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How to Change Your Name on a United Airlines Ticket: Full Procedure

The process of replacing your name on a ticket with United Airlines is a relatively simple task that can be used to guarantee that the information provided about your travel is prompted by the identification. Be it because of marriage, divorce, or any other cause, it is necessary to know how to change your name to pass through in a smooth journey.

The purpose of this blog is to guide the passengers to know the entire process of changing the names in their tickets. Eligibility requirements, step-by-step guidance, tips, and plenty of the details only the information required to sail the process smoothly and prevent any hiccups during travel.

United Airlines Name Correction Terms and Conditions Explained

The United Airlines name change policy allows correcting small mistakes on tickets to allow the name to be identical to the TSA rules with the government-issued ID to board an aircraft. This is applicable to local and global flights flown or sold by United (code 016 tickets) including typos, titles or legal amendments that are documented. There is no fee during 24 hours of booking when flights are leaving 7 days or more later, but a fee ($75-$200) after that and fare changes. Ensure that you act early to prevent problems- no changes after check-in or change of tickets.

Key Terms and Conditions:

  1. Corrections that are eligible: Only minor corrections made: spelling (up to 3 letters/characters per person), prefix/title (i.e. Mr. to Dr.), nickname, middle name, or inverted first and last name; one correction per ticket.
  2. Legal Name Changes: Permitted on the basis of marriage, divorce or court order, documents such as certificates, decrees or notarized affidavits are required to be submitted online, by mail or one of the ticketing offices.
  3. Free Window: There is no charge to make corrections within 24 hours of reservation; a simple typo is usually free at any time with proof of identity by phone, application (MileagePlus members), or office.
  4. Fees and Limitations: After 24 hours: There might be a fee of $75-$200; no post-check-in modifications are allowed; there can be a difference in fares; in case of third-party booking, an agency is required.
  5. Procedure: Early contact support in case of an ID; MileagePlus members may make minor repairs online; major ones should be verified.

United Airlines Name Change Fees: What You'll Be Charged

United Airlines usually differentiates between minor and major changes in name which have different charges by the time of making the change and the nature of the change. The small spelling corrections or change of legal names under the support of documents are usually no charge or with least charges. Nevertheless, post-booking or near departure amendments may attract an increase in the fees as well as the fare difference. The United Airlines name change fee should be known so that the unexpected charges are not incurred during updating of names on tickets.

United Airlines Name Change Fees Table:

Change Type

Timing

Fee

Notes

Minor Name Corrections

Anytime

Usually Free

Includes fixing typos, misspellings, adding/removing middle names or initials

Legal Name Changes

Anytime with valid documents

Usually Free

Changes such as marriage, divorce, court orders with required legal proof

Name Change within 24 hours

After booking

$75

Applies if correcting a name after initial booking but within 24 hours

Name Change after 24h and before

2 hours prior to departure

$200 + fare difference

Applies to more substantial changes, close to departure

Third-Party Bookings (OTA)

Varies

Possible extra fees

OTAs may charge their own administrative fees

Name Transfer to another person

Not allowed

Not allowed

Ticket name changes for transferring tickets are prohibited; new ticket purchase needed.

United gives priority on minor name correction and changes based on legal documentations to promote TSA compliance, largely free, or at a small cost. However, there are more money fees on urgent changes close to departure. It is always important to call the customer care at United Airlines to ensure you do not get surprised.

Step-by-Step Instructions to Modify Your Name on a United Ticket

Editing the name on an United Airlines ticket is easy in case of making minor amendments or legal modifications to make sure that the ticket is in tune with TSA ID regulations. Simple fixes can be done online, support is offered on the phone, or an airport desk can be visited. Give your reservation information and ID; charges can be made after 24 hrs. Act early enough to prevent boarding problems.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

  • Check Your Reservation: To check your booking online, go to united.com and enter your 6-digit confirmation number along with your last name and your itinerary will appear.
  • Name Correction Option: Find the option of the Name Correction or Manage Booking: In case there is such an option, then input the exact corrected name as it is on your government-issued ID.
  • Submission of Necessary Documents: Scan or print evidence such as passport, marriage certificate or court order to change the law; in many cases, minor misspellings do not require anything more than an ID check.
  • Contact Support when Necessary: 1-800-864-8331, describe the problem, provide booking details, and take the instructions of the agent; the members of MileagePlus can resolve simple tasks through the app.
  • Check and Lock Change: Pay fee ($0-$200 + difference in fare), get confirmation email, and verify your corrected ticket before travelling.
  • Airport Option (Last Resort): In-person assistants. Visit the counter with identification and documents, at least 24 hours prior to departure.

The process is usually fast and issues are resolved thus avoiding disruption of travel.

What to Do When You Don't Have the Required Documents for a Name Change on United

United Airlines needs documents to make major change of name but has substitutes such as affidavits or simple corrections of minor problems in their absence. Call support immediately to discuss the possibilities, and the compliance with TSA is essential. This keeps boarding rejections at a minimum rate of charges.

Steps to Take in This Situation:

  1. Use Affidavit Alternative: Sign an affidavit with your true name and alternative name on the ticket, a copy of photo identity; mail or e-mail it to the address that United gives (e.g., P.O. Box 1394).
  2. Request Minor Correction: To correct minor typos or small mistakes (e.g., spelling, initials), no paperwork required - call 1-800-864-8331 or use online MileagePlus profile and make corrections directly, usually at no cost.
  3. MileagePlus Account Update: You have an update to make to your profile name to match your ID without documents; that will be reflected on your tickets to make easy changes using the app or phone.
  4. Contact Customer Service immediately: Provide the agents with the problem, and they will advise on waiver or verification with the existing ID, particularly within a 24-hour of booking.
  5. Visit Airport Counter: Get there (24 or more hours before takeoff) with any ID, any fixes done in minor cases may be approved in the field without full documentation.
  6. Last-Minute Risks: It is a risk, and one that needs to be avoided, but in case it is not, then cancel (you may be refunded) and rebook, but first ensure you check the fees to ensure you do not breach the secure flight rules.

Through this, the passengers will be able to correct their name in an effective manner.

How Long United Airlines Takes to Process Name Change or Correction Requests

The United Airlines change name on ticket or corrections in various ways depending on the type and approach. Corrections (e.g., minor ones such as typos) through phone or web tend to get finished in real time or within 24-48 hours. Documents are needed to legal/major changes and can take 24-72 hours, some report up to 2 weeks but calling customer support can take as little as minutes. Book at least 72 hours prior to departure to be sure it is reliable since delay will lead to boarding problems according to TSA regulations.

Types of Name Corrections Allowed Under the United Airlines Policy

United Airlines permits certain forms of corrections to the name on the ticket to ascertain that the name is consistent with government ID and is not in breach of security laws. These amendments are basically used to correct simple mistakes and legal amendments, but no complete transfer of names is allowed. Knowing entails cases that can make passengers evade boarding problems.

  1. Minor Typographical Errors: Such is a minor spelling error that may be a typo in the first, middle, or surname (it is restricted to approximately 3 characters). As an illustration, there is the error of John being changed to Jhon or Smith to Smith. These are usually permitted without any add-on paperwork and are often given freely in case they are reported promptly.
  2. Title Changes: Title prefixes or suffixes, such as changing Mr. to Dr. or Ms. to Mrs., are both corrected to the official ID.
  3. Reversed Names: In the case of wrong entry of the first and last name in reverse order, United allows correcting what has been written to match with the ID of the passenger.
  4. The inclusion or Omission of Middle Names/Initials: Passengers may include missing middle names, initials or delete the wrong ones, provided the name matches the ID.
  5. Nickname to Legal Name: Individuals who use nicknames to make their bookings (e.g., Michael as Mike) may ask to be given a ticket with their official name.
  6. Legal Name Changes: In the event a passenger changes his or her legal name as a result of marriage, divorce, or court proceedings, United will accept such a change provided that he or she submits supporting documents like marriage certificates, divorce decree or court orders. This could necessitate reissuance and charges.
  7. Adding Last Names: Addition of the last name of a spouse or legal confirmation that the last name will be added is permitted in marriage and other legal occasions.

United does not allow difficult decisions to sell tickets to another individual. Valid identification has to be provided on all changes so that there may not be a disruption of travel. To prevent the charges and delays during check-in, customers are recommended to correct them as early as possible.

Can You Transfer a United Airlines Ticket to Another Person?

No, United Airlines does not permit changing a ticket to a different individual because of the TSA security regulations that the name on the ticket must correspond to the government-issued ID of the traveler. Tickets cannot be transferred, sold, or given out. The unavoidable changes can be canceled with fees depending on the fare type to obtain travel credits or vouchers and rebook another ticket under the new name of the other person. MileagePlus award tickets can be canceled and rebooked occasionally with the miles; however, cash tickets cannot.

How to Submit a Name Change Request to United Airlines

United Airlines offers several ways of requesting a name change, differentiating between minor and legal changes (free and documentation-based, respectively). There are United Airlines name change online, phone support, email/mail, and face-to-face, which are available in case of simple fixes, guidance, document submission, and face-to-face at airports. Book at least 72 hours prior to departure in order to be processed.

1. Online Method

United or the United.com. Click on My Trips, fill in your confirmation code and surname. Choose Name Correction (where possible) in case of small errors (e.g., spelling mistakes). As of now, updates are made through prompts; MileagePlus members are able to update their profiles. To change the law, provide such documents as marriage certificates. Confirm via email.

2. Phone Support

Call the United Airlines name change phone number (1-800-864-8331). Give booking information, clarify the problem (typo vs. legal), and give ID information. The minor corrections get processed immediately by agents; the legal change involves sending the email on the document to a specific address. The charges (0-200) and the difference between the fares can apply after 24 hours.

3. Email or Mail Submission

To legally change name (marriage, divorce) (certificates, court order, copy of ID), email or mail at the designated address of United (e.g., through agent instructions or P.O. Box). Include booking reference. Turnaround time of processing: 24-72 hours; follow-up on the phone.

4. Airport Counter

Go in person to the United ticket counter at least 24 hours before the flight and carry ID and documents. Available in case of minor repairs, the agents check and update within the site. Not available post-check-in.

Always make contact before the boarding rejection imposed by TSA regulations. The third-party booking coordination must be done through the agency.

Conclusion

With United Airlines, the passenger has the option to alter the name on their existing booking. The passenger can change the first, middle, or last name on the ticket, but under no circumstances will the traveler be allowed to change the complete name on the ticket. The change can be requested through the official website, but the passenger must request the name change before completing the check-in. Adhere to the rules and regulations and fees of the United name change and get your name change on the ticket for a smooth travel.