Philippine Airlines Name Change Policy

Philippine Airlines (PAL) allows name changes and corrections under specific conditions, with rules designed to balance flexibility and security. Here’s a clear overview of their name change policy based on the latest available information:

Minor Corrections: PAL permits corrections for small errors like misspelled names (e.g., "Jonh" to "John") or adding/removing a letter, as long as it’s clearly the same person. This includes:

• Fixing typos in the first or last name.
• Adding a full form (e.g., "Joe" to "Jonas") or a prefix/suffix.
• Adjusting maiden-to-married names with legal proof (e.g., marriage certificate).
• Correcting gender on the ticket.
• Transposing foreign names if all names are included (e.g., "John Smith" to "Smith John"). These corrections are typically free within 24 hours of booking if made directly via PAL’s website or app, but fees apply after that.

Full Name Changes: Changing the entire name (e.g., transferring a ticket to another person) isn’t allowed. If a different traveler needs to use the ticket, the original booking must be canceled (subject to cancellation fees) and a new ticket purchased with the correct name.

24-Hour Window: Name corrections within 24 hours of booking are usually free, provided the ticket was bought directly from PAL and the flight is more than 24 hours away. Beyond this, fees kick in.

Fees: After the 24-hour grace period, a name correction fee applies, varying by point of sale:

• United States: USD 25
• Canada: CAD 40
• Japan: JPY 2,500
• Other regions: USD 25 or local currency equivalent Additional fare differences may apply if the ticket is reissued at a higher rate. Fees can increase if changes are made close to departure or via phone/airport instead of online.

Legal Name Changes: For updates due to marriage, divorce, or other legal reasons, passengers must submit supporting documents (e.g., marriage certificate, court order). These are treated as corrections, not transfers, but fees may still apply outside the 24-hour window.

How to Change:

Online: Use “Manage Booking” on philippineairlines.com with your booking reference and last name. Only minor corrections are typically editable here.

Airport/Office: Visit a PAL ticket counter with your ID and booking details, though this may cost more.

Restrictions:

• Changes must be requested at least 24 hours before departure; within 24 hours, it’s up to PAL’s discretion.
• The name on the ticket must match the traveler’s government-issued ID (passport for international flights, photo ID for domestic).
• Third-party bookings (e.g., travel agents) must be adjusted through the agent, not PAL directly.
• Only one reissue per ticket is allowed for corrections; further changes are treated as cancellations.

Special Cases:

• Middle names missing from the ticket aren’t an issue if the first and last names match the ID.
• Group bookings may have unique rules—contact PAL or the group leader.
• Deceased passenger changes may have fees waived for humanitarian reasons, with proper documentation.