Editorial note: A ticket transfer replaces the original passenger with another traveler. This is different from correcting a typo or updating the original traveler’s legal name.
Can You Transfer a Plane Ticket to Another Person?
In most cases, you cannot transfer an airline ticket to another person. The passenger named on the ticket must travel, and their details must match their government-issued identification.
When the original passenger cannot travel, the usual options are:
- Cancel and request an eligible refund
- Cancel and receive travel credit
- Change the flight for the original passenger
- Use an eligible transferable credit to purchase a new ticket
- Buy a separate ticket in the new traveler’s name
A spelling correction or legal name update does not make a ticket transferable.
Need help reviewing a ticket issued through Flying Getaway? Call +1 (646) 814-6001 before cancelling or making another booking.
Ticket Transfer vs Name Correction
| Request | Meaning | Usually allowed? |
|---|---|---|
| Name correction | Fixing a typo for the same passenger | Yes |
| Legal name update | Marriage, divorce or court-approved update | Usually, with documents |
| Ticket transfer | Replacing the passenger with someone else | Usually no |
| Transferable credit | Using cancelled-ticket value for another booking | Only with selected airlines and credit types |
Airlines may correct the original traveler’s details, but that does not permit a friend, relative or colleague to use the ticket.
Can You Buy a Flight Ticket for Someone Else?
Yes. You may purchase a new ticket for another person using your own payment method.
During booking, enter the traveler’s:
- Full legal name
- Date of birth
- Gender information required by the airline
- Contact details
- Passport information for international travel
The passenger information must belong to the person who will travel. After the ticket is issued, you generally cannot replace them with someone else.
What to Do Within 24 Hours of Booking
When an airline ticket is purchased directly from an airline at least seven days before departure, the carrier must either offer a 24-hour hold or allow cancellation within 24 hours without penalty.
This rule does not require the airline to change the passenger’s name free of charge, and it does not automatically apply to travel-agent or online-agency bookings.
If you entered the completely wrong passenger:
- Cancel the original ticket within the qualifying window.
- Confirm that the refund is approved.
- Make a new reservation in the correct traveler’s name.
This is usually safer than requesting a full passenger replacement.
Can You Transfer Tickets on Major U.S. Airlines?
Delta Air Lines
Delta permits eligible corrections for the original passenger, including first- or middle-name errors, limited surname corrections and reversed first and last names. The same traveler must remain on the ticket.
Delta tickets are valid only for the passenger named on the reservation and are nontransferable.
Result: You cannot transfer a Delta ticket. Cancel or change it according to the fare conditions and purchase a new ticket for the other person.
United Airlines
United future flight credits are normally nontransferable and must be used by the traveler to whom the credit was issued.
The original certificate recipient may be able to arrange travel for another person, but the certificate cannot be sold, exchanged or bartered. This uses the certificate’s value for a new reservation; it does not transfer the original ticket.
Result: A standard United ticket or future flight credit cannot normally be reassigned. Check whether you received a future flight credit or an electronic travel certificate.
Southwest Airlines
Southwest does not transfer the original itinerary to another passenger. However, selected cancelled fares produce a Transferable Flight Credit.
Current eligible fares include:
- Choice
- Choice Preferred
- Choice Extra
The credit can be transferred once between Rapid Rewards members. The entire credit must be transferred, and the recipient uses it to purchase a new ticket while paying any fare difference.
Result: You cannot transfer the booked ticket, but you may be able to cancel it and transfer the resulting credit.
American Airlines
The American Airlines tickets are nontransferable and cannot be exchanged for a ticket issued in another passenger’s name.
American distinguishes between two common credits:
| Credit type | Who can use it? |
|---|---|
| Flight Credit | Only the passenger named on the credit |
| Trip Credit | The credit holder may use it to book for themselves or someone else |
Using an American Trip Credit for another person creates a new reservation; it does not change the passenger on the original ticket.
Result: The ticket cannot be transferred, but an eligible Trip Credit may be used to purchase another person’s flight.
What Are Your Alternatives When a Transfer Is Not Allowed?
Cancel and Rebook
Check whether the ticket qualifies for:
- A refund to the original payment method
- Travel credit
- A partial credit after cancellation
- A refund under the airline’s 24-hour policy
Do not cancel until you have reviewed the amount shown by the airline or booking provider.
Use an Eligible Credit for Another Person
A small number of credit types may be used for someone else:
- Southwest Transferable Flight Credit
- American Airlines Trip Credit
- Certain United travel certificates
Always confirm the credit type. A standard unused ticket, Flight Credit, future flight credit or eCredit may remain restricted to the original passenger.
Correct the Original Passenger’s Name
Request a name correction when the same traveler has:
- A spelling mistake
- Reversed names
- A missing middle name
- A new surname following marriage or divorce
Do not describe this as a ticket transfer.
Buy a New Ticket
When the original ticket has no refundable or reusable value, the replacement passenger needs a new booking under their own legal name.
Compare the cost of cancelling immediately with the risk of waiting until departure. Some airline no-show policies can cause the unused ticket value to be forfeited.
How to Check Whether Your Ticket Value Can Be Transferred
Before contacting the airline, gather:
- Confirmation code
- Ticket number
- Fare type
- Booking channel
- Cancellation deadline
- Credit type and expiration date
- Original passenger details
Ask these specific questions:
- Is the ticket refundable?
- What value remains if it is cancelled?
- What type of credit will be issued?
- Can that credit be used for another traveler?
- Does the original passenger need a loyalty account?
- When does the credit expire?
- Will the recipient pay a fare difference?
- Does the issuing agency charge a servicing fee?
Final Takeaway
Most flight tickets cannot be transferred to another person.
The practical solution is usually to cancel the original reservation and then:
- Receive a refund
- Retain credit for the original passenger
- Transfer an eligible Southwest credit
- Use an American Trip Credit for another traveler
- Use an eligible United travel certificate to arrange another person’s booking
Do not rely on a name correction to replace the passenger. Corrections are only for the original traveler.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you transfer an airline ticket to someone else?
Usually not. Most airline tickets are nontransferable and can only be used by the passenger named on the reservation.
Can I change the passenger name completely?
No. Airlines may correct errors or legal-name updates for the original traveler, but replacing the traveler normally requires cancellation and a new booking.
Can Southwest tickets be transferred?
The ticket itself cannot be transferred. Eligible cancelled Choice, Choice Preferred and Choice Extra fares may create a Transferable Flight Credit that can be transferred once between Rapid Rewards members.
Can American Airlines credit be used for someone else?
An American Trip Credit holder may use the credit to book another traveler. Flight Credit can only be used by the passenger named on it.
Can I give my United future flight credit to someone else?
United future flight credits are normally restricted to the original traveler. Certain travel certificates may be used by the recipient to arrange another person’s travel.
Can I transfer a nonrefundable ticket?
A nonrefundable ticket is normally not transferable. You may be able to cancel it and receive a credit, but whether that credit can be used for someone else depends on its specific rules.
Can I buy a plane ticket as a gift?
Yes. Purchase the ticket using the recipient’s legal passenger information from the beginning rather than booking it in your name and attempting to transfer it later.
Patrick Walker is the travel brain behind Flying Getaway. With a knack for spotting flight deals and a passion for exploring new skies, he helps travelers fly smarter and save more with every trip.
