Mistakes happen. Perhaps you accidentally entered your name wrong while reserving, or your legal name has lately changed. Either way, that lingering question pops up: Does American Airlines allow name changes on a ticket?

The short answer is yes, but only to a certain extent.
Let’s walk through what American Airlines allows, what it doesn’t, and how to fix errors without turning your trip plans upside down.

Name Corrections vs. Name Changes: What’s the Difference?

Before diving into policies, let’s get one thing straight — a name correction isn’t the same as a full name change.

A name correction involves fixing a spelling error, missing middle name, or switching first and last names around.
A name change generally means updating your name due to marriage, divorce, or legal action.

American Airlines substantially supports corrections, not complete name swaps (like transferring a ticket to someone else). You can’t give your ticket to another person just by changing the name.

So, What Does American Airlines Actually Allow?

Minor Corrections Are Allowed

If your name is misspelled by one or two characters — say “Jonh” instead of “John” — American will correct it for free or with a small processing fee. These types of corrections can include:

Typos in the first or last name
Switching first and last name order (e.g., "Smith John" instead of "John Smith")
Missing middle names or initials (which are frequently voluntary anyway)

You can request these adjustments online or by calling American Airlines Reservations directly.

Legal Name Changes Are Also Accepted (with Proof)

If you’ve changed your name due to marriage, divorce, or other legal reasons, American will help — but you’ll need proof.

This can include:

A marriage certificate
Divorce decree
Court-issued name change document
Updated passport or driver’s license

You may also be asked to email or upload scanned copies of your ID and legal paperwork. It's best to handle this at least 72 hours before your flight, just to be safe.

What You Can’t Do

There are some hard limits. American Airlines doesn’t allow full passenger substitutions. You cannot:

Change a ticket from one traveler to a completely different person
Sell or transfer your non-refundable ticket to someone else

So if your friend cannot make the flight and you want to give them your spot — that's not allowed. You’ll need to cancel the booking (if possible) and rebook in their name, subject to the fare conditions.

How to Request a Name Change or Correction

Here’s how you can go about fixing an error or updating your name:

1. Online or Through the App

If you reserved directly through American Airlines, log in to your account and go to “My Trips.”
You may see a self-service option for correcting minor typos.

2. Call Customer Service

For anything more complex — such as legal changes — call American’s reservations team. They’ll guide you through the required steps and let you know if any fees apply.

3. Travel Agent Bookings

If you reserved through a travel agent or third-party site (like Expedia or Kayak), you’ll need to contact them first. Only the booking source can make changes in such cases.

Does It Cost Anything?

Minor corrections are generally free or come with a small administrative fee (typically under $50).

Legal name changes might be subject to the fare rules of your original ticket, which means:

If the fare allows changes, the name update is generally free (with proof)
If the fare is non-changeable, American may require you to cancel and rebook (possibly with a fee)

Final Takeaway: Can You Change Your Name on an American Airlines Ticket?

Yes — but within reason.
If it’s a simple spelling issue or a legal name update with documentation, American Airlines will help you out.

What you can’t do is switch the name on a ticket to someone else’s entirely.

The best advice? Always double-check your name before confirming your booking. But if something slips through, don’t fear — American Airlines has your back, as long as the changes are legitimate.

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