Name misspelled on flight ticket? Here’s what to do

Of all the things that can go wrong while travelling by air, the last-moment wrong spelling of names on the ticket is the one that’s most concerning. Here’s what to do if you realise there’s such a typo on your ticket

Hyderabad: Of all the things that can go wrong while travelling by air, the last-moment wrong spelling of names on the ticket is the one that’s most concerning.

This tiny misspelling can trigger panic among travellers. It makes them worry about hundreds of questions like what if any security personnel in the airport held them back or what if they have to cancel their trip because of the typos etc.

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Recently a Reddit user said he experienced the same. The name of his wife had a minor spelling mistake on the Air India flight ticket.

He said when he contacted the airline they swiftly rejected his request to change the name on the ticket citing there is no such policy in Air India for international flights. They asked him to cancel and re-book the ticket in business class as there were no other seats available at the moment. He wrote on Reddit that re-booking was costing him around 2.75 lakh extra including cancellation charges.

But as the day came, he and his wife went to the airport with pounding hearts. There, while checking the documents, the security personnel overlooked the spelling mistake and let them in without any issues. When they tried to explain it to the officials, they responded smoothly and informed that minor misspells are not a matter of concern which came as a breather to him and his family.

This Reddit user’s travel story ended on a better note. But what if it happens to you? What should you do when there is a misspell on your flight ticket?

Here’s what to do if you realise there’s such a typo on your ticket:

• Firstly don’t panic. Check multiple times before you confirm the payment. Act quickly to address the error. 
• Review the airline’s policies regarding name corrections. Reach out to the airline’s customer service, explain the situation, and provide the correct spelling. 
• Have all your details ready. After contacting the airlines provide them all the necessary details like booking reference, the correct spelling of your name, and other identity proofs.
• While minor corrections might be free, significant changes or name transfers may incur fees, depending on the airline’s policy. Remember, most of the airlines will allow you to change the name on your ticket if there is only a minor typo, for example: Kumaar instead of Kumar. However, if you want to make a complete name change or give your ticket to a different person, that’s an entirely different story.
• If you can’t correct the name before your flight, be prepared for additional screening and potential delays at the airport. In such case try reaching the airport much before the flight time to cover the expected delays. 
• If you notice the mistake within 24 hours of booking and the ticket price hasn’t changed, consider cancelling and re-booking with the correct information.