e.g., “Jonh” to “John”)
- Adjustments to match legal documents (e.g., adding a middle name)
- Legal name changes due to marriage, divorce, or court order
- Correction of inverted names (first/last name swapped)
How to Change Your Name on a United Airlines Ticket
To change your name on a United ticket:
- Call United Airlines Customer Service or use their official website.
- Submit documentation if necessary (e.g., marriage certificate, legal name change documents).
- Pay any fees that apply. Small corrections might be free, but larger changes may have a fee.
- Request at least 2–3 days prior to departure to have the best opportunity for approval.
Name Change Fees and Conditions
United Airlines will charge a name correction fee, which will vary by nature and timing of the request. Some minor corrections may be at no charge, while others—particularly those involving document verification—may be subject to service fees or differences in fare.
Double-check ticket details at the time of booking to prevent extra charges.
FAQs About United Airlines Name Change Policy
Can I change my name on a United ticket?
Yes, you can correct or make certain name changes on a United Airlines ticket. These are limited to minor adjustments or legal name corrections and not for changing the ticket to another person.
How to change name on United Airlines ticket?
You can request a name change by contacting United Airlines customer service or visiting their website. Supporting documents and a service fee may be required based on the nature of the change.
Is there a fee for changing a name on a United ticket?
Minor adjustments can be done at no cost, but more significant name changes (particularly those that need legal documents) might require a service fee or fare adjustment. Get the exact charges from United.
Can someone else use my United ticket if I can’t travel?
No, United will not allow another person to use my ticket. The ticket must have the traveler’s government ID name.
How long before my flight should I request a name change?
It’s best to ask for a name change at least 48–72 hours prior to departure to provide processing and verification time.
