Croatia Airlines, the national carrier of Croatia and a Star Alliance member, enforces a name change policy to comply with aviation security regulations, requiring the name on the ticket to match the passenger’s government-issued ID or passport exactly. Tickets are generally non-transferable, meaning full name changes to another person are not permitted. However, minor corrections for typos and specific updates, such as legal name changes, are allowed under certain conditions, often with a fee. Below is a summary of the policy based on available information.
General Rule
Croatia Airlines prohibits full name changes to transfer a ticket to another person for all fare types, including FlyEasy, FlyOpti, and FlyFlexi, as tickets are non-transferable. Minor name corrections for spelling errors, typically up to three characters, and specific updates (e.g., legal name changes, title changes, or date of birth additions) are permitted, provided changes are requested at least two days before departure and before check-in begins, typically two hours before domestic flights and three hours before international flights. The policy applies to unused tickets issued by Croatia Airlines for flights they operate (OU/831 code). For codeshare or interline flights (e.g., with Lufthansa, TAP Air Portugal), the operating airline’s policy applies. Tickets booked through third-party platforms or travel agencies must be amended through the original booking source. For international flights, the name must be in Roman alphabet (A-Z) without spaces or special symbols, matching the passport exactly.
Permitted Name Corrections and Updates
- Minor Typos: Corrections for spelling errors in the first, middle, or last name, up to three characters (e.g., correcting “Jonh” to “John”).
- Legal Name Changes: Updates due to marriage, divorce, adoption, or other legal reasons, supported by official documents (e.g., marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order).
- Name Order Errors: Fixing swapped first and last names to match the ID or passport (e.g., correcting “SMITH JOHN” to “JOHN SMITH”).
- Title Changes: Correcting or updating titles (e.g., changing “Ms” to “Mr”).
- Date of Birth Addition: Adding a date of birth to the name element (e.g., changing “SMITH JOHN” to “SMITH JOHN IDDOB”).
- Middle Name Adjustments: Adding a middle name or second first name in the first name field, as required by the airline for passport matching, though this may be considered a name change rather than a correction.
Fees
Minor corrections (e.g., typos up to three characters, name order errors, title changes, or date of birth additions) may be free if requested within one day of booking or if the error was made by Croatia Airlines or its agents. Beyond this period, a name correction fee, typically in euros, applies for minor corrections and updates, varying by fare type, route, and timing. Name changes, such as adding a middle name, changing a nickname to a legal name, or legal name changes, incur a higher fee, typically in euros, per ticket. If a correction or change requires rebooking into a higher fare class, a fare difference may apply, along with applicable taxes. Additional service charges may apply for changes through travel agencies or airport counters. For specific fee details, contact Croatia Airlines’ Contact Centre.
Process
- Online Changes: For minor corrections (e.g., typos up to three characters, title changes), use the “My Booking” section on Croatia Airlines’ website. Log in with the booking reference (six-digit alphanumeric code) and passenger’s last name, select the booking, and update the name. Supporting documents may be required for legal name changes.
- Customer Service: Contact Croatia Airlines’ Contact Centre via phone, email, live chat, WhatsApp, or social media (e.g., X, Facebook) with the booking reference, ID, and supporting documents (e.g., passport, marriage certificate). Response times may vary, and persistence may be needed.
- Airport Counter: Visit a Croatia Airlines ticket counter or check-in desk (e.g., at Zagreb, Split, or Dubrovnik airports) at least three hours before departure with the ticket, government-issued ID, and relevant documents for verification.
- Third-Party Bookings: If booked through a travel agency or third-party platform (e.g., Expedia, Kiwi.com), changes must be requested through the original booking source, which may involve additional fees or delays.
- Documentation: Minor corrections require a government-issued ID or passport. Legal name changes or middle name additions need official documents like a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.
Restrictions
- No Ticket Transfers: Full name changes to another person are not permitted, as tickets are non-transferable. A new ticket must be purchased for a different traveler.
- Codeshare/Interline Flights: Name corrections or changes for flights operated by partner airlines (e.g., Lufthansa, TAP Air Portugal), even if booked through Croatia Airlines, are subject to the operating airline’s policy.
- Post-Check-in Changes: Corrections or changes are not permitted after check-in begins, typically two hours before domestic flights and three hours before international flights.
- Character Limit: Minor typo corrections are limited to three characters in the first, middle, or last name for free corrections.
- Fare Type Restrictions: Promotional or restricted fares (e.g., FlyEasy) have stricter rules, often requiring higher fees or cancellation and rebooking.
- Single Correction Limit: Only one name correction or change is permitted per ticket. Additional changes require a new booking.
- Other Modifications: Changes to date of birth or gender cannot be made alongside a name correction unless part of the name element (e.g., IDDOB).
- Timing: Name changes or corrections must be requested at least two days before departure.
Free Correction Period
Minor corrections (e.g., typos up to three characters, name order errors, title changes, or date of birth additions) are free if requested within one day of booking for tickets purchased directly with Croatia Airlines and for flights at least seven days away, or if the error was made by the airline or its agents. Legal name changes with valid documentation may occasionally be free at the airline’s discretion, particularly for FlyFlexi fares. For bookings made in error, a full refund is available within one day of purchase for tickets booked directly with Croatia Airlines, allowing rebooking with the correct name. This does not apply to third-party bookings or restricted fares.
How to Request a Name Change
- Online: For minor corrections, use the “My Booking” section on Croatia Airlines’ website. Log in with the booking reference and last name, select the booking, and update the name via the “Change Name” option.
- Phone: Contact Croatia Airlines’ Contact Centre with the booking reference, ID, and necessary documents ready.
- Email: Email the Contact Centre at the designated address with the booking reference, correction details, and supporting documents.
- Live Chat/WhatsApp: Use live chat or WhatsApp on the website or app, providing the booking reference and correction details.
- Airport Counter: Visit a Croatia Airlines ticket counter or check-in desk at least three hours before departure with the ticket, ID, and supporting documents.
- Social Media: Reach out via Croatia Airlines’ social media channels (e.g., X, Facebook) for assistance, providing the booking reference and documents.
- Third-Party Bookings: Contact the travel agency or platform where the ticket was booked to initiate the correction or change process.
Practical Notes
- Verification: Always provide a government-issued ID or legal documents to support the correction or change request. The corrected name must match the passport exactly, especially for international flights, to avoid boarding issues.
- Timing: Request corrections or changes at least two days before departure to avoid complications, as changes are not permitted after check-in begins.
- Middle Name Concerns: Croatia Airlines requires middle names or second first names to be included in the first name field if listed on the passport. Missing middle names may cause issues, especially for international flights, and may be treated as a name change with a fee. Confirm with the airline to avoid problems.
- Third-Party Bookings: Changes through third parties are complex, as Croatia Airlines requires the agency to handle the request, potentially causing delays or additional fees.
- Agent Errors: If the error was made by Croatia Airlines or an agent, emphasize this when requesting a correction, as it may qualify for a free change.
- Check Passport Format: For international travel, ensure the name matches the passport’s Roman alphabet spelling exactly, without spaces or special symbols.
- Website Limitations: Some users report issues with the website or app not accepting middle names during booking. In such cases, contact customer service immediately to resolve the issue without a fee, citing website limitations.
