most individual tickets issued by Lufthansa Group airlines, Lufthansa abolished the name-correction fee effective July 1, 2024. That means fixing a spelling mistake or aligning the ticket with a legal name change is generally free as long as it’s the same traveler and your ticket meets the criteria. Tickets are still not transferable to a different person, and special rules apply to group bookings and itineraries with partner airlines.
Below you’ll find a clear, comprehensive guide to fees (when they apply and when they don’t), eligibility, documentation, timing, edge cases, and step-by-step instructions to help you get your name corrected with minimal hassle.
1) First principles: “correction” vs. “transfer”
Airlines draw a sharp line between name corrections and name transfers:
- Name correction = adjust the spelling or format for the same person who is traveling, or reflect a legal name change (marriage/divorce, court order, etc.).
- Name transfer = switch the ticket to a different person.
Lufthansa’s General Conditions of Carriage make it explicit: Tickets are not transferable. So if your goal is to replace the traveler with someone else, that’s not allowed and you’ll need a new ticket in the other person’s name. The “no transfer” rule is foundational, and it never went away when Lufthansa waived fees for corrections.
2) The current policy on correction fees
Since July 1, 2024, Lufthansa Group abolished the name-correction fee for tickets issued on Lufthansa Group airlines (e.g., Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian, Brussels Airlines, Air Dolomiti), provided you’re keeping the same passenger and the change qualifies as a correction. This update is documented in the Lufthansa Group’s expert guidance for agents and partners. In everyday terms, if you booked a normal individual ticket and need to fix a typo or align your name with your passport or a legal change, you typically won’t be charged a Lufthansa correction fee anymore.
A few clarifications:
- Same traveler only. If what you want amounts to a new person traveling, that’s a transfer—and still not allowed.
- Policy scope. The fee waiver applies to name corrections, not to broader reissues or fare changes that might be required for other reasons (see codeshares/partners below).
- One correction per traveler. Lufthansa Group guidance historically limits you to a single name correction; use it to make the ticket match your travel document exactly. (If you need something more extensive, agents may treat it as a reissue/new booking.)
3) What kind of changes count as a “correction” (and are free now)?
Lufthansa’s internal guidance and group policies are designed to let you fix honest mistakes or mirror a documented legal change. In practice, these commonly include:
- Minor spelling fixes (typos, missing/extra letters, transposed letters).
- Name order/inversion corrections (e.g., first/last swapped).
- Adding a missing given/middle/family name to match your passport exactly.
- Legal changes (marriage, divorce, court-ordered changes) with official proof. For frequent-flyer profile alignment (Miles & More), Lufthansa asks for an official document issued by a public authority showing old and new names, uploaded via the Help/Contact form; the ticket can then be aligned through the service channel.
Remember: the correction must keep the same identity as on your travel document; it isn’t a way to hand the ticket to someone else.
4) When fees can still appear (or costs can arise indirectly)
Even with the fee waiver, there are situations where money can still be involved. The nuance is that you’re not paying a Lufthansa “name correction fee” per se, but the change may trigger other costs depending on the booking.
- A) Group bookings (different rules, explicitly published)
Lufthansa’s Group Terms & Conditions spell out a distinct framework:
- Before tickets are issued: name changes are free.
- After tickets are issued: name changes cost €100 per passenger name.
- Name corrections due to marriage are permissible without charge even after issuance.
These rules are contractual and separate from the individual-ticket fee waiver, so if you’re traveling on a group contract, refer to the group T&Cs that apply to your booking.
- B) Codeshares and partner-operated segments
If your itinerary includes flights operated by non-Lufthansa carriers, the partner’s systems and rules can limit what’s possible. In some cases, a “simple” correction on the Lufthansa side might require a reissue or even a new segment on the partner carrier, which may create a fare difference or other costs that feel like a fee though they’re not a Lufthansa correction fee. This is the most common real-world way travelers end up facing unexpected costs. (Anecdotally, customers have reported being quoted high sums where a partner carrier wouldn’t accept the changed name, forcing a repurchase of that segment.) The takeaway: on itineraries with partners, fix the name as early as possible so there’s time to coordinate across systems or, if needed, to evaluate cheaper rerouting options.
- C) Agent service fees or third-party charges
If you booked through an online travel agency or brick-and-mortar agent, they may charge their own service fee for handling the correction even if Lufthansa itself would not collect a correction fee. Always ask your issuing agent what, if anything, they charge for processing.
5) Timing: when to fix the name (and why it matters)
Sooner is better Although Lufthansa removed the correction fee, leaving a mismatch until the last minute can still create complications especially with partner flights or if an airport desk has to do the work under time pressure.
- Before ticket issuance is usually the smoothest moment to correct (and it’s explicitly free for group contracts).
- Well before check-in gives Lufthansa (and any partners) time to sync records, reissue if required, and avoid day-of-travel surprises.
- If you discover an error close to departure, contact the issuing channel immediately and bring your passport and supporting documents to the airport as a backup.
6) Step-by-step: how to request a Lufthansa name correction
- Identify your booking channel.
- Booked with Lufthansa directly? Use Manage Booking and/or call Lufthansa Service Center.
- Booked via a travel agency/OTA? Contact the agent that issued the ticket. They are usually the only party who can process changes on the ticket they issued, and they know the nuances of Lufthansa Group policy and any partner carriers involved.
- Match your passport exactly.
Write the name precisely as shown in your travel document—same spelling, order, and spacing/hyphenation if applicable. - Prepare documents if it’s a legal change.
For marriage/divorce/court-ordered name changes, provide an official document (marriage certificate, court order, updated passport). For your Miles & More profile (which influences future bookings and mileage credit), upload the official document via Help & Contact per Lufthansa guidance. - Ask for a “name correction” (not a transfer).
Use the right terminology so the agent applies the correction process rather than a rebooking. If your itinerary has partner segments, specifically ask whether those carriers will accept the correction without reissuing at a new fare. - Confirm what, if anything, you’ll pay.
- For individual Lufthansa-issued tickets, the Lufthansa correction fee should be €0 since July 1, 2024.
- For group bookings after ticketing, the €100 per name rule applies (marriage corrections excepted).
- For OTAs/agents, ask if they add a service fee.
- For codeshares, confirm whether any reissue/fare differences are necessary.
- Get an updated e-ticket/receipt.
Verify that your name fields are now correct on every flight segment, including partners. Keep the confirmation email and any receipts.
7) Frequently asked questions (with straight answers)
Q1) My ticket has a small typo will Lufthansa charge me?
No, not for the correction itself on an individual Lufthansa Group ticket; the name-correction fee is abolished (since July 1, 2024). Just make sure it’s the same traveler and correct it promptly.
Q2) Does the fee waiver mean I can change the passenger?
No. Lufthansa’s Conditions of Carriage say tickets are not transferable. You can’t change the traveler; you can only correct the same person’s name.
Q3) Are middle names required?
Global practices vary, but the safest approach is to make the ticket match your passport exactly including middle names if they appear on your travel document’s machine-readable line so security databases match cleanly. If your ticket is missing a middle name, you can usually add it as a correction.
Q4) I’m on a group booking. Is it still free?
Before ticket issuance: yes, free to change names. After ticket issuance: €100 per passenger namen except marriage-related corrections, which are free.
Q5) Part of my trip is on a partner airline. Will I pay?
You shouldn’t pay a Lufthansa correction fee for the Lufthansa part, but the partner’s systems might force a reissue or new segment potentially incurring fare differences. This isn’t a Lufthansa “name fee,” but it is a real cost to be aware of. Fix it early and ask the agent to confirm implications on each partner flight.
Q6) How many times can I correct the name?
Lufthansa Group policy generally allows one name correction per traveler to get the ticket aligned with your ID. Use it to make the final, exact version.
Q7) Can I update my Miles & More profile name?
Yes. For a legal change, submit an official document (old/new names) via the Miles & More Help/Contact flow, then ensure any already-issued ticket is corrected through support as well. Profile updates don’t automatically change existing tickets.
8) Real-world scenarios that change the cost picture
To make this concrete, here are common situations and what they usually mean for your wallet:
- Simple typo on a Lufthansa-only itinerary → €0 Lufthansa correction fee after July 1, 2024. Fast, clean fix through Lufthansa or your issuing agent.
- Legal surname change (marriage) on a standard individual ticket → €0 Lufthansa correction fee when you provide an official certificate. For a group contract, even post-ticketing marriage corrections are free.
- Group booking after ticketing (not marriage) → €100 per passenger name to change a name per the group T&Cs. If you catch it before issuance, it’s free.
- Mixed itinerary with a partner carrier (e.g., one leg run by another airline) → Lufthansa’s own correction fee is €0, but the partner may require reissuing that segment, which can lead to fare differences or buying a new seat at current prices. Not technically a Lufthansa correction fee, but it may feel like one from your perspective—so raise it early with your agent.
9) Practical tips to avoid fees and friction
- Book exactly as per your passport. Double-check spellings, hyphens, spaces, and the presence/absence of middle names.
- Fix mistakes early. If possible, correct before ticket issuance (especially for groups) or as soon as you spot the error on individual tickets.
- Flag partner segments. If any leg is not operated by Lufthansa, ask the agent specifically whether that carrier will accept the correction without reissue and what costs could arise.
- Have documents ready. For legal changes, keep your official paperwork handy (and upload it for your Miles & More profile).
- Keep proof. After the correction, request and save your updated e-ticket or receipt for every segment.
- Know what is and isn’t free. Individual tickets: no Lufthansa correction fee since July 1, 2024. Group bookings: €100 after issuance (except marriage corrections). Transfers: never allowed.
10) Step-by-step example scripts (you can adapt and use)
- A) Direct Lufthansa booking – simple typo
What to say (phone/chat/email):
“Hello, I have booking code ABC123. My last name is misspelled by one letter on my ticket. My passport shows ‘Ahuja,’ but the ticket says ‘Ahjua.’ This is the same traveler, and I’d like to request a name correction so the ticket matches my passport exactly.”
What to expect:
- Correction processed without a Lufthansa name-correction fee.
- You’ll receive an updated e-ticket/itinerary.
- B) Legal surname change (marriage) – individual ticket
What to say:
“Hello, booking code XYZ789. I recently changed my surname after marriage. I’ve attached my marriage certificate and my updated passport. Please process a name correction so my ticket matches my legal name.”
What to expect:
- No Lufthansa name-correction fee.
- Updated e-ticket issued.
- C) Group booking, after tickets issued
What to say:
“Hello, group booking for 12 passengers, tickets already issued. We need to change a passenger’s name (same traveler, typo discovered). We understand the €100 per passenger name rule after ticketing and would like to proceed.”
Special case:
If it’s a marriage correction, reference the T&Cs that allow no-charge corrections even after issuance and include the supporting document.
- D) Codeshare/partner segment involved
What to say:
“Hello, booking code LMN456. My Lufthansa flight is followed by a partner-operated leg. I need a name correction on the whole itinerary. Can you confirm whether the partner will accept the correction without reissue or fare difference? If not, please advise the least-cost option.”
What to expect:
- If the partner accepts: no correction fee.
- If the partner requires reissue/new segment: you might see fare differences or a new fare; this isn’t a Lufthansa correction fee but a cost resulting from the partner’s constraints.
11) The policy in one page (fees & rules)
- Individual tickets (Lufthansa Group ticket stock)
- Name correction fee: €0 (abolished July 1, 2024).
- Applies to same traveler only (typos, order, missing names, legal changes with documents).
- Not a ticket transfer; those are not allowed.
- Group bookings
- Before ticket issuance: free to change names.
- After ticket issuance: €100 per passenger name to change; marriage corrections free even post-issuance.
- Codeshares/partners
- Lufthansa’s correction fee may be €0, but partner acceptance can force reissue/fare differences. Confirm segment-by-segment.
- Miles & More profile updates
- For legal changes, submit official proof via Help & Contact so future bookings and mileage credit align with your new name. (Existing tickets still need their own correction through service.)
12) Bottom line
- Is there a fee to update the passenger name on Lufthansa?
For name corrections on individual Lufthansa Group tickets, no—the fee was abolished on July 1, 2024. You can fix typos or reflect a legal change for free as long as you’re keeping the same traveler. - When might you still pay something?
- Group bookings after ticketing: €100 per passenger name, except marriage corrections (free).
- Codeshares/partner segments: the partner may require reissue or a new fare, creating fare differences (not a Lufthansa correction fee, but a cost nonetheless).
- Third-party agents may charge their own service fee.
- What never changed?
Tickets remain non-transferable; you can’t change the traveler. Corrections are to make the same traveler’s name match official documents.
If you want, share your exact itinerary (who issued the ticket, whether there are partner flights, where the mistake is, and your travel date). I’ll map out your cost exposure (if any) and provide a tailored script you can paste to Lufthansa or your agent to get it fixed quickly and cleanly.