How To Change Name On Spirit Airlines?

Air travel is perhaps one of the most vital facets of people’s lives in this day and age, as it brings together people from all corners of the globe for business, leisure, and personal reasons. Among many particulars associated with air travel, the importance of having the right personal details on the ticket is of supreme importance. 

Spirit Airlines, being one of the major low-cost carriers within the United States, has also realized the need for correct passenger details and has framed a comprehensive name change policy to help people in different situations. In this more detailed guide, we will delve into the details entailed in the Spirit Airlines name change policy—both the fine print regarding fees, procedures, and special circumstances.

Understanding Why Information Relating to Your Name Needs to Be Right

Before trying to tackle information on Spirit Airlines policy, it’s critical to understand why accurate name information is so important in air travel. A broad-reaching mandate by various national and international civil aviation governing bodies requires airlines to keep precise passenger manifests for security purposes. 

Such informative data is to be utilized in an eventuality, for security clearance, and for a country’s immigration. The match of the name on the ticket with your ID is required to be precise; otherwise, it can create issues at check-in, security areas, or even at boarding gates.

Spirit Airlines Basic Name Policy

Spirit Airlines, like most other carriers, requires that all passengers travel under their legal names, exactly as they appear on valid identification. This is due to several reasons:

1. Security compliance: The airline should ascertain it complies with the very many security measures put in place by the aviation authorities.

2. Seamless travel experience: Matching names in the tickets and IDs reduces the chances of a hitch during the check-in and security screening process for a flight’s boarding.

3. Maintaining Good Records: This guarantees accurate passenger manifests for various operational and legal purposes.

4. Deters fraud: Having real names deters ticket fraud and unauthorized transfers.

However, Spirit Airlines realizes that sometimes people make mistakes, and there are life circumstances that should be reason enough for changes in personal information. This stand is what brought about their name-change policy.

What Kind of Name Changes Does Spirit Airlines Handle?

The name change policy of Spirit Airlines accommodates all these situations. Let us consider them in detail:

1. Minor Correction/ Typo

Among the more commonly found uses is a simple typographical error in a name: transposed letters, missing middle initials, or an incorrect suffix. Spirit Airlines is rather open to its little mistakes and will often allow that kind of correction at no charge. It is a very customer-friendly policy because, on the one hand, it does recognize that silly little mistakes can be made so very easily during the process of booking travel, with which we are not familiar; or booking in a rush.

2. Legal Name Changes

The policy of Spirit Airlines also allows for more significant changes, spurred by marriage, divorce, or a court-ordered name change. These typically result in a more significant need for documentation and often the requirement that a new ticket be reissued under a new legal name. Although it is more complex than simply making a one-letter typographical error, Spirit Airlines has a process to work through to accommodate this change.

3. Cultural Differences with Naming

Sometimes, the names of passengers would be written or spelled differently in certain contexts because of culture and/or language. Spirit Airlines’ policy has some flexibility regarding these variations that would allow them to be sensitive yet implement necessary security standards.

4. Nickname to Legal Name Corrections

Sometimes passengers may use their common nickname for booking instead of the legal name. Spirit Airlines permits the correction from nicknames to full legal names to make the ticket match the passenger’s identifications.

One of the biggest worries travelers generally have during a ticket reissue for name correction is the cost. Spirit Airlines is very vocal about its fee policy, which it devises to offset the growing challenge of meeting its customers’ needs with genuine operational difficulties. Let’s do some math to understand the details of the fee structure:

1. Fees for Minor Name Changes

Up to here, Spirit Airlines will not charge a fee for minor corrections, like a misspelling or a typographical mistake. This debtor-friendly policy helps guests correct minor mistakes without having to pay for them. It is a policy in the service of human error and caters to customer satisfaction at the pinnacle.

2. Fees for Major Name Changes

Spirit Airlines does charge a fee for more major changes to names, which may also include the re-issuance of tickets. Such a fee currently varies between USD 69 and USD 119. The under-listed may be factors accounting for these price differences:

• Route: Domestic flights may differ from international routes.

• Fare Type: The type of fare the ticket originally was may impact the name change fee.

• Timing of Request: How close to the flight date is may alter the fee.

• Complexity of Change: Completely changing a name may be priced differently than only a change of last name.

3. Grace Period for Changes

Spirit Airlines does provide a grace period for name changes, useful in cases where passengers are likely to realize mistakes made at the point of the reservation quickly. If you come across an error in your booking within a 24-hour window, more than often you can cancel the ticket and re-book without any additional charges. This rule applies irrespective of the kind of ticket bought, creating a window that passengers can utilize without being at a financial loss.

Furthermore, the further notice that can be afforded, particularly when the changes are effected 60 days before the date of travel, the more flexibility can often come from these concerning both the fees and the procedure. This longer window period encourages consumers to carefully review their reservations long before their scheduled time of travel.

4. Waive Fees in Context

While not mentioned in their published policy, there are instances wherein Spirit Airlines waives the said fee in certain contexts. One obvious example would be during the COVID-19 pandemic when most airlines, Spirit included, have been a lot more flexible about changing and canceling policies. These are extraordinary circumstances, but again, it goes to show that the airline, if necessary, might be willing to adapt its policies in reaction to some major event or special individual situation.

5. Comparative Industry Context

Spirit Airlines name change fees best situate within the context of the larger picture of the airline industry. Many of the other major legacy carriers charge more exorbitant fees for a name change, some don’t even allow one to make any name changes at all for a name change, hence these charges stand as relatively quite modest, especially considering that it is a low-cost carrier.

Spirit Airlines Name Change Process

Spirit Airlines has both online and offline name change procedures for your ticket. Let us discuss them one by one:

Online Name Change Procedure:

1. Official website of Spirit Airlines: Go to Spirit Airlines’ official website at www.spirit.com.

2. My Trips: Find the “My Trips” section, normally located in the top navigation menu bar.

3. Enter the reservation information: You will need to provide the following information — the booking reference number, also known as the confirmation number, and the passenger’s last name, just as it was listed when you made the reservation.

4. Name Change Option: Upon opening your reservation, search for an option referring to making changes or, if you are fortunate, making name changes. This will often be located in THE  “Modify Booking” or other similarly named sections.

5. Click on the edit button that you’ll find next to your name. Now, you should be able to enter the correct name.

6. Correct information: Enter the correct name very correctly. You should ensure that it is the same as provided in your identification proof.

7. Click Review and Submit: Review all the inputted information to confirm that it is correct. After making sure everything is accurate, click submit.

8. Wait for the Confirmation Message: After submission, you should receive some type of on-screen confirmation. Most likely, Spirit Airlines will also send a subsequent confirmation email and, in some cases, may even include a phone call to verify the change. 

Also, Do not expect all name changes to be able to be processed online, in particular major name changes. When the system finds these sorts of changes, you will more than likely be guided to call customer service to complete your name change.

Offline Name Change Procedure:

1. Call Spirit Airlines: Pick up the dedicated number for customer service, 1 (855) 728-3555. If you have made your booking via an Online Travel Agency, use this number: +1 (844) 5591-876.

2. IVR System: Follow the voicemail commands – 

• Press 1 for the selection of language
• Press 3 for booking related inquiries
• Press 6 for name change requests
• Press 9 for representative support in specific cases

3. Speaking to a Representative: Clearly state that you want your name changed. Have handy:

• Your booking reference
• The present name on the reservation
• The right name as it should appear
• Any supporting documents, if necessary—like in the case of a legal name change

4. Listen and Follow Instructions: The representative will give you guidelines, which might involve:

• Identity verification.
• Explanation of associated fees.
• Process name change into the system.
• Set up a submission to mandate any other document that may be required

5. Obtain Confirmation: Before disconnecting the call, obtain a verbal confirmation of the changes made. Confirmation should also be emailed to you after the call.

6. Verify Your Modified Reservation: Following the effecting of a change, it is a checked measure to confirm on your end that your reservation is according to expectation in terms of details.

Regardless of which method you use, the name change process should be started as soon as possible, particularly if you have a flight scheduled. This will give you sufficient time to process the request and take care of any problems that might arise before you take flight.

Spirit Airlines Name Change Marriage

Marriage is a significant event in someone’s life, and that often requires certain administrative changes, for which a good number of paperwork updates are either necessary or advised. Spirit Airlines is very familiar with this usual situation, so a name change due to marriage is not something that can shake them up. All right, then, let us take a look at how Spirit administers this:

1. Documentation Required:

• Marriage Certificate: The most important proof that your name has changed is through marriage. Be sure to have an official copy at hand.

• Updated Government ID: Your ID will not need to be updated right away. But if you plan on changing your name, knock your ID out so that traveling is easier.

2. Factors to Think About and Timing:

• Immediate vs. Future Travel: If travel is immediate, you can still go ahead and travel under your maiden name; then, proceed with your name change to save on the time you would have lost with the airline’s name requirement.

• Processing: It ensures that Spirit Airlines has sufficient time to process the name change and will do it especially so if future travel plans are in place.

3. Step-by-By-Step Process

• Contact Spirit Airlines: Phone their customer service via the options provided above.

• What to Say: Explain that you would like to update the name on your ticket because you were recently married.

• Details: Have all your travel details, the old and new names, and any details related to your marriage certificate on hand.

• Do Follow-Up Instructions: The representative will guide you any extra mile if needed.

• Ask about any Fees: Ask what type of fees would be imposed, or if this specific kind of change on a marital bond has any waivers.

4. Future Bookings

• Profile Update: Log in to your Spirit Airlines account and update your first and last name to reflect your new name.

• Future Booking: Ensure that all future bookings are made using the new legal name.

Read Also: Spirit Airlines Terminal at EWR

Ancillary Issues to Take Care of in Changing Your Name

Though we have discussed the provisions of the name change policy of Spirit Airlines, there are a few more ancillary issues that need to be taken care of, such as:

1. Partial Name Change:

Spirit Airlines will allow partial name changes, such as:

• Minor Correction in Middle Name
• Change in First Name Spelling
• Adding or removing of suffixes like Jr., Sr., III

Minor corrections process much easier and may most times not have processing fees but should always be verified with the airline.

2. Changes in Titles:

• To a great degree, wrong titles (Mr., Mrs., Ms., etc.) can be corrected without additional fees  

• Of significant benefit to flyers is that their status may have changed and may require a title change

3. Booking through a Travel Agency

• If you booked your Spirit Airlines ticket via some travel company, then it might require you to make a ticket change through that agency.

• The airline will have limited ability to make changes to reservations made with third-party sellers

   Always inform the travel company of the changes being sought out

4. Required Documentation

For a legal name change, documentation will likely have to be presented for:

• Court orders
• Marriage licenses
• Divorce decrees
• Legal documentation relating to the change of name

While this is not directly name-change related, it’s probably a good idea to also take the opportunity to change your date of birth if you ever entered it wrong when booking. It could matter a lot if you used a credit or debit card to book the ticket and the company selling the tickets is pretty strict about the appropriate use of their product.

Conclusion

Spirit Airlines has always been attempting to balance customers’ needs with operational needs. Their name-change policy seems pretty flexible in most cases. The process, therefore, is flexible toward understanding the fact that travelers may face different circumstances.

There are some small reminders when changing a name on a Spirit ticket that you have to keep in mind. Notify them of the error as soon as possible. Use the 24-hour grace period or book early for more options. Keep your big-change documents in order. Be clear with customer service about your story. Watch for timing and costs. After the correction process, recheck everything you have booked in their name.

Understand that while some major changes are at a financial cost, in general, the policy of Spirit is that which is equitable and efficient. Always double-check with Spirit Airlines, as their policies change over time. And now you know the policy; you can use the above guidelines and have confidence in your ability to change the name on your ticket.

Frequently Asked Questions