Airline Ticket Transfer Policies

Check Your Airline’s Transfer Policy

While most airlines do not allow you to transfer your ticket to someone else, some do have more lenient cancellation policies than others, enabling you to change your trip satisfactorily.  So be sure to access your airline’s website, specifically the “Reservations” or “Tickets” page, to see their cancellation and transfer rules. 

It’s possible that you may be able to pay a cancellation fee and then have a ticket reissued in another person’s name, get a refund for an unused ticket, or transfer your ticket to another flight.

Buyer Beware!

In the excitement of booking a flight for your business trip, you could easily overlook airlines’ transfer and cancellation policies. Be sure to review the fare rules and terms and conditions on your CTP booking page carefully before you confirm your booking.  If you’ve purchased your ticket, look for the words “non-refundable and “non-transferable” on it.  If you see them, it doesn’t matter how valid your reason is for wanting to change your ticket or request a refund, accept the fact that most airlines will apply all penalties, fees, and increased fares. With rare exceptions, that’s the way airlines work.

American Airlines

The largest airline in the U.S., American Airlines does not allow passengers to transfer a ticket to another person. However, the airline will let most passengers transfer their tickets to another flight prior to the departure time of their original flight. Depending on several factors such as the type of ticket—economy class, business class or first class—or the customer’s specific needs, there may be restrictions and fees applied to your transferred ticket. Generally, American Airlines will charge you some type of fee to change your ticket in any way.

In summary, American Airlines does not offer direct transfer plane ticket to another person. This airline operates over 350 destinations across the globe.

• America doesn't allow traditional transfers. It tends to follow a stricter approach.

• They do not allow passengers to transfer airline tickets to another person in American Airlines.

• Passengers can change their tickets to another flight before the departure time of their original flight.

• The airline charges a fee for changes, depending on the fare class and other factors.

• If American cancels your flight, you can receive a trip credit for the value of your ticket (minus any fees).

• You can then use this credit to book a new flight for someone else or yourself in the future.

https://www.aa.com/i18n/customer-service/payment-options/travel-credit.jsp?from=FAQ

Delta Air Lines

The second largest U.S. airline, Delta does not allow passengers to transfer a ticket to another person. However, there are situations where you can qualify for a refund of the unused ticket. You can receive a refund for most eTickets purchased directly through Delta. Once you’ve bought a qualifying eTicket, you have a day to cancel it for any reason and receive a full refund—including any prepaid fees and Direct Ticketing Charges—with no cancelation fee. Delta’s ticket change fees range from a high of $500 on the return portion of an international itinerary for Delta-marketed flights to a low of $200 on fares within the 50 United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands for Delta-marketed flights.

In summary, Delta Airlines is a major airline based in the United States. This airline operates over 5,400 flights daily.

• Delta doesn't offer a transfer option. This means one cannot transfer the tickets to another person.

• The passenger's name on the ticket must match the person flying.

• Delta transfer ticket to another person is not possible as all tickets are non-transferable and issued solely to the named passenger.

• Delta charges fees for flight changes initiated by the passenger.

• Although it allows a name change on the ticket for a fee, this is limited to minor spelling errors and not for changing the ticket holder. But this could be helpful for minor misspelling corrections, but not for transferring the ticket.

https://www.delta.com/redeem-ecredit/

Southwest Airlines

The third largest U.S. airline, Southwest has a passenger-friendly change and cancelation policy. Although the airline doesn’t allow ticket transfers, you are allowed to cancel or change your reservation within 24 hours of making it without paying a ticket change fee. Or you can change your reservation any time before flight time and receive a credit for the full amount of your fare, applicable to future travel within a year of the original reservation. Southwest does not charge a ticket change fee, as their website says, “If you need to change an upcoming flight itinerary, you’ll only pay the cost in the fare difference and will never incur separate change fee. We don’t charge you for changing your mind, your plans, or otherwise.”

In summary, Southwest Airlines is one of the recognized airlines for low-cost airfares. This airline operates over 4,000 weekday departures.

• Southwest does not allow transfers of tickets to another passenger.

• You can cancel or change your reservation within 24 hours of making it without paying a ticket change fee. This applies to most of their fare types.

• Southwest transfer tickets are not supported by the airline. The ticket must be used by the named passenger on the ticket.

• If you cancel your Southwest flight after 24 hours of booking, you will receive a transferable flight credit for future travel instead of a refund.

 https://support.southwest.com/helpcenter/s/article/flight-credits

https://support.southwest.com/helpcenter/s/article/transferable-flight-credit

United Airlines

The fourth largest U.S. airline, United does not allow passengers to transfer a ticket to another person. Under United’s 24-hour flexible booking policy, if your ticket was purchased through United in the last 24 hours and you completed your purchase one week or more before the original scheduled departure flight, it may qualify for waiver of change or cancellation fees. Basic Economy tickets are not eligible for changes but are eligible for a full refund inside 24 hours of booking if you completed your purchase one week or more before the original scheduled departure flight.

In summary, United Airlines operates in over 300 destinations worldwide.

• United Airlines transfer ticket to another person is strictly prohibited.

• The passenger on the ticket must match the ID presented at check-in.

• But, if your ticket was purchased through United in the last 24 hours and you completed your purchase one week or more before the originally scheduled departure flight, it may qualify for a waiver of change or cancellation fees.

https://www.united.com/en/us/fly/travel/credit.html

Alternatives to Transfers (if transfer isn't possible)

• Ticket Cancellation: If transfer flight ticket to another person isn't an option, consider canceling your flight. Most airlines have cancellation windows where you can receive a partial or full refund (minus any cancellation fees). Use the refunded amount to book a new ticket for the new passenger.

• Changing Your Flight Date: Some airlines might allow you to change your flight date for a fee. This could be an option if the new passenger can travel on a different date.

• Changing Your Name on Flight Tickets: Some airlines allow the change of names on the flight ticket with a minimal fee decided by every airline.

Airfare Ticket Purchases, Transfers and Unused Ticket FAQs

Still have questions? Please review our FAQs here