Quick Answer: Lufthansa generally does not allow passengers to simply transfer a ticket to another person, because its conditions state that tickets are non-transferable and carriage is for the passenger named on the ticket. However, certain genuine name corrections or legal name changes may be possible, depending on the ticket, route, booking channel, and supporting documents.
If your Lufthansa ticket contains a typo, missing part of your name, or your legal name has changed because of marriage or divorce, contact Lufthansa or the travel agency that issued the ticket as soon as possible. Do not assume that a standard flight change will update the passenger name—Lufthansa specifically says passenger names cannot be changed through its normal online rebooking process.
Lufthansa Name Change Fee: What You Need to Know
The phrase “Lufthansa Name Change Fee” can be misleading because Lufthansa does not have one universal fee that applies to every name-related request.
There is an important difference between:
- Name correction: Fixing an error in the passenger’s name.
- Legal name change: Updating a name after a legal event such as marriage or divorce.
- Name change to another person: Replacing the original passenger with someone else.
These situations are not treated the same way.
Lufthansa’s current Conditions of Carriage state that tickets are not transferable and that Lufthansa provides carriage to the passenger named on the ticket.
Lufthansa’s published tariff material also shows that, for certain completely unused LH 220 documents, legal name changes such as marriage or divorce may be permitted without charge when appropriate supporting documentation is provided.
That does not mean every typo or name-change request is automatically free. The applicable rules can depend on the ticket, market, issuing carrier, and circumstances.
Why you should not rely on a fixed fee
Online articles sometimes quote a single Lufthansa name-change amount as if it applies to every passenger. That can be inaccurate.
Before paying anything, ask Lufthansa or your ticketing agency to confirm:
- Whether the request qualifies as a correction or a name change.
- Whether supporting documentation is required.
- Whether the ticket must be reissued.
- Whether any administrative charge applies.
- Whether a fare difference or other ticketing charge could be involved.
What Lufthansa Allows
Lufthansa’s rules distinguish between changing flight details and changing the passenger’s identity.
Minor spelling or booking errors
If you notice that your name was entered incorrectly, contact Lufthansa promptly rather than waiting until check-in.
Examples might include:
- A simple spelling mistake.
- A typing error during booking.
- An incorrectly entered name element.
- A discrepancy between the reservation and your travel document.
Whether Lufthansa can correct a particular error depends on the booking and the nature of the mistake. The airline’s standard online rebooking tool does not provide a passenger-name change function.
Legal name changes
A genuine legal name change can be treated differently from transferring a ticket to another traveler.
For example, Lufthansa tariff documentation specifically identifies marriage and divorce as examples of legal name-change reasons for certain unused LH 220 documents, provided eligible supporting documentation is presented.
Bookings made through a travel agency
If you purchased your ticket through a travel agency or another booking provider, the agency may need to handle the request.
Lufthansa also advises passengers with travel-agency tickets to contact the agency for certain ticket-related requests because the agency can assist according to the applicable fare and ticket conditions.
What Lufthansa Does Not Allow
The biggest mistake travelers make is confusing a name correction with a passenger change.
You generally cannot transfer the ticket to another person
Lufthansa’s Conditions of Carriage state that tickets are not transferable. The airline also reserves the right to refuse carriage when the traveler cannot establish that they are the passenger named on the ticket.
For example:
John Smith cannot normally buy a ticket and then replace himself with Michael Smith simply by requesting a name change.
That is a passenger substitution, not a spelling correction.
You cannot change the passenger name through ordinary online rebooking
Lufthansa’s current rebooking information explicitly says that passenger names cannot be changed as part of the normal flight-change process.
You may be able to change:
- Travel dates.
- Flight times.
- Other eligible itinerary details.
But changing those flight details does not automatically provide a way to replace the passenger’s name.
Do not wait until the airport
A name discrepancy can become much more difficult to resolve if you discover it immediately before departure.
Because Lufthansa requires the passenger to be identifiable as the person named on the ticket, it is better to address a suspected name problem before check-in or travel day.
How to Request a Lufthansa Name Correction
If you believe the name on your ticket is incorrect, use this practical process.
Step 1: Check your ticket carefully
Compare the name on your Lufthansa booking with the travel document you will use for the journey.
Look for:
- Incorrect spelling.
- Missing name elements.
- Incorrect order of name fields.
- Typographical errors.
- A legal name that has changed since booking.
Do not make assumptions based solely on how the name appears on the booking confirmation. If you are unsure whether the displayed format is a problem, ask Lufthansa.
Step 2: Check who issued your ticket
Determine whether you booked:
- Directly through Lufthansa.
- Through a travel agency.
- Through another online travel provider.
- As part of a codeshare or multi-airline itinerary.
This matters because the organization that issued the ticket may need to process the correction.
Step 3: Contact the appropriate support channel
For Lufthansa bookings, start with Lufthansa’s Manage My Booking and available support options.
Lufthansa provides booking-detail support through its website, including access to the Service Centre and Chat Assistant.
If the booking was made through a travel agency, contact that agency first.
Step 4: Explain exactly what is wrong
Be specific.
Instead of saying:
“I need to change my name.”
Explain:
“There is a spelling error in the passenger name, and I need the reservation checked against my travel document.”
This helps distinguish a correction from a request to transfer the ticket.
Step 5: Provide documentation if requested
For a legal name change, Lufthansa may require evidence supporting the request.
For example, its published tariff documentation mentions documents such as a passport and marriage certificate for eligible legal name changes.
Only provide documents through Lufthansa or your legitimate ticketing provider using an official, secure channel.
Step 6: Confirm the corrected ticket
Do not stop after receiving verbal confirmation.
Check the updated reservation and, where applicable, the reissued ticket or travel document to make sure the passenger information is correct.
How Much Does a Lufthansa Name Change Cost?
There is no single universal Lufthansa name-change price that should be quoted for every booking.
The amount, if any, can depend on:
- Whether the request is a correction or legal name change.
- The type of ticket.
- Whether the ticket is unused.
- Where the ticket was issued.
- The applicable fare rules.
- Whether Lufthansa or another airline issued the ticket.
- Whether an agency must process the change.
- Whether the requested action requires ticket reissuance.
For certain eligible legal name changes on totally unused LH 220 documents, Lufthansa’s tariff states that the change can be permitted free of charge when the required documentation is provided.
That is different from saying that every Lufthansa name correction is free.
What about fare differences?
A name correction itself should not automatically be confused with changing your flight.
If you also change your itinerary, normal rebooking conditions can apply. Lufthansa says that flight changes can involve a change fee and/or fare difference depending on the fare conditions and new flight selected.
So, always ask for the total amount before authorizing the transaction.
What Documents Are Required?
The documents depend on the reason for the request.
You may be asked to provide information or documentation such as:
- Passport or other valid travel identification.
- Marriage certificate for an applicable marriage-related legal name change.
- Divorce documentation where applicable.
- Other official evidence supporting a legal name change.
- Booking reference.
- Ticket number or ticket receipt.
Lufthansa’s published tariff specifically gives a passport and marriage certificate as examples of supporting documentation for eligible legal name changes.
A simple spelling correction may not require the same evidence as a legal name change, so ask Lufthansa or your issuing agency what is required for your particular ticket.
Important Things to Remember
1. A correction is not the same as a passenger substitution
Fixing an error in your own name is very different from replacing yourself with another traveler.
2. Check the name against your travel document
Use the document you expect to present for travel as your reference when reporting a discrepancy.
3. Contact Lufthansa early
Do not wait until the airport if you believe your ticket contains a significant error.
4. Do not assume the online flight-change tool can fix the name
Lufthansa’s online rebooking process is designed for flight changes, and the airline states that passenger names cannot be changed through that process.
5. Check who issued your ticket
If a travel agency issued the ticket, the agency may need to handle the correction.
6. Ask for the exact fee before approving anything
A generic “Lufthansa name change fee” found online may not apply to your booking.
7. Keep your documentation
Save confirmation emails, ticket receipts, case numbers, and any documents submitted during the correction process.
8. Recheck the final ticket
After the correction is completed, verify the passenger name before traveling.
Final Thoughts
A Lufthansa ticket name change is not normally the same as changing a flight. Lufthansa’s current rules state that tickets are non-transferable, while its tariff documentation provides specific circumstances in which eligible legal name changes can be processed.
If you have a typo or another name discrepancy, contact Lufthansa or the agency that issued your ticket and explain exactly what needs to be corrected. For legal name changes, have appropriate supporting documentation available.
Because fare rules, ticketing arrangements, and applicable tariffs can vary, verify the current conditions for your specific reservation before paying a fee or making another booking.
FAQs
Can I change the name on a Lufthansa ticket?
Not as a simple passenger transfer. Lufthansa states that tickets are non-transferable, and its normal online flight-rebooking process does not allow passenger names to be changed. Eligible corrections or legal name changes may be handled separately.
What is the Lufthansa Name Change Fee?
There is no single fee that applies to every Lufthansa name-related request. The cost depends on the type of correction, ticket, market, and applicable conditions. Certain eligible legal name changes on unused LH 220 documents may be permitted free of charge with supporting documentation.
Can I correct a spelling mistake on my Lufthansa ticket?
A genuine spelling or booking error should be reported to Lufthansa or the ticketing agency as soon as possible. Whether the correction can be made and whether a charge applies depends on the specific booking.
Can I change my Lufthansa ticket to another person’s name?
Generally, no. Lufthansa’s Conditions of Carriage state that tickets are not transferable and carriage is provided to the passenger named on the ticket.
Can I change my name after marriage on a Lufthansa ticket?
An eligible legal name change may be possible. Lufthansa’s published tariff documentation specifically identifies marriage and divorce as examples of legal name-change reasons for certain completely unused LH 220 documents when supporting documentation is provided.
Can I change my passenger name online?
Lufthansa’s standard online rebooking tool does not allow passenger names to be changed. It is intended for eligible flight-detail changes.
What documents do I need for Lufthansa name correction?
The requirements depend on the reason for the request. For a legal name change, Lufthansa may request official evidence such as a passport and marriage certificate.
What if I booked my Lufthansa flight through a travel agency?
Contact the agency that issued the ticket. Lufthansa advises customers with travel-agency tickets to contact the agency for certain ticket-related requests because the applicable fare and ticket conditions need to be considered.
Can I change my name during a Lufthansa flight rebooking?
No. Lufthansa’s current rebooking guidance states that only flight details can be changed through the rebooking process; passenger names cannot be changed as part of that process.
