Does Alaska Airlines Allow Ticket Name Change or Transfer?

Booking an airline ticket is a commitment not only to the travel dates and destinations but also to the specific person who will be traveling. One of the most common questions passengers have, especially when plans change, is:

“Can I change the name on my Alaska Airlines ticket or give it to someone else?”

The short answer is No; Alaska Airlines does not allow ticket transfers to a different person. However, the airline does allow certain name corrections when the traveler remains the same person. Understanding the difference between a name change and a name correction is critical, as the airline’s policies and your options vary widely depending on your situation.

In this in-depth guide, we’ll explore Alaska Airlines’ policy in detail, the reasoning behind it, what exceptions exist, how to handle mistakes or legal name changes, and practical steps you can take to resolve name-related issues with your booking.

 

1. Name Change vs. Name Transfer vs. Name Correction

When it comes to airline tickets, three terms often get mixed up:

1. Name Change
   • Replacing the name of the original passenger with another person’s name.
   • Example: Changing a ticket from “John Smith” to “Mary Jones.”
   • Policy: Not permitted by Alaska Airlines.
2. Name Transfer
   • Giving your ticket to a completely different person, essentially transferring your reservation.
   • Policy: Also not allowed.
3. Name Correction
   • Fixing a typo, spelling error, adding a missing middle initial, or adjusting a name to match your ID exactly.
   • Policy: Allowed, often without fees for minor corrections.

 

2. Why Alaska Airlines Doesn’t Allow Ticket Transfers

Like most U.S. airlines, Alaska prohibits ticket transfers for several reasons:

• Security Regulations:
  The TSA Secure Flight program requires airlines to collect accurate passenger information (full name, date of birth, gender) to conduct watchlist matching. Swapping a ticket to a new person can disrupt this process.
• Fraud Prevention:
  Allowing ticket transfers could encourage scalping, where people buy tickets at low prices and resell them at higher prices.
• Revenue Protection:
  Airlines set fares dynamically. If passengers could transfer tickets freely, the airline could lose revenue when a cheaper ticket is transferred to someone traveling during peak demand.
• Operational Consistency:
  Keeping the same passenger details avoids confusion in baggage, check-in, and frequent flyer records.

 

3. Alaska Airlines’ Official Stance

While Alaska Airlines doesn’t plaster “no ticket transfers” on its homepage, the terms and conditions in its Contract of Carriage make it clear:

• Tickets are valid only for the passenger whose name appears on the reservation.
• They are non-transferable.

That means:

• You cannot sell your ticket to someone else.
• You cannot replace yourself with another traveler.
• You cannot “gift” you’re booking to a friend after purchase.

 

4. When Name Changes Are Allowed — The Correction Category

While you can’t transfer your ticket to someone else, Alaska Airlines does allow corrections if:

• You made a spelling mistake when booking.
• You need to add or correct a middle name or initial.
• You reversed the first and last name order.
• You changed your legal name due to marriage, divorce, or court order.

These corrections are meant to ensure that your ticket matches your government-issued ID — a requirement for travel.

 

5. Examples of Acceptable Name Corrections

• Typo: “Smtih” → “Smith”
• Letter Transposition: “Jonh” → “John”
• Missing Middle Name: Adding “Michael” to “John Smith”
• Hyphen Addition/Removal: “Anna-Marie” → “Anna Marie”
• Prefix/Suffix Adjustment: Adding “Jr.” or removing “Sr.”
• Legal Name Update: Changing “Jane Doe” to “Jane Smith” after marriage

 

6. Examples of Prohibited Name Changes

• Changing the traveler from “Michael Carter” to “Lisa Brown”
• Giving your ticket to a relative because you can’t travel
• Swapping names between two travelers on separate tickets

If your situation falls into these categories, you’ll have to cancel your ticket and rebook under the correct name.

 

7. The 24-Hour Grace Period Advantage

If you’ve just booked your Alaska Airlines ticket and notice the wrong name:

• You have 24 hours from booking to cancel without penalty (as long as your flight is at least 7 days away).
• You can cancel and rebook with the correct name.
• This U.S. Department of Transportation rule applies to all airlines, including Alaska.

Pro tip: Always review your confirmation email immediately after purchase.

 

8. What To Do If You Need a Correction

Step 1: Check Your Booking Source

• Direct Booking with Alaska Airlines: Contact Alaska Airlines directly.
• Third-Party Booking (Expedia, Orbitz, etc.): You must go through the travel agency; they may charge fees.

Step 2: Gather Your Documentation

• For typos: Booking confirmation and correct spelling.
• For legal changes: Marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.

Step 3: Contact Alaska Airlines

• Phone: 1-800-252-7522 (U.S./Canada, 24/7)
• Airport Counter: For urgent corrections on the day of travel.
• Manage Trip Online: Some small corrections can be done in your account.

Step 4: Confirm the Update

• Request a new confirmation email showing the corrected name.

 

9. Fees and Fare Differences

• Minor Typos: Usually corrected free of charge.
• Legal Name Changes: No fee with proper documentation; fare difference may apply if ticket is reissued.
• Third-Party Bookings: Agency may charge a service fee.
• No Flat “Name Change Fee”: Alaska doesn’t have a set fee for corrections; charges are case-specific.

 

10. What If You Can’t Travel?

If you cannot travel and your ticket is non-transferable:

• You can cancel and receive a credit certificate (if your fare allows it).
• Saver fares have more restrictions and may not allow credits.
• Standard Main, First Class, and certain award tickets may give you future travel credit for the original passenger.

 

11. Special Considerations for International Flights

• The name on your ticket must match your passport exactly.
• Even small mismatches (extra spaces, missing hyphens) can cause check-in or immigration issues.
• Make corrections well before your departure date to avoid rebooking stress.

 

12. Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan Accounts

If your frequent flyer account name doesn’t match your ticket:

• Update your Mileage Plan profile with your correct name.
• Contact Alaska Airlines to merge mileage from old and new names if applicable.
• Mismatches can delay mileage credit after travel.

 

13. Why Name Matching Matters: TSA & Secure Flight

The TSA Secure Flight program requires:

• Full name exactly as it appears on your government ID.
• Date of birth.
• Gender.

Airlines send this data to TSA before you travel. If the names don’t match:

• Your boarding pass may not be issued.
• You may be flagged for additional screening.
• You could be denied boarding.

 

14. How to Avoid Name Problems

1. Double-check your entry before hitting “Book.”
2. Match your ID exactly including middle names and hyphens.
3. Use your frequent flyer profile for consistent info.
4. Review your confirmation email immediately.
5. Act quickly if you find an error preferably within 24 hours.

 

15. Real-World Scenarios

Scenario 1: Small Typo

• Passenger booked “Jhonathan” instead of “Jonathan.”
• Called Alaska within 2 hours.
• Corrected immediately, no fee.

Scenario 2: Legal Name Change

• Passenger married and changed last name.
• Provided marriage certificate to Alaska.
• Name updated; ticket reissued at same fare.

Scenario 3: Transfer Attempt

• Passenger couldn’t travel and wanted to give ticket to brother.
• Alaska informed them tickets are non-transferable.
• Passenger cancelled and received credit for personal future use.

 

16. Alaska Airlines Contact Options

• Reservations (U.S./Canada): 1-800-252-7522
• Official Website: https://www.alaskaair.com
• Twitter/X Customer Service: @AlaskaAir
• Airport Ticket Counters

 

17. Summary Table

Action Type	Allowed?	Fee?	Notes
Minor typo correction	Yes	No	Same traveler only
Legal name change	Yes	No*	Docs required, fare diff may apply
Transfer to another	No	N/A	Must cancel/rebook
Swap between travelers	No	N/A	Tickets non-transferable

 

Alaska Airlines does not allow full ticket name changes or transfers to another person. If you can’t travel, your best option is to cancel (if your fare allows it) and use the credit for yourself later.

For genuine mistakes or legal name changes where the traveler remains the same, Alaska Airlines is generally cooperative and won’t charge extra for small corrections  especially if you act quickly and provide any required documentation.

The golden rule? Book carefully, check immediately, and fix errors early. Doing so can save you stress, money, and even your trip.