Travel is all about paying attention to detail — for example, reading the fine print about cancellation policies, researching whether you require a visa in advance or on arrival, and checking the expiration date on your passport. Arguably the most crucial detail of all, however, is getting your name right when booking your plane ticket. But what happens if you make a typo? Can you even change it? Here’s everything you need to know about modifying your name on your airline reservation.

How Airlines Define Misspellings and Typos

Airlines typically make a distinction between name corrections and name changes. The former means you can fix a typo. Perhaps you’ve swapped two letters around without realizing it, such as inputting “Jakcson” when you meant Jackson, or you booked a ticket under Katherine instead of Catherine. However, airlines want to ensure reservations can’t be moved easily between passengers, so it isn’t possible to make a full name change. You’ll have to buy a new ticket. Don’t book a ticket under a nickname, either — Jimmy won’t be allowed to board if his passport says James.

What’s the Deal With Hyphenated Names?

If you have a hyphenated surname, you’re probably used to formatting issues on documents and communications. Airline staff are used to it, too, so if your name is incomplete on your boarding pass — for instance, because of character limitations — that’s almost always OK. You may wish to contact the airline’s customer service desk just in case, but a missing hyphen, space, or apostrophe is unlikely to cause you problems since it’s a common occurrence. The same usually goes for doubled-up first names, such as “Sarahjane” appearing instead of Sarah Jane.

Do You Need To Include Your Middle Name?

It’s rarely necessary to include your middle name when booking a plane ticket. Though there’s a general rule that the details on your reservation should match those on your passport, in practice this usually applies only to your first and last name. In fact, some booking systems don’t even display a middle name field, though if they do, there’s no harm in filling it out. Be aware that, in a handful of cases, adding your middle name is mandatory — for example, when flying Air India to or from the U.S. or Canada.  

Should Newlyweds Use Their Married Name?

The name on your ticket should always match the name on your passport. If you’re excited at the thought of using your married name for the first time on your honeymoon, you should start the process to update your passport well in advance of your travel date. 

According to the U.S. Department of State’s website, wait times for replacement passports can routinely reach six weeks; even the expedited service could still take three weeks. Factor in the time you’ll need to mail your documents, and you’ll quickly see this isn’t a task you want to leave until the day before your wedding.

How To Fix a Ticket Typo

First things first: Don’t confirm your booking for any flight before carefully proofreading the details you’ve inputted. (It’s also unwise to rely on your phone or computer’s autofill function, as the data stored on your device may be out of date.) 

Of course, even with proofreading, mistakes can happen. That’s where DOT rules come in handy. They require that passengers who book directly with an airline can obtain a full refund within 24 hours, as long as the flight isn’t departing within the next seven days. If you notice your mistake in time, you’ll be able to cancel and buy a new ticket afterward without paying any fee. 

After 24 hours, though, you’ll usually need to contact the airline. Request a name correction — be specific that this is not a name change — and the agent will reissue your ticket. Do so as soon as you’ve noticed your mistake: If fares have changed since you made the original booking, you could be asked to pay the difference if a new ticket has to be issued. 

How Do Rules Vary Between Airlines?

How You Make the Change Matters

If you’ve realized you need to change the name on your ticket, make sure to read the terms and conditions carefully to find out the best way to go about it. For example, JetBlue permits one name correction per ticket but states that the change must be completed via chat or over the phone. If the mistake affects a ticket you bought from Norwegian, on the other hand, don’t pick up the phone — rectifying it online without speaking to an agent will save you about $40. 

Don’t Make Assumptions About the Type of Airline 

You might assume a low-cost airline would be stricter than a full-service carrier. That’s not always the case. European budget airline Ryanair has built its business model on costly add-ons, yet the airline permits certain changes free of charge. For instance, you can make legal name changes following marriage or divorce (so long as supporting documentation is provided) or change up to three characters of a misspelled name once, up to 48 hours before departure.  

The Process Can Be Trickier for a Codeshare Flight

If you’re booked on a codeshare flight, it’s often the case that both airlines have to be in agreement before the name correction can be authorized. You’ll often need to get in touch with the operating carrier as well as the airline you booked your ticket with (the marketing carrier). Policies differ; for example, KLM (a partner of Delta) asks that passengers get in touch at least 72 hours ahead of departure. In the worst-case scenario, some airlines may require you to cancel and rebook your flight, which could result in your journey costing more.

API and Ticketing Aren’t the Same Thing

Some countries, such as the United States, insist on collecting Advance Passenger Information (API) prior to the flight. According to British Airways, updating your API if you notice a typo won’t automatically change your ticket as well. Even if you go online and edit your passenger details to make sure the airline has the correct information, you’ll still need to get in touch so they can formally alter the ticket, too.

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