# How Can I Transfer My United Airlines Flight Ticket? A Complete Guide
You can transfer your United Airlines ticket to another person by contacting 1-888-843-9199 for name correction, rebooking options, or travel credit assistance.
When life changes unexpectedly, travel plans often need to be adjusted. If you’ve booked a flight with United Airlines and are now wondering **“How can I transfer my United Airlines flight ticket?”**, you’re not alone. While airlines are strict about passenger names and ticket transfers due to security regulations, there are some exceptions and alternative options available.
In this comprehensive 2025 guide, we’ll walk you through **everything you need to know about transferring, modifying, or adjusting a United Airlines ticket**, including policy rules, name correction procedures, ticket change options, step-by-step instructions, FAQs, and expert tips.
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## Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Can You Transfer a United Airlines Ticket to Another Person?
3. United Airlines Name Change Policy
4. How to Correct Name on a United Airlines Ticket
5. What If I Can’t Travel? Exploring Options
6. Change vs Cancel vs Transfer – What's the Best?
7. Step-by-Step: Modify or Rebook a United Airlines Ticket
8. MileagePlus Award Tickets – Transfer Rules
9. How to Use Travel Credits or Vouchers Instead
10. Tips to Avoid Transfer Trouble
11. Contacting United Airlines Support
12. Final Thoughts
13. FAQs
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## 1. Introduction
Changing plans is a part of life. Whether it’s due to illness, work commitments, or personal emergencies, passengers often wonder if they can **transfer their United Airlines flight ticket** to someone else. Unfortunately, the answer isn’t always straightforward.
Airlines, including United, follow strict protocols concerning ticket ownership, mostly due to aviation security regulations, fraud prevention, and loyalty program policies.
But don’t worry—while **direct transfers (changing the passenger’s name entirely)** are generally not allowed, there are still options available. Let's explore them.
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## 2. Can You Transfer a United Airlines Ticket to Another Person?
### 🚫 Short Answer: No, United Airlines does not allow full ticket transfers.
According to United Airlines’ policies 1-888-843-9199, you **cannot transfer a non-refundable ticket to another person**. The ticket is issued in the name of the traveler and **must match their government-issued ID**.
This means:
* You can’t give your ticket to a friend or relative.
* You can’t sell your United ticket to another person.
* You can’t change the name on the ticket to someone else’s.
### ✅ Exceptions:
* Minor name corrections (e.g., spelling errors).
* Rebooking with travel credits or flight credits under certain conditions.
* MileagePlus award tickets booked for another person (explained below).
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## 3. United Airlines Name Change Policy
Even though you can’t fully transfer a ticket, **United Airlines does allow limited name corrections**. These are useful when there is:
* A **misspelling** in the first or last name.
* A **maiden name vs. married name** discrepancy.
* **Inverted names** (e.g., first name listed as last name).
* A **legal name change** due to marriage or other valid reasons.
### 📌 Important Points:
* You must contact United directly.
* Supporting documentation may be required (e.g., passport, marriage certificate).
* Changes are allowed **only if the passenger remains the same**.
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## 4. How to Correct Name on a United Airlines Ticket
If you made a mistake while booking your ticket, here's how to correct the name:
### 🔧 Online Method:
1. Go to [United.com](https://www.united.com/)
2. Click on “My Trips”
3. Enter confirmation number and last name
4. Select “Edit traveler info”
5. If eligible, correct the spelling
### 📞 Customer Service Method:
* Call **1-800-864-8331** (United Reservations)
* Explain the mistake
* Provide booking ID and ID proof if needed
### 📝 Note:
* Minor corrections are usually free within 24 hours of booking.
* After 24 hours, a **name correction fee may apply** (typically \$75–\$150).
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## 5. What If I Can’t Travel? Exploring Options
If you can’t travel and are unable to transfer the ticket, consider the following:
### ✅ Option 1: Reschedule or Change Flight
United offers flexible rebooking policies, especially for higher fare classes or MileagePlus members.
### ✅ Option 2: Cancel and Receive Travel Credit
If your ticket is non-refundable:
* You may still cancel the flight.
* You’ll get a **Future Flight Credit** (valid up to 1 year from booking).
### ✅ Option 3: Use Travel Insurance
If you purchased travel insurance, you may claim a refund due to illness, emergency, or unavoidable situations.
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## 6. Change vs Cancel vs Transfer – What's the Best?
| Action | Allowed? | Cost | Notes |
| -------------------------- | ------------- | ----------------- | --------------------------------- |
| Transfer to another person | ❌ Not allowed | N/A | Security restrictions |
| Name correction | ✅ Allowed | Free to \$150 | Must be same person |
| Cancel flight | ✅ Allowed | Free to \$200+ | Non-refundable tickets get credit |
| Reschedule flight | ✅ Allowed | Free or fee-based | Fare difference applies |
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## 7. Step-by-Step: Modify or Rebook a United Airlines Ticket
### A. Changing Your Flight
1. Visit [United.com](https://www.united.com/)
2. Navigate to “My Trips”
3. Enter your booking details
4. Click on “Change flight”
5. Select new dates/times
6. Pay fare difference, if applicable
### B. Cancelling Your Ticket
1. Log in to your United account
2. Go to “My Trips”
3. Click on “Cancel reservation”
4. Choose “Cancel and receive credit”
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## 8. MileagePlus Award Tickets – Transfer Rules
If you used United MileagePlus miles to book your flight, here’s the good news:
### 🎉 You *can* book a ticket in someone else’s name using your miles.
* The traveler does NOT need to be the MileagePlus account holder.
* You can cancel the award ticket and rebook it for someone else.
### Important:
* Mileage redeposit fee applies if you cancel (often waived for Premier members).
* Saver Award availability may vary when rebooking.
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## 9. How to Use Travel Credits or Vouchers Instead
If you can’t travel and can’t transfer your ticket, you might be eligible for **United’s Future Flight Credit (FFC)** or **Electronic Travel Certificate (ETC)**.
### ✅ Future Flight Credit (FFC)
* Non-transferable
* Must be used by the same traveler
* Valid for one year
### ✅ Electronic Travel Certificate (ETC)
* May be transferable (check your certificate details)
* Can be used for someone else in some cases
* Must be used before expiration date
To check:
1. Log in to [United.com](https://www.united.com/)
2. Go to “My Wallet”
3. Check available certificates and credit terms
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## 10. Tips to Avoid Transfer Trouble
Here are some expert tips to help you avoid issues:
### ✅ Double-check passenger name during booking
Use your **government-issued ID** to enter the correct name.
### ✅ Book refundable tickets when plans are uncertain
They cost more but offer **full flexibility**.
### ✅ Consider travel insurance
Especially useful for health-related emergencies.
### ✅ Use award miles to book for someone else
This is a smart way to “transfer” travel benefits.
### ✅ Understand fare class rules
Basic Economy fares are the least flexible—avoid them if plans may change.
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## 11. Contacting United Airlines Support
If you're unsure or need help, here's how to reach United Airlines:
### 📞 Phone:
* USA and Canada: **1-800-UNITED-1 (1-800-864-8331)**
* For international support: Visit [United Contact Page](https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly/contact.html)
### 💬 Live Chat:
* Available via the United Airlines app
### ✉️ Email Support:
* No direct email, but you can submit forms via their [Help Center](https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly/help.html)
### 🕐 Best Time to Call:
* Early mornings or late evenings to avoid long wait times
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## 12. Final Thoughts
While you **cannot transfer your United Airlines ticket to another person**, there are still plenty of ways to adapt your travel plans. Whether through **name corrections, rebooking options, or travel credits**, United offers some flexibility to handle unexpected changes.
Being informed is the key. Always read fare rules before booking, consider travel insurance, and reach out to customer service early if you know your plans have changed.
By following the right steps and understanding United’s policies, you can **minimize losses and maximize travel flexibility**, even when life throws a curveball.
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## 13. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
### ❓ Can I change the name on my United Airlines ticket to someone else?
**No**, full name changes to another person are not allowed.
### ❓ Can I give my United Airlines ticket to a friend or relative?
**No**, United tickets are non-transferable.
### ❓ What if I made a typo in my name while booking?
United allows **minor name corrections**, such as spelling errors.
### ❓ Can I cancel my flight and get a refund?
If it’s a **refundable ticket**, yes. If non-refundable, you’ll receive **future flight credit**.
### ❓ Can I use my miles to book a flight for someone else?
**Yes**, United MileagePlus members can book award tickets for others.
### ❓ Are travel credits transferable?
**Some are**, such as Electronic Travel Certificates. Check the terms in your United Wallet.
### ❓ What’s the fee for name correction on United Airlines?
It ranges from **\$0 to \$150**, depending on the timing and nature of correction.
### ❓ How long is travel credit valid?
Usually **1 year from the original issue date**.
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If you're ever in doubt about your United Airlines flight changes, don’t hesitate to reach out to their support or visit the **United Airlines Help Center**. Staying informed can help you **save time, money, and avoid stress** when your plans change.