United Airlines Name Change Policy : Procedure, and Criteria

The United Airlines Name Change Policy has been established to help travelers in changing their names on United Tickets. Travelers can easily make minor changes by following a simple procedure, which can be done online, through agents, at airports, or by visiting the airline office, if it is situated nearby. However, there are certain documents required to make major changes, and ticket transfer is not allowed in any case. As ticket transfers can increase the risk of suspicious travelers boarding the flight, this can turn into something serious. To avoid these risks, United Airlines has come up with a middle ground for providing name changes on tickets but not ticket transfers. 

What are the Guidelines of United Airlines’ Name Change Policy?

Travelers must look at the United Airlines Name Change Policy before applying for any name change. It only allows changes in the incorrect names, not the full name change or any part of the name. 

The criteria by which travelers can expect a name change on a United Airlines ticket are:

• It should be a United Airlines flight.
• If there is codesharing, the name change will only be allowed on the United Airlines route of the journey. 
• The ticket number should begin with 016.
• United Airlines only allows one reissue per ticket while changing the name, which means passengers have to enter the correct name on the first attempt at changing it.
• Any additional changes will be considered as a name change, and the reissued ticket price will increase.
• No changes can be made to date, time, destinations, traveling class, and fare. Only name changes are allowed.
• A flier can only make minor changes to his/her name, which must match the government-issued ID card.
• Date of birth and gender cannot be changed while requesting a name change on the boarding pass of a United Airlines flight. However, minor changes can be made if there is any mistake in it. 
• Extra charges will be applied if passengers want to make further changes apart from a name change, as there are only one correction is allowed by the airline. 

Types of Name Change United Airlines Allows 

United Airlines has divided Name changes into three categories to make it easy for passengers to identify their type and work accordingly. 

Type 1. Minor Changes in Name

Minor changes in names can be done through a standard procedure, and no documentation will be required, as stated in the United Airlines Name Change Policy. These modifications are subject to spelling errors or letter mistakes.

Travelers can modify:

• Typos and errors in name spelling.
• Modifications can be made to a reserved name to and from a nickname. 
• Correction of prefixes like Ms to Mrs.
• The middle name of any person can be corrected. 

Type 2. Legal Name Changes

Legal name changes can happen due to divorce or marriage. Understanding this situation, United Airlines provides the procedure to change it. However, significant documents will be required by the passenger. 

Documents that are required for a Legal Name Change United Airlines

• Divorce: The Flier must present the document that states the separation settlement. 
• Marriage: A Traveler is required to show a marriage certificate to support the name change.
• Full Name Change: If the passenger has changed his/her full name, then government-issued documents that include their old and new identity details.

Type 3. Affidavit with an Alternative Name

It can happen sometimes that the travelers don’t have any documents to support a Name Change on a United Airlines ticket. In these cases, the airlines offer flyers to change his/her name with an Affidavit that shows an alternate name. Travelers can replace their name on the ticket and can also generate a copy of that ID. 

NOTE: If the passenger doesn’t fall in any of these categories, then he/she will have to cancel the flight booking and rebook it with the correct name. 

How to Change Name on a United Airlines Ticket?

United Airlines offers many ways to change the name on a ticket, catering to passengers’ convenience. To be precise, there are three ways to change the name on a United Airlines ticket: By submitting an Affidavit, via a Phone call, and by visiting the Airport. 

Changing Name by Submitting an Affidavit 

Travelers can request a name change on United Airlines tickets by submitting an Affidavit with an alternative name. This is generally used when they don’t have any document that supports their reason for name change. 

Travelers will have to mail the affidavit to the given authorised address and keep a copy with them as proof for the United Airlines name change.

Address: Centre of Service for MileagePlus, Postal Code 1394, 77291-1394, Houston, TX, United States. 

Name Correction by Phone Call

For changing their name urgently, travelers can opt for this method. Custom service agents of United Airlines will help them in correcting their name on the ticket quickly. Travelers can call 1-800-864-8331, and an assistant will answer and help them resolve this query. The assistant will collect necessary details before making any changes to the passenger’s ticket. Therefore, passengers are required to provide them with all the information correctly and carefully. 

Fliers can also call +1-800-865-1848 for immediate service, as this number operates 24/7 and works for all types of problem-solving. 

Name Change by Visiting the Airport

In-person assistance can be requested by visiting the airport and moving to the United Airlines help desk. The airline staff present at the airport will directly start working on solving passengers’ problems. They will inform about the procedure to the traveler according to United Airlines’ Name Change Policy. 

Step-by-Step Procedure of Online Name Change at United Airlines

Travelers can follow this procedure to make minor changes in their names, like typos and wrong spellings. It can be done through the United Airlines official website, and there are no assistance is required for these small corrections.

Step 1. Visit the Official Portal of United Airlines

Open United Airlines’ website at unitedairlines.com and move to the “My Trips” section. 

Step 2. Access Account

Passengers will have to booking confirmation number and last name to access their accounts.

Step 3. Search for editing

Search for the option to edit the booking details. If the next step allows name correction, then proceed.

Step 4. Follow Instructions 

Add the correct name and follow the other instructions displayed on the screen to change the name on a United Airlines ticket.

Step 5: Wait for confirmation

Save the changes made and submit them. Then wait for the confirmation from the Airline. 

Pro Tip: If the passengers’ flight is near departure, then name changes can not be done online. In this scenario, it’s best to visit the airline help desk for immediate assistance. 

How to Change Name on United Airlines MileagePlus?

Travelers who have a MileagePlus account can make changes to their name, and there is a requirement for supporting documents here also. But to act in accordance with the TSA secure program, the name on the MileagePlus account should match the government-issued ID card. 

Some Key Points to Remember:

• Travelers should not forget to upload the supporting documents.
• The name change processing time for United Airlines MileagePlus is two weeks.
• Any changes can be requested by contacting the MileagePlus Service Center. 

Fliers can request a name change on their MileagePlus Account  through:

1. MileagePlus Account
2. Calling the Customer Support Center of United Airlines

Furthermore, changes can be requested by uploading the supporting document to the MileagePlus accounts or mailing an Affidavit to the official Mileage Service Center. 

What is the Cost of Changing a Name on a United Airlines Flight Ticket?

Travelers can surely change their names on the United Flight tickets, but there are some charges applied to it. However, the fee depends on the time of the request. 

• Within 24 hours: If the request has been registered within 24 hours of booking the ticket, then travelers are subject to pay a $75 fee. 

• After 24 hours: Any Name change request made after 24 hours of confirming the ticket and two hours before departure will be charged a $200 fee, along with the difference in fare. 

Pro Tip: To minimise the name change fee, passengers must take action as soon as they realize that there is an error in their name.

Contact Details of United Airlines for Better Access

Any inconvenience or problem while changing the name can be reported to United Airlines anytime. Customer support works all the time to help passengers in resolving any queries, especially related to name changes.

• United Airlines Headquarters Address: 233 South Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL 60606.
• Helpline Number: +1-800-865-1848
• Postal Address: Centre of Service for MileagePlus, Postal Code 1394, 77291-1394, Houston, TX, United States. 

Useful Tips to keep travelers away from making Name Errors

Although the option is available for a United Airlines Name Change, it’s best to avoid these kinds of mistakes. As there are charges imposed on passengers for the rectification of their names on the United Airlines boarding pass. 

• Be Careful: Passengers should be careful while entering details and must always double-check before submitting them.

• Take Immediate Action: Carefully look at the ticket after confirmation and take immediate action if there is any wrong or misspelled information. 

• Have Knowledge about the United Name Change policy: Passengers must have a brief understanding of United Airlines’ Name Change Policy and also about fare differences.

• Approach Airline Staff: If the traveler is not confident enough to make changes on his own, he must request assistance from the United Airlines Staff.
• Carry Legal Documents: Fliers should make sure to have all the necessary supporting legal documents required for the name change procedure. 

Final Thoughts

Mistakes while entering Names are very common, but there are options to rectify them, especially while booking United Airlines tickets. However, minor changes like typos and spelling errors can be corrected online through United’s official website without any supporting documents and at a name change fee, if done within 24 hours. But legal name changes take time and also require supporting documents like a marriage certificate and divorce agreement. The process of the United Airlines Name Change is quite simple, but it’s advised to stay cautious, act quickly, and avoid these errors. 

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