Southwest Airlines Name Change Policy

Southwest Airlines name change policy provides convenience to passengers by preparing guidelines for name alterations. Customers can smoothly correct or change their names using these guidelines.

Southwest Airlines Name Change Policy Guidelines

Here are the guidelines that every traveler has to follow for name correction on Southwest Airlines tickets:

• A passenger cannot change their name to transfer the ownership of tickets to another person. In this case, a traveler can transmit a ticket by canceling the Southwest flight and rebooking again. 
• A traveler cannot change the name. Therefore, you can correct only a few characters of your first, middle, and last name. 
• A passenger is allowed to correct a name up to four characters. The four characters in total for first, middle, and last names are allowed. 
• The name change is only allowed in the case of legal circumstances such as marriage or divorce. 
• The customer's name must match the government-issued identification cards.
• A traveler is allowed to change the name only once.
• A passenger must provide proper documents to the airline for a legal name change. 
• In the case of an interline or codeshare agreement, the name change request of the Southwest flight segment will be permitted. 
• Once the Southwest name change process is completed, a passenger must select the seats again. The customer cannot swap the seats from the old to the new PNR. 

Southwest Airlines Name Corrections on the Tickets

Flying with the correct name is Southwest Airlines’s primary condition. If minor errors are in your name, you can correct them under the Southwest Airlines name change policy. Making necessary rectifications in your name is part of the name correction policy. 

Southwest Airlines name change policy does not allow a passenger to change the full name. Also, a customer is not permitted to add the name of another person to the ticket. However, a person is authorized to change the name due to marriage or divorce. Southwest Airlines permits a person to change the name after marriage only on the submission of legal documents. 

It is important to note that in the case of marriage or divorce, a passenger is only allowed to correct the last name. The following documents are needed at the time of name correction on tickets:

• In the event of a marriage, a traveler has to provide a marriage license, previous identity proof, and existing identification proof. 
• In the case of divorce, a passenger must submit court orders and documents supporting a legal name change. 

What Type Of Name Change Requests Are Accepted By Southwest Airlines?

Southwest Airlines generally accepts Southwest flight name change requests in the following circumstances: 

Fix Misspelled Name - Whenever a customer makes an error when booking a flight, Southwest Airlines allows corrections to be made.

Legal Name Change - Southwest Airlines allows customers to correct their name on a reservation if a legal change has occurred, for example, following a marriage or court order due to divorce.

Southwest Misspelled Name On Boarding Pass? Does it Need to Match your Passport?

Passengers can’t travel with a Southwest misspelled name on their boarding pass. According to the TSA (Transportation Security Administration) terms and conditions, your name on the boarding pass must match your government-issued ID to avoid future hurdles.  However, if you have missed out middle name, it’s not an issue.

Documents for Southwest Flight Name Change Situations

Generally, Airlines are prohibited from allowing passengers to change their name entirely. But, there are specific laws to southwest name change due to marriage or divorce. If the legal documentations are there, the name change process for the wrong name on airline ticket would be more manageable and explicit. 

Documents for Southwest Name Change due to Marriage 

• Passenger’s previous identification evidence 
• Existing identification documents

Documents for Southwest Name Change due to Divorce

• Passenger’s previous identification evidence 
• Legal divorce orders by the court.

Ways of Name Correction on the Tickets of Southwest Airlines

Every passenger uses different methods for solving their misspelled errors on the tickets. For this, Southwest Airlines has provided distinct ways of correcting the name. So, a passenger can change the name on the ticket in the following ways:

Method 1 - Name Change by Calling the Airlines

Every airline provides contact information to passengers that they can use anytime. Most customers use these details to modify the name on the ticket. After you call the customer service number, follow the given steps:

• You must have your six-digit booking number.
• Submit photocopies of legal documents or any other information that depicts your correct identity when asked by the representative.
• You can only add up to four characters in total to your first, middle, and last name. 
• If there is any fee alongside the fare difference to be paid, you must pay that.
• After the name change on the boarding pass, you will get a new confirmation. Next, you need to complete the check-in and seat selection again. 

Method 2 - Name Correction by Using Website

A customer can use the Southwest Airlines website to alter the name on the ticket. If you want to use this method for rectifying the name on Southwest Airlines, you need to go along with the following steps:

• First, stop by the official site of the airline.
• Second, click on the “log in” icon.
• Third, fill in your confirmation number and last name.
• Fourth, click on the flight button.
• Fifth, select “manage reservation” from the menu.
• Sixth, you will get on the scheduled reservation table, where you will get an option of “Edit Name”. Edit your name and enter all the relevant information regarding the name change.
• Seventh, you will pay the fee, if applicable.
• Lastly, save all the information and wait for the confirmation of the new ticket.

Method 3 - Name Change on the Ticket Via Compliant Page

The compliant page is the unique feature of Southwest Airlines name change policy. It informs the airline about a passenger’s complaints and can be used for placing requests. 

Here are the steps to use this method for name correction:

• First, visit the Contact Us page on Southwest Airlines website.
• Second, use the Email Us option given on the page.
• Third, fill the form with the necessary details, like flight particulars.
• Fourth, upload the relevant documents in support of the name change.
• Lastly, wait for the response that you may receive on your email ID. 

Tips to Avoid Southwest Cost to Change Name on Ticket

Southwest does not charge for minor name corrections. However, we must not underestimate the possibility of name errors during the booking process due to unforeseen circumstances.  
Below-stated are some of the tips you must consider while booking your flight ticket to Southwest cost to change the name on the ticket.  

• Always try to book your flight ticket yourself. Name errors can be prevented when you fill out your information by yourself. 
• Make sure the name your enter while booking exactly the same as on your government-issued ID. 
• Even when you are very confident with the filled information, there is always a potential of making a mistake. So, double-check your information.
• Make sure you check once before submitting your detail. 
• Don’t forget to review your flight confirmation mail. In case you find any error, you have 24 hours to make significant modifications free of charge. 

Name correction via any mode may sometimes become hectic. In the meantime, you'll have to cancel your flight and rebook it. The Southwest change flight fee varies depending on the fare type. If you want to avoid the upheaval of the name processes, call Southwest customer service at 1-800-I-FLY-SWA, available 24/7 for assistance. However, you can also dial +1-800-865-1848 at OTA because sometimes, the official number will not be able to connect you due to technical difficulties. .

Southwest Airlines Transfer Ticket To Another Person

One of the biggest airlines in the US, Southwest, offers easy-to-understand flight, name, and cancellation policies. But Southwest has tightened its policies when a customer needs to give their ticket to someone else. The reasons why Southwest Airlines transfers tickets to another person is not allowed is a risk of fraud and false travellers to board the flight. 

However, there are some alternatives available to flyers. One of the best options is to cancel your reservation and make a completely new booking in the name of another traveller. Here are the quick steps to cancel a travel ticket to another person. 

• First, visit the official Southwest Airlines website.
• Login to your "Manage to book" account.
• Enter your flight confirmation number along with your name.
• Select a flight from the reservation list that you want to cancel.
• Tap on the "Cancel" option.
• Pay the ticket cancellation fee if required.
• The airline will ask you to select the refund method. 
• To request a refund, tap on the "Refund methods" option.
• Lastly, Southwest will convert the amount of your fare cash refunds or travel refunds that can be used for future travels.

Southwest Airlines Name Change Charges

The name change fee depends on the situation under which the request is initiated. If a passenger has started the name correction on the ticket request within 24 hours, there is no need to pay any change fee. 

However, if you have requested the name correction after 24 hours of booking, you may have to pay between $80-$200. The fee amount is calculated depending on the date of change and the time left for boarding the flight. 

For the sake of pleasurable travel, all misspelled names should be fixed. However, if you wish to change your complete name, the above-mentioned policy is futile. In full name change contexts, you must cancel your existing ticket and rebook it in compliance with Southwest change reservation policy.

What is Southwest Name Change Phone Number?

To reach the Southwest Airlines customer support team for general concerns and complaints, you may call on 1-800-435-9792 or 1-800-I-FLY-SWA. However, if you want to get more immediate assistance from a travel expert regarding Southwest misspelled name on boarding pass, dial  +1-800-865-1848 an online trave agency.

Other Methods to Contact Southwest Airlines for Name Change

Apart from using talking to a Southwest live agent via phone to change name on plane ticket, there are many ways by which you can connect directly with the representative. 

• Southwest Airlines Live chat
• Southwest Airlines Social media
• Southwest Airlines Email

Note : Flying Rules are intended to provide passengers with information regarding airline policies. Therefore, all information presented here is authentic and has been taken from official sources. Nonetheless, as a service provider, we strive to enhance your travel experience, regardless of the airline. Please take note that we at Flying Rules are not liable for the actions of the official airlines and will not be held accountable for them.