Purchasing a ticket from an air carrier demands one’s close attention to passengers’ names. Nevertheless, even a minor typographical error, absence of middle name or a change of your legal name prior to your trip can become a problem.
Whether you want to correct a passenger’s information or replace him/her with another person, there are some particular processes you should follow. In some cases, Lufthansa requires specific documents as proof of the necessity to correct the passenger’s name.
What Is the Lufthansa Airlines Name Correction Policy?
Passenger information should be consistent with the documents carried by the individual.Should there be an error in the spelling on the ticket or in case the traveler’s name has changed for any reason, the best course would be to contact the airline or the ticketing agent for clarification.
Lufthansa Airlines Name change rules for changes in names include provisions for making eligible spelling changes or changing the name due to legal reasons and proof of the change of the name.
Note that changing the name of the passenger does not mean that a ticket can be transferred from one person to another. This is because tickets cannot be transferred according to the conditions of carriage of Lufthansa.
Lufthansa Airlines Name change Step by Step Guide
Step 1: Check Your Booking Confirmation
Start by obtaining your booking or e-ticket from Lufthansa. Ensure you go through the passenger’s first name, middle name, and surname.
Match this information with the one on your passport or any other required identity documentation. Highlight the particular spelling error or omission.
For instance, where your passport states “Daniel Wilson” and the ticket says “Danial Wilson,” indicate that the error is in the first name due to a typing mistake.
Step 2: Visit the Lufthansa Website
Go to the Lufthansa website and click on Help & Contact. Here you will be able to search for more details related to passenger name change or contact the Service Centre for further assistance.
Even though there is a facility called Manage Booking that provides many booking-related facilities, it does not mean that all passenger name changes are possible to do via the website.
Step 3: Contact Lufthansa Customer Service
Inform that you need to modify the name of the passenger in the existing booking. Give your reservation and ticket number upon request.
State the current name on the ticket and your travel document.
If you used an agent or a travel website for making your reservation, contact them as well. According to the way in which your ticket has been issued, this might be necessary.
Step 4: Submit the Required Documents
In some cases, you will have to provide evidence that the passenger whose name is to be changed is indeed the same one named in the initial reservation.
These may include:
Valid passport or governmental ID.
Booking number or e-ticket number.
Certificate of marriage where there is a surname change.
Divorce decree or similar documentation in certain situations.
ID document showing the changed name.
Step 5: Confirm the Correction
After getting the reply about your inquiry from Lufthansa, confirm that the mistake has been corrected.
Look into the booking that has been made to find out if the information of the passengers has been entered correctly. If there are any connecting flights, you need to be sure that there are no errors at all within your complete reservation.
What Types of Name Corrections May Be Allowed?
1. Correcting a Spelling Mistake
The mistake that could be made while booking the ticket is entering the wrong letter by mistake. For instance, the spelling “Katherine” may become “Kathrine.”
Some of the mistakes in the spelling would fall within the requirements of the corrections allowed by the Lufthansa Group. Yet not all the applications get accepted.
Please contact the airline to inform them about the mistake and offer the right spelling that you used in the travel document.
2. Adding a Missing Middle Name
Travelers may sometimes omit a middle name while booking a plane ticket.As specified in the Lufthansa Group policies, names can be added if they have the same as the name on the document.
In case the name on the passport is different from that of the ticket, get more information from Lufthansa. However it does not mean that in order to resolve the problem, a new ticket needs to be purchased.
3. Changing Your Name After Marriage
The customer might need to change his/her surname because of marriage. In such cases, Lufthansa can demand that proof of the changed legal name be provided to the customer.
You should contact the company regarding your reservation and find out what documents are needed. Marriage certificate and new passport might apply to you in this case.
Please make sure that your name is good enough for the planned trip.
4. Updating a Name After Divorce or a Legal Change
Changing one’s name in a legal procedure due to divorce or anything else may also demand correction.
It is possible that Lufthansa will request from you additional proof in the form of a divorce certificate or any other legal papers. This case will be considered based on the corresponding rules. Give all necessary documents and await your response.
How Much Does Lufthansa Charge for a Name Change?
- It will depend on whether it is the case of a name correction request and the particular ticket you are using.
- According to Lufthansa Group, beginning July 1, 2024, name corrections requests of those who use the tickets that fall under their particular Group ticketing rules will be processed free of charge.
- Please note that it does not mean that all tickets and all possible changes are free of charge.
- There might be additional costs if your case implies reissuing your ticket, cancelling the ticket, or any other operation depending on the fare rules applied to the ticket.
- Before you proceed, please check from Lufthansa:
- If your change request is allowed.
- Whether there is a name correction fee for your ticket.
- Whether any ticket reissuing or other fees apply.
- What will happen to your ticket if the change request cannot be made.
Can You Change the Passenger Name to Another Person?
If you have become unable to travel and would like your ticket used by a friend or relative, the case is not the same as when you make a spelling error.
According to Lufthansa’s conditions of carriage, tickets cannot be transferred. Thus, you cannot substitute the passenger for whom the ticket was intended by simply changing the name.
It would be wise to consider the fare conditions of your ticket before cancelling.
Conclusion
The process of name change for Lufthansa Airlines is initiated by recognizing the mistake and making contact with the relevant booking agency. Name changes due to spelling errors and name changes in accordance with the law can be done; however, name changes for other reasons, such as transferring tickets to another person, cannot be done.
Take the time to do this prior to your trip to avoid stress during your trip preparation process.
Read Also: How Can You Change Your Name on Lufthansa Airlines?