Does Sun Country Airlines Allow Ticket Name Change or Transfer?

Why Passenger Name Accuracy Matters

When planning a trip, most travelers focus on getting the best fare, choosing convenient schedules, or picking a good seat. However, one small but critical detail often overlooked is the passenger’s name on the ticket. Airlines and airport security require the name on your boarding pass to perfectly match the name on your government-issued ID. Even the smallest typo an extra letter, a missing middle initial, or an incorrectly spelled surname can create headaches at check-in and security.

This raises an important question: Does Sun Country Airlines allow passengers to correct names on tickets, or even transfer tickets to someone else?

In this guide, we’ll explore Sun Country Airlines’ policies regarding ticket name corrections and ticket transfers. You’ll also learn about fees, time limits, exceptions, and best practices to ensure smooth travel.

1. Sun Country Airlines Name Correction Policy

Like most U.S. carriers, Sun Country Airlines understands that small mistakes happen when booking. Whether you entered your name too quickly, forgot a hyphen, or used a nickname, Sun Country provides options for making adjustments. However, there are strict limits on what can be corrected.

1.1 Minor Spelling Errors

Sun Country typically permits minor corrections to fix spelling mistakes. Examples include:

• Changing “Saraah” to “Sarah”
• Correcting “Jonh” to “John”
• Adjusting “Micheal” to “Michael”
• Fixing a missing middle initial

These minor fixes ensure the name on the ticket matches your ID without altering the actual passenger identity.

1.2 Major Name Changes

If the change involves a full replacement of the first or last name such as changing from “Robert Smith” to “Daniel Brown” this is treated as an entirely new passenger. Sun Country Airlines does not allow such changes. Instead, the original ticket would need to be canceled (with applicable fees) and a new ticket purchased under the correct name.

1.3 Legal Name Changes

For passengers who have had a legal name change due to marriage, divorce, or a court order, Sun Country may allow corrections if you can provide valid documentation, such as:

• Marriage certificate
• Divorce decree
• Court-issued legal name change document

This ensures that passengers aren’t unfairly penalized for legitimate legal changes to their identity.

2. Sun Country Airlines Ticket Transfer Policy

Here’s where things get strict: Sun Country Airlines does not permit ticket transfers.

That means if you’ve purchased a ticket in your name, you cannot later transfer it to a friend, family member, or co-worker. Even if your travel plans change, the airline prohibits transferring the ticket’s value to another traveler.

Why is this the case?

1. Security and TSA regulations – Airlines must ensure the passenger who purchased the ticket is the one traveling.
2. Fraud prevention – Allowing transfers could encourage reselling or ticket scalping.
3. Fare rules – Ticket pricing is based on demand, time of purchase, and individual itineraries. Transferring would undermine fare structures.

In short: Tickets are non-transferable. If you can’t use your ticket, you may be able to cancel or change your itinerary, but you cannot give the ticket to someone else.

3. Fees and Timing for Name Corrections

Sun Country, like other budget-friendly carriers, applies change fees depending on how far in advance you make the correction.

3.1 General Change Fees

Based on Sun Country’s published policies and industry reports, here’s a typical fee structure for changes (including name corrections tied to reissuance):

• 60+ days before departure: No fee for most changes
• 14–59 days before departure: $50 per passenger per segment
• 13 days or fewer before departure: $100 per passenger per segment

In addition, if your correction requires reissuing the ticket, you may also need to pay any fare difference between your original ticket and the current fare.

3.2 24-Hour Flexible Window

If you notice a mistake within 24 hours of booking and your flight is at least 7 days away—you can cancel the ticket for a full refund. This is the easiest way to fix a name error: simply cancel the incorrect ticket and rebook it correctly.

4. Why Are Airlines Strict About Name Changes?

You may wonder: Why don’t airlines just let passengers update names freely? There are several reasons behind these restrictions.

4.1 TSA Security Rules

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) requires the name on your boarding pass to match exactly with your government-issued ID. A mismatch can raise red flags and potentially prevent you from boarding.

4.2 Fare Integrity

Airlines price tickets dynamically—meaning fares vary by demand, date, and time of booking. If tickets could be transferred, people might hoard cheap tickets and resell them later. Strict name-change policies prevent this.

4.3 Fraud Prevention

Name change restrictions protect against fraud and identity misuse. By keeping tickets non-transferable, airlines ensure only the original traveler uses the purchased ticket.

5. How to Correct a Name on Sun Country Airlines Ticket

Here’s a step-by-step process to handle name corrections:

Step 1: Review the Error

Determine if your error is:

• Minor typo (fixable)
• Legal name change (requires documents)
• Full name replacement (not allowed)

Step 2: Act Quickly

Check your booking within 24 hours. If you find the error early, cancel and rebook for free.

Step 3: Use the Manage Booking Tool

Log in to Sun Country’s website and check the “Manage My Booking” section. Some minor corrections may be possible online.

Step 4: Call Customer Support

If the correction isn’t possible online, contact Sun Country Reservations at (651) 905-2737. Provide your confirmation number and explain the error.

Step 5: Submit Documents (If Required)

For legal name changes, you may need to provide official documents. Scan and email them if requested.

Step 6: Pay Applicable Fees

Depending on when you request the correction, you may need to pay a change fee plus any fare difference.

Step 7: Double-Check Your Updated Ticket

Once corrected, review your updated itinerary to confirm the name matches your ID exactly.

6. Examples of Name Correction Scenarios

To make things clearer, let’s explore common scenarios:

• Typo Fix
  Booking Name: “Jahn Doe” → Corrected: “John Doe”
  Resolution: Likely fixable with a standard name correction fee.
• Middle Initial Missing
  Booking Name: “Sarah Parker” → Corrected: “Sarah L. Parker”
  Resolution: Minor fix; may be allowed without a fee depending on timing.
• Legal Marriage Change
  Booking Name: “Emily Johnson” → Corrected: “Emily Davis”
  Resolution: Requires legal documentation; possible correction with reissue.
• Full Transfer Attempt
  Booking Name: “Robert White” → Changed to: “David Green”
  Resolution: Not allowed. Ticket considered non-transferable.

7. What If You Booked Through a Travel Agency or OTA?

If you booked your Sun Country ticket through an online travel agency (OTA) like Expedia, Orbitz, or a travel agent, you must contact them directly for corrections. OTAs often have additional service fees on top of the airline’s charges, so costs may be higher.

8. Tips to Avoid Name Mistakes on Airline Tickets

1. Use Your Legal Name – Always enter your name exactly as it appears on your passport or government ID.
2. Avoid Nicknames – Airlines require formal names, not shortened versions (e.g., “Mike” should be “Michael”).
3. Check Immediately – Review your booking confirmation as soon as you receive it.
4. Book Directly with the Airline – This reduces complications if corrections are needed.
5. Leverage the 24-Hour Window – Always double-check within the first day after booking.

9. Sun Country vs. Other U.S. Airlines

To put things in perspective, here’s how Sun Country compares to other U.S. carriers:

• Delta, American, United – Allow minor spelling corrections, prohibit transfers.
• Southwest – Offers more flexibility, but still prohibits passenger transfers.
• Low-cost airlines (Frontier, Spirit) – Very strict, with fees similar to Sun Country.

This shows that Sun Country’s policy is consistent with industry standards: minor corrections allowed, no transfers permitted.

 

10. Final Thoughts

So, does Sun Country Airlines allow ticket name change or transfer?

• Name Corrections – Yes, Sun Country allows minor spelling fixes and legal name updates, subject to fees and timing.
• Ticket Transfers – No, tickets cannot be transferred to another person under any circumstances.

The key takeaway: check your booking details carefully at the time of purchase. If you catch an error early, you’ll save money and stress. If you need a correction later, be prepared for fees and possible fare differences.