Does Lufthansa allow ticket name change or transfer?

Lufthansa Ticket Name Change or Transfer

When you book a flight with Lufthansa, your ticket is created for one specific traveler. This is because airlines follow strict security and identity verification rules that require the name on the ticket to match the name on the passenger’s government-issued identification exactly. Many travelers wonder if it is possible to change the name on the ticket or even transfer the ticket to another person. The answer depends on the type of change you need, the timing, and the reason for the change.

Understanding Name Changes Versus Name Transfers

It is important to understand the distinction between two common terms:

Name Change – This can refer to either correcting a mistake in the spelling of a name or replacing the original passenger with a different person.
Name Correction – This is a small adjustment to fix typos, reversed names, missing letters, or legal changes such as after marriage.
Name Transfer – This is when you give your ticket to someone else entirely. The person traveling is different from the person originally booked.

Lufthansa is strict about these differences. In general, minor name corrections are possible, but complete ticket transfers to another passenger are not allowed.

Does Lufthansa Allow Full Ticket Name Transfers

Lufthansa does not permit full ticket name transfers in the way some event tickets do. This means you cannot take a ticket issued in your name and reassign it to your friend, family member, or anyone else. The primary reason is security. Passenger information is linked to government and border control databases before departure. Changing to a completely different traveler would disrupt that process and go against international airline regulations.

The only exceptions to this are extremely limited and typically involve legal obligations, such as a corporate booking where company policy and fare rules permit passenger substitution, or a court order in special cases. Even in these rare scenarios, strict documentation would be required, and approval is not guaranteed.

When Lufthansa Allows Name Corrections

Although Lufthansa does not generally allow complete ticket transfers, they do permit name corrections in specific situations. These include:

Minor Spelling Errors – For example, Jon instead of John, or Smtih instead of Smith.
Reversed Names – If your first and last names are accidentally swapped during booking.
Missing Middle Names – Some international flights require the name to match exactly as on your passport.
Legal Name Changes – If you have legally changed your name due to marriage, divorce, or other court-approved changes, you can request a correction.

How Minor Name Corrections Work

Lufthansa handles minor name corrections with a relatively straightforward process, especially if the change is requested soon after booking. The steps often include:

Review Your Ticket – Check the spelling against your passport or government ID immediately after booking.
Contact Lufthansa Quickly – Call customer service or visit a ticket office to report the error. Acting within 24 hours is ideal.
Provide Proof if Required – For legal name changes or certain international bookings, you may need to show official documents such as a marriage certificate or passport.
Confirm Updated Ticket – Once the correction is processed, ask for an updated itinerary to ensure everything is accurate.

If your booking was made through a travel agency or third-party site, you will need to contact them directly to initiate the change. Lufthansa cannot alter tickets issued by an agent without their involvement.

Fees for Name Changes and Corrections

Whether you pay a fee depends on the timing, the type of ticket, and the extent of the change:

Within 24 Hours of Booking – Lufthansa often allows free corrections during this grace period.
Minor Corrections Later On – These may incur a small administrative fee or ticket reissue fee.
Major Changes – Anything that resembles a ticket transfer is not allowed, but if permitted in rare cases, the cost may be significant.

Some fare classes include more flexible change rules, while discounted promotional fares tend to have stricter conditions.

Why Lufthansa Does Not Allow Simple Ticket Transfers

From the perspective of the airline, passenger security is a top priority. Here are the main reasons Lufthansa does not allow full name transfers:

Security Regulations – Passenger data is shared with border control agencies before the flight. Changing the traveler disrupts this process.
Fraud Prevention – Allowing name transfers could lead to ticket resale or misuse.
Operational Consistency – Having one consistent passenger from booking to boarding avoids logistical and system-related errors.

These reasons are not unique to Lufthansa. Most major international airlines have similar rules.

Example Scenarios

To better understand Lufthansa’s approach, here are a few scenarios and the likely outcomes:

Scenario 1 – You booked a ticket for yourself but made a typo in your last name. Outcome: Likely corrected with no or minimal fee if reported promptly.
Scenario 2 – You booked for yourself but cannot travel, and you want to give the ticket to your sister. Outcome: Not permitted, as this is a transfer to another person.
Scenario 3 – You got married after booking and changed your surname. Outcome: Correction permitted with official proof such as a marriage certificate.
Scenario 4 – You booked through a corporate account and need to substitute an employee. Outcome: Only possible if allowed by the corporate fare rules, with required documents.

What to Do if You Cannot Transfer the Ticket

If you cannot transfer your Lufthansa ticket to another person, you still have a few options to reduce your losses:

Change the Flight Date for Yourself – If your fare rules allow it, reschedule the trip for a future time you can travel.
Cancel and Request a Refund – Refund eligibility depends on the fare type. Fully refundable tickets are easiest to reclaim.
Use Travel Insurance – If you cannot travel due to illness or emergency, your insurance may cover the cost.

Tips to Avoid Name Change Problems in the Future

Double-Check Details Before Payment – Compare the booking form with your ID before confirming.
Use Your Full Legal Name – Avoid nicknames or shortened versions that do not match your ID.
Book Directly with Lufthansa – This can simplify the correction process and avoid extra third-party fees.
Act Immediately if There Is an Error – Early corrections are cheaper and easier to process.

Special Rules for International Travel

International flights have even stricter rules for name accuracy because of passport control and immigration checks. A mismatch between your ticket and passport can result in denied boarding or entry issues at your destination. Lufthansa follows these international security guidelines closely, making name accuracy critical.

Final Answer to the Main Question

So, does Lufthansa allow ticket name change or transfer?

Minor Name Changes or Corrections – Yes, under specific conditions and often with a small fee if not corrected immediately.
Full Name Transfers to Another Person – No, except in rare and documented legal situations such as corporate fare substitutions or legal obligations.

The general policy is that the ticket must remain with the same passenger from booking to boarding. While correcting a few letters is typically fine, transferring the ticket to someone else is almost never allowed.

Summary Table

Change Type	Allowed	Fee Likely	Documentation Needed
Minor spelling correction	Yes	Sometimes	No
Reversing first and last name	Yes	Sometimes	No
Legal name change with proof	Yes	Rarely	Yes
Full ticket transfer to another person	No	Not applicable	Not applicable

Closing Thoughts

Lufthansa’s name change policy is designed to protect passengers, ensure accurate security information, and maintain operational consistency. While it can be frustrating that you cannot simply give your ticket to someone else, these rules are part of the broader framework that keeps air travel safe and efficient.

If you book with Lufthansa, make sure your details are accurate from the start. If you spot a mistake, act immediately to increase your chances of a smooth correction with little to no fee. And remember — while minor spelling adjustments are generally fine, a complete name swap to a different traveler is not part of Lufthansa’s standard policy.