# **Does American Airlines Charge for a Name Change?** American Airlines charges for name changes based on ticket type. Call 1-888-843-9199 for details and assistance with corrections. When booking airline tickets, even a small error in the passenger's name can create big complications. Whether it's a typo, a missing middle name, or a legal name change, travelers often wonder how flexible airlines are when it comes to updating passenger details. In this comprehensive guide, we explore American Airlines' policy on name changes, whether they charge for them, and how you can make corrections smoothly without risking your trip. --- ### Understanding Name Changes vs. Name Corrections Before diving into the cost, it's important to understand that American Airlines differentiates between **name changes** and **name corrections**. * **Name Corrections** are minor edits such as fixing typos or spelling mistakes. * **Name Changes** typically refer to significant changes due to marriage, divorce, or legal procedures. Each is handled differently and may or may not incur a fee, depending on the specific case and fare rules. --- ### Types of Name Corrections Accepted by American Airlines American Airlines allows certain minor corrections without any charges in most cases. Here are the common name corrections allowed: 1. Spelling mistakes (e.g., Jonson instead of Johnson) 2. Switching first and last names 3. Adding or removing middle names or initials 4. Correcting a missing character or an extra character 5. Adjusting to match government-issued ID These corrections are typically free of charge if the itinerary remains unchanged and the ticket is not reissued with new flights. --- ### Does American Airlines Charge for Minor Name Corrections? **No, American Airlines usually does not charge for minor name corrections** as long as the itinerary and flight details remain the same. The correction is simply an administrative update to ensure your name matches your passport or government-issued ID. If your correction falls within the accepted criteria and doesn’t require ticket reissuance, you should be able to fix it online or through customer service without incurring any fees. However, if the correction involves rebooking or reissuing the ticket (e.g., if the name correction results in a new Passenger Name Record), then additional charges or fare differences may apply. --- ### When Do Name Change Fees Apply? American Airlines may charge for name changes in the following scenarios: 1. **Legal Name Change Due to Marriage or Divorce**: If you legally change your name after booking and want your ticket to reflect the new name, the airline may require supporting documents such as a marriage certificate or court order. In such cases, a change fee and fare difference may apply. 2. **Ticket Reissue Required**: If the correction results in the need to reissue a ticket with a new ticket number, the airline may apply change fees. The cost depends on whether your fare is refundable or non-refundable. 3. **Booking Through a Third Party**: If you booked your flight through a travel agent or online travel agency, you may need to go through them for name corrections. They might charge a service fee in addition to any charges from the airline. 4. **International Travel**: For international routes, even small corrections may trigger a more complex verification process. Name changes that result in re-ticketing could come with fees ranging from \$25 to \$200 or more, depending on the fare rules. --- ### Fee Structure: What You Might Pay While American Airlines does not publish a standard fee table for all name changes, here is a general idea based on typical scenarios: * **Minor corrections (e.g., typos)**: Usually Free * **Legal name change (e.g., after marriage)**: \$25 - \$200 (depends on the fare type) * **International name change requiring reissue**: Up to \$700 (based on routing and fare) * **Third-party service fee (if not booked via AA)**: Varies, typically \$25 - \$50 Keep in mind that even if the airline waives its own fee, fare differences could still apply if the original fare class is no longer available. --- ### Step-by-Step: How to Request a Name Change or Correction If you realize your name is incorrect on your American Airlines ticket, here is what you should do: **Step 1: Review the Ticket** * Check the error carefully. * Confirm that it doesn’t match your government-issued ID. **Step 2: Determine the Type of Change Needed** * Minor typo? Proceed to correction. * Legal name change? Prepare documentation. **Step 3: Contact American Airlines** * Visit the American Airlines website. * Call customer service if necessary. * If you booked through a third-party agency, contact them. **Step 4: Submit Supporting Documents (if needed)** * You may need to email or upload a marriage certificate, court documents, or ID copy. **Step 5: Confirm the Change** * Double-check the updated ticket to ensure accuracy. --- ### Important Considerations 1. **24-Hour Rule**: If you spot the error within 24 hours of booking, most corrections can be made for free under the 24-hour cancellation and refund policy. 2. **Mileage Accounts**: If you have a frequent flyer account, ensure the name matches across both the ticket and the account. Mismatches can affect your miles. 3. **Security and Compliance**: Airlines are strict about names matching IDs due to TSA regulations. Even small mismatches may prevent boarding. 4. **Children and Infant Tickets**: The name correction process is similar, but if traveling internationally, ensure the child's name matches the passport exactly. --- ### Real-Life Scenarios **Scenario 1: Simple Typo** You booked a flight under "Ankit Verma," but your ID says "Ankit Varma." You contact American Airlines, explain the situation, and they update the spelling at no charge. **Scenario 2: Name Change After Marriage** You booked under "Priya Kapoor" but got married and your passport now reads "Priya Sharma." The airline may reissue your ticket after receiving a scanned copy of your marriage certificate. A fee may apply. **Scenario 3: Swapped First and Last Name** The ticket says "Kumar Raj" instead of "Raj Kumar." This is a formatting error. American Airlines will usually fix it for free, especially if it's caught early. --- ### How to Avoid Name Correction Issues * **Double-Check Before Booking**: Always verify your name before confirming your ticket. * **Use Your Passport Name**: Especially for international flights, use the exact name as printed on your passport. * **Avoid Nicknames**: Always use your full legal name, not short forms. * **Review Booking Confirmation**: The confirmation email will display your name. This is your last chance to catch an error early. --- ### Conclusion American Airlines does **not** generally charge for minor name corrections such as typos, misplaced letters, or missing middle names. These small changes are handled without fees as long as the itinerary remains unchanged. However, **legal name changes** or **major edits** that require ticket reissuance may attract fees ranging from **\$25 to several hundred dollars**, depending on fare type and route. The best approach is to act fast—review your ticket within 24 hours, and correct any errors before boarding day. Keeping your travel documents aligned with your ticket will ensure smooth and stress-free travel. For major name changes or uncertainty, always reach out to American Airlines' customer support for clarification and next steps. --- **Quick Summary Table** | Type of Change | Example | Fee | Documentation Needed | | ---------------------------------- | ---------------------------- | ----------- | -------------------------- | | Minor Typo | Jhon instead of John | Free | No | | Legal Name Change (Marriage) | Priya Kapoor to Priya Sharma | \$25-\$200+ | Yes (marriage certificate) | | Swapped First/Last Name | Steven John vs John Steven | Free | No | | International Correction (reissue) | Rajeev vs Rajeef | Up to \$700 | Sometimes | --- By understanding the policy and acting quickly, you can avoid unnecessary fees and enjoy your flight without any name-related surprises.