Mistakes are a common human tendency. While reserving a seat on Southwest Airlines, one must be extra cautious to prevent any. One might still write a misspelled name or wrong initials on their flight ticket.
In this situation, you must change or alter the name on time to have a hassle-free boarding experience. Southwest Airlines Name Change Policy can help you understand the various options you are entitled to in case you write the wrong name or have a legal name change after marriage.
Therefore, walk through this resourceful article, which entails every policy aspect, along with step-by-step guidance on how to alter your initials.
With the flexible Southwest Airlines Name Change Policy, you can enjoy a seamless name update and a convenient trip. Call our Tours N Travel Pro agent now at +1-844-402-8105 to get your request completed quickly.
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General Guidelines of Southwest Airlines Name Change Policy
Passengers can smoothly modify their names and correct misspelled words using the customer-oriented Southwest Airlines Name Change Policy. Here are the general structures of the rules and regulations one must adhere to proceed with changing names on a Southwest flight:
Does Southwest Airlines allow name changes on tickets?
You can easily change names on tickets that you misspelled. That means you can adjust a few characters in your first, last or middle name if the spelling doesn’t match your name in the government ID or passport/visa. However, you can change the whole name on your reservation.
Legal Name Changes
If you recently underwent a legal name change after marriage, divorce, adoption, or for any other reason, you can update your last name and match it with the government-issued ID. The Airline allows easy access to this facility, which can be made online or offline.
Who is eligible for self-serve name correction?
If you need to make a name correction yourself, you can do it in the following cases:
- Accompanied Minors
- Name correction after checking in
- Completely unused tickets
- Booked through SWABIZ
- Bookings made by phone
- Youth Traveler
- EarlyBird Check-In Bookings
- Revenue and points bookings
- Involuntary Changes
Who isn’t eligible to correct names themselves?
The following cases do not permit self-service for changing names under the Southwest Airlines Name Change Policy:
- Extra Seat
- Correction after bags are checked in
- Rapid Rewards number included in the booking
- Lap Child
- Partially used itineraries
- Group bookings
- Within 60 minutes of flight departure for domestic and 90 minutes for international departures
Important Terms & Conditions of Southwest Airlines regarding Name Change
- Southwest Airlines Name Change Policy allows name changes for a code-share agreement or an interline flight.
- If you need to alter a Minor’s name on the ticket, you can do it free of cost within the 24-hour booking window. Beyond this time frame, you might incur a name change fee Southwest.
- In no circumstances does Southwest permit a complete ticket transfer to another passenger.
- You must provide the supporting documents for every legal name update to initiate the process.
- You can modify your misspelled names on the Southwest reservation anytime before 72 hours of flight departure.
- However, you may only change your name on the flight tickets once.
- You must understand that the Airlines won’t let you change your entire name.
Documents Required for Southwest Airlines Ticket Name Correction
In general, for every legal action you must take, you must provide certain documents to testify about your actions. Also, Airlines are restricted from changing any names on their flight tickets. However, Southwest Airlines ticket name corrections are permitted to a certain extent if supported with legal evidence. In case of marriage, divorce, adoption or other circumstances, you must provide the following paperwork to the Airlines to promote a healthy name change on your reservation for the upcoming Southwest flight:
- The Government-issued previous photo ID card.
- Your new Government-issued photo ID
- Marriage certificate or license.
- Divorce decree or legal court orders
- Adoption papers
- Other supporting documents are needed for your reason for changing names.
Additional information needs to be attached to the documents:
- Passenger’s full name,
- Address,
- Phone Number, and
- Confirmation number or Rapid Rewards account number.
Are there fees for name corrections with Southwest Airlines?
If you are worried you might have to pay a hefty Name Change Fees Southwest, you should ease out. There are no penalty fees on Southwest tickets for the first 24 hours of booking. You can freely alter the spelling of your name. After the 24-hour window closes, you are only allowed to change it once for a small name change fee. However, if the need to change for the second time arises, you should instantaneously contact the Airline or your travel agent to verify your ticket terms and whether you are entitled to it.
Different Ways to Change Your Name on a Southwest Flight Booking
There are multiple methods to reach Southwest Airlines for a name correction. You can either opt for self-help and make changes online or if you want, the Customer Service Agent can do it for you. Under the Southwest Airlines Name Change Policy, here are your options for a name change.
How do I correct a misspelled name on my Southwest Airlines ticket?
You can help make the necessary changes to your ticket by visiting the Southwest website or app.
Method 1: Modify Southwest Airlines Ticket Name via Website
To correct the spelling mistakes in your name on the Southwest flight reservation, perform these steps:
- Browse the official site of Southwest Airlines on your Desktop or PC.
- Go to the login page and enter your account details.
- Once your account is displayed, move to the Manage Reservation button.
- Now, input your itinerary information, such as confirmation number and traveller name.
- On the schedule reservation page, click on Edit Name.
- Type the correct spelling of your first or middle name as mentioned in the gov. ID.
- Clear any applicable Name Change Fees Southwest.
- Finally, Save the modification you made and check your email for the confirmed flight tickets.
- Remember, you will have to check in once again, even if you already did before changing names.
Method 2: Name Correction via Southwest Mobile App
You may use the Southwest app to manage your reservations. If it can utilized for name corrections. Therefore, download the app from the Play Store/App Store and follow these prompts:
- Run the mobile app on your device after it’s downloaded.
- You will have to sign in to your airline account.
- In this step, move to the Reservations button and type your flight booking number using your current passenger name.
- Press the Retrieve Booking tab.
- In the Edit option, make the necessary alteration to your name.
- Also, upload the legal documents for verification.
- Pay any name change fee and get the email confirmation on the new ticket.
- Don’t forget to re-check in.
Airlines Assistance for Name Adjustments
Method 1: Call the Southwest Airlines Representative
You can find the contact information for reaching the Airlines on their website or call +1-844-402-8105 for immediate response.
- Start by dialling the Customer Support Number and carry the IVR prompts.
- Once connected to a live person at Southwest, request a name change.
- After that, the agent will ask for your 6-digit itinerary confirmation number and full name to access your itinerary. Kindly provide accurate information.
- Next, you have to submit your legal copies of the supporting evidence for Southwest Airlines ticket name correction.
- Proceeding this, you can alter or add up to 4 characters to your name.
- If a fee is attached to the name change, clear your dues.
- Once your name is changed on the reservation, the Airline will mail your confirmed ticket with the corrected initials.
- Also, you must re-assign a seat for yourself and check in.
Method 2: Visit the Airport Kiosk
The Airport Customer Service desk is the last-minute option for name corrections when passengers are in a hurry. You may use the help desk to request service or visit the Automate Kiosk for adjustments. Ask for assistance and provide your valid papers plus the name change fee. Furthermore, on asking, the Airlines customer representative can brief you about the Southwest Airlines Name Change Policy for your reference.
Other Modes of Contacting Southwest Airlines for Name Changes
Other than the above-mentioned methods of connecting with the Airlines, you can opt for these modes as well:
- Southwest Airlines Live Chat Assistance- available on their website
- Southwest Airlines Customer Support Email or Complaint Page
Can I transfer my Southwest Airlines ticket to another person?
Southwest Airlines Name Change Policy states that a traveller cannot completely transfer their Southwest ticket to another individual. Due to strict government laws, the Airline doesn’t offer an entire name change on flight tickets.
How can you transfer your Southwest Airlines tickets to another passenger?
Although you cannot transmit your reservation to someone else due to fraudulence, there is an alternate solution to your problem. If you must pass your reservation, you must cancel the flight and rebook it using another traveller’s name. Follow the given steps for Southwest ticket reissue:
- Foremost, steer to the official Southwest Airlines website.
- Now, if you booked with your Rapid Rewards accounts, sign in to the account.
- Otherwise, dash to the Manage Bookings tab.
- Next, enter your flight confirmation number and the passenger name.
- Move to the Cancel tab when your upcoming flight details pop up.
- Opt for the Cancel button.
- Then, you can view your refund options.
- You can request a refund by clicking Refund Methods.
- Lastly, Southwest will convert your fare amount to the travel refund and process it in your account.
Once your reservation is cancelled, proceed to book a new one.
- Navigate to the Book A Flight tab on the website.
- Input your travel preferences and hit Search to browse the flight options.
- After considering all options, confirm your ticket with a new passenger name for the required individual.
How can I change the name of my Rapid Rewards Account?
If the need arises, major updates to your Rapid Rewards account can be requested on Southwest’s official webpage. Just sign in to your account and dash to the Profile page. You can then update your details in the Edit section. Also, you may contact the airlines and send a photocopy of any of the relevant documents:
- Marriage license
- Divorce Agreement
- The old government-issued photo ID and the new government-issued ID.
How can you avail yourself of Southwest Airlines’ Name Change Policy without a fee?
To avoid the Southwest name change fees, try the following tips:
- Cross-verify your itinerary: Double-check that the information and spelling are correct before you finalize the reservation.
- Use the Correct Name when booking: Make sure to use the name that matches your documents across all platforms.
- Name correction within the time range: The Airline allows name corrections for minors without a fee.
Southwest Airlines Name Change Policy offers a flexible range of services to update names anytime before the flight’s departure. You have various options to contact the Airline and request the amenity. Make sure you have the supporting documents to promote a smooth procedure.
If you need to change your name on the Southwest ticket, call Tours N Travel Pro Experts at +1-844-402-8105 and get alterations quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ans. Indeed, passengers entitled to alter their names on Southwest tickets can freely change their first and middle names. Please note that if you checked in for your flight already, you will need to check in again after making name corrections.
Ans. Southwest permits name change for free when passengers request the service within 24 hours of reservation. But if you contact the Airlines beyond the risk-free period, you might have to pay a name change fee of about $79-$199, according to your ticket conditions.
Ans. Of course, Southwest understands the legal requirements of name changes in marriage or divorce conditions and allows their travellers hassle-free last name changes. If you need to change your name on the ticket, ensure that you provide legal evidence, like a divorce decree or marriage certificate, to support your request.
Ans. Southwest Airlines has leveraged several modes to fix a misspelled name on your booked ticket. You can contact the Airline officials at +1-844-402-8105 to request a name correction. Moreover, you have other options, like using the website, app, airport desk, live chat, or complaint page to update your ticket name.
Ans. Under no circumstance does the Airline allow a transfer of the Southwest flight ticket to another individual. The only option you have is to cancel the booking and make a fresh reservation for that person.