American Airlines, with its lenient and cohesive policy, makes sure that the passengers do not face any trouble while flying. And American Airline’s name change policy is one of the pillars of the foundation. So, having a firm knowledge of the policies will enhance your travel experience and make it more memorable. This article will give you a detailed insight into the policies, fees, and ways to change your name on American Airlines.
American Airlines Name Change Policy
Sometimes, humans and even computers can make mistakes, and this might result in a wrong name being printed on the itinerary. But to tackle this problem, the airline has come up with an American Airlines name change policy to help passengers easily change their misprinted names on the itinerary.
American Airlines Name Change Policy Highlights
American Airlines has a wide array of name change policies which you will be learning in a while. The policies vary according to the type of name corrections you are seeking. So here is a list of the important American Airlines name change policy you must be aware of-
- Only American Prime and American Eagle flights allow minor name changes to the itinerary.
- Major name corrections apply to itineraries that include codeshare flight segments on our AA*/oneworld® codeshares or non-oneworld carriers.
- For making Major name corrections, a new PNR is required as a name correction cannot be made within the same PNR due to GDS limitations.
- The information from the initial Secure Flight Passenger Data (SFPD) like original date of birth (DOB) and gender (M_F), must not be changed.
Types of Name Change Policy
The American Airlines name change policy is divided into two categories and each of them has a different set of rules. So make sure to go through them before you make any changes.
1) Minor Name Change
Making minor changes to your name accounts has no additional charges and can be done easily. Itineraries wholly on American Prime or American Eagle flights allow for minor corrections within the same PNR (Passenger Name Record). Here are the types of minor name changes you can make with examples-
Last Name (1 or More Characters)
1) Any modification to the last name is allowed
- Ex: GOMAZ to GOMEZ
- Ex: RODRIGES to DERODRIGUEZ
2) Removal of Prefix or Suffix
- Ex: SMITH JR to SMITH
- Ex: THORNTON III to THORNTON
First Name
Any modification to the first name is allowed
1) Nickname to full name
- 1) Ex: JUDI to JUDITH
- 2) Ex: BUDDY to CHARLES
2) The first name may be completely different
- Ex: JULIE to VIVIAN
- Ex: PAUL to XIN
- Ex: MARIBEL to MARIA ISABEL
Middle Name/Middle Initial
Middle name or Initial has no impact on the ticket or boarding pass; it is only required for SFPD or APIS that is transferred to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
You can remove or modify Middle Name or Initial.
Legal Name Correction
Complete last name may be corrected to match legal documents in the case of Marriage, Divorce, Child surname, Adoption, etc.
- Ex: SMITH to THOMAS
- Ex: LEE to NGUYEN
Inverted Names
If your last name or first name is inverted, you can change it
- Ex: ALLEN/THOMAS to THOMAS/ALLEN
Update with Second/Additional Last Name
You may add or remove names to match the legal documents-
- Ex: SCHNEIDER to SCHNEIDER DIETRICH
- Ex: VEGA to ESCOBAR VEGA
2) Major Name Change
Major corrections apply to itineraries with codeshare flight segments or Other Airline prime flights. For itineraries in the “R” inventory, a new PNR is required due to system limitations.
Here are the types of major name corrections-
Last Name (1 or more characters)
1) Any modification to the last name is allowed
- Ex: THOMASON to THOMPSON
- Ex: DEGENARO to XIMENEZGENARO
2) Removal of Prefix or Suffix
- Ex: SMITH JR to SMITH
- Ex: THORNTON III to THORNTON
Legal Name Correction
You can alter/correct your complete last name to match the legal documents like Marriage, Divorce, Child surname, Adoption, etc.
- Ex: SMITH to THOMAS
- Ex: LEE to NGUYEN
First Name
Any modification to the first name is allowed
1) Nickname to full name
- Ex: JUDI to JUDITH
- Ex: BUDDY to CHARLES
2) The first name may be completely different
- Ex: JULIE to VIVIAN
- Ex: PAUL to XIN
- Ex: MARIBEL to MARIA ISABEL
Middle Name/Middle Initial
The Middle name or Initial has no impact on the ticket or boarding pass. This information is only required for SFPD or APIS that is sent to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
- May remove or modify Middle Name or Initial
Inverted Names
Last name or first name was inverted
- Ex: ALLEN/THOMAS to THOMAS/ALLEN
Update with Second/Additional Last Name
You can add or remove names in order to match the legal documents
- Ex: SURTSEY to SURTSEY DAUTENHAN
- Ex: RODRIGUEZ to RODRIGUEZ DELAPENA
How to Change the Name on American Airlines Tickets?
You have various options to make changes to your name on the ticket, and here we have mentioned all the methods along with the detailed steps you can follow to make desired changes-
1) Name Change via Phone Call
If you can just call and your name will be corrected instantly, that would be the best way to make name changes. So follow these steps if you wish to make name changes via customer support:
- Dial the American Airlines customer support number mentioned below.
- Speak to an agent and explain that you need to change your name on the ticket.
- American Airlines may require supporting documents, such as a marriage certificate, court order, or legal name change document.
- Follow their instructions for submitting the necessary paperwork.
- If your name change is substantial, expect to pay a fee.
- The agent will also help you with the payment process.
- Once approved, American Airlines will update your ticket with the corrected name.
2) Name Change via Airport
Making changes to your name at the airport is an easy process if you follow these steps:
- Arrive at the airport at least 2 hours before your flight arrival.
- Go to the American Airlines ticket counter.
- Carry your valid photo ID and any necessary supporting documents (e.g., marriage certificate).
- Explain the name change to the airline staff.
- Fill out an application form to initiate the American Airlines name change on ticket.
- Specify the reason and provide the required details.
- Pay the fee, if required.
- The airline will issue a new ticket with the corrected name.
3) Name Change Online
- Visit the American Airlines website.
- Log in to your account using your confirmation code or AAdvantage® account.
- Find your booked trip and select it.
- Click the “Edit” button.
- Make changes to your name and click on the “Save” button.
- Once you’ve saved it, proceed to complete the change process.
4) Transfer the Ticket to Another Person
American Airlines, being the largest airline in the U.S., does not allow passengers to transfer a ticket to another person. Unlike some other carriers, American Airlines strictly enforces its policy against direct ticket transfers. While you can’t directly transfer a ticket to someone else, you can still make changes within certain limits.
Summary:
With American Airlines name change policy in place, every passenger has the right to make desired changes to their name on the ticket. Whether you have minor changes to make or some major changes, the policy is designed in such a way that you will face no issues. However, even after this, if you are not able to make the changes, you can simply call our toll-free number mentioned below and seek help.
Helpful Guide – American Airlines Flight Change Policy
Frequently Asked Questions:
1) What are the fees for making a major name change on American Airlines?
If you wish to make a major name change on American Airlines, the American Airlines name change fee incurred will be €40 for each correction.
2) What is the waiver code for minor name correction?
For making minor name corrections the waiver code that applies is- NC03AGCY.
3) Can I change the name of the Infant?
Yes, even travel agents can make name changes for infants, even if the itinerary contains other airline/codeshare segments.