Lufthansa Name Change Policy

Lufthansa’s Business Class name change policy is strict, as tickets are non-transferable, but it allows corrections under specific conditions. Below is a detailed overview based on available information:

Key Points of Lufthansa Business Class Name Change Policy

Name Changes Prohibited: Lufthansa does not permit transferring a Business Class ticket to another person. The name on the ticket must match the traveler’s government-issued photo ID (e.g., passport or driver’s license) exactly, per security regulations.

Name Corrections Permitted:

• Minor Corrections: You can correct typos or misspellings in the first, middle, or last name, limited to a cumulative total of two characters (e.g., “Jonh” to “John” or “Smtih” to “Smith”). These are typically free if requested within 24 hours of booking, provided the flight is more than seven days away.
• Legal Name Changes: Changes due to marriage, divorce, or other legal reasons (e.g., court-ordered name change) are allowed with supporting documentation, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. These corrections are free, even after the ticket is issued.
• Titles and Suffixes: You can add, remove, or change titles (e.g., Mr., Dr.) or suffixes (e.g., Jr., Sr.) without a fee, as long as it doesn’t alter the core name.

Fees:

• Minor Corrections: Free within 24 hours of booking (if the flight is at least seven days away) or for minor typos (up to two characters) at any time. After 24 hours, a fee may apply depending on the fare type, typically €100–$200 for Business Class, plus any fare difference if the ticket is reissued.
• Major Changes: For significant corrections requiring ticket reissuance (e.g., legal name changes or corrections beyond two characters), a fee of approximately €100 ($108) per passenger may apply, plus any fare difference if the new booking class or flight is more expensive. Business Class tickets (e.g., Business Flex) often have more flexibility and lower fees compared to Economy or Basic Economy.
• Group Bookings: For group travel (10+ passengers), name changes are free before tickets are issued (at least 14 days before departure). After issuance, a €100 fee per passenger applies, but legal name corrections (e.g., due to marriage) remain free.

Process for Name Corrections:

• Online: Log into “My Bookings” on Lufthansa’s website or app, retrieve your booking with your PNR (booking reference) and last name, and request a correction via the web chat or “Contact Us” section. Provide your ticket code or PNR and follow on-screen instructions.
• Timing: Corrections must be made before check-in to avoid boarding issues. For group bookings, names must be finalized 14 days before departure, or the booking may be canceled with a fee.

Restrictions:

• Only one name correction per ticket is allowed for minor changes (up to two characters).
• Changes exceeding two characters in the first, middle, or last name (beyond legal changes) are not permitted unless reissued as a new ticket, which may incur significant fees or fare differences.
• The flight must be operated by Lufthansa or its regional partners (e.g., Lufthansa CityLine, Air Dolomiti) with an LH flight number (starting with “LH”). Codeshare flights may follow the operating carrier’s policy.
• Miles & More award tickets follow the same name correction rules but may incur a rebooking fee of €50–$60 if changes are made outside the 24-hour window.

Special Cases:

• Bereavement or Emergencies: Lufthansa may waive name change fees in exceptional circumstances, such as bereavement, but this is reviewed case-by-case and requires documentation.
• No Last Name Policy: Lufthansa requires both first and last names on tickets to match the traveler’s ID. If only a first name is provided, you must correct it to include the full name as per your ID.
• Third-Party Bookings: If booked through a travel agency or third-party website, the agent must synchronize the PNR with Lufthansa’s system. A new PNR may be created, and a $200 fee plus fare differences may apply for significant corrections, with “Name Correction” noted in the endorsement box.

Recommendations

• Verify at Booking: Double-check that the name entered matches your government-issued ID exactly, including middle names if listed, to avoid issues.
• Act Quickly: Request corrections within 24 hours of booking to avoid fees, especially for minor typos. Use the 24-hour risk-free period if applicable.
• Check Fare Rules: Business Class tickets (e.g., Business Flex) offer more flexibility than Economy. Review your ticket’s conditions in “My Bookings” or your confirmation email.
• Travel Insurance: Consider insurance to cover costs if a name correction requires canceling and rebooking.