Fixing the name on a American ticket

Why the name on your ticket matters

In the US, the TSA’s Secure Flight program checks the name, date of birth and gender in your reservation against government watch lists, and security officers compare your boarding pass with your ID at the checkpoint. A mismatch can cause delays or problems at check-in, so it is worth fixing before you travel.

Small differences are common and often not a problem, for example a missing middle name or a suffix such as “Jr.” on one document but not the other. Spelling errors and swapped first and last names are worth correcting.

What is usually fixable

• Typing errors and minor misspellings.
• First and last names entered in the wrong order.
• Adding or correcting a middle name to match your ID.
• Legal name changes, such as after marriage, with supporting documents.

What usually is not

• Changing the ticket to a different person. Most airline tickets are non-transferable.
• Replacing a name entirely with one that does not match the traveller’s ID.

How to request a correction

1. Contact American (or the travel agency you booked with) as early as possible. Do not wait until you are at the airport.
2. Have your confirmation code and your ID ready, and spell the correct name exactly as it appears on the ID you will travel with.
3. Ask whether any fee or documentation applies, and whether the ticket needs to be reissued.
4. Get the corrected itinerary in writing and check it carefully.

Contacting American directly

For changes to your reservation, the airline itself is always the authoritative source. Use the American app, the “My Trips” area of aa.com, or an airport service desk. If you booked through a travel agency or booking site, changes usually have to go through them.

How FlightConnectors can help

If you would rather not work through this alone, an independent specialist can talk you through the options that apply to your ticket, explain the fare rules in plain English and help you decide what to ask the airline for. This is particularly useful when the correction cannot be made online or the booking was made through a third party.

We are not the airline and cannot override its decisions, and you can always contact your airline directly at no charge. If our service involves a fee, we explain it before you decide to go ahead.

Common questions

Is there a fee to correct a name?

It depends on the correction and the airline’s policy. Minor spelling fixes are often free; anything that requires reissuing the ticket may cost more. Ask American what applies to your booking.

My middle name is missing. Do I need to fix it?

Usually not. Small differences such as a missing middle name are generally acceptable, but the first and last names should match your ID.

I booked through a travel website. Who do I contact?

Start with the company you booked with. Airlines often cannot change bookings that a third party controls until it hands them over.

American Airlines is a trademark of American Airlines, Inc. FlightConnectors is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by or authorized by American Airlines, Inc. Airline names are used only to identify the bookings this guide covers.