Booking a flight with Hawaiian Airlines can be a wonderful experience, but what happens if you realize that there’s an issue with the name on your ticket? Whether it’s a simple typographical error or a change in your legal name, knowing how to change your name on a Hawaiian Airlines flight ticket is essential for ensuring that your travel goes smoothly.
This article will walk you through the steps for changing a name on a Hawaiian Airlines ticket, explaining the airline’s name change policies and offering tips to resolve any issues with your booking.
1. Hawaiian Airlines Name Change Policy
Before diving into how to change your name on a Hawaiian Airlines ticket, it’s important to understand the airline’s policy regarding name changes. Hawaiian Airlines has specific guidelines on when and how name changes can be made, and the policies differ depending on whether the change is minor or major.
Minor Name Corrections
Hawaiian Airlines allows passengers to make minor name corrections to their tickets. These changes typically involve fixing typographical errors or correcting a misspelled name. Examples of minor corrections include:
A missing or extra letter in the first or last name.
A transposition of letters (e.g., swapping two letters).
A minor misspelling in the first or last name.
These minor corrections can be made without significant difficulty, but it’s always important to ensure the name on your ticket matches your identification (e.g., passport or driver’s license) exactly to avoid issues during check-in or at the airport.
Major Name Changes
Hawaiian Airlines does not allow major name changes on tickets. A major name change refers to situations such as:
A complete legal name change due to marriage, divorce, or other reasons.
A completely different name from the one originally booked (e.g., a new first name, middle name, or last name).
In such cases, Hawaiian Airlines typically requires passengers to cancel the existing reservation and book a new flight with the correct name. If you’re dealing with a major name change, be prepared for potential fees or a refund process, depending on the fare rules for your ticket.
Ticket Transfer Policy
Hawaiian Airlines does not permit ticket transfers. If you need to change the name to someone else (for example, if the ticket was bought for a different person), you will not be able to transfer the ticket to a new traveler. In this case, you would need to cancel the original booking and make a new reservation for the correct passenger.
2. Steps to Change a Name on Hawaiian Airlines Ticket
If you need to change a name due to a minor error, here’s how you can proceed with Hawaiian Airlines.
Step 1: Contact Hawaiian Airlines Customer Service
The first step to changing your name on a Hawaiian Airlines ticket is to reach out to their customer service team. Unlike some airlines that offer online name change services, Hawaiian Airlines requires passengers to contact their support staff directly to make changes.
There are a few ways to get in touch with Hawaiian Airlines:
Phone: Calling customer service is the most direct way to request a name change. The contact number can be found on the Hawaiian Airlines website.
Online Chat: Hawaiian Airlines may offer online chat support through their website. This can be a convenient option if you prefer not to wait on the phone.
Social Media: You can also try contacting Hawaiian Airlines through their official social media channels (Twitter or Facebook). While social media support is often quick, be sure not to share sensitive information publicly.
Step 2: Provide the Required Information
When you get in touch with Hawaiian Airlines, make sure you have the following information ready:
Reservation Number: This is the unique 6-character booking reference or confirmation number associated with your flight. You can find this in your booking confirmation email or on your e-ticket.
Passenger Information: Have the name on the ticket as it appears in your passport or ID ready, along with the corrected name you want to appear on your ticket.
Details of the Error: Be prepared to explain exactly what the issue is (such as a typo or misspelling) and provide the correct spelling of your name.
Step 3: Request the Name Correction
Once you're connected with a customer service representative, explain your situation clearly and ask for a name correction. If it’s a minor issue, such as a typo, the representative should be able to fix the problem for you.
Be clear: Clearly explain the error in your name and provide the correct spelling.
Explain the urgency: If you’re traveling soon, let the representative know so they can prioritize your request.
Step 4: Inquire About Fees
In most cases, correcting minor errors in the name on your ticket should not incur any additional charges. However, it’s a good idea to ask the representative if there are any fees involved in making the change, particularly if you're close to your departure date or if your ticket was purchased at a discounted fare.
Step 5: Confirm the Name Change
After the name correction is made, Hawaiian Airlines should send you an updated ticket with the correct name. Be sure to carefully review the new ticket to ensure all the details are accurate before your flight.
3. What to Do If You Cannot Change Your Name
In cases where the name change is not allowed due to a major change (such as a name change due to marriage or divorce), you have a few options.
Option 1: Cancel and Rebook
If Hawaiian Airlines cannot process a major name change, your only option will be to cancel your current booking and rebook the ticket with the correct name. Be sure to check the fare rules for your ticket to understand whether you can get a refund or credit for the canceled flight.
Refund: If you purchased a refundable ticket, you may be able to get a refund. For non-refundable tickets, refunds are typically not allowed, so you would need to forfeit the original booking.
Rebooking: When you book a new ticket, keep in mind that ticket prices may have increased, so you may need to pay the difference in fare.
Option 2: Contact Hawaiian Airlines for Special Exceptions
In rare cases, Hawaiian Airlines may make exceptions for major name changes, such as in the case of a legal name change. If this applies to you, contact their customer service team to explain your situation and see if they are willing to make an exception.
4. Key Considerations When Changing Your Name on Hawaiian Airlines Ticket
Here are a few important things to keep in mind when changing your name on a Hawaiian Airlines flight ticket:
Timeliness: Address any name discrepancies as soon as you notice them. If you wait until the day of your flight, it may cause complications at check-in or security.
Ticket Type: If your ticket is non-refundable, you may have to pay a fee to change your booking. Discounted tickets often come with stricter rules, so always verify with the airline if you’re unsure about the terms.
Matching ID: Your name on your ticket must exactly match your government-issued ID (like a passport or driver’s license). If there’s a discrepancy between your ID and the name on your ticket, you may not be allowed to board the flight.
Legal Documentation: If your name change is due to a legal reason (like marriage or divorce), you may need to provide documentation such as a marriage certificate or court order.
5. How to Avoid Name Errors in the Future
To minimize the likelihood of needing a name change on a Hawaiian Airlines ticket, here are some tips:
Double-check your name: Before confirming your booking, always double-check the spelling of your name to ensure it matches the name on your ID.
Use your full legal name: Always use your full legal name as it appears on your government-issued identification when booking flights.
Book directly with the airline: If possible, book directly with Hawaiian Airlines instead of using third-party booking websites. This ensures fewer chances of mistakes when entering passenger details.
Work with a travel agent: If you’re working with a travel agent, ask them to review all booking details before finalizing your reservation.
6. Conclusion
Changing the name on a Hawaiian Airlines ticket can be a simple process if the change is minor, such as fixing a typo. However, for major name changes, such as those resulting from a legal name change, you will likely need to cancel your existing ticket and book a new one with the correct name. Always be sure to contact Hawaiian Airlines customer service as soon as possible to address any issues with your name on your ticket.
By understanding the airline’s policies and following the outlined steps, you can ensure that your ticket reflects the correct information and avoid any complications when traveling.
