What is the name correction policy for Lufthansa

What Lufthansa explicitly allows—and what it doesn’t

Allowed: Name corrections, not transfers

• Lufthansa does not allow transferring a ticket to another person. If someone else needs to fly, a new ticket must be purchased.
• What is allowed: corrections to the name for the same traveler, either due to spelling errors or a legal name change (e.g., marriage, divorce, updated passport).

 

2. Key updates to the policy (2023–2024 timeline)

June 2023 update

• Lufthansa Group widened the policy to also allow up to two-letter corrections in the gender title (e.g., changing MR to MX for nonbinary travelers) if the reservation system supports it. Previously, this applied only to first, middle, or last names.
• One correction per traveler remains the rule. The traveler must remain the same. The name must match the valid travel document exactly
• July 2024 update

• Name corrections became free of charge across all Lufthansa Group PNRs (Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian, Brussels Airlines, Air Dolomiti)—as long as tickets were issued on those airlines’ documents.
• You can also add missing names—first, middle, or last—to match the travel document (example provided in policy).
• Aside from these changes, prior rules remain in force.
• September 2024 update

• The broader Booking & Ticketing Policy was revised ‘Name correction’ now in section 2.1.2. It underscores that contact details must be entered by the time of ticket issuance.

 

3. What corrections are allowed under this policy?
4. Minor corrections (typos) same traveler

• Up to two-letter fixes in first, middle, or last name are allowed.,
• Inverted names can be corrected (e.g., “Peter William” → “William Peter”)
• Nicknames can be replaced with formal names (e.g., Paco → Francisco)
• Missing names (first, middle, last) can now be added to match the ID.

1. Legal name changes

Allowed for valid legal reasons: marriage, divorce, gender reassignment, etc.—provided traveler is same, and official documents (marriage certificate, divorce decree, court order, updated passport) are provided

 

4. Fees: When and how much?

• Since 1 July 2024, Lufthansa Group does not charge for name corrections on applicable group-issued tickets.
• Before that, or on some group/codeshare scenarios, fees did exist—and still might in edge cases. Airline-policy-aggregator sites report wide variations:
  • Some sources cite fees up to €100 per passenger for group bookings post-ticketing. If tickets aren’t issued yet, corrections may be free.
  • Others—likely outdated or third-party—claim individual correction fees ranging from $200–$500, or around $110 USD for groups. These numbers are not from Lufthansa itself, so take with caution.
• Bottom line: current official policy is free corrections. Any reported fees likely pertain to old policy timing, group segments not meeting the criteria, or third-party agent markups.

 

5. Real user experiences controversies & nuances

Reddit anecdotes highlight real deviations:

• One user reported being charged nearly $2,000 for making a name change after marriage because one flight was operated by JetStar (non-Lufthansa), so a new ticket was required. Packaged name-change costs ballooned due to operational constraints.
• Minor typos (1–2 letters) are often accepted without issue users report being told it’s fine if the core elements of ID match.
• Missing middle names may still allow check-in as usual. Some users describe normal check-in despite middle name omissions.

What it teaches us: While policy is clear, the real outcome may depend on booking channel, operating carrier (codeshare), and agent discretion. Always act early and clarify specific requirements with your booking issuer.

 

6. Step-by-step guide: How to do a name correction

Step 1: Identify whether your correction qualifies

• Typos (≤ 2 letters), inverted names, missing names, nicknames, legal changes? → Yes.
• Transferring the ticket? → No—requires new booking.

Step 2: Act early

• Fix before the first flight segment if possible. Also, correct before ticket issuance for simplicity.

Step 3: Gather documentation

• Minor typo: just confirm correct spelling from your passport.
• Legal change: bring official documents (marriage certificate, updated passport, court order, etc.).

Step 4: Contact the right channel

• If booked directly with Lufthansa, use “Manage Booking” online or call customer service. The updated grouping policy encourages contact details be complete before issuance.
• If booked via travel agency or OTA, contact them they may need to handle the request via Lufthansa Group Agency Support.

Step 5: Submit request

• For minor corrections: ask for one correction; reference updated Lufthansa policy (gratis from July 2024; two-letter tolerance).
• For legal changes: upload documents (scan with non-name fields redacted).

Step 6: Confirm outcome

• Request updated e-ticket and check that name now matches your travel document exactly.
• If codeshare segments exist, confirm if all segments were updated properly.

Step 7: At airport

• Still proceed with check-in regardless even unresolved, many users report being allowed to travel if ID largely matches once confirmed. However, always better to resolve ahead.

7. Policy summary table

Scenario / Change Type	Allowed?	Notes
Minor spelling error (≤ 2 letters)	Yes	One correction per traveler; free since July 2024.
Inverted first/last name	Yes	Same conditions.
Nickname → full formal name	Yes	Acceptable correction.
Adding missing first/middle/last name	Yes	Now acceptable to align with ID.
Gender title correction (MR→MX)	Yes	Up to two-letter change; system support required.
Legal name change (marriage/divorce)	Yes	Requires official document; free since July 2024.
Transfer ticket to another person	No	Not permitted—must rebook.
Name corrections on codeshare flights	Complex	Often requires reissue or new PNR; costs may apply.
Fee for correction (post-July 2024)	None (group-issued)	Applies to all Lufthansa Group cockpit tickets.

 

8. Pro tips & best practices

1. Double-check name when booking ensure it matches the passport exactly, including middle names if possible.
2. Complete contact details before ticketing, per policy this prevents ADMs (Agency Debit Memos) later.
3. Act quickly correct within 24 hours or before first flight to avoid complications
4. If codeshares are involved, ask explicitly how they handle corrections/invoicing to avoid expensive rebooking.
5. Keep records save confirmation of corrected ticket, name field screenshots, email threads.
6. At the airport, bring your ID and any notes or confirmations many airlines allow minor mismatches after verifying identity.
7. For group bookings, finalize names before issuing tickets saves potential €100 per change.

 

Final thoughts

Lufthansa’s name correction policy has become very traveler-friendly: up to two-letter fixes, legal name updates, and additions to match the travel document are all free of charge since July 2024, across the entire Lufthansa Group provided bookings are on group ticket stock. Just one caveat: passenger must remain the same. Transferring a ticket is still forbidden.

But in the real world, always be mindful of complexity:

• Codeshares and partner-operated segments may disrupt smooth corrections.
• Some older or third-party sources list high fees but those are likely outdated.
• Users’ own experiences (via Reddit) show variability sometimes name mismatches are tolerated at the desk, other times they’re not.