Everything that you need to know American Airlines Name Correction on Ticket
When it comes to air travel, even the smallest error in your flight ticket — like a misspelled name — can lead to unexpected stress at check-in or during security checks. At American Airlines, name accuracy is essential because your ticket name must exactly match your government-issued ID. If you’ve spotted an error, don’t worry — we’ve outlined everything you need to know about American Airlines name correction policies, procedures, fees, and guidelines.
American Airlines enforces a strict name correction policy designed to ensure that your ticket and identification details match exactly. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) requires all airlines to verify passenger identities; therefore, even a minor spelling error can cause complications.
The American Airlines name correction policy allows certain corrections and restricts others. Passengers are permitted to make minor corrections to fix typographical errors, inverted names, or legal name changes (such as after marriage or divorce). However, transferring a ticket to another person is strictly prohibited.
American Airlines distinguishes between minor and major corrections. Understanding this difference ensures you follow the right process for your situation.
Minor corrections are allowed when:
There is a misspelling of up to three letters in your first, middle, or last name.
The sequence of the first and last name is reversed (e.g., Smith John → John Smith).
There’s a missing middle name or initial.
You need to add or remove a title or prefix (e.g., Mr., Ms., Dr.).
Legal abbreviations or minor punctuation corrections are required.
These can usually be handled via American Airlines customer service or through the travel agency (if booked externally).
Major corrections are required for:
Legal name changes due to marriage, divorce, or adoption.
Errors that completely alter the identity of the traveler.
Situations where both first and last names are incorrect.
In such cases, you’ll likely need to submit supporting documents (like a marriage certificate or court order) and sometimes have a new ticket reissued.
Correcting a name on your American Airlines ticket is a straightforward process, but it depends on where and how you booked your flight. Below are the standard methods to request corrections.
You can contact American Airlines reservations directly to correct your name. Provide the representative with your booking reference number (PNR), ticket number, and correct name spelling.
Steps to follow:
Call the American Airlines customer service at the official toll-free number.
Request a name correction and explain the type of error.
Provide necessary identification or documentation if requested.
Confirm the corrected details and receive a reissued ticket.
Pro Tip: Have your passport or government-issued ID handy while on the call to ensure all details match perfectly.
If the correction is minor, you can often fix it through the Manage Trips section on the official website:
Visit www.aa.com and log in to your account.
Select your upcoming trip.
Look for the “Edit Passenger Information” or “Correct Name” option.
Make minor spelling corrections if permitted.
Save the changes and confirm the update.
For complex errors, the website will prompt you to call customer support.
If your booking was made through a third-party travel agency, like Expedia, Priceline, or an online travel agent (OTA), you must contact them directly for assistance. The travel agency will coordinate with American Airlines to process the correction.
When your name change involves legal documentation, such as after marriage or divorce, you must provide proof. American Airlines accepts the following documents:
Marriage certificate
Divorce decree
Court order for name change
Updated government-issued photo ID
Ensure that the documentation clearly reflects your previous and current names, as well as your legal identity.
Fees for name corrections vary based on the type of ticket, fare class, and booking source. Here’s what you should expect:
Minor name corrections: Usually free or up to $25, depending on the booking channel.
Major name corrections: Can cost between $75–$200, especially if the ticket must be reissued.
Agency bookings: The travel agency may charge an additional service fee.
Always verify the exact correction fee when speaking with a representative before finalizing any changes.
To avoid issues at check-in, request the correction as soon as possible after noticing the error. Ideally, you should submit your correction:
At least 24–48 hours before departure for domestic flights.
At least 72 hours before departure for international flights.
Delaying the correction can result in complications, especially if your ticket needs to be reissued.
If you’re an AAdvantage member, ensure that your frequent flyer account name also matches your government ID. If your ticket name differs from your loyalty account, you may face trouble accruing miles. You can update your name directly through your AAdvantage profile or by contacting customer care.
If your itinerary includes flights operated by partner airlines (like British Airways, Qatar Airways, or Iberia), additional steps may apply. American Airlines can correct your name only on the segments it operates directly. For codeshare flights:
Contact the partner airline for approval or reissuance.
Provide the corrected PNR once American Airlines updates your record.
To prevent future issues, follow these simple precautions:
Always use your full legal name as it appears on your ID or passport.
Avoid using nicknames or shortened forms (e.g., “Mike” for “Michael”).
Double-check spellings before confirming your booking.
Review your email confirmation immediately after purchase.
Contact American Airlines within 24 hours of booking to fix any errors without penalty.
For infants and group bookings, name corrections must be handled carefully:
Infant tickets: Can be updated without extra charge if minor spelling errors are involved.
Group tickets: Each passenger’s name must match their ID; corrections should be submitted through the group booking department.
Failure to correct your name before travel can result in:
Denied boarding by airport security or check-in staff.
Cancellation of your booking if the name mismatch is significant.
Loss of ticket value, as tickets are non-transferable.
Therefore, verifying your details in advance is crucial to avoid last-minute hassles.
To resolve name correction issues efficiently, reach out to American Airlines reservations directly.
Toll-Free Assistance: 1-888-618-1672
Their representatives are available 24/7 to guide you through the correction process and ensure that your travel details are accurate before your flight.
A small typo in your name shouldn’t disrupt your travel plans. With American Airlines’ name correction policy, passengers can easily amend errors, ensuring that their flight details align perfectly with their ID. Whether you made a booking through the official website, mobile app, or travel agent, timely action is key. Always verify your information early, provide necessary documents, and confirm the update before your departure.
At American Airlines, maintaining accuracy in passenger information ensures a seamless, stress-free travel experience — from check-in to touchdown.
You can correct or modify your name on an American Airlines ticket, but you cannot transfer the ticket to another person. Only spelling mistakes or legal name changes are allowed under the name correction policy.
The fee depends on the type of correction and booking source.
Minor corrections (e.g., fixing typos) may be free or up to $25.
Major corrections (like legal name changes) can cost between $75–$200 if the ticket needs to be reissued.
Yes, you can make minor corrections (like fixing a few letters) via the Manage Trips section on the American Airlines website. For major changes, you’ll need to contact customer service or your travel agent.
If your name has changed legally, you must submit proof of the change, such as:
Marriage certificate
Divorce decree
Court order
Updated government-issued ID
These documents verify the legitimacy of the name change.
Most minor corrections are processed within a few hours. However, major name changes requiring documentation might take 24–48 hours to update, depending on verification and reissue requirements.
If your ticket name doesn’t exactly match your government-issued ID, you may face boarding denial or TSA issues. Always ensure your ticket and ID names are identical to avoid travel disruptions.
Yes, but you’ll need to contact the travel agency directly. They will coordinate with American Airlines to process the correction. Additional agency service fees may apply depending on their policies.
For codeshare flights operated by partner airlines (like British Airways or Qatar Airways), name corrections depend on the operating carrier’s policy. American Airlines can only correct the segments it operates directly.
Yes. Minor spelling errors on child or infant tickets can usually be corrected without charge. However, for significant errors, you may need to provide identification or birth certificates for verification.
You can reach American Airlines customer service at the toll-free number 1-888-618-1672 for immediate assistance. Representatives are available 24/7 to help you correct your ticket details and ensure smooth travel.