American Airlines Name Change Policy: What You Should Know
Booked a flight with American Airlines and realized your name isn’t exactly right on the ticket? Don’t stress — it happens more often than you’d think. But here’s the deal: the name on your flight ticket must match your government-issued ID or passport. If it doesn’t, you might run into some serious travel trouble. Luckily, American Airlines allows certain name corrections.
Let’s break down what you need to know
🔐 Why Matching Your Name Matters
American Airlines (and the TSA) are strict when it comes to security. Your boarding pass must match your ID exactly — even middle names or suffixes matter! This is especially important if you're flying internationally where your name must match your passport, not just your license.
Mismatch = More security checks or denied boarding. Correct match = Smooth take off.
🚫 What Happens If Your Name’s Incorrect?
Having the wrong name on your ticket isn’t just an inconvenience — it can cost you:
❌ Denied boarding at the gate
💸 Extra fees to rebook or fix your reservation
📄 Issues with travel insurance if your name doesn't match your documents
✅ What Kinds of Name Corrections Are Allowed?
American Airlines allows you to fix certain types of mistakes:
✔️ Minor spelling fixes (like “Jhon” to “John”) ✔️ Surname corrections ✔️ Legal name changes (must have documentation) ✔️ Name changes from marriage/divorce (with marriage cert or divorce decree)
📄 What Documents Do You Need?
To get your name changed, you’ll need valid ID and supporting documents like:
Driver’s license
Passport
Government-issued ID
Marriage certificate / divorce decree
Court order (for legal name change)
🛠 How to Request a Name Change
American Airlines gives you a few ways to fix the issue:
🖥 Online: Go to “My Trips” on the AA website 📱 Mobile app: Log in and manage your booking 📞 Phone: Call customer service with your booking ref + ID 🏢 Airport: Visit the AA ticket counter early with your documents
⏰ Time Deadlines Matter
You can’t wait till the last minute — here’s how much time you have:
🏙 Domestic flights: Make changes at least 24 hours before departure
🌍 International flights: At least 72 hours before departure
✈️ Pro Tip: Always double-check your ticket info right after booking. It's easier (and cheaper) to fix early than at the airport.
✍️ Final Thoughts
Name errors can cost you more than just stress. Make sure your name matches your ID from the start, and if not, use American Airlines’ name correction policy to fix it in time.
