Southwest Airlines Name Change Policy
Filling in the wrong name on your ticket is a common problem among travelers. It's useful to know what policies the airline has in place regarding name correction . Southwest Airlines has specific rules about how and when name correction can be made. Whether it's a simple typo or a legal name correction , understanding the policy makes the process smoother.

Southwest Airlines Name Change Conditions
- Minor Corrections:
- Up to three characters can be corrected for typos or spelling mistakes.
- Includes fixing inverted names, adding/removing middle names or initials, and adjusting prefixes/suffixes.
- Legal Name Correction :
- Allowed for marriage, divorce, adoption, or gender reassignment with supporting documents (e.g., marriage certificate, court order).
- Last name changes for legal reasons require documented proof.
- Timing and Fees:
- No fee if the request is made within 24 hours of booking.
- Fees of $80–$200 may apply after 24 hours, depending on the situation.
- Restrictions:
- Full ticket transfers to another person are not permitted.
- The ticket name must match a government-issued ID used for travel.
Southwest Airlines Name Correction Scenarios
Accepted types of name corrections include:
- Fixing minor spelling errors (up to 3 characters).
- Correcting inverted first and last names.
- Adding or removing middle names or initials.
- Adjusting hyphenation in last names.
- Fixing repeated letters in names.
- Adding or removing prefixes/suffixes (e.g., Mr., Mrs., Jr., Dr.).
- Legal name changes due to marriage, divorce, or other reasons (with documentation).
Note: Full ticket transfers to another person are not allowed.
Methods of Requesting Your Name Change in southwest airlines
Online via Southwest Website
- Visit the Southwest Airlines website.
- Log in to your account.
- Go to "Manage Travel" or "My Trips."
- Select your booking.
- Click on "Edit" or "Change Name."
- Enter the correct name details.
- Upload supporting documents if it's a legal name change.
- Submit and confirm your changes.
Via Rapid Rewards Account
- Visit the Rapid Rewards Name Change Request page.
- Log in to your Rapid Rewards account.
- Find the name change request section.
- Upload old and new ID documents.
- Submit necessary legal proof.
- Confirm and wait for email confirmation.
By Phone
- Call customer service at 1-800-435-9792.
- Provide your booking details.
- Explain the type of correction needed.
- Upload or email any necessary documentation as advised.
- Confirm that changes have been made to your booking.
Fees Structure for Name Correction in southwest airlines
| Type of Name Change |
Fees |
Details |
| Minor correction (within 24 hrs) |
$0 |
No fee if corrected within 24 hours of booking. |
| Minor correction (after 24 hrs) |
$80–$200 |
Fee varies depending on the type and timing of correction. |
| Legal name change |
$80–$200 |
Proof required; fee depends on timing of request. |
| Full ticket transfer |
Not allowed |
Tickets are non-transferable. |