If you fly occasionally, it’s recommended to create a frequent flyer account with the airline. Not only does it keep your information on file and facilitate quick flight bookings, but it also helps you earn points that can be redeemed for free flights. Since most programs no longer have expiration dates on their mileage programs, there’s no reason not to sign up. If you need to register for any of the airline programs, here’s where you can find a link to each program’s registration page.
But what happens if you sign up for a program with a name different from your current ID?
I was watching a Netflix comedy special and a bit about someone trying to change the name on their SkyMiles account since the name on his account didn’t match his ID hit home.
I thought the part about contacting your Senator was on point but while that could help with your passport it will not help to change the name on your SkyMiles account.
But there’s truth in comedy as airlines automatically use the name associated with your frequent flyer account if you’re using that account to book a ticket. There’s no chance to change the name to match your ID.
The comedian does eventually say what is required to change your name on your Delta SkyMiles account, which can be found on the Delta website.
Need to update your name, date of birth, or gender?
Updates to your name, date of birth, or gender requires a copy of supporting legal documentation.
- For changes to your name, please send a copy of your court documents (e.g. court order, marriage certificate, divorce certificate etc.) along with the requested change
- For changes to your date of birth or gender, please send a copy of your identity verification documentation (e.g. license, passport) along with the requested change
- The name on your SkyMiles account needs to match the name on your legal identification (driver’s license, passport etc.) that you use to travel
Please log in to access the Identity Verification Form to submit documentation and complete your request.
There was a time when Sharon had to go through this process with United, American, Delta, and possibly other programs when we got married and her name changed. However, it was easy at that point, because we had copies of our marriage license.
The process is more difficult if you need to change your name from an initial or nickname to your legal name on your license or passport. Airlines and TSA are getting picky about these matching and recommend the name on your reservation exactly match your ID. And although there have been loopholes for changing a name on your ticket, it’s not the same for changing the name on your frequent flyer account.
So I wondered, how DO you change the name on your frequent flyer accounts?
American AAdvantage
Contact us to change your name or birth date. You’ll need to send us related documents for your request.
Southwest Rapid Rewards
Southwest’s website doesn’t provide information on making a name change. However, I found this information on another website.
You can fax (1-877-506-0154) or email (swacss@wnco.com) Southwest with the following information:
- A copy of your old and new government-issued IDs OR your marriage certificate
- Rapid Rewards number
- Current name
- Name as it should appear on your updated account
- Phone number
United MileagePlus
United has the most comprehensive information about changing your name on its website. Most importantly they’ll allow simple corrections of your name to be submitted online with no documentation. For example, if your account was under Nathan but your ID says Nathaniel.
Name Change Info for MileagePlus Account
To request a change in the name on your MileagePlus account, select an option and follow the steps below. Please note that to comply with the TSA Secure Flight program, the name on your MileagePlus account should exactly match the government-issued ID that will be shown at the airport.
Simple name changes or corrections
The following are considered simple name changes and are permitted without supporting documentation.
- Correct the spelling of a first name (e.g., Sarah to Sara)
- Correct the spelling of a last name (e.g., Philips to Phillips)
- Change a name to or from a nickname (e.g., Bob to Robert, Elizabeth to Liz)
- Change or correct a prefix or title (e.g., Miss to Ms., Mstr. to Mr., Ms. to Dr.)
Significant name changes
To ensure the security of your MileagePlus account, all other name changes must be in writing and include a copy of one of the following supporting legal documents:
- Marriage license
- Divorce decree
- Legal name change document
- Government-issued identification reflecting both your former and current names
How to request a name change
- Please make any necessary changes to the name on your MileagePlus account through your MileagePlus account profile.
- For a significant name change, locate and upload a copy of the required supporting documentation.
Please allow up to two weeks for us to process the change. Note that any future changes to this information must be made through the MileagePlus name change process or by contacting the MileagePlus Service Center. Review frequently asked questions about updating the information on my account.
United® and MileagePlus® reserve the right at their discretion to require written legal documentation for any name change request received (including marital status, military titles, titles and suffixes, nicknames, hyphenated names to any of its variations, inverted name changes, misspelled names, etc.).
Alternate Name Affidavit Option: If you are unable to provide one of the documentation options above, you may submit a Name Affidavit outlining your name change, along with a copy of your government-issued identification. To request a name change using a Name Affidavit, print the Affidavit and mail the notarized document to the address below
MileagePlus Service Center
P.O. Box 1394
Houston, TX 77251-1394
JetBlue TrueBlue
To change your name with JetBlue, call their customer service at 1-800-538-2583. Requests for name changes may require supporting legal documentation. They’ll ask for everything needed and the change should appear fairly quickly after your call.
Spirit Free Spirit
While this only mentions legal name changes, I’d imagine the process is the same if you registered under a nickname or initial.
If your name has legally changed since you joined the program and you would like to update it, we can assist you with this.
To process the name change, you must include the supporting legal documentation for your name change such as a copy of a marriage license, court order, divorce decree, or legal name change document. Please remember it’s important to use your name as it appears on your government issued ID or international travel document. For assistance, click here.
Air Canada Aeroplan
Aeroplan says it’s your responsibility to keep your account information up to date.
You are also responsible for updating your Aeroplan Membership information including any change to your legal name, email address, telephone number, residential address, province, territory or jurisdiction of residence. We will be entitled to rely upon the province, territory or jurisdiction of your residence until you update such information with us. Updates to your Aeroplan Membership information can be made online by accessing your Account or by calling the Aeroplan Contact Centre. We may request that you confirm or update your personal information or validate its accuracy at any time, and you are responsible for responding to our request. We are not responsible if we cannot contact you because you have not given us current or accurate information or responded to a validation request. Aeroplan may always rely on the accuracy of the Aeroplan Membership information provided in your Account until otherwise advised by you through an Account Membership information update.
Hawaiian Airlines HawaiianMiles
For security reasons, the name on your HawaiianMiles account cannot be changed online. For minor corrections, please call the HawaiianMiles Service Center at 1-877-426-4537, Monday-Friday, 7:00 am – 4:30 pm HST.
For legal name changes, please submit two documents:
- Legal proof of your name change, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or driver’s license
- A signed, written request including your 9-digit HawaiianMiles number
Documents may be submitted online. They may also be faxed to 1-808-840-8333.
Frontier Airlines FrontierMiles
FrontierMiles doesn’t have anything on its website about how to change the name on your account. I’d suggest calling them at 801-401-9000 to update your account to your new name.
Final Thought
While some airlines, most surprisingly United, allow you to make simple changes to your account online, most of them require documentation to make any changes to your loyalty account.
So if you’re recently married, divorced or had your name legally changed, most airlines require you to submit proof of the name change. Some of them have entered the computer age and accept online document submissions, by webform or email, others still ask you to FAX in the documents.
If you have accounts with non-US airlines, I suggest just Googling “Change name with XX Airline loyalty program”
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