Frontier Airlines, a U.S. ultra-low-cost carrier, 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, but Frontier allows minor corrections for typos (up to three characters) and full name changes to another person for the same itinerary, subject to fees and conditions. Changes must be requested before check-in begins, typically one hour before departure for domestic flights and one hour for international flights. Below is a summary of the policy based on available information.
General Rule
Frontier Airlines permits minor name corrections (up to three characters) and full name changes to transfer a ticket to another person for the same itinerary, provided changes are requested before check-in begins, typically one hour before departure for domestic flights and one hour for international flights. The policy applies to unused tickets for flights operated by Frontier Airlines (ticket numbers starting with 315). For codeshare or interline flights, the operating airline’s policy applies. Tickets booked through third-party platforms or travel agencies must be amended through the original booking source, which may complicate or prevent name changes, often 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. After any name change, passengers must re-check in and update their boarding pass. Changes must be made through Frontier’s website, mobile app, Contact Centre, or airport counter, with fees varying by method and fare type (Economy, Premium, Business bundles).
Permitted Name Corrections and Changes
- Minor Typos: Corrections for spelling errors in the first, middle, or last name, up to three characters across the entire name (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 to match the ID or passport (e.g., correcting “SMITH JOHN” to “JOHN SMITH”).
- Middle Name Adjustments: Adding or removing a middle name to align with the ID or passport.
- Full Name Changes: Transferring the ticket to another person for the same itinerary, subject to a fee and any fare difference.
Fees
Minor corrections (up to three characters) are free if requested within one day of booking for tickets purchased directly through Frontier’s website or mobile app and for flights at least seven days away, or if the error was made by the airline or its agents. Beyond this period, a name correction fee applies, typically in US dollars, varying by fare type, route, and timing. Full name changes to transfer a ticket to another person incur a name change fee per passenger per direction, plus any fare difference if the current fare is higher than the original fare. No refund is provided if the new fare is lower. Fees are waived for customers who select Economy, Premium, or Business bundles, which include no change fees, but fare differences still apply. Additional service charges may apply for changes made through the Contact Centre or airport counters, with a care agent booking charge per passenger for tickets issued by travel agencies or online travel agencies. For third-party bookings, name changes may not be permitted, requiring cancellation (with a cancellation fee per passenger per direction) and rebooking. For specific fee details, contact Frontier’s Contact Centre.
Process
- Online Changes: Minor corrections (up to three characters) and full name changes can be made through the “My Trips” section on Frontier’s website or mobile app. Log in with the last name and confirmation code (six-digit alphanumeric code), select the booking, and choose “Change Flights” or the name change option. Supporting documents may be required for legal name changes or full name changes.
- Contact Centre: For legal name changes, full name changes, or assistance, contact Frontier’s 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). A care agent booking charge may apply, and fees are higher than online changes.
- Airport Counter: Visit a Frontier ticket counter or check-in desk (e.g., at Denver 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, Kayak), changes must be requested through the original booking source, which may not permit name changes, requiring cancellation and rebooking with additional fees.
- Documentation: Minor corrections require a government-issued ID or passport. Legal name changes and full name changes require official documents like a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. The new traveler’s ID is required for full name changes.
- Document Submission: For legal name changes or complex requests, use Frontier’s Document Submission Form to provide supporting documents.
Restrictions
- Limited Ticket Transfers: Full name changes to another person are permitted only for the same itinerary and are subject to a fee and fare difference. Award tickets (using FRONTIER Miles) are not eligible for name changes.
- Codeshare/Interline Flights: Name corrections or changes for flights operated by partner airlines, even if booked through Frontier, are subject to the operating airline’s policy.
- Post-Check-in Changes: Corrections are not permitted after check-in begins, typically one hour before departure for both domestic and international flights.
- Character Limit: Minor typo corrections are limited to three characters across the entire name, not per name field.
- Fare Type Restrictions: Non-refundable fares have stricter rules, often requiring cancellation and rebooking with significant fees or no refund except for airport taxes. Economy, Premium, or Business bundles offer more flexibility with no change fees, but fare differences apply.
- Single Correction Limit: Only one name correction or change is permitted per ticket. Additional changes require cancellation and rebooking.
- Third-Party Bookings: These are often not eligible for name changes, requiring cancellation and rebooking, which can be costly.
- No-Show Policy: If a passenger fails to check in or board within the required time (one hour before departure for check-in, 20 minutes for boarding), the ticket is deemed a No-Show Cancellation, losing all value, and no name changes are permitted.
- Other Modifications: Changes to date of birth or gender cannot be made alongside a name correction or change.
Free Correction Period
Minor corrections (up to three characters) are free if requested within one day of booking for tickets purchased directly through Frontier 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 (e.g., marriage certificate, divorce decree) may also be free if processed within this period. For bookings made in error, a full refund is available within one day of purchase for tickets booked directly through Frontier for flights at least seven days away, 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 “My Trips” section on Frontier’s website or mobile app. Log in with the last name and confirmation code, select the booking, and choose “Change Flights” or the name change option. Free for minor corrections within one day; fees apply for other changes.
- Phone: Contact Frontier’s Contact Centre with the booking reference, ID, and necessary documents ready. A care agent booking charge may apply, and costs are higher than online changes.
- Email: Submit a name change request via email to the Contact Centre or through the Document Submission Form, providing 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 Frontier 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 Frontier’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 may not be allowed, requiring cancellation and rebooking.
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 for international flights to avoid boarding issues.
- Timing: Request changes at least one hour before departure to ensure processing, as changes are not permitted after check-in begins.
- Middle Name Concerns: Middle names can be added or removed to match the ID or passport. For domestic flights, missing middle names may be overlooked if the first and last names match, but international travel requires an exact match.
- Third-Party Bookings: These are complex, as Frontier may not allow name changes, requiring cancellation and rebooking, which can be costly. Booking directly with Frontier avoids complications.
- Agent Errors: If the error was made by Frontier 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.
- Bundle Advantage: Economy, Premium, or Business bundles waive change fees, making name changes more cost-effective, though fare differences may apply.
- Autofill Caution: Disable autofill when booking to avoid errors from outdated information, such as old last names or initials.
- Boarding Pass Update: After any name change, re-check in online or at the airport and update the boarding pass to reflect the new details.
