A small spelling mistake found on your airline ticket may cause panic because of the strict security regulations that require matching of names accurately. Turkish Airlines offers a systematic procedure to resolve small typos in the name in the airline ticket without changing the entire reservation.
However, Turkish Airlines is keen to differentiate between a small typo and a name change, each with its own set of requirements and charges. This guide will provide information on the name change policy, rules of correction of spelling mistake in name spelling correction rules, and what are the change charges.
Understanding the Turkish Airlines Name Correction Policy
Turkish Airlines implements rigorous rules for naming, although the company understands that minor mistakes can happen due to the nature of the booking. The knowledge of these rules will help passengers to avoid paying any extra charges and have no issues at the airport.
Official Turkish Airlines Name Spelling Correction Rules
Correction of names is allowed by Turkish Airlines in case of a mistake made in the name of a passenger. These corrections involve changes not changing the identity of a passenger. Changes can be made to the first name, middle name, or surname. Up to three letters can be changed in one of the above parts of the name.
However, the name has to sound in the same way after the correction. Also, the name needs to coincide with the government-issued identification document of a passenger.
Types of Name Corrections Allowed on Turkish Tickets
There are different types of name corrections in Turkish Airlines, which need varied processing time and documents.
Name corrections due to Typographical errors:
- Typographical error in first name, middle name, or surname
- Omission of letters up to three characters
- Transposition of letters resulting in spelling errors
- Correction without altering the phonetic pronunciation of the name
Legal Name Change:
- Legal name changes due to marriage
- Restoration of name after divorce
- Judicial name changes
- Name change due to gender transition
Required Documents:
- Passport issued by the government bearing the corrected name
- Marriage certificate for surname change
- Judicial order for legal name correction
- Confirmation of booking with ticket number
Critical Limitations of the Turkish Airlines Name Change Policy
There are various limitations imposed by Turkish Airlines in regards to name corrections, which are to be taken into consideration before making any requests.
Limitations of Corrections:
- Name changes will not allow transfer of the tickets to another passenger
- Name change must be made before departure of the flight
- Some fare rules may prevent name correction without reissue
- Exact name matching in passport is required on international flights
- Additional restrictions on name corrections may apply in case of award tickets through Miles&Smiles program
Restrictions in Processing:
- Name corrections online allowed for misspellings only
- For legal name changes customers must contact customer service/office
- Some routes may need in person verification
- Limited time period for making free name corrections after booking
Specific Scenarios: Legal, Marriage & Last Name Changes
It should be noted that Turkish Airlines recognizes the fact that sometimes the passengers may have changed their names because of marriage, divorce or legal requirements. In this respect, such situations are different from the situation when the passengers need to correct their names because of misspelling.
Turkish Airlines Marriage Name Change & Legal Name Changes
In case of passenger's legal name change Turkish Airlines offers an organized procedure for updating ticket data. For this purpose, the company needs to see some official documents proving the name change.
Changes Related to Marriage:
- Name change after marriage needs marriage certificate to prove this
- Both maiden and married names should be documented by official papers
- The change might require customer service assistance instead of online modification
- For international flights it is needed to update passport before changing tickets
Legal Change of Name Situations:
- Legal name change ordered by the court needs court documentation
- Restoration of name as result of divorce requires divorce decree documentation
- Gender reassignment needs government ID updated
- All changes of name should coincide precisely with current passport/governmental ID
Required Legal Documents for Surname Updates (Passport, Marriage Certificate)
Turkish Airlines asks passengers to submit particular documents when making changes of names legally in order to comply with international security requirements.
Legal Document List:
- Current Passport: To prove the legal name change
- Marriage Certificate: For name change because of marriage
- Divorce Decree: For name restoration after divorce
- Order of the Court: For legal name change according to court proceedings
- ID Issued by Government: To confirm the name
- Original Ticket: Booking number and ticket
Submission of Documents:
- The documents should be legible copies or originals
- Translation of non-English documents may be necessary
- Acceptance of electronic submission through customer service platforms
- Submission of original documents for verification purposes
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Change Name on Turkish Airlines Ticket
There are different ways through which one can correct his name in a Turkish Airlines plane ticket, depending on whether the correction is major or minor, and where the passenger stays. This knowledge can be useful to help passengers decide on the best way to go about the process.
How to Correct Your Name Online via the Website or Mobile App
Turkish Airlines has made provision for correcting one's name online through their website or mobile app. This is the fastest way to solve such a problem.
Online Correction Process:
- Go to Turkish Airlines website or use mobile application
- Go to "Manage Booking" or "My Reservations" tab
- Type your booking reference number and last name to access your booking information
- Select passenger name which needs to be changed
- Choose "Name Correction" or "Edit Passenger Details"
- Type the name as it is written on your passport correctly
- Confirm your changes and approve correction
- You will receive updated confirmation by email
Limitations for Online Correction:
- Minor spelling mistakes only (three characters maximum)
- Correction of legal name change cannot be done online
- Some types of fare cannot be changed online
- Changes should be made at least 24 hours prior to departure
Requesting Name Adjustments via Turkish Airlines Customer Service Call Center
For more complicated name correction requests or legal name changes, Turkish Airlines' customer service department offers personal assistance via their call center.
Procedure through the Call Center:
- Dial +90 212 444 0 849 (International) / 0850 333 0 849 (Turkey) for the Turkish Airlines customer service department.
- Give them your booking reference and passenger information.
- Inform them about the kind of name correction you require.
- Send them your required documents via email or fax as they instruct.
- Let them process your name correction.
- Confirm your name correction via email.
- Check the name correction on your boarding pass before traveling.
Benefits of the Call Center:
- They can process complicated legal name changes
- Your documents will be processed immediately
- Multiple passengers on the same reservation can be corrected at once
- Special cases can be taken into consideration
Updating Your Account Profile via the Miles&Smiles Frequent Flyer Program
Changes to the name details of the Miles&Smiles member can be made using the frequent flyer account, and this would automatically make changes to any future booking of Turkish Airlines flights.
Profile update for Miles&Smiles member:
- Login to your Miles&Smiles profile from the website of Turkish Airlines
- Go to "Profile Settings" or "Personal Information"
- Click on "Edit Name" or "Update Personal Details"
- Enter your name correctly as written on the passport
- Attach relevant documents for making changes to name legally
- Submit request for updating the details
- Wait for the profile verification process (usually takes 24-48 hours)
- Future booking will automatically have the new name details
Benefits of Updating Profile:
- Name change automatically done for any future booking
- Consistency in name details for all bookings
- Fewer manual corrections to tickets
- Increased security due to verified identification details
In-Person Corrections at the Airport Ticket Counter or Sales Office
Changes to the name details of the Miles&Smiles member can be made using the frequent flyer account, and this would automatically make changes to any future booking of Turkish Airlines flights.
Profile update for Miles & Smiles member:
- Login to your Miles&Smiles profile from the website of Turkish Airlines
- Go to "Profile Settings" or "Personal Information"
- Click on "Edit Name" or "Update Personal Details"
- Enter your name correctly as written on the passport
- Attach relevant documents for making changes to name legally
- Submit request for updating the details
- Wait for the profile verification process (usually takes 24-48 hours)
- Future booking will automatically have the new name details
Benefits of Updating Profile:
- Name change automatically done for any future booking
- Consistency in name details for all bookings
- Fewer manual corrections to tickets
- Increased security due to verified identification details
Costs, Fees, and Ticket Reissuing Rules
Different pricing schemes have been implemented by Turkish Airlines in case of name correction, depending on the type of change, fare class, and time when the request was made. Knowing about these charges will help you plan your finances effectively and save from any additional expenses.
What is the Turkish Airlines Name Change Fee?
The name correction charges of Turkish Airlines depend on different conditions, such as the type of name correction, route, and fare class. Below is provided the information about fees generally charged.
Considerations for Fees:
- Fees are variable according to route and fare rules
- Some promotional fares do not support name changes
- Name changes may result in extra Miles&Smiles fees
- Currency conversion may impact fees for international flights
- Fees are waived for elite status Turkish Airlines members
What to Do If Your Name Is Incorrect on a Turkish Airlines Boarding Pass
An incorrect name on your Turkish Airlines boarding pass should be addressed promptly to prevent travel problems. It offers several solutions to solve the problem easily and swiftly.
Immediate Actions:
- Contact Turkish Airlines customer service right away after noticing the mistake
- Do not go to security check with an incorrect name on your boarding pass
- Have your passport and booking confirmation at hand
- Ask for a special priority service in case of a tight flight departure schedule
Airport Resolution Options:
- Go to the Turkish Airlines ticket desk and fix the mistake instantly
- Show your passport and booking confirmation to the clerk
- Give him some time to issue you the new boarding pass
- Confirm the corrected name on it before going to security
Prevention Techniques:
- Always confirm the correct spelling of your name during the booking process
- Compare your ticket name with the passport name precisely
- Confirm your boarding pass name right after receiving it
Final words
All of the above information is provided regarding how to fix the mistakes in spelling your name and to change your legal name at Turkish Airlines. There are procedures in place on how to fix small spelling mistakes as well as how to make large legal changes to your name, both of which have different requirements and fees. With this information, you will be able to avoid problems at the airport and ensure that your ticket matches your government-issued ID. If you still have a more complex problem then contact the customer service department of Turkish Airlines today!