Cathay Pacific’s rules on name changes on tickets are quite clear-cut. If you (or your travel agent) enter your name incorrectly on the reservation form, it can get you in a lot of trouble. This is so because the airline requires the name on the ticket to be an exact match to the passenger’s passport/legal ID. Otherwise, you may not be allowed to board your flight. Fortunately, Cathay Pacific name change policy allows name changes and corrections as long as you meet the airline’s set-out criteria. The name change rules are more about name corrections—they don’t allow you to fully change the name to that of someone else. If your name has been misspelled, it can be easily corrected as opposed to a complete name change unless (you’ve got married or divorced, or legally changed your name). In all such cases, you must have proper legal documentation, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, adoption papers, or a court decree. 

If your ticket needs to be modified due to a typo or because you’ve changed your legal name after getting married, etc., you should be able to get it done fairly easily. In most cases, you’ll be able to make a name change/correction easily by calling customer care. 

Major Highlights of Cathay Pacific Rules on Name Change on Tickets

If you need to change the name on your Cathay Pacific ticket, it is important to contact the airline as soon as possible. Cathay Pacific’s rules on name change on tickets below will guide you through the process and ensure that you’re not denied boarding. It is important to note that certain restrictions and fees may apply, so before making any requests, do go through the airline’s policies and guidelines below regarding the types of name changes permitted.

  • If you purchased your ticket directly through Cathay Pacific, you can make the following types of ticket name changes:
    • Add or delete your middle name
    • Swap your last, first, and middle name
    • Add a part of your name omitted earlier
    • Correct a typo in your name (regardless of the number of alphabets)
    • Correct your title or gender
    • Update your name for legal reasons such as marriage, divorce, adoption, etc., along with your old and new legal documents 

How to request a name change with Cathay Pacific. To request a name change/correction, contact customer care and have a copy of your booking reference number and travel document ready. 

  • If you purchased your ticket through a travel agent:
    • You must contact the travel agent directly to process your name change request
    • You will be charged a name change fee (service fee)

Cathay Pacific Name Change on Membership Account 

Cathay Pacific requires your membership name to be the same as the name on your ticket/travel document. To change or correct the name on your membership account, you must contact Cathay Pacific and provide the following:

  • Your membership number, and 
  • A copy of your legal ID or updated name change document (marriage/divorce certificate, etc.), and 
  • A copy of your travel document/ticket 

Cathay Pacific Name Change/Correction Fees

The Cathay Pacific name change fee/name correction fee is a charge that passengers must pay if they need to change the name on their ticket. This fee is applicable as a service charge for tickets purchased through travel agents and third-party websites and does not apply to tickets booked directly through Cathay Pacific (online, by phone, or at a ticketing office/airport counter).

The name change/correction fees in the table below will apply to any corrections made to your name after your ticket has been issued.

Ticket Point of OriginBookings Made Directly through Cathay Pacific (Online/Phone/Offline)Bookings Made through Travel Agents*
All countriesFree of chargeUSD 60 per booking (service fee)
*Only urgent cases relating to name corrections will be handled directly by Cathay Pacific.

Important

  • The name change service fee will include 5% GST for Economy Class and 12% for higher classes in addition to the above charge. The travel class for computation purposes will be based on the first outbound flight.
  • The above fee applies only to name corrections. Name changes amounting to a change of passengers are not permitted.
  • A name change due to legal reasons must be backed by legal documentary proof at the time of placing the name change request. 
  • You must ensure that the name entered by you at the time of booking exactly matches the name on your passport or legal ID.
  • If your ticket includes codeshare flights with other interline carriers, you cannot make a name correction to your ticket. 
  • You cannot transfer your ticket to another traveler by changing the name on your ticket. 
  • If you want to transfer your ticket to someone else, you’ll have to purchase a new ticket in the new traveler’s name.
  • To make a name correction/change on a ticket purchased directly through Cathay Pacific’s website or office, call Cathay Pacific at 800-050-2163 for amendments.
  • If you purchased your ticket from a travel agent, you must contact the agent directly to make a name change/correction.

How to Change the Passenger Name on Cathay Pacific?

To change the passenger name on Cathay Pacific, call Cathay Pacific’s customer service hotline and provide the necessary information, such as your booking reference number, the correct spelling of your name, and your ticket details. The customer service representative will guide you through the process and may ask for additional verification to ensure the security of your booking—such as a copy of your legal ID, marriage/divorce certificate, etc. 

Changing the passenger name directly through Cathay Pacific is free of charge, but possible only if you purchased your ticket directly from Cathay. However, if you purchased your ticket from a travel agent, you’ll need to make the name change/correction through the agent and will be charged a service fee of USD 60 per passenger, plus GST (5% for Economy and 12% for higher classes). 

Frequently Asked Questions on Cathay Pacific Change Name on Ticket 

Name changes can be a tricky subject when it comes to airline travel, and Cathay Pacific is no exception. Whether you’ve made a mistake in the spelling of your name or have legally changed your name, understanding Cathay Pacific’s rules on name changes is essential. This FAQ guide addresses some of the most commonly asked questions regarding Cathay Pacific’s policies on name changes.

Can I change the passenger name on Cathay Pacific?

Yes, you can change the passenger name on Cathay Pacific, as long as you’re not transferring your ticket to someone else. Tickets purchased through travel agents must be changed through them, in which case they will be subject to a service fee.

How much does it cost to change the name on a Cathay Pacific ticket?

The cost of changing the name on a Cathay Pacific ticket (per passenger) is: 
• NIL for tickets purchased directly through the airline and modified through the airline. 
• USD 60 (or its equivalent) for tickets purchased through travel agents (must be modified through the respective agent, unless in an emergency).

What documents do I need to provide to change the name on my Cathay Pacific ticket?

You may be required to provide supporting documentation such as a valid passport or identification card to change the name on your ticket. If you’re making a legal name change, you will be required to provide a marriage/divorce/adoption certificate or a court decree, as applicable.

Can I transfer my ticket to someone else’s name?

No, you cannot transfer your ticket in someone else’s name. 

Can I change the name on my ticket online?

No, you must contact the customer service team, visit a sale office, or get the name change implemented at an airport ticket counter (in which case you must reach the airport early).

How long does it take to process a name change request with Cathay Pacific?

The processing time for a name change request with Cathay Pacific can vary depending on the volume of requests and any additional documentation required.

Can I make changes to my ticket at the airport?

Making name changes to your Cathay Pacific ticket at the airport is possible, as long as you reach early enough and the error relates to the following: a misspelling, addition or deletion of middle name, swapping of first, middle, and last names, the addition of an omitted part of the name, salutation, typos, or a legal change of name after marriage, divorce, etc.

You will be required to present a valid ID and any other supporting documentation as proof, such as a marriage/divorce certificate or court decree in case of a legal name change.

What should I do if Cathay Pacific misspelled the name on my ticket?

If Cathay Pacific misspelled the name on your ticket, you must contact Customer Care immediately to have the error corrected. This is important because any discrepancy between the name on your legal ID and the ticket may result in denied boarding. If you purchased your ticket from a travel agent, you will need to contact them directly to make the required correction. 

What is the deadline for requesting a name change on Cathay Pacific?

The deadline for requesting a name change is usually before check-in to ensure enough time for the corrections to be made. It is best to contact Cathay Pacific directly for more information.

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