What is the Alaska Airlines Name Change Policy?
Alaska Airlines permits the change of names on tickets if some conditions are met. The following are the highlights of their policy of name change:
- Changes in name can only be made in some types. They can be the correction of small spelling errors (including typographical errors), the change of name because of marriage/divorce or other changes stipulated in the law (gender reassignment, adoption, etc.).
- As per the Alaska Airlines name change policy, the transfer of a ticket fully to another individual is not normally permitted; under these circumstances, the previous ticket will normally have to be cancelled and another ticket must be booked with the appropriate name.
- Name changes are usually required to be documented legally. An ID issued by the government corresponding to the corrected name is needed and other documents might be added like marriage certificates, court orders or evidence of legal name change as per the reason behind changing it.
- One of the most important aspects of changes is the window which Alaska Airlines has implemented. When a change request or correction of name is done within 24 hours of purchasing the ticket, the fee is usually free. There are charges after this risk-free time depending on the type of change.
How do I change my name in Alaska?
Changing the name on an Alaska Airlines flight ticket or account is easy provided that you use the steps highlighted and the required documents.
Online via Website
- Go to the Alaska airlines official site.
- Click on the Manage Booking or Manage Travel.
- The booking can be accessed by entering the last name of the passenger and the confirmation code/e-ticket number.
- Choose the option of change name or edit name on the booking details page.
- Correct the appropriate corrections on the name field and present the required legal documents where required.
- Pay the necessary name change fee.
- Confirm the update and verify that you have received a confirmation email.
By Calling Alaska Airlines Customer Service
- Dial Alaska Airlines Customer care number 1 (800) 252-7522.
- Go through the IVR options and choose the option that mentions the change of name.
- On connecting the call with the customer care executive, give the details of your booking and the supporting documents to the representative.
- Pay any necessary fee for changing your name.
- The representative will implement the change and email you the confirmation with a revised ticket.
At the Airport Kiosk
- Go to the airport and find an Alaska Airlines self-service terminal.
- Type in flight information (booking ID and surname) on the kiosk display.
- Click on the Change Name option, and fill in the old and new name spelling.
- Make changes and pay any fee as required following on-screen directions.
- Print new boarding pass with the change in name.
Via Mileage Plan Account
- Sign in to the Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan account.
- Click on the Profile or Account Setting section.
- Add personal details (name) and add the required documents.
- Check and save changes.
The above steps are easy to follow and one can easily modify his or her name on the Alaska Airlines ticket.
What is the Alaska Airlines Name Correction Policy?
The Alaska Airlines differentiates between name changes and name corrections. Name corrections are mostly minor mistakes or typos and not changing identity or transferring tickets. The most prominent points of the name correction policy are below:
- Up to three corrections in the name are normally accepted. As an illustration, the replacement of Lopes by Lopez, correcting minor typing errors, or first vs. last name corrections.
- Normally, the process of removing or adding titles, suffixes, or prefixes (such as Mr., Jr., etc.) which correspond to your government ID are usually permitted under the correction policy.
- As per the Alaska Airlines name correction policy, a change of legal name because of marriage or divorce is regarded more than corrections but Alaska has allowed it provided you provide the required documents.
- Your government-issued ID (passport, driver's license, etc.) must correspond to the name of your ticket when you are traveling. Otherwise, you may encounter security problems at the airport. And so corrections are important.
How Much Do Alaska Airlines Charge for a Name Change?
Depending on timing, nature of the change and whether it is classified as a minor correction or a legal name change or something more substantial, fee depends. The table below shows the Alaska Airlines name change fee that one must encounter while making the changes:
Situation
|
Fee / Charge
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Requesting name change or correction within 24 hours of booking
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No fee or the changes are free for both minor corrections and name changes.
|
After 24 hours, for corrections or changes
|
The Alaska Airlines name change fee of around US$125 for most name changes or corrections are charged.
|
Minor corrections (typos, misspellings up to 3 letters, order reversal etc.)
|
Usually subject to fee if outside the 24?hour free period. But the airline is a bit more lenient for small errors; sometimes corrections might be handled more cheaply depending on how ?minor? they are.
|
Mileage Plan Gold members (certain exceptions apply)
|
The fee is sometimes waived.
|
Documents Required to Change Name on an Alaska Flight Ticket
To ensure compliance with the TSA and law, Alaska Airlines needs particular documents to change or correct the name, which would allow performing the process. The following are the important documents that should be submitted:
- Photo ID: A government-issued ID (a driver license, passport, military ID, etc.) must be authentic and not expired. This ID should be the same as the corrected or amended name once the process has been completed.
- Legal Name Change Document: In case the change of name is related to a marriage/divorce/adoption/or any other legal incident, the official documents (marriage certificate/divorce decree/court order, etc.) that indicate both former and new names must be presented.
- Birth Certificate: In certain cases an original or certified copy of a birth certificate may be required especially when there is a need to make some corrections with regard to birth name or when the primary ID is not available to be corrected at the time.
Some Tips to Keep in Mind Before Name Change Or Correction
The following are some of the tips that one should keep in mind while initiating the Alaska Airlines change passenger name request:
- Always verify your government-issued ID: The name shown on your passport or ID must be spelled, ordered, and spaced as the name shown on the ticket. Even little variations can lead to trouble in the security or boarding.
- Use a 24-hour period: A 24 hour grace period is extremely useful. Errors identified during that time are far much easier to rectify and will not cost you. Make a name check as soon as you make a booking. In Alaska one can freely correct or change the name within this window.
- Legal name changes require proof: In case you have changed your name due to marriage/divorce/etc., bring the adequate certificates. This process may be time consuming, thus plan. Beforehand, it is better to check with Alaska to know what they require.
- Check for Confirmation: Once you have done your name change online, via telephone or at the airport, check to see a confirmation email or message, so as to be sure that the change has been done in the correct way.
- Keep Documentation Handy: Never forget to carry copies of any legal papers that you might need in the airport to be verified. Getting all things in place will enable the process to accelerate.
With these tips in mind, you will be in a position to experience a hassle-free process when changing your name in your Alaska Airlines ticket.
Conclusion
It is a relatively easy process to change your name on an Alaska Airlines flight ticket or account provided you follow the mentioned steps and guidelines. You can choose to change your name online, over the phone, at the airport kiosk, or using your Mileage Plan account; however, to change your name and make corrections, it is imperative to be aware of the respective policies. One has to move with speed, preferably within the 24-hour grace period to avoid unwarranted charges. In any case, make sure your name and the ID you have been issued by the government are the same; otherwise, you may encounter some problems on checking in at the security point or boarding an aircraft. You will be able to ensure the name change experience with Alaska Airlines is smooth by conducting the required preparation of the documentation and being aware of the policies that the airline has.