American Airline Name Change Policy: A Comprehensive Guide
American Airlineย (AA) provides a structured process for name corrections on wholly unused (001) validated tickets. These corrections are classified into Minor and Major changes, depending on the nature of the itinerary and the extent of the modification. Understanding these guidelines is essential for travelers and travel agents to ensure a smooth correction process.
General Information
AA allows name change and name corrections but does not permit ticket transfers to another individual. The correction policy applies only to wholly unused tickets, with different procedures for Minor and Major name corrections:
- Minor Name Corrections: Applied when the itinerary consists only of American Airline (AA) or American Eagle flights. These changes can be processed within the same Passenger Name Record (PNR).
- Major Name Corrections: Required when the itinerary includes codeshare flights (AA*/oneworldยฎ partners or non-oneworld carriers). Due to Global Distribution System (GDS) limitations, these corrections require a new PNR.
Minor Name Correction Guidelines
Minor name corrections apply to itineraries with wholly American Airlineย or American Eagle flights. These changes must be made at least 24 hours before departure as the flight is under airport control within this timeframe.
Key Rules for Minor Corrections
- Name corrections must be processed within the same PNR.
- The original Secure Flight Passenger Data (SFPD)โincluding Date of Birth (DOB) and genderโmust remain unchanged.
- Waiver Code: NC03AGCY (to be included in the endorsement box).
- The ticket must be reissued at the original fare, with no changes to flights or dates and no additional fees.
Types of Minor Name Corrections
| Correction Type | Example |
|---|---|
| Last Name Modification | THOMASON โ THOMPSON |
| Removal of Prefix/Suffix | SMITH JR โ SMITH |
| Legal Name Change (Marriage/Adoption) | LEE โ NGUYEN |
| First Name Modification | JUDI โ JUDITH |
| Middle Name/Initial Modification | May remove or modify as needed |
| Addition/Removal of Second Last Name | SCHNEIDER โ SCHNEIDER DIETRICH |
| Inverted Names (First & Last Name Reversed) | ALLEN/THOMAS โ THOMAS/ALLEN |
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Major Name Correction Guidelines
Major name corrections are required when an itinerary includes codeshare flights (AA*/oneworldยฎ or non-oneworld carriers). Unlike minor corrections, these cannot be processed within the same PNR due to GDS system limitations.
Key Rules for Major Corrections
- A new PNR must be created.
- The new itinerary must match the original flights, dates, and routing.
- If identical booking classes are unavailable, agents should book the lowest available inventory.
- Secure Flight Passenger Data (SFPD) must remain unchanged.
- Sales waiver authorization is required.
- Name Correction Fee: โฌ40 applies for each correction.
Types of Major Name Corrections
| Correction Type | Example |
|---|---|
| Last Name Modification | RODRIGES โ DERODRIGUEZ |
| Removal of Prefix/Suffix | THORNTON III โ THORNTON |
| Legal Name Change (Marriage/Adoption) | SMITH โ THOMAS |
| First Name Modification | JULIE โ VIVIAN |
| Middle Name/Initial Modification | Can be added, removed, or modified |
| Addition/Removal of Second Last Name | RODRIGUEZ โ RODRIGUEZ DELAPENA |
| Inverted Names (First & Last Name Reversed) | ALLEN/THOMAS โ THOMAS/ALLEN |
Name Correction Already Processed
If a name correction has already been made but another change is necessary, the following rules apply:
| Correction Type | Policy |
|---|---|
| Minor Corrections (Wholly AA Prime/American Eagle Flights) | Multiple corrections allowed (Waiver Code: NC03AGCY) |
| Major Corrections (AA*oneworld or non-oneworld itineraries) | New PNR required, Sales Waiver Authorization required, โฌ40 fee per correction |
Infant Name Correction Guidelines
American Airlines permits name corrections for infant tickets, including itineraries with codeshare segments. Since infant names are not directly transmitted to other airlines, these corrections will not impact the booking.
Key Rules for Infant Name Corrections
- The infantโs name must be corrected in the same PNR as the adult ticket.
- SFPD data (DOB & gender) must match the adult's record.
- No waiver code is required for infant name corrections.
- No additional fees apply.
Final Thoughts
American Airlines offers flexibility for both minor and major name corrections, but it's essential to follow the correct procedures based on the itinerary type. Minor corrections can be done easily within the same PNR, while major corrections require a new PNR, sales authorization, and a โฌ40 fee.
For further assistance, travelers and agents should contact American Airlines Sales Support.
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