How To Change Name On United Airlines Ticket?

Made a mistake while booking a United flight? Or do you need to update our name on the reservation? Don’t worry! It happens to all of us. There are several reasons, like divorce, marriage, legal name change, and typos, that must be corrected on the account information. Luckily, with United Airlines Name Change regulations, travelers can make necessary adjustments to their tickets. 

So, if you are wondering, “How to change name on a United Airlines ticket?” Then, you have landed on just the right page. Let’s understand everything you need to know before making corrections to your name in a way that won’t cause you stress at the airport.

United Airlines Name Correction Terms and Conditions

The airline follows specific terms and conditions for United Airlines name change requests. 

It distinguishes between minor corrections and complete name changes, treating each case differently. While minor spelling corrections are usually handled with more flexibility, complete name changes often require more documentation and may incur additional fees. The corrected name should match with the government-issued ID you present at the airport. 

Also, it is important to note that United Airlines generally doesn’t allow transferring tickets between passengers. Therefore, understanding these distinctions can save you time and money. The following are the types of name correction allowed on United Airlines:

1. Minor Corrections (1 to 3 letters)

Small spelling mistakes happen to everyone, and United Airlines has a complete idea of it. If you notice a minor misspelling on your ticket name where only one to three letters are incorrect, this falls under the category of minor corrections. This type of name change on United Airlines is more straightforward to process and often leads to minimum or no fees. However, you’ll still have to contact the airline representatives as soon as you notice the error to ensure a smooth correction process.

2. Legal Name Changes

Life events like marriages, divorces, or legal name changes require proper documentation to update your ticket. United Airlines accepts such kinds of changes only when supported with appropriate legal documents. You will need to provide proof of your name change, such as the following:

• Marriage Certificate,
• Divorce Decree, or
• Court Order. 

Along with these documents, you will have to produce your government-issued ID showing your new name.

3. Complete Name Change

United Airlines rarely permits a complete name change where the entire name is different from what’s on the ticket. These situations are looked into on a case-by-case basis and typically require substantial time, documentation, and explanation to process. The airline may accept these changes in exceptional circumstances, such as legal name changes or documented errors in booking. 

Does United Charge a Fee for Name Change Requests?

Yes, United Airlines levies fees for name change requests, especially when it’s a major correction due to legal reasons, like marriage, divorce, etc. The airline applies monetary charges to cover the administrative costs that occur in between the name change processing. But there is no fixed amount; the fee varies depending on factors like the type of fare you have purchased and the timing of forwarding the requests. 

In some scenarios, United Airlines may waive the name change fee, specifically if the error was made from the administration side. In addition to this, passengers with elite status on the MileagePlus account may be eligible for a fee waiver of discounted charges.

As for the payment method, passengers usually pay the fee in the same form of payment that was used to buy the tickets initially. However, do connect with the airline representatives for more information on the payment methods. 

Steps to Change Your Name on United Airlines Ticket

The following are the quick ways through which you can edit your personal information, including name changes. 

1. Gather Relevant Documents

Before you get in touch with the United representatives, start collecting all the necessary documents to support your name change request. This also includes your original booking confirmation email,  government-issued, and any legal documents supporting the name change. Having these papers ready will speed up the process and demonstrate the legitimacy of your request. Make sure all documents are current and clearly legible to avoid any delays in processing your request.

2. Contact United Airlines

There are several ways to reach out to United Airlines regarding name change requests. You can call their customer service directly, use their website contact form, or visit the airline ticket counter at the airport. Calling their customer service line is often the most effective for the quickest response. Be prepared to explain your situation clearly and have your confirmation number ready when you make the contact. 

3. Forward Your Request

When forwarding your United Airlines name change request, be clear and specific about what needs to be changed and corrected. Provide all relevant details, including your booking reference number, flight details, and the exact spelling of both the current name and the corrected name. Being thorough and precise at this stage can help you avoid any confusion and delays in the processing of your request.

4. Pay Any Applicable Fees

Depending on the type of name change and your specific situation, fees may apply. Minor corrections might be free, while more substantial changes could incur charges. Be prepared to pay these fees if required, and ask about the payment methods accepted by the airline. Some changes may also affect your fare, especially if they involve reissuing the ticket. 

Changing Name on United MileagePlus Account

The name change procedure for passengers signed up on the United Airlines Mileage Program varies slightly, but the documents and related policy requirements remain the same. 

1. Start by browsing the website and signing in to your MileagePlus account. 
2. After that, go to the “Profile” option and select “About me.”
3. From thereon, look for the option that says “Edit personal information.”
4. You will now be redirected to a page where you can make minor changes to your name, like spelling mistakes and letter omissions. 

During the procedure, you will have to provide these documents to support your claim:

• Marriage license
• Divorce decree
• Legal document for a name change
• Government-issued IDs presenting your new and old information

When You Don’t Have Access to the Required Documents:

If you don’t possess the required documents, don’t worry because there’s still a way to forward your request. You will have to upload a notarized name change affidavit form, which you can download from the airline’s website. On the form, you will have to provide details like:

• MileagePlus Account Number
• Name Currently on Account
• Name on Government-issued ID
• Name of Appear on Account
• First Name
• Middle Initial/ Name
• Last/ Surname

After that, you have to sign a declaration stating that all the information provided is true to your knowledge and of the same person.

Time Taken to Process the Name Change Requests

United Airlines usually takes up to two weeks to process the MileagePlus account name change requests. In case you need other changes to your profile details, then you will have to submit a new document. For in-depth information regarding your specific concerns, contact the MileagePlus Service Center.

At Last!

Changing the name on the United Airlines ticket might seem confusing or daunting at first, but it’s manageable with the right approach and preparations. Make sure to produce all the required documents before processing the request and inform the airline on time for smooth processing. Lastly, we hope this page clearly outlines all the significant aspects of United Airlines name change rules. For more queries, connect directly with the airline representatives and sort out your confusion. 

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