When you book a flight with Allegiant Air, one of the most important details you enter is the passenger’s full name. It needs to match exactly what appears on the traveler’s government-issued identification. Even a small mistake like a missing letter or a misspelled last name can cause problems at the airport, especially when TSA verifies your details. Many passengers wonder: Is there a fee to update the passenger’s name on Allegiant Air?
Why Allegiant Enforces Strict Rules on Passenger Names
Airlines, including Allegiant Air, are required to comply with U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regulations. TSA’s Secure Flight Program mandates that airlines collect a traveler’s full name, date of birth, and gender at the time of booking. This data must exactly match the information on the passenger’s government-issued ID.
For security reasons, Allegiant and every other airline restricts name changes. If passengers were allowed to freely alter names, tickets could be transferred or resold, creating loopholes for fraud or security risks. That’s why Allegiant’s Contract of Carriage clearly states that tickets are non-transferable and that changing the name to another person is not permitted.
Still, Allegiant recognizes that small mistakes happen. If the booking contains a minor error or if the passenger has experienced a recent legal name change, the airline may allow corrections. This is where the possibility of a fee comes in.
Allegiant Air’s Official Stance on Name Changes
Allegiant makes a sharp distinction between two scenarios:
- Name Corrections – Small fixes like correcting a typo, fixing the order of letters, or updating a last name after a legal change (marriage, divorce, court order).
- Name Changes / Transfers – Replacing the original passenger with a new traveler (e.g., changing “John Smith” to “Michael Johnson”).
Permitted Changes (Corrections Only)
- Spelling corrections for first or last name.
- Adding a missing letter.
- Correcting transposed characters.
- Updating a surname due to a recent legal name change.
Not Permitted (Full Transfers)
- Changing the ticket to an entirely different person.
- Swapping out the traveler if the original passenger cannot fly.
- Transferring tickets between friends, family, or colleagues.
The first category is usually allowed, sometimes with a fee. The second category is strictly prohibited.
Does Allegiant Charge a Fee for Name Updates?
The answer depends on when you catch the mistake and whether you purchased Trip Flex at booking. Let’s break it down.
- Within 24 Hours of Booking (Free Option)
If you booked your ticket within the past 24 hours and your departure is at least seven days away, Allegiant allows you to cancel the booking for a full refund. You can then rebook immediately with the correct passenger’s name. This method avoids any fees.
This is the cleanest, cheapest solution so always double-check your confirmation email as soon as you book.
- After 24 Hours Without Trip Flex (Fees Apply)
If more than 24 hours have passed since booking and you did not purchase Trip Flex, Allegiant applies its standard change policy.
- Change Fee: Up to $75 per person, per segment.
- Fare Difference: If the current fare is higher than what you originally paid, you’ll also owe the difference.
- Restriction: No changes (including corrections) are permitted within 7 days of travel.
So, if you discover a misspelling a week before your flight and don’t have Trip Flex, you may be out of luck.
- With Trip Flex (No Change Fee, But Fare Difference Applies)
Trip Flex is Allegiant’s optional add-on that allows passengers to make itinerary changes without the usual change fee. If you bought Trip Flex, you can:
- Correct the name (for eligible corrections).
- Avoid the $75 change fee.
- Still pay any fare difference if the updated ticket costs more.
- Make corrections up to 1 hour before departure.
Trip Flex does not allow you to transfer the ticket to a new person. It only protects you from the change fee for valid corrections.
- Legal Name Change (Special Consideration)
If you’ve legally changed your name due to marriage, divorce, or a court order, Allegiant allows corrections provided you can show documentation. Examples include:
- Marriage certificate.
- Divorce decree.
- Court order.
- Updated passport or driver’s license.
Whether you’ll pay a fee depends on the timing and whether you purchased Trip Flex. Often, Allegiant’s agents treat legal changes as corrections, not full changes, which may reduce or waive fees.
How to Request a Name Update
Here’s a step-by-step process for updating your name on an Allegiant ticket:
Step 1: Review Your Itinerary Immediately
Check your confirmation email. Look closely at the spelling of the passenger’s name.
Step 2: Act Quickly
- If you’re still within the 24-hour cancellation window, cancel and rebook right away.
- If outside 24 hours, prepare to contact Allegiant for assistance.
Step 3: Contact Allegiant Customer Service
You can’t fix names through the self-service “Manage Travel” tool in most cases. Instead:
- Call Allegiant’s Customer Care line.
- Or message them via their official website or app.
Step 4: Provide Documentation
Have your ID and any legal documents handy. Agents may ask for proof before approving the correction.
Step 5: Confirm Costs Before Proceeding
Ask the agent:
- Is this correction covered under my Trip Flex?
- Will I owe a change fee or just the fare difference?
- Will this correction reissue the ticket?
Step 6: Get Updated Confirmation
Once corrected, you’ll receive a revised itinerary. Review it carefully to ensure the name matches your ID exactly.
Examples of Corrections vs. Changes
To understand when fees apply, let’s look at common scenarios:
Example 1: Typo in First Name
- Booked: “Jhn Smith”
- ID: “John Smith”
- Correction: Allowed. May incur up to $75 fee if outside 24 hours and no Trip Flex.
Example 2: Nickname Instead of Full Name
- Booked: “Liz Johnson”
- ID: “Elizabeth Johnson”
- Correction: Allowed. Allegiant may fix it as long as it’s the same traveler.
Example 3: Newly Married Passenger
- Booked: “Sarah Brown”
- ID: “Sarah Miller” (after marriage)
- Correction: Allowed with marriage certificate. Fee may apply depending on Trip Flex.
Example 4: Entirely Different Traveler
- Booked: “Mark Davis”
- Intended traveler: “Paul Evans”
- Correction: Not permitted. You must cancel and rebook for Paul.
How Fees Can Add Up
Let’s say you booked a roundtrip ticket for two passengers without Trip Flex. Later, you notice that one name is misspelled.
- Change Fee: $75 each way = $150.
- Fare Difference: Suppose the new fare is $40 higher = $40.
- Total Cost: $190 to fix one name.
If you had purchased Trip Flex (usually $10–$20 per passenger per segment), you would have avoided the $150 fee and only paid the $40 fare difference.
This is why frequent Allegiant travelers often buy Trip Flex—it can pay for itself if even one mistake or change occurs.
Middle Names, Hyphens, and Special Characters
Another common question is whether middle names or punctuation errors require corrections.
- Middle Names: TSA generally requires the full name, including middle name, to be transmitted via Secure Flight. However, many airlines (including Allegiant) don’t print the middle name on boarding passes. If your first and last names match your ID exactly, you usually won’t have issues.
- Hyphenated or Dual Last Names: Always enter them exactly as shown on your ID. If a hyphen or space is missing, ask Allegiant to fix it.
- Accents and Special Characters: Allegiant’s booking system may not recognize certain accents or non-English characters. Use the closest equivalent (e.g., “Jose” instead of “José”), and carry an ID that clearly matches.
Tips to Avoid Fees and Problems
- Double-Check Before Payment: Verify the spelling of every passenger’s name before finalizing.
- Use Full Legal Names: Match exactly what’s on your passport or driver’s license.
- Book Early, Review Immediately: Use the 24-hour cancellation window if needed.
- Consider Trip Flex: It adds flexibility, protects against fees, and gives peace of mind.
- Bring Documentation: If you recently changed your name, always travel with both old and new IDs plus legal paperwork.
- Contact Early: Don’t wait until check-in day—fix name issues as soon as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Can I transfer my Allegiant ticket to another person by changing the name?
No. Allegiant tickets are non-transferable. You cannot change the traveler’s identity.
Q2. What if I only need to correct one letter in my name?
Yes, Allegiant allows small corrections. Depending on timing, you may pay up to $75 or be covered by Trip Flex.
Q3. Is there ever a free way to update my name?
Yes, within 24 hours of booking (if departure is at least 7 days away) you can cancel and rebook for free.
Q4. Does Allegiant require the middle name on the ticket?
Not always. The critical requirement is that first and last names match the government ID. Still, for international travel, it’s best to include the full name.
Q5. Will Allegiant waive the fee for legal name changes?
Sometimes. With proof, Allegiant may treat it as a correction. Whether fees apply often depends on timing and Trip Flex coverage.
Final Thoughts
So, is there a fee to update the passenger’s name on Allegiant Air? Sometimes, yes.
- If you’re within 24 hours of booking and a week away from departure, you can cancel and rebook for free.
- If you purchased Trip Flex, you can make corrections without the $75 fee, though you may still owe any fare difference.
- Without Trip Flex and outside the 24-hour window, you may face a $75 change fee per segment plus any fare difference.
- Full name changes (to a different traveler) are never allowed.
The bottom line: Allegiant Air enforces strict non-transferable ticket rules, but they do allow genuine name corrections. Acting quickly, buying Trip Flex, and carefully entering details can save you from paying hefty fees later.