changing name on plane ticket?

[maxiesmom]

Is it possible to change a passenger's name on a plane ticket? My mom is supposed to go to Disney with me next month. She has been having some trouble, and needs to have a small procedure done in the doctor's office 2 weeks before we leave. She is worried that she might not be able to go, and wondered if someone else could take her ticket if she wasn't feeling up to it. Is it possible to change a name on a non-refundable ticket? I'm not thinking so, but I could be wrong. The tickets are on United, if that makes a difference.

 

[NotUrsula]

It's not possible to change the passenger name on ANY ticket; you have to buy a new ticket to do it. (Though you can get away with switching passengers on a domestic flight if the new user is a child, because kids don't have to show ID.)

Some airlines will let you buy the new ticket without charging a fee (just the fare difference if there is one), and others charge a fee of up to $100 on top of any fare difference. UA charges a fee, it will be on their website.

 

[maxiesmom]

So I could just buy the same ticket in someone elses name? Do you mean I could call and explain it to them, and they would cancel my moms ticket and let me re-purchase the same seat? Am I understanding that right?

 

[disneyfaninaz]

It certainly wouldn't hurt to try.

 

[NancyIL]

So I could just buy the same ticket in someone elses name? Do you mean I could call and explain it to them, and they would cancel my moms ticket and let me re-purchase the same seat? Am I understanding that right?

When you call the airline to cancel the original ticket, you'll get a credit minus any fee the airline charges, and can use that on a future ticket. You will pay whatever price the new ticket costs.

 

[jamounger]

I booked a seat for my son once and when I put in his name I put the wrong last name(he is from first marriage). It took 4 hours on the phone to get it changed. At first they offered to issue him a credit and have me buy another ticket. The catch to that was that the credit would be in the wrong name and he still couldn't use it. I was one click away from taking them up on the credit and using it for my grandson who was 2yrs old since there is no ID there and buying another ticket when a manager gave in and reissued the tickets with the right name. You can bet I read everything over and over before I purchase now.

 

[Colinsmom]

So I could just buy the same ticket in someone elses name? Do you mean I could call and explain it to them, and they would cancel my moms ticket and let me re-purchase the same seat? Am I understanding that right?

Your mom will get a refund in her name (non-transferrable) for the price of the ticket, less $100.

You can buy a new ticket in someone else's name at the current airfare (but can't use your mom's non-transferrable credit to do so), assuming there are still seats available for purchase (keeping in mind that it is normal to oversell flights).

 

[taekwondo mom]

Call your airline and ask , I had the same problem DD friend was going tickets purchased and two weeks before the friend was unable to go another friend could the airline couldn't change the name, I was told I could just let the new friend use the ticket but I was a afraid something would happen so Southwest canceled the ticket and I was able to purchase a new ticket with the credit from the first and paid the difference in the new price.

Just ask to see if they will be willing to help.
Good luck

 

[Rpsemont]

What airline is your ticket on? They all have different rules. United, Delta, USAIR, Continental generally will let you cancel a ticket and apply those funds to a future ticket with a change fee but still only for the same original passenger. SWA allows you to cancel and the cost is held as ticketless travel funds able to be used by the original purchaser for any other ticket for any other person.
You best bet is to call the carrier and explain. HOwever, if you purchased your ticket through a travel site (expedia, orbitz, etc) you have to call the travel site