Making a mistake while entering your name during an Avianca booking can cause problems during check-in or boarding, particularly when the name on your ticket does not match your travel document. Understanding the Avianca name change policy can help you determine whether your booking qualifies for a name correction and what steps you need to follow.
Avianca distinguishes between changing a passenger’s name and correcting an error in the passenger information. An issued ticket cannot normally be transferred to another person. However, if you need to correct your own name on an existing reservation, Avianca allows an eligible correction request once before the trip. The request must be submitted up to 72 hours before the scheduled departure.
Avianca Name Change Policy at a Glance
| Name Issue | What Avianca Allows |
|---|---|
| Minor spelling mistake | Name correction may be requested |
| Incorrect first or last name | Eligible correction may be requested |
| Name does not match travel document | Correction may be requested |
| Changing passenger to another person | Not permitted |
| Name correction frequency | Generally once before travel |
| Correction deadline | Up to 72 hours before scheduled departure |
| Travel-agency booking | Contact the issuing travel agency |
| LifeMiles ticket | Separate correction rules may apply |
| Legal name change | Supporting documentation may be required |
| Name correction through Vianca | Available for eligible requests |
Avianca’s official Help Center states that name changes on already-issued tickets or reservations are not permitted. However, a passenger who needs to correct their name can request a correction once before the journey, provided the request is made no later than 72 hours before departure.
Can You Change Your Name on an Avianca Ticket?
Avianca does not allow an ordinary name change when the purpose is to replace the original passenger with another traveler. The ticket cannot simply be transferred to someone else.
If the problem is a spelling mistake or incorrect passenger information belonging to the same traveler, Avianca provides a name-correction process. The correction can be requested once before the trip and must be submitted at least 72 hours before the scheduled departure.
Therefore, passengers should identify whether they need a correction or are attempting to change the passenger entirely. These are treated differently under Avianca’s rules.
Avianca Name Correction Policy
A name correction is intended to fix incorrect information on an existing reservation rather than transfer the ticket to another person.
For example, a correction may be relevant when:
- Your first name contains a spelling error.
- Your last name was entered incorrectly.
- The passenger information needs to match the travel document.
- Duplicate or incorrect name information appears on an eligible booking.
- A legal name change needs to be reflected with appropriate documentation.
Avianca advises travelers to make sure the passenger’s first and last names correspond with the required travel documentation when making a reservation.
Avianca Name Correction 72-Hour Rule
The 72-hour deadline is an important part of Avianca’s name correction process. A correction request should be submitted no later than 72 hours before the scheduled departure of the flight. Avianca also states that the correction can be requested only once before the journey.
For this reason, passengers who discover an error should contact Avianca as soon as possible rather than waiting until the day of departure.
If the correction is submitted too close to departure, the normal correction process may no longer be available.
Can I Correct a Spelling Mistake on an Avianca Ticket?
Yes. Avianca allows eligible passengers to request a correction when their own name has been entered incorrectly.
The correction is different from changing the ticket to another passenger. If you are the original traveler and the ticket contains a spelling error, you can submit a correction request through Avianca’s available support channels.
Avianca recommends having your booking code, the correct passenger information, and your travel document ready when making the request.
Avianca Name Change After Marriage
If your legal name has changed after marriage, the situation should be handled as a name correction rather than as a passenger transfer.
For eligible LifeMiles tickets operated by Avianca, the airline specifically indicates that legal name corrections can be requested with supporting documentation. Examples of supporting documents can include a marriage certificate or another official document that establishes the legal name change.
Because documentation requirements can vary according to the ticket and itinerary, passengers should provide the appropriate official document when requested.
Avianca Name Change After Divorce
A legal name change following divorce may also require supporting documentation.
For eligible LifeMiles tickets operated by Avianca, the airline allows requests involving legal name changes and asks passengers to provide an official document supporting the requested correction.
Passengers should make the request before the 72-hour deadline and keep their reservation information and supporting documents available.
Avianca Name Correction Fee
There is not one universal name-correction fee that applies to every Avianca reservation.
For eligible tickets redeemed with LifeMiles, Avianca states that qualifying name corrections are free of charge. The exact process can depend on whether the ticket is operated by Avianca or another airline and on the type of correction required.
Therefore, passengers should not assume that every Avianca booking has the same name-correction cost. Check the conditions associated with the specific reservation before submitting the request.
Is Avianca Name Correction Free?
For eligible LifeMiles tickets, Avianca states that name corrections meeting its conditions do not have a charge.
For other ticket types, passengers should confirm the applicable conditions for their booking. The fact that one type of ticket qualifies for a free correction does not necessarily mean that every Avianca reservation is handled in exactly the same way.
Can I Change My Avianca Ticket to Another Person’s Name?
No. Avianca does not allow the name on an issued ticket to be changed for the purpose of transferring the ticket to another passenger.
This rule applies to both regular tickets and LifeMiles tickets. Avianca’s LifeMiles guidance specifically states that the name cannot be changed in order to transfer the ticket to another person.
If another person needs to travel, you generally cannot simply replace the original passenger’s name on the existing ticket.
How to Request an Avianca Name Correction
Avianca provides a name-correction process through its virtual assistant, Vianca. The airline’s Help Center states that eligible passengers can request the correction through WhatsApp.
Step 1: Find Your Booking Information
Keep your Avianca booking code available. The booking code is associated with your reservation and is used when managing the booking.
Step 2: Check the Passenger Name
Compare the name shown on the reservation with the applicable travel document and identify the exact error.
Step 3: Contact Vianca
Start a conversation with Avianca’s virtual assistant, Vianca, through the airline’s available WhatsApp support channel. Avianca’s official contact page confirms that Vianca is available for customer assistance.
Step 4: Provide the Correct Information
Provide the booking code and the correct passenger information. Avianca may also require a copy of the travel document when processing the request.
Step 5: Complete the Request With an Agent
After the initial virtual-assistant process, you may be transferred to an Avianca agent to finalize the correction.
Avianca Name Correction for LifeMiles Tickets
Avianca has additional rules for tickets redeemed with LifeMiles.
The name cannot be changed to transfer the ticket to another person. However, eligible name corrections can be requested once and up to 72 hours before the scheduled departure.
For an Avianca-operated flight, certain corrections of up to three characters in the first or last name can be handled through the Contact Center. More extensive corrections, duplicate information, or legal name changes may require a separate request with supporting documentation.
Avianca LifeMiles Name Correction for Three Characters
For a LifeMiles ticket on an Avianca-operated flight, Avianca states that corrections of up to three characters in the passenger’s first or last name can be handled through the Contact Center.
If the correction involves more than three characters, removes duplicate information, or involves a legal name change, a separate request may be required.
The passenger should provide the booking code, correct information, and travel document when submitting the request.
Avianca Name Correction for Partner Airline Flights
LifeMiles tickets can have different rules when the flight is operated by another airline.
Avianca states that passengers should contact the Contact Center for eligible LifeMiles tickets when the flight is operated by a Star Alliance airline, Iberia, or GOL.
For tickets redeemed with miles to fly with certain partner airlines, Avianca may have different restrictions. Its Help Center also notes that some partner-airline tickets may not allow name corrections because of system limitations.
Therefore, travelers should check the operating airline before assuming that the standard Avianca correction process applies.
Avianca Name Correction for Travel Agency Bookings
If you purchased your Avianca ticket through a travel agency, Avianca instructs passengers to contact the agency directly to submit the name-correction request.
The travel agency may need to coordinate the correction with Avianca. Keep your booking confirmation, reservation code, and applicable travel documentation available when contacting the agency.
What Documents Are Required for Avianca Name Correction?
The documents required can depend on the reason for the correction.
For a standard correction, Avianca asks passengers to have their booking code and correct passenger information available and to attach their travel document.
For legal name changes on eligible LifeMiles tickets, Avianca may require an official supporting document, such as a marriage certificate or legal name-change resolution.
Providing the appropriate documentation can help Avianca review the correction request.
Can I Correct My Avianca Name at the Airport?
Passengers should not wait until the airport to resolve a known name error.
Avianca’s published policy requires eligible name-correction requests to be made up to 72 hours before the scheduled departure.
If you discover an error before your trip, contact Avianca or the travel agency that issued your ticket as early as possible.
What Happens If My Avianca Ticket Has the Wrong Name?
The outcome depends on whether the problem is a correctable error or an attempt to transfer the ticket to another person.
If you are the original passenger and the reservation contains an eligible name error, you can request a correction through Avianca’s process.
If you want to replace yourself with another traveler, Avianca does not allow the ticket to be transferred simply by changing the passenger name.
Avianca Name Change Policy for International Flights
International Avianca reservations can involve additional travel-document requirements, particularly when other airlines are included in the itinerary.
Passengers traveling internationally should make sure the name on the reservation corresponds with the applicable travel document before departure. If an error is discovered, submit the correction request as early as possible and within Avianca’s 72-hour deadline.
When a LifeMiles booking involves another airline, additional name-correction restrictions may apply.
Important Things to Know Before Requesting an Avianca Name Correction
Before submitting a correction request, remember that a name correction is not the same as transferring a ticket to another traveler. Avianca permits eligible corrections once before travel, and the request must generally be submitted up to 72 hours before scheduled departure. Travel documents may be required, and travel-agency bookings should normally be handled through the agency that issued the ticket. LifeMiles reservations can have additional rules depending on the operating airline and the type of correction.
Final Thoughts
The Avianca name change policy is primarily designed to correct passenger information rather than transfer tickets between travelers. If your name contains a spelling error or another eligible mistake, Avianca allows you to request a correction once before your journey, provided the request is made up to 72 hours before the scheduled departure.
Passengers should keep their booking code, correct passenger information, and travel document ready when submitting the request. If the ticket was purchased through a travel agency, the agency should be contacted directly. LifeMiles tickets have additional procedures, especially when the itinerary involves partner airlines or a legal name change.
Frequently Asked Questions
Avianca does not allow ordinary name changes on issued tickets, but eligible passengers can request a correction to their own name once before travel.
Avianca allows an eligible name correction once before the journey. The request must be submitted up to 72 hours before scheduled departure.
Yes. If you are the original passenger and your name contains an eligible error, you can request a name correction through Avianca’s support process.
The request should be submitted no later than 72 hours before the scheduled departure of your flight.
No. Avianca does not allow an issued ticket to be transferred to another person by changing the passenger name.
You can start the request through Avianca’s virtual assistant, Vianca, via WhatsApp. You should have your booking code, correct passenger information, and travel document available.
For qualifying LifeMiles tickets, Avianca states that eligible name corrections are free. Other bookings may have different conditions, so the specific reservation should be checked.
Yes, eligible LifeMiles tickets can have a name correction requested once and up to 72 hours before departure. Additional rules apply depending on the operating airline and the type of correction.
A legal name change may be corrected on eligible bookings when the required supporting documentation is provided. For qualifying LifeMiles tickets, Avianca lists official legal documentation among the requirements for legal name changes.
If your Avianca ticket was purchased through a travel agency, Avianca instructs passengers to contact the agency directly to submit the name-correction request.
