EVA Air, a Taiwanese international airline and 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 non-transferable, meaning full name changes to another person are not permitted. Minor corrections for typos and legal name changes are allowed under specific conditions, typically with a fee, and must be requested before check-in begins, at least one hour before departure. Below is a summary of the policy based on available information.
General Rule
EVA Air prohibits full name changes to transfer a ticket to another person for all fare types, including Economy, Premium Economy, and Business Class. Minor corrections for spelling errors and legal name changes (e.g., due to marriage, divorce, or adoption) are permitted for tickets booked directly through EVA Air’s website, mobile app, or reservation offices, provided changes are requested at least one hour before departure and before check-in begins. The policy applies to unused tickets for flights operated by EVA Air or UNI Air (BR/695 or 525 ticket numbers). For codeshare or interline flights (e.g., with Star Alliance partners like United Airlines or All Nippon Airways), the operating airline’s policy applies, and name changes may not be allowed, requiring a new ticket. Tickets booked through third-party platforms or travel agencies must be amended through the original booking source, which may not permit name changes, requiring cancellation and rebooking. For international flights, the name must be in Roman alphabet (A-Z) without spaces or special symbols, matching the passport exactly. Middle names are optional but recommended to match the passport to avoid potential issues, though missing middle names typically do not prevent boarding for Western names. After any name change, passengers must re-check in and update their boarding pass.
Permitted Name Corrections
- Minor Typos: Corrections for spelling errors in the first, middle, or last name, typically up to a few characters (e.g., correcting “Jonh” to “John”).
- Title Amendments: Updating titles (e.g., changing “Mr” to “Ms”).
- 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 or first and middle names to match the ID or passport (e.g., correcting “SMITH JOHN” to “JOHN SMITH”).
- Middle Name Adjustments: Adding, removing, or correcting a middle name or alias (Also Known As) to align with the ID or passport. Middle names are optional, but including them is recommended for consistency.
Fees
Minor corrections and legal name changes are free if requested within four hours of booking for tickets purchased directly through EVA Air and for flights at least one day away, or if the error was made by the airline or its agents. Beyond this period, a name change fee applies, typically in US dollars or equivalent local currency, varying by fare type (Economy, Premium Economy, Business), route, and timing. No child or infant discounts apply to this fee, and it is non-refundable. Fees are higher for changes made through reservation offices or airport counters compared to online changes. If a correction requires rebooking into a higher fare class, a fare difference may apply, along with applicable taxes. For third-party bookings, name changes are typically not allowed, requiring cancellation and rebooking, which may incur significant fees or no refund except for airport taxes. For specific fee details, contact EVA Air’s reservation offices.
Process
- Online Changes: Minor corrections can be made through the “Manage Your Trip” section on EVA Air’s website or mobile app. Log in with the booking reference (six-digit alphanumeric code) or e-ticket number and passenger’s last name, select the booking, and update the name. This option is limited to minor corrections and may not be available for legal name changes or third-party bookings.
- Reservation Office: For legal name changes, major corrections, or assistance, contact EVA Air’s reservation office via phone, email, live chat, or social media (e.g., X, Facebook) with the booking reference, ID, and supporting documents (e.g., passport, marriage certificate). Changes via reservation offices may incur higher fees than online changes.
- Airport Counter: Visit an EVA Air ticket counter or check-in desk (e.g., at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport) at least one hour before departure with the ticket, government-issued ID, and relevant documents for verification. Airport changes incur the highest fees and are not recommended due to time constraints.
- Third-Party Bookings: If booked through a travel agency or third-party platform (e.g., Expedia, Amex), changes must be requested through the original booking source. EVA Air typically does not allow name changes for these bookings, requiring cancellation and rebooking, which may involve additional fees or delays.
- Documentation: Minor corrections require a government-issued ID or passport. Legal name changes require official documents like a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. The corrected name must match the travel document exactly for first and last names; middle names are optional but recommended.
Restrictions
- No Ticket Transfers: Full name changes to another person are not permitted. To travel under a different name, the original ticket must be cancelled (subject to cancellation fees) and a new ticket purchased.
- Codeshare/Interline Flights: Name corrections for flights operated by partner airlines, even if booked through EVA Air, are subject to the operating airline’s policy and may require a new ticket.
- Post-Check-in Changes: Corrections are not permitted after check-in begins, typically one hour before departure.
- Character Limit: The online booking system has a character limit (e.g., 50 letters for a single traveler’s name, 36 letters for an adult and infant combined), which may require abbreviating long names or consulting the customer service center.
- Fare Type Restrictions: Non-refundable fares (e.g., Economy Basic) have stricter rules, often requiring cancellation and rebooking with significant fees or no refund except for airport taxes. Refundable fares (e.g., Economy Flex, Business) offer more flexibility but may still incur fees.
- Single Correction Limit: Only one name correction is permitted per ticket. Additional changes require cancellation and rebooking.
- Third-Party Bookings: These are typically not eligible for name changes, requiring cancellation and rebooking.
- Other Modifications: Changes to date of birth, gender, flight date, time, or destination cannot be made alongside a name correction.
Free Correction Period
Minor corrections and legal name changes with valid documentation are free if requested within four hours of booking for tickets purchased directly through EVA Air and for flights at least one day away, or if the error was made by the airline or its agents. For bookings made in error, a full refund is available within one day of purchase for tickets booked directly through EVA Air for flights to or from the USA at least seven days in advance, per US Department of Transportation regulations, allowing rebooking with the correct name. This does not apply to third-party bookings or non-refundable fares after the 24-hour period.
How to Request a Name Change
- Online: Use the “Manage Your Trip” section on EVA Air’s website or mobile app. Log in with the booking reference or e-ticket number and last name, select the booking, and update the name. Free for minor corrections within four hours; fees apply for other changes.
- Phone: Contact EVA Air’s reservation office with the booking reference, ID, and necessary documents ready. Fees may apply, and costs are higher than online changes.
- Email: Submit a name change request via email to the reservation office, providing the booking reference, correction details, and supporting documents.
- Live Chat: Use live chat on the website or app, providing the booking reference and correction details.
- Airport Counter: Visit an EVA Air ticket counter or check-in desk at least one hour before departure with the ticket, ID, and supporting documents. Highest fees apply.
- Social Media: Reach out via EVA Air’s 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. Name changes are typically not allowed, requiring cancellation and rebooking.
Practical Notes
- Verification: Always provide a government-issued ID or legal documents to support the correction request. The corrected first and last names must match the passport exactly for international flights to avoid boarding issues. Middle names are optional but recommended to match the passport.
- Timing: Request corrections at least one hour before departure to ensure processing, as changes are not permitted after check-in begins.
- Middle Name Concerns: Middle names are optional and typically not required for Western names, but including them is recommended to avoid potential issues, especially for Asian names where the full given name is essential (e.g., “LEE/HSIENLOONG” cannot be “LEE/HSIEN”). Missing middle names have not caused issues for many travelers, but discrepancies may be flagged by strict check-in agents. Third-party websites may require middle names, causing confusion.
- Third-Party Bookings: These are complex, as EVA Air typically does not allow name changes, requiring cancellation and rebooking, which can be costly. Always book directly with EVA Air to avoid complications.
- Agent Errors: If the error was made by EVA Air 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 first and last names match the passport’s Roman alphabet spelling exactly, without spaces or special symbols. The booking system may merge first and middle names (e.g., “JOHNKEVIN”), which is standard and not an error.
- Infinity MileageLands: For members, ensure the name on bookings matches the Infinity MileageLands membership and passport to accumulate miles correctly.
- Character Limits: Names longer than 50 letters or 36 letters for an adult and infant combined may require abbreviation or consultation with the customer service center.
- Star Alliance Considerations: As a Star Alliance member, EVA Air adheres to strict security standards, but minor discrepancies (e.g., missing middle names for Western names) may occasionally be resolved at check-in, though this is not guaranteed.
