When booking an airline ticket, accuracy is essential. Even the smallest typo in your name can create unnecessary stress, as the name on the ticket must match your government-issued identification exactly. For travelers with Scandinavian Airlines (SAS), the rules surrounding name corrections are often misunderstood. Many wonder: Can I fix a spelling mistake on my ticket? Will I be charged? Can I transfer my ticket to someone else?
- Why Accurate Names Matter in Air Travel
The aviation industry places strict emphasis on ensuring that a traveler’s name on the ticket matches their passport or ID. This requirement exists for several reasons:
- Security protocols: Border control and airport security check tickets against government IDs to prevent fraud.
- Immigration laws: Many countries require airlines to share passenger data in advance, which must match official records.
- Operational systems: Airlines coordinate with global distribution systems, making consistency crucial.
Because of these regulations, SAS—like most international airlines—treats name accuracy as a priority. Even minor discrepancies can cause issues if not corrected before departure.
- SAS’s Approach: Correction vs. Change
Understanding SAS’s policy begins with the distinction between name corrections and name changes.
Name Correction
- Adjustments made for typos, spelling mistakes, misplaced characters, or formatting differences.
- These corrections do not alter the passenger’s identity. The traveler remains the same person; the ticket simply reflects their correct name.
- SAS typically allows corrections if requested promptly.
Name Change
- Substituting a different person as the traveler (i.e., transferring the ticket).
- SAS generally does not allow name changes or ticket transfers, as airline tickets are personal and non-transferable.
- Limited exceptions may exist in cases of legal name changes (e.g., due to marriage, divorce, or a court order).
In short: corrections are allowed, transfers are not.
- Common Errors That Require Correction
Travelers frequently encounter the following mistakes when booking SAS tickets:
- Typographical errors: e.g., “Johan” spelled as “John.”
- Letter inversions: e.g., “Katri” entered as “Karit.”
- Accented characters: Scandinavian letters such as Å, Ä, Ö, or Ø replaced with “A” or “O.”
- Swapped names: First and last names entered in reverse order.
- Missing middle names: Some passports include middle names; leaving them off may require adjustment.
- Nicknames vs. legal names: Using “Mike” instead of “Michael.”
SAS treats these as minor errors eligible for correction, provided the traveler remains the same.
- Step-by-Step Guide to Correcting a Name on SAS
Correcting a name on an SAS ticket is straightforward if you follow the right process.
Step 1: Review Your Booking Immediately
- Always check your booking confirmation right after purchase.
- Errors discovered early are easier (and often cheaper) to fix.
Step 2: Identify the Type of Booking
- Booked directly with SAS (website, app, call center): Corrections are handled through SAS customer service.
- Booked via a travel agency/third-party site: You must contact the issuing agent, who will coordinate with SAS.
Step 3: Contact SAS or Your Agent
- Provide your booking reference (PNR) and ticket number.
- Explain the error clearly (e.g., “Anders Johanson should be Anders Johansson”).
- Attach supporting documents if necessary (passport copy).
Step 4: Confirm Fees and Payment
- If fees apply, SAS will advise you before making the correction.
- Pay promptly to avoid delays in ticket reissue.
Step 5: Verify the Updated Ticket
- After correction, check your e-ticket again.
- Ensure the spelling now matches your passport exactly.
- Fees for Name Corrections
SAS’s name correction fees vary depending on the circumstances:
- Within 24 hours of booking: Corrections are often free.
- After 24 hours: A service fee (commonly around €50–€70) may apply.
- Through travel agencies: Agencies may charge additional handling fees.
- Legal name changes: May involve reissue fees, though corrections are generally accepted with documentation.
While fees are modest compared to buying a new ticket, they can add up—especially for group or family bookings—so it’s best to act quickly.
- Legal Name Changes
Sometimes, a correction is not due to a typo but a legal name change, such as:
- Marriage or divorce (changing surname).
- Court orders (formal name change).
- Adoption (child receiving a new legal name).
SAS accommodates these cases, but you must provide documentation:
- New passport or government-issued ID.
- Marriage certificate, divorce decree, or legal order.
Depending on the fare rules, a reissue fee may apply, but SAS typically allows the update as long as proof is submitted.
- What SAS Does Not Allow
It’s equally important to know what SAS will not approve under its name correction policy:
- Ticket transfers: Giving your ticket to another person (friend, relative, or colleague) is not allowed.
- Major substitutions: Changing the full name to a different passenger, even if you claim a typo.
- Last-minute requests at the airport: While check-in agents may assist in rare cases, SAS strongly advises correcting names before arrival.
In these situations, SAS will deny the request, and you may need to cancel and rebook—often at a higher fare.
- Special Cases
EuroBonus Award Tickets
- Corrections are permitted, but you must contact SAS directly.
- Transfers to another person are not allowed.
Group Bookings
- Corrections are possible before ticket issuance.
- Once tickets are issued, the same rules apply—no transfers, only minor corrections.
Codeshare Flights
- If your itinerary includes a partner airline (e.g., Lufthansa or United), corrections may require approval from both SAS and the partner.
- This can increase processing time and possibly fees.
- Risks of Not Correcting a Name
If you ignore an error and attempt to travel with a mismatched ticket, you risk:
- Denied check-in: SAS staff may refuse boarding if names don’t align.
- Immigration issues: Border control may flag inconsistencies.
- Extra costs: You may be forced to buy a new ticket at last-minute prices.
Correcting errors early avoids these risks and ensures smoother travel.
- Practical Tips to Avoid Name Issues on SAS
- Use your passport as reference when booking—copy the name exactly.
- Double-check before finalizing payment to catch typos.
- Book directly with SAS rather than third-party sites to simplify corrections.
- Correct mistakes immediately, ideally within 24 hours.
- Avoid nicknames or shortened forms—use only your legal name.
- Real-Life Scenarios
Scenario 1: Minor Typo
Emma books a flight from Stockholm to Paris, but her surname is entered as “Johansan” instead of “Johansson.” She notices within 12 hours, contacts SAS, and the correction is made free of charge.
Scenario 2: Missed Correction
Jonas books a ticket from Oslo to London and accidentally omits his middle name. He ignores it. At the airport, he faces delays at security but eventually boards after clarification. If he had corrected it earlier, the process would have been smoother.
Scenario 3: Legal Name Change
Maria recently married and her passport now shows her new surname “Larsen-Nilsson.” Her SAS ticket still shows “Larsen.” She provides her marriage certificate to SAS, pays a small reissue fee, and her ticket is updated.
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Can I transfer my SAS ticket to another person?
No. Tickets are non-transferable.
Q2. How much does it cost to correct a typo?
Often free within 24 hours; otherwise, about €50–€70 depending on the case.
Q3. Can I fix a mistake at the airport?
It’s risky. Always correct in advance through SAS customer service.
Q4. Do I need to include my middle name?
Yes, if it appears on your passport.
Q5. How do I correct an award ticket booked with EuroBonus points?
Contact SAS directly. Corrections are allowed, but transfers are not.
- Step-by-Step Checklist
- Review your booking immediately after purchase.
- Compare with your passport.
- Identify if it’s a minor correction or legal name change.
- Contact SAS (or your agency) promptly.
- Provide booking reference and passport copy.
- Pay any applicable fee.
- Confirm the updated ticket.
- Conclusion
The name correction policy of Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) is designed to balance flexibility with security requirements. While minor corrections such as typos, missing letters, or legal name updates are generally permitted, ticket transfers to another passenger are strictly prohibited.
Passengers should act quickly if they notice an error, ideally within 24 hours of booking when corrections may be free. After that, a modest fee usually applies. For legal name changes, SAS accepts official documentation and updates tickets accordingly.
The bottom line: SAS will help you correct genuine mistakes but will not allow you to give your ticket to someone else. Double-check your details before confirming your booking, and you’ll avoid unnecessary stress and costs.
By understanding SAS’s name correction policy and following the right steps, you can ensure smooth travels without the headache of mismatched documents.