If you spot a typo on a KLM ticket, you’re not alonenand you’re not doomed. KLM Royal Dutch Airlines has a clear, traveler-friendly policy for correcting genuine spelling mistakes so the name on your ticket matches your passport or ID. In many cases, the fix is free. In a few scenarios, a small administrative fee applies. This guide breaks down exactly when there is a fee, when there isn’t, and how to get your name corrected quickly with the least friction.
The short answer (with exact fees)
- Correcting a typo requested in advance (before you reach the airport): Free. KLM explicitly states that if you ask for a name correction ahead of time, the change is free of charge.
- Correcting a typo at the airport: €15. If you wait until you’re at the airport to request the fix, KLM charges a €15 fee.
- Tickets booked via a travel agency: €30 on the day of departure (agency-handled). If your ticket was issued by an agency and the correction is handled by them on the day of departure, KLM indicates a €30 fee. (Travel agencies may have their own policies and processing times, so contact them as early as possible.
- If you ask KLM to do changes you could do yourself: KLM notes they may charge a service fee when their agents handle changes or cancellations for you; if your ticket conditions allow online self-service, you can often avoid this fee by using My Trip. (This is about service/assistance fees generally, not the specific typo-correction amounts above.)
Bottom line: fix genuine typos early and directly with KLM if you booked with them the sooner you flag it, the more likely it’s free.
What KLM considers a “name correction” (and what it does not)
KLM draws a bright line between typo corrections and name changes/transfer.
- Allowed (typo corrections): Minor fixes to ensure the name on your booking exactly matches your passport/ID. KLM even calls out that honest typing mistakes happen and they’ll help
- Not allowed (change of person): You cannot replace your name with someone else’s or transfer the ticket to another traveler. The ticket must stay in your name.
Specific scenarios KLM says don’t require a correction
KLM’s page lists common “looks wrong but actually fine” cases:
- Multiple given names shown as one: If you have multiple first names and only the first appears, that display is normal.
- Maiden name in the MRZ: If you used your maiden name but it matches the surname that appears in the passport’s machine-readable zone (MRZ), automated checks treat it as correct.
- No spaces in your name display: Sometimes KLM’s system displays names without spaces this is not considered a typo.
These clarifications save you time: if your case matches one of the above, you may not need to request anything.
“Can I still fly if my name is misspelled?”
KLM’s answer is blunt: No. The name on your boarding pass must match your passport or ID card. That’s why it’s important to fix errors before you travel. (KLM also reassures that genuine typos are corrected free of charge if requested in advance.)
Who to contact (depends on how you booked)
- Booked directly with KLM (klm.com, KLM app, KLM Contact Centre):
You can request a correction with KLM, and if it’s a genuine typo requested in advance, there’s no charge. - Booked through a travel agency/third party (including online travel agencies):
KLM instructs you to contact the agency that issued the ticket. They control the reservation and must process the correction. KLM also recommends doing this well in advance because agency workflows can take time. (On the day of departure, a €30 charge is indicated for agency-handled corrections
Codeshares and partner flights: timing matters
If your itinerary includes a segment operated by another partner (other than KLM, Air France, or Delta), KLM asks that you send the request at least 72 hours before departure. This lead time helps align records across systems and reduce gate-day surprises.
Step-by-step: how to correct a name on your KLM ticket
If you booked directly with KLM (the smoothest path)
- Gather your documents: Your booking reference (PNR) and your passport/ID.
- Check whether you actually need a correction: If your case matches one of KLM’s “no action needed” scenarios (multiple given names, MRZ maiden name alignment, missing spaces), you might be fine.
- Request the correction promptly:
- Use My Trip or KLM’s official Contact options to initiate.
- Clearly describe the typo and provide the correct spelling as shown on your passport.
- If this is in advance, KLM indicates the fix is free.
- Re-download your e-ticket/boarding pass: After the correction, ensure the updated name appears everywhere (e-mail confirmation, app, PDF ticket).
- Check in as usual: If you had already checked in when you found the error, KLM advises contacting them or visiting a kiosk/service desk to reprint with the corrected name.
If you booked via a travel agency
- Contact the issuing agency immediately: They “own” your ticket and typically must make changes. KLM explicitly directs you to the agency in these cases.
- Ask about their processing time and fees: Agencies can set their own service charges; KLM flags that agency booking fees vary by agency.
- Day-of-departure fallback: If you’ve left it to the last minute, expect the €30 agency-handled day-of-departure correction fee referenced by KLM.
- Verify all documents: Once fixed, ensure your ticket and boarding pass match your passport exactly.
If you’re already at the airport
- Go to a KLM kiosk or service desk: KLM says their agents can assist with correcting the boarding pass.
- Expect a small fee: There’s a €15 airport correction fee in this scenario.
Name correction vs. changing flights (different rules, different fees)
It’s easy to confuse typo corrections with changing the flight itself. They’re separate processes:
- Correcting a typo in your name: Free in advance; €15 at the airport; €30 via a travel agency on the day of departure; ticket transfer to a different passenger is not allowed.
- Changing your flight (date/time/route/class): Governed by your fare type (Light/Standard/Flex, cabin, etc.). KLM’s fare rules may charge a change fee and/or fare difference—or allow free changes on certain flexible fares. If you ask a KLM agent to make a change that you could do online, a service fee may apply. Always check your exact fare conditions in My Trip.
Tip: Don’t conflate the two. A free typo fix doesn’t mean your flight change will be free, and vice versa.
Practical tips to avoid fees and day-of-travel stress
- Enter your name exactly as it appears on your passport/ID. Match spelling, order, and any hyphens.
- Double-check before you click “Pay.” A 30-second review can save you fees, calls, and anxiety later.
- Fix typos early. If you booked with KLM and contact them in advance, the correction is free.
- Know your booking channel. If an agency issued your ticket, they must process the change; contact them early to avoid last-minute, fee-bearing fixes.
- Codeshare buffer. If a non-KLM partner operates any segment, aim to submit your correction ≥72 hours before departure.
- Watch out for “non-issues.” Multiple first names, MRZ/maiden-name alignment, and lack of spaces often require no action.
- At the airport? Budget €15. Better yet, solve it the day before and keep that money for coffee.
Frequently asked edge cases
What about accents/diacritics (é, ñ, ü)?
Most airline reservation systems store names using basic Latin characters; passports often do the same in the MRZ line. If your passport uses diacritics but the machine-readable line shows plain letters, KLM’s systems align to that MRZ standard and minor display differences may be okay. When in doubt, ask KLM to annotate the record especially for special characters.
Middle names and initials—do they have to appear?
KLM says it’s okay if only your first given name appears. Still, if your country’s exit/entry requirements are strict or you travel through sensitive borders, err on the side of an exact match and request the correction if you’re unsure.
I changed my legal name can I “change” the ticket to the new name?
If it’s still you, and you can provide legal documentation (marriage certificate, court order, updated passport), ask KLM about a name correction to reflect your legal identity. This is not a transfer to someone else (which is prohibited). Policies can vary when third-party fares or partner flights are involved; contact KLM early for guidance. (General principle; confirm your case with KLM.)
I already checked in and found a typo. Now what?
KLM says to use the nearest self-service kiosk or service desk at the airport and ask an agent to help. Expect the €15 airport fee. If you notice after online check-in but before you head out, contact KLM support immediately.
Could I be charged a “service fee” on top of the typo fee?
If your fare allows self-service changes online but you choose to have a KLM agent do it for you, KLM indicates a service fee may apply this is separate from the typo-specific amounts listed above. To avoid that, use My Trip whenever possible. Always verify your fare’s conditions.
How to make your request smooth and successful
- Use the exact passport spelling: Copy your name from the document, including the order of names and any hyphens.
- Provide your six-character booking reference (PNR): This helps the agent find and update your record quickly.
- Tell them it’s a typo correction: Using KLM’s language signals the request is about accuracy, not a passenger transfer.
- Ask for updated documents: Request a reissued e-ticket and confirm your boarding pass will reflect the corrected name.
- Keep proof handy at the airport: If your correction was processed close to departure, bring the confirmation e-mail or screenshot to show staff if needed.
Real-world timing strategy
- T-72 hours (or earlier): If your trip includes any partner-operated segment, submit your request by now so the change propagates across systems.
- T-48 to T-24 hours: For KLM/Air France/Delta-operated itineraries booked direct with KLM, this is still ample time for a free correction.
- Day of departure: If you must fix it at the airport, expect €15. Booked via an agency and they’re handling it late? Plan for €30.
Final verdict
Is there a fee to update the passenger’s name on KLM?
- Usually no if it’s a genuine typo and you request the correction before you get to the airport, KLM does it free of charge.
- Yes, a small fee if you request the correction at the airport (€15) or, for agency-issued tickets handled by the agency on the day of departure, €30.
- No transfers: You cannot change the ticket to a different person.
- Service-fee caveat: If you ask KLM to perform changes that your fare allows you to do online, a separate service fee may apply; check My Trip first.
If you take one action today, make it this: open your booking, compare the name line-by-line with your passport, and if anything’s off contact KLM right now. That one minute can save you money, stress, and potentially a denied boarding scenario.