How do I alter my name on American Airlines if it's incorrect?

# How Do I Alter My Name on American Airlines If It’s Incorrect? To alter your name on an American Airlines ticket, contact at 1 888 843 9199. They will guide you through the name correction process easily. Mistakes on flight tickets can cause unnecessary stress, especially when it comes to your name. Whether it’s a spelling error, missing middle name, or a recent legal name change, American Airlines provides a structured process to correct such issues. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore everything you need to know about altering your name on an American Airlines ticket if it’s incorrect. --- ## Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. Why Name Accuracy Matters on Airline Tickets 3. Can You Change a Name on an American Airlines Ticket? 4. Name Correction vs. Name Change 5. American Airlines Name Correction Policy 6. Types of Allowed Name Corrections 7. When You Cannot Change the Name 8. Documents Required for Name Correction 9. How to Request a Name Correction Online 10. How to Request a Name Correction via Phone 11. How to Request a Name Correction at the Airport 12. Name Change Due to Marriage or Divorce 13. Fees and Charges for Name Corrections 14. Time Limit to Request Name Correction 15. Tips to Avoid Name Mistakes When Booking 16. What Happens If You Don’t Correct Your Name? 17. What to Do If Your Ticket Is Booked via a Travel Agency 18. Group Bookings and Name Corrections 19. American Airlines Advantage Account and Name Changes 20. Special Cases: International Flights 21. How Travel Insurance May Help 22. How Long Does It Take for the Change to Reflect? 23. Common Mistakes to Avoid 24. Real-Life Scenarios and Solutions 25. Contacting American Airlines Support 26. Final Thoughts --- ## 1. Introduction Your name is your identity, especially in the eyes of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and airline carriers. Any mistake or mismatch between your government-issued ID and your airline ticket could result in denied boarding. American Airlines understands this and allows travelers to correct certain name errors under defined policies. --- ## 2. Why Name Accuracy Matters on Airline Tickets The TSA requires that the name on your airline ticket matches the name on your government-issued identification exactly. Even minor spelling errors can raise red flags during security checks, potentially leading to delays or denial of boarding. This is why American Airlines encourages passengers to double-check all details before finalizing their booking. --- ## 3. Can You Change a Name on an American Airlines Ticket? Yes, but with limitations. American Airlines allows **name corrections**, not full name transfers. You cannot change the passenger to another person, but you can correct spelling errors, add a missing middle name, or update your name due to legal reasons like marriage or divorce. --- ## 4. Name Correction vs. Name Change **Name Correction** means fixing typos or misspellings in your name while keeping the identity of the traveler the same. **Name Change** generally refers to updating your name due to legal reasons such as marriage, divorce, or court-ordered name changes. American Airlines permits both, but each follows specific rules and documentation requirements. --- ## 5. American Airlines Name Correction Policy According to American Airlines, passengers may correct minor spelling errors or update their names due to legal changes. The key conditions include: * Correction must reflect the same person as on the original booking. * Only one reissue is allowed per ticket. * Supporting documents may be required. --- ## 6. Types of Allowed Name Corrections American Airlines typically allows the following types of corrections: * Typographical errors (e.g., Jonh instead of John) * Reversed first and last names * Missing middle names * Adding a full middle name * Legal name changes (marriage, divorce, court orders) --- ## 7. When You Cannot Change the Name Name corrections are not permitted in the following situations: * Transferring the ticket to another individual * Changing more than three characters in both first and last names * Booking made through a third-party that does not support modifications * Flight is within 24 hours and changes are not possible due to processing time --- ## 8. Documents Required for Name Correction Depending on the type of correction, you may need to provide documents such as: * Government-issued photo ID * Marriage certificate * Divorce decree * Legal name change document * Passport (for international travel) Always keep these documents handy when contacting support. --- ## 9. How to Request a Name Correction Online While American Airlines does not allow direct name correction via its website for all cases, you can still: 1. Log into your AAdvantage account (if used for booking) 2. Go to the **Manage Trips** section 3. Review your booking and select “Contact Support” 4. Submit a name correction request via the form or support chat In most cases, they will follow up by email. --- ## 10. How to Request a Name Correction via Phone You can also speak directly with an American Airlines agent. Follow these steps: * Dial **American Airlines support at 1 888 843 9199** * Provide your booking reference number * Clearly explain the error and your correct name * Mention the reason for the correction * Be ready to email supporting documents Calling is often faster than using the online portal. --- ## 11. How to Request a Name Correction at the Airport If you're near departure time or traveling soon, visit the American Airlines ticket counter at the airport. Carry your: * Photo ID * Booking confirmation * Legal name change documents (if applicable) Airport agents can assist you if the changes are minor and there’s sufficient time before boarding. --- ## 12. Name Change Due to Marriage or Divorce Life events like marriage or divorce often lead to name changes. American Airlines allows these changes if you: * Provide official documentation (marriage certificate or divorce decree) * Ensure the new name exactly matches your ID * Submit the request well before travel You may also need to reissue your ticket, which could involve fare differences or taxes. --- ## 13. Fees and Charges for Name Corrections In many cases, American Airlines does not charge for minor name corrections. However, you may incur: * Reissue fee (if ticket must be reissued) * Fare difference (if applicable) * Change fee (in case of complex itineraries) Call customer service to confirm exact charges for your situation. --- ## 14. Time Limit to Request Name Correction It’s best to request name corrections **at least 72 hours before departure**. Some corrections can take time to verify, especially with legal documents. Last-minute changes might not be processed in time. --- ## 15. Tips to Avoid Name Mistakes When Booking * Always double-check your name before submitting payment * Use names exactly as they appear on your passport or ID * Avoid using nicknames or abbreviations * Book tickets yourself if possible to reduce chances of agent errors --- ## 16. What Happens If You Don’t Correct Your Name? Failure to correct your name on time can result in: * Denied boarding by TSA or airport agents * Cancellation of your ticket with no refund * Loss of travel funds or miles Always address errors as soon as you notice them. --- ## 17. What to Do If Your Ticket Is Booked via a Travel Agency If you booked your ticket through a third-party agency (like Expedia or MakeMyTrip), contact them first. They may have their own policies for name corrections. Some agencies can directly coordinate with American Airlines on your behalf. --- ## 18. Group Bookings and Name Corrections For group bookings (more than 10 people), name corrections are often more restricted. You should: * Contact the Group Travel Desk at American Airlines * Provide documentation for the group * Submit changes in writing through the agency or email --- ## 19. American Airlines Advantage Account and Name Changes If your name is incorrect in your **AAdvantage** profile, update it separately by: 1. Logging into your AAdvantage account 2. Visiting the “Profile” section 3. Clicking on “Edit Name” 4. Uploading legal documents for verification Note: Changing your profile name does not automatically correct booked tickets. --- ## 20. Special Cases: International Flights International flights have stricter name-matching rules due to immigration and customs. Any mismatch may lead to denied entry. Ensure: * Passport and ticket match exactly * Visa (if applicable) carries the same name * You allow extra time for documentation approval --- ## 21. How Travel Insurance May Help Some travel insurance policies cover missed flights or rebooking due to name errors. If you have purchased insurance, check the fine print or call your insurer for possible compensation. --- ## 22. How Long Does It Take for the Change to Reflect? Once approved, name corrections typically reflect within: * 24 to 48 hours for domestic flights * Up to 72 hours for international routes You will receive an updated e-ticket via email. --- ## 23. Common Mistakes to Avoid * Ignoring a minor spelling mistake * Waiting until the last minute to fix issues * Assuming changes will be automatic * Using nicknames or initials on ticket * Booking with outdated documents --- ## 24. Real-Life Scenarios and Solutions **Case 1:** Mary booked her ticket as "Mary Jonson" instead of "Mary Johnson." **Solution:** She called American Airlines, submitted her ID, and the correction was done without a fee. **Case 2:** Rahul got married and his passport now says "Rahul Sharma" instead of "Rahul Verma." **Solution:** He submitted his marriage certificate and reissued his ticket under the new name. --- ## 25. Contacting American Airlines Support To request name corrections, contact: * American Airlines Reservations: **1 888 843 9199** * International customer service numbers are available on the official website * You can also contact them via social media or email for documentation queries --- ## 26. Final Thoughts Altering your name on an American Airlines ticket may seem like a hassle, but the airline provides fair and structured ways to correct mistakes. Whether you’ve made a small typo or need to update your name legally, prompt action and the right documents can ensure a smooth process. Always double-check your details at the time of booking and resolve any errors as early as possible. When in doubt, call American Airlines support for guidance tailored to your situation.