# Changing name on airline reservation
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/changing-name-on-airline-reservation/343008
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [February 4, 2006, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/changing-name-on-airline-reservation/343008 "2006-02-04T18:53:18Z")
**Posts on this page:** 4
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@dauerbach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dauerbach)
#### Post date: [February 4, 2006, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/changing-name-on-airline-reservation/343008/1 "2006-02-04T18:53:18Z")
I know that these days they make a big deal about the name on an airline ticket matching the name on somel picture ID. The problem is that either my wife or I wish to travel by air in two weeks. Only one of us will go. If it is a snowy weekend at the destination (Boston), I will go, if not, she will. But we want to buy a ticket soon, as prices go up as the takeoff day nears. What is the best way to handle it? Can you get the name changed on a ticket? How do you get the name changed?
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### Author:  [@MLS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MLS)
#### Post date: [February 4, 2006, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/changing-name-on-airline-reservation/343008/2 "2006-02-04T21:42:47Z")
> [@dauerbach](#):
>
> I know that these days they make a big deal about the name on an airline ticket matching the name on somel picture ID. The problem is that either my wife or I wish to travel by air in two weeks. Only one of us will go. If it is a snowy weekend at the destination (Boston), I will go, if not, she will. But we want to buy a ticket soon, as prices go up as the takeoff day nears. What is the best way to handle it? Can you get the name changed on a ticket? How do you get the name changed?
What you’re talking about is transferring a ticket to another person. There may or may not be a charge for it; my guess is that there will. This may vary with the airline, so call and ask before you buy it.
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### Author:  [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)
#### Post date: [February 4, 2006, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/changing-name-on-airline-reservation/343008/3 "2006-02-04T21:48:31Z")
Some tickets are totally non-transferable, but you can cancel (for a fee). So you might be better off buying two tickets and cancelling one. But definitely read the fine print.
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### Author:  [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)
#### Post date: [February 4, 2006, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/changing-name-on-airline-reservation/343008/4 "2006-02-04T22:20:10Z")
The cheaper fares are usually non-transferable, non–refundable, and exact a heavy penalty for changing the reservation – better call the airline to inquire re: your specific needs.