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