How to Change the Name on a Flight Ticket with Delta

Plans change, and it’s important to know your options when they do. Delta is one of our favorite airlines in the world, and they have a way of making everything easy and user-friendly. Frankly, we’ve never had a bad experience with Delta, and neither have most people we’ve flown with.

If you need to change the name on a Delta flight ticket, it’s important that you know the airline’s rules. The Delta Airlines name change policy can be tricky to find online – even on the official website of Delta Airlines – and nobody wants to be left in limbo! We’ve gone through this process ourselves and have laid out everything you need to know.

Delta Name Change Policy

If you bought a ticket with Delta and can no longer use it, transferring it to someone else is not an option. Delta does not allow you to change the full name on a ticket. In all cases, the person who travels on the flight needs to be the same person that the Delta ticket was originally booked for.

You can’t just contact Delta to change the name on a ticket. There are very strict rules. To change the name on a Delta ticket, you have to meet very strict criteria.

This is why refundable tickets and travel insurance can be so important. You should never book flight tickets unless you are completely certain that you will be able to travel on the specified flight and date. Whether you book with yourself or with a travel agency, it is important that your plans are set in stone before you book your flights.

Delta Airlines Name Correction Policy

While Delta will not let you entirely revamp the name that appears on the ticket, they will allow for minor name corrections that fit into the following criteria. These allowed minor corrections include small adjustments to the first name, middle name, and last name. Generally, these changes are allowed either because of a spelling mistake or because of marriage.

Misspelled names are one of the most common reasons for a name correction request. While you might be able to correct a misspelled name, you might not always be successful. This is the case with any airline.

For this reason, it is absolutely crucial that you write the correct name while inputting your ticket details. If you don’t put the correct name details, you’ll be subject to the Delta Airlines name change rule that is outlined below. Delta allowed for the legal names on a ticket to be changed under the following conditions:

Adding a Middle Name to a Delta Airlines Ticket

Delta doesn’t have much of a problem with you adding a middle name to your ticket. This is the easiest of all the name adjustments that they allow, actually! Middle names can be added online in the “Manage Booking” section, on the mobile app, phone, or through Delta’s world-class texting assistant.

It is crucial that the passenger’s name on a Delta ticket matches what is on their valid photo ID. While middle names aren’t always necessary, having your name be as fully accurate as possible never hurts.

Changing a Last Name in the Case of Marriage or Divorce

If you’ve gotten married and have already booked travel under your maiden name, you are allowed to change the last name on your Delta ticket to your spouse’s last name. This legal name change needs to be proven with a marriage certificate. The last name of the passenger can only be changed entirely like this if the change is the result of marriage or divorce.

In the case of divorce, it is necessary to have your divorce decree on hand proving the reason for the name change. These documents apply in the United States, and may be different in other countries.

Correcting Minor Spelling Mistakes on Delta Reservations

If you look at your Delta reservation one day and realize that you accidentally misspelled any part of your name, you are able to make any necessary changes to correct it. You cannot get through security with an incorrect name on your ticket, and the Delta name correction policy makes this dilemma easy to fix.

If you notice the error within 24 hours of booking, you likely will not need to pay any kind of fee. If you notice the error after the one-day window, you may be subject to a Delta name change fee, as the airline may have to issue you a new ticket. Either way, paying a small fee is better than trying to travel with a ticket that includes the wrong name, as incorrect booking details can derail an entire trip!

Ways to Change the Name on a Delta Flight Ticket

Delta allows its customers to make changes to their reservations through four different platforms: online, on the mobile app, on the phone, and via text message. While using their text assistant is my favorite way of working with them, each method is stress-free and straightforward.

Each type of ticket is theoretically handled equally. This policy is the same regardless of the fare class of your ticket. You can’t fly unless your name matches your government-issued ID, so it is crucial that you use one of these methods to make a change if they don’t match.

Delta Name Changes Online

If you want to make a name change online, head to Delta’s official website. There you can navigate to the manage booking page, insert your confirmation number and last name, and make the necessary name changes. Again, your new name can only contain slight changes of about 3 letters or less in most cases.

Delta Name Changes on the Phone

If you’d rather speak to an agent from Delta’s Global Sales Support team who can help you out with the name change, simply make a phone call to Delta’s customer service number. The phone number is 800-221-1212. When calling, the agent will likely ask you for some of your flight details to confirm your identity, including your confirmation number, name, dates of travel, and destination.

Delta Name Changes on the Mobile App

If you have already downloaded the Delta Airlines mobile app, the following steps allow for very straightforward name changes, if allowed. Simply open the app, log in, tap on the reservation you’d like to alter and tap “modify flights.” Here you should be able to make the necessary changes, as long as they fall within Delta’s conditions.

This is very convenient, as all of the flight reservations linked to your Delta account show up. You don’t have to go looking for a confirmation email or contacting a travel agent just to make minor name changes.

Delta Name Changes over Text Message

By far, my favorite way to get in touch with Delta is via text message. They have a world-class texting assistant that tries to answer questions for you itself, and can get you in touch via text with a Delta agent otherwise. I have made a wide array of changes to my bookings with this tool, including name changes.

To me, the texting assistant is part of what makes Delta one of the best airlines in the world. From adding lap infants to changing flight details and dates, the texting assistant makes customer service straightforward and convenient without the need to spend hours on hold. This is especially crucial for people who work, as they can simply initiate the conversation while working and respond to Delta over text whenever they are able.

Most Airlines Are Strict with Name Changes

While Delta’s name change policy might seem strict, it is far from abnormal. Most other airlines are also very strict about changing flight itineraries. Every flight change costs the airline money in some way, and changing the ticket name is no exception.

If you want to change the name on a Delta Airline ticket, you’re subject to the Delta change name policy. It’s as simple as that. The Delta website is very clear about what passenger name changes are allowed!

When you book a flight, it’s crucial to make sure that the name you write matches the name on your government-issued photo ID. This is what will show up on your boarding pass, and you will have a hard time getting through airport security if your boarding pass and photo ID don’t match. The rules are the same for both international and domestic flights.

How to Reach Delta Customer Service

The Customer Service team of Delta Airlines is top-notch. I say that from personal experience! I’ve contacted them countless times to book a new flight, change personal details, and even make a complete change to a flight route.

Delta always floors me with its quality of customer service. They don’t pay me to say that in any way, either! Whether you need to go through the Delta name change process or want to make a completely new reservation, the Delta Customer Service team can help you out.

If you want to contact Delta Airlines to change the name on a ticket, you have several options. My preferred way to reach them is via their text message AI assistant, which can be reached by texting +1 (800) 221-1212.

Thanks for reading our post on how to change the name on a Delta ticket.

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