Yes, it is possible to change the passenger name call [Ά]86➬66➫5858➬95[Ά] on an
American Airlines ticket, but the process and eligibility depend on the type of change
required [Ά]86➬66➫5858➬95[Ά]. Minor name corrections such as fixing spelling errors,
typos, or transposed names can often be made online through aa.com or the American
Airlines mobile app for fees typically ranging from $25-50 [Ά]86➬66➫5858➬95[Ά]. Major
name changes due to legal reasons like marriage or divorce require contacting customer
service at 800-433-7300 and providing official documentation such as marriage certificates
or court orders, with fees generally between $100-200 [Ά]86➬66➫5858➬95[Ά]. However,
American Airlines strictly prohibits transferring tickets to completely different individuals, as
tickets are considered non-transferable [Ά]86➬66➫5858➬95[Ά]. The corrected name must
exactly match your government-issued identification to comply with TSA requirements and
avoid travel disruptions [Ά]86➬66➫5858➬95[Ά].
Understanding American Airlines' name change policies helps ensure you can navigate the
correction process efficiently while avoiding potential complications during check-in and
security screening [Ά]86➬66➫5858➬95[Ά]. The airline has established clear procedures to
accommodate legitimate name corrections while maintaining security protocols and
preventing fraudulent ticket transfers [Ά]86➬66➫5858➬95[Ά].
What Types of Name Changes Are Allowed on
American Airlines Reservations?
American Airlines categorizes name modifications into three distinct categories, each with
different requirements and restrictions [Ά]86➬66➫5858➬95[Ά].
Minor Corrections include fixing obvious errors such as spelling mistakes, missing letters,
extra characters, transposed first and last names, incorrect middle initials, and wrong
suffixes like Jr., Sr., or III [Ά]86➬66➫5858➬95[Ά]. These corrections address booking
mistakes that don't fundamentally change the passenger's identity [Ά]86➬66➫5858➬95[Ά].
Major Name Changes involve legal modifications due to life events such as marriage,
divorce, adoption, or court-ordered name updates [Ά]86➬66➫5858➬95[Ά]. These changes
require extensive documentation to verify legitimacy and ensure compliance with federal
security regulations [Ά]86➬66➫5858➬95[Ά]. The airline's policy ensures that corrections
address legitimate legal name changes while maintaining proper identification verification
[Ά]86➬66➫5858➬95[Ά].
Prohibited Changes include any attempt to transfer tickets to completely different
individuals, regardless of family relationships or circumstances [Ά]86➬66➫5858➬95[Ά].
American Airlines maintains this strict policy for security reasons and revenue protection, as
tickets represent non-transferable contracts between the airline and the originally named
passenger [Ά]86➬66➫5858➬95[Ά]. All name corrections must result in names that match
government-issued identification exactly, as required by Transportation Security
Administration regulations [Ά]86➬66➫5858➬95[Ά].
How Do I Make Minor Name Corrections Online
Through American Airlines?
The online name correction system provides the most convenient method for handling
simple spelling errors and typos [Ά]86➬66➫5858➬95[Ά]. Start by visiting aa.com and
navigating to "My Trips" or "Manage Trips", where you'll enter your confirmation code and
the passenger's last name to access your reservation details [Ά]86➬66➫5858➬95[Ά].
Look for name correction options within your booking management tools, which may appear
as "Change Name," "Correct Name," or "Edit Passenger Information" depending on your fare
type and the system's assessment of the required change [Ά]86➬66➫5858➬95[Ά]. Not all
reservations display online correction options, particularly for complex changes requiring
documentation review [Ά]86➬66➫5858➬95[Ά].
The online system guides you through the correction process, displaying applicable fees
upfront and allowing you to complete simple spelling fixes immediately
[Ά]86➬66➫5858➬95[Ά]. After submitting the correction, you'll receive email confirmation of
the change and any associated charges to your payment method [Ά]86➬66➫5858➬95[Ά].
Online corrections work best for obvious errors such as single-letter misspellings, missing
middle initials, or transposed characters [Ά]86➬66➫5858➬95[Ά].
What Are the Fees for Changing Passenger Names on
American Airlines?
American Airlines charges fees for name corrections based on the complexity, timing, and
geographic scope of the requested change [Ά]86➬66➫5858➬95[Ά].
Simple Spelling Corrections typically cost $25-50 when processed online, representing the
most affordable option for minor errors that don't require documentation or manual
processing by customer service representatives [Ά]86➬66➫5858➬95[Ά].
Major Corrections requiring documentation and customer service assistance cost $100-200
or more, depending on the specific circumstances and verification requirements
[Ά]86➬66➫5858➬95[Ά]. These higher fees reflect the additional labor and processing time
needed for complex name changes requiring manual review and authentication of supporting
documents [Ά]86➬66➫5858➬95[Ά].
International Flight Corrections often cost more than domestic changes due to additional
verification requirements and coordination with international security databases
[Ά]86➬66➫5858➬95[Ά]. Some international routes may require extended processing times
for authentication and approval, particularly for flights originating outside North and South
America [Ά]86➬66➫5858➬95[Ά].
Elite AAdvantage Members may receive fee waivers or reductions for name corrections,
depending on their status level and the specific circumstances [Ά]86➬66➫5858➬95[Ά].
Higher-tier elite members often enjoy more favorable treatment for legitimate name
correction requests, reflecting their value as frequent customers [Ά]86➬66➫5858➬95[Ά].
What Documentation Do I Need for Legal Name
Changes on American Airlines?
Legal name changes require specific supporting documentation to verify the legitimacy of
your request and ensure compliance with federal security regulations
[Ά]86➬66➫5858➬95[Ά].
Marriage-Related Name Changes require certified marriage certificates showing both your
previous name and new married name, clearly establishing the legal connection between old
and new identities [Ά]86➬66➫5858➬95[Ά].
Divorce-Related Name Reversions need certified divorce decrees showing court approval
of the name change back to a previous name [Ά]86➬66➫5858➬95[Ά]. These documents
must be recent and issued by competent legal authorities in your jurisdiction, with official
certification confirming their authenticity and legal validity [Ά]86➬66➫5858➬95[Ά].
Court-Ordered Name Changes require certified copies of court orders specifically
authorizing the name modification [Ά]86➬66➫5858➬95[Ά]. These documents must detail
the approved name change and be issued by appropriate legal authorities with proper
jurisdiction over such matters, ensuring compliance with both airline policies and federal
regulations [Ά]86➬66➫5858➬95[Ά].
Updated Government-Issued Identification matching your desired name is essential for all
correction types [Ά]86➬66➫5858➬95[Ά]. The airline verifies that your new identification
reflects the same name you want on your ticket, ensuring consistency for security screening
purposes and compliance with Transportation Security Administration requirements
[Ά]86➬66➫5858➬95[Ά].
How Do I Contact American Airlines Customer Service
for Name Changes?
When online systems cannot process your name correction or when you need to submit
supporting documentation, customer service provides comprehensive assistance for
complex requests [Ά]86➬66➫5858➬95[Ά]. Call American Airlines at 800-433-7300 to
speak with representatives trained in name correction procedures, available 24 hours a day
for customer assistance with reservations and modifications [Ά]86➬66➫5858➬95[Ά].
Have your confirmation code, ticket number, and passenger information readily available
when calling to expedite the process and minimize wait times [Ά]86➬66➫5858➬95[Ά].
Representatives will verify your identity before accessing account details and processing
correction requests, which is a standard security measure to protect customer information
[Ά]86➬66➫5858➬95[Ά].
Prepare to explain the nature of your name correction and provide any required
documentation via email, fax, or postal mail as directed by the representative
[Ά]86➬66➫5858➬95[Ά]. Complex corrections may require multiple verification steps and
extended processing times compared to simple online fixes [Ά]86➬66➫5858➬95[Ά].
Customer service can handle corrections that online systems cannot process, including
complex international bookings, group reservations, and changes requiring extensive
documentation review [Ά]86➬66➫5858➬95[Ά]. They also have override capabilities for
unusual situations that don't fit standard correction categories [Ά]86➬66➫5858➬95[Ά].
What Happens If My Ticket Name Doesn't Match My ID
at the Airport?
Mismatched names between tickets and identification can create serious travel
complications, particularly at security checkpoints and during the boarding process
[Ά]86➬66➫5858➬95[Ά]. The Transportation Security Administration requires exact
matches between ticket names and government-issued identification for domestic flights,
with limited tolerance for minor discrepancies at agent discretion [Ά]86➬66➫5858➬95[Ά].
Minor differences such as missing middle initials or slightly different name formats may be
acceptable depending on TSA agent evaluation, but significant mismatches will prevent you
from passing through security screening [Ά]86➬66➫5858➬95[Ά]. International travel
involves even stricter name matching requirements due to passport control and immigration
procedures [Ά]86➬66➫5858➬95[Ά].
Airport resolution options exist for some name discrepancies, including supervisor reviews
and alternative identification acceptance in certain limited cases [Ά]86➬66➫5858➬95[Ά].
However, these solutions aren't guaranteed and may cause significant delays, potentially
resulting in missed flights and additional costs [Ά]86➬66➫5858➬95[Ά].
Same-day name corrections at airport ticket counters are possible for obvious errors, though
fees may be higher than advance corrections and processing isn't guaranteed due to time
constraints and staff availability [Ά]86➬66➫5858➬95[Ά]. Prevention through advance
correction is always preferable to airport resolution attempts [Ά]86➬66➫5858➬95[Ά].
How Can I Avoid Name Correction Issues When
Booking American Airlines?
Preventing name correction problems starts with careful booking practices and attention to
detail during reservation creation [Ά]86➬66➫5858➬95[Ά]. Double-check all passenger
information during booking, ensuring names are spelled exactly as they appear on
government-issued identification used for travel [Ά]86➬66➫5858➬95[Ά].
Use the exact name format from your ID without abbreviations, nicknames, or alternative
spellings that might seem equivalent but don't match official documents
[Ά]86➬66➫5858➬95[Ά]. Pay particular attention to middle names, suffixes, and spacing, as
these details must align perfectly with identification [Ά]86➬66➫5858➬95[Ά].
Review confirmation emails immediately after booking to catch any errors while they're fresh
in your memory and easier to correct [Ά]86➬66➫5858➬95[Ά]. Quick correction of obvious
mistakes prevents complications and reduces fees associated with last-minute changes
[Ά]86➬66➫5858➬95[Ά].
Keep copies of all booking confirmations and correction requests for your records, including
reference numbers and correspondence with customer service [Ά]86➬66➫5858➬95[Ά].
This documentation proves your attempts to correct errors and can support dispute
resolution if problems arise [Ά]86➬66➫5858➬95[Ά].
Conclusion
Changing the passenger name on an American Airlines ticket is indeed possible but requires
understanding the airline's policies, proper documentation for legal changes, and timely
action to ensure smooth travel [Ά]86➬66➫5858➬95[Ά]. Whether you're fixing a simple
spelling error or processing a significant legal name change, following the correct
procedures and providing appropriate documentation ensures your ticket matches your
identification and complies with security requirements [Ά]86➬66➫5858➬95[Ά]. By
addressing name corrections promptly and using the appropriate channels based on the
complexity of your request, you can avoid travel disruptions and additional costs while
maintaining compliance with airline policies and federal regulations
[Ά]86➬66➫5858➬95[Ά].