United Airlines Name Change Policy: A Complete Guide

Travel plans can change for all sorts of reasons. Whether you’ve misspelled your name during booking, had a legal name change, or need to correct an error, knowing United Airlines’ Name Change Policy can save you a lot of time, hassle, and money. However, unlike some other airlines, United Airlines has specific guidelines regarding name changes, and it's important to understand what’s possible and what’s not.

In this article, we’ll go over the details of United Airlines’ name change policy, including the types of changes allowed, how to request a change, potential fees, and other essential information.

1. Understanding United Airlines’ Name Change Policy

United Airlines is fairly strict when it comes to name changes. They do not allow complete changes to a passenger’s name, but they do offer some flexibility with minor corrections or adjustments under certain circumstances. These policies can differ based on factors like the type of ticket you purchased and the reason for the name change.

Types of Name Changes United Airlines Allows

Minor Corrections or Misspellings:

If you’ve accidentally entered a wrong letter, such as a transposition or a typo (e.g., "Jonh" instead of "John"), United allows you to make a minor correction. This can be done without penalty, as long as the correction does not change the overall structure of the name (such as adding or removing names).

Example: You accidentally typed "Samanta" instead of "Samantha." United would likely allow this minor correction with no fee.

Legal Name Changes:

If you’ve legally changed your name (for example, due to marriage, divorce, or any other legal reason), United Airlines can process this change, but the process can be more complex. You’ll typically need to provide proof of the legal name change, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.

Example: If you’ve changed your last name after marriage from "Smith" to "Johnson," you can request a name change on your flight ticket, but you’ll need to provide official documentation.

Adding or Removing Suffixes/Prefixes:

If your name has a prefix (like “Dr.”) or suffix (like “Jr.” or “III”) and it’s incorrectly added or omitted, United allows you to correct that. These changes are considered minor and are typically allowed without fees.

Name Changes Due to Typos:

If the name on your ticket has a typographical error (like one or two letters swapped), you can usually correct this error for free if it’s caught before the flight. However, if the mistake was significant or if it was noticed too close to the travel date, United might ask for additional documentation or charge a fee, especially if the correction is complicated.

2. When United Airlines Does Not Allow a Name Change

While United Airlines allows for minor corrections, there are cases where they will not allow you to change the name on your ticket:

Complete Name Changes: If you’re attempting to change your full name (for example, changing from "John Smith" to "Jane Doe"), United will not allow this. You would need to cancel your current booking and rebook the flight under the correct name, and you may incur cancellation fees.

Transfer of Ticket: If you’re trying to transfer a ticket to someone else (like selling or gifting the ticket), United Airlines does not allow this. Tickets are non-transferable and can only be used by the original passenger. You would need to cancel the original ticket and book a new one in the recipient’s name.

Significant Changes to Your Name: If your name changes so drastically that it no longer matches your passport, government-issued ID, or other identification documents, United Airlines will likely require you to cancel your flight and book a new one with the correct name.

3. How to Request a Name Change on United Airlines

If you need to make a minor correction or legal name change on your United Airlines booking, here’s how you can go about it:

1. Online through United’s Website

For minor name corrections or misspellings, you may be able to make changes directly through United’s website or mobile app.

Log into your United account: Go to United’s website or open the United mobile app.

Find Your Reservation: Under the “My Trips” section, select the flight you need to make the change on.

Edit Your Name: Look for the option to make changes or corrections to your name. If you’re making a simple change (like fixing a typo or correcting a minor misspelling), you should be able to complete this step easily online.

2. Contact United Airlines Customer Service

If you are unable to make the change online or your change requires official documentation (such as a legal name change), you will need to contact United’s customer service.

Call United Airlines: You can reach United’s customer service at 1-800-864-8331 (for U.S. customers). International customers can find the appropriate phone numbers on the United Airlines Contact Page.

Provide Documentation: If your name change is due to a legal reason (like a marriage or divorce), United will require you to submit proof of the name change (e.g., a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order).

Request the Change: Once customer service has reviewed your request and documentation, they will process the name change for you. Depending on the complexity of the change, this process could take anywhere from a few minutes to a couple of business days.

3. Visit the United Ticket Counter

If you’re already at the airport or if you prefer in-person assistance, you can visit a United Airlines ticket counter. The airline agents can help you with name corrections, but be sure to have your documentation ready (especially for legal name changes) to expedite the process.

4. United Airlines Name Change Fees

In most cases, minor name corrections (such as fixing typos or adding/removing a suffix) are free of charge. However, depending on the nature of the change and the type of ticket you have, fees may apply:

Minor corrections (such as fixing a letter or adding/removing a suffix/prefix) are generally free.

Legal name changes (e.g., after marriage or divorce) may require documentation but do not typically incur a fee.

Complete name changes or significant ticket modifications may require canceling and rebooking the flight, and you could be subject to cancellation fees or fare differences when rebooking the ticket in the correct name.

Be sure to verify any fees or rules directly with United’s customer service or through their official website, as policies may change or vary based on your specific situation.

5. Tips for Avoiding Name Errors and Issues

Double-check the name when booking: Always confirm the spelling of your name when making a booking to avoid mistakes that could lead to last-minute corrections.

Match with your ID: Ensure that the name on your ticket matches exactly with the name on your passport or government-issued ID. Any discrepancies can lead to complications at security or check-in.

Book tickets in your legal name: If you’ve recently changed your name (due to marriage, divorce, etc.), make sure your legal name is reflected on your booking to avoid issues later on.

Early Corrections: If you notice a name error, it’s always best to correct it as soon as possible. The closer you get to your departure date, the more difficult and expensive it may become to make changes.

6. When to Rebook Instead of Changing Your Name

If you’ve made a substantial error when booking your flight (for example, a total name switch or the wrong person’s name), you may need to cancel the ticket and rebook it in the correct name. Be mindful that this may involve:

Cancellation Fees: United Airlines typically charges a fee if you need to cancel and rebook a flight, especially for non-refundable tickets.

Fare Differences: You’ll likely need to pay any difference in price between your original booking and the new flight ticket.

Conclusion

United Airlines’ Name Change Policy is relatively straightforward when it comes to correcting minor errors, but the process can become more complicated if the name change is substantial or due to a legal reason. While typos or minor corrections are easy to handle (usually without a fee), complete name changes or ticket transfers are not allowed, requiring you to cancel and rebook your flight.

For legal name changes, you’ll need to provide appropriate documentation, and United’s customer service team can help facilitate this process. Whether you need to fix a simple mistake or process a major legal name change, understanding United’s policy and acting early can help ensure that your travel experience is smooth. Always double-check your details before booking, and don’t hesitate to reach out to United if you need assistance with your name change request.