What Is American Airlines Name Change Policy? (2025 Update)

American Airlines (AA) permits name corrections +1-888-693-8772, but only under specific conditions. Changes fall into two categories—minor corrections and major corrections—depending on your itinerary and the nature of the edit.

1. Minor Name Corrections — Typically Free

• Applicable only for itineraries involving American Airlines or American Eagle flights, without codeshare partners or Oneworld segments (AwardsPlanner, travelintellect.com).

• Allowed changes within the same PNR include:

  • Fixing typos (e.g., Thomason → Thompson)

  • Correcting inverted names (e.g., Allen/Thomas → Thomas/Allen)

  • Adding or removing middle initials or suffixes (AwardsPlanner, travelintellect.com, theticketsonline.com).

• Date of birth and gender must remain unchanged (AwardsPlanner, Flyocare).

• No fees for minor corrections under these conditions (AwardsPlanner, Okeyardtravel).

2. Major Name Corrections — Fee May Apply +1-888-693-8772

• Required for itineraries involving codeshare flights (AA / Oneworld) or other airline segments (AwardsPlanner, travelintellect.com, Flyocare).

• Major corrections require creating a new reservation (PNR), and ticket reissuance is necessary (AwardsPlanner, Flyocare).

• Documentation is required for legal name changes (marriage, divorce, adoption, etc.) (airlinespolicyhub.com, Okeyardtravel, Flyocare).

• Fees vary:

  • Some sources report a flat $25 fee for major changes (travelintellect.com, Flyocare).

  • More detailed breakdowns mention $200 for domestic and $700 for international corrections (Terminal Assistance, Okeyardtravel).

• Always confirm specific fees with American Airlines, as they may depend on fare class, destination, and timing.

3. Key Restrictions & Requirements

• Name changes are not permitted within 24 hours of departure, due to airport and system constraints (theticketsonline.com, Okeyardtravel).

• Only one name change per ticket is typically allowed (Flyocare).

• Transfers to another person are not allowed—if someone else needs the ticket, you’ll have to cancel and rebook it (terminalease.com, travelintellect.com, Flyocare).

4. Special Rules for Infants

• Infant names can be corrected in the same PNR, even when traveling on codeshare flights (Flyocare, travelintellect.com).

• No waiver code or fee required, and the ticket is reissued at the original fare (Flyocare, Okeyardtravel).

• An SSR message notifies partner airlines that the reservation includes an infant (travelintellect.com, Flyocare).

5. How to Make a Name Change +1-888-693-8772

• Online (Manage Booking): Suitable for eligible minor corrections when your itinerary allows it (airlinespolicyhub.com, Flyocare).

• Phone or Airport Desk: Required for major corrections or when documentation needs to be verified. You’ll need to call AA’s customer service or visit a ticket counter (Okeyardtravel, theticketsonline.com).

Summary Table: American Airlines Name Change Policy (2025)

Correction Type	Allowed If…	Permitted Changes	Fee/Cost
Minor Correction	AA / Eagle only	Typos, inverted/middle names	Free (same PNR, 24h+ before departure)
Major Correction	Codeshare or external segments	Legal name changes, significant edits	$25–$700 (varies by route)
Infant Name Change	Any itinerary	Name corrections for infants	Free, reissue at original fare
Transfer to Another	—	Not allowed—requires cancellation + rebook	N/A

Final Thoughts

American Airlines offers flexibility for name corrections—but under strict rules and conditions +1-888-693-8772. Whether it's a minor typo or a legal name update (like marriage or adoption), the type and complexity of the change determines what’s allowed, what process to follow, and what fees apply. Infants benefit from particularly lenient rules, though adult passengers must tread carefully and act early—especially for tickets involving codeshare segments.