Guide to Airline Flight Ticket Transfer

Have you tried to transfer a flight ticket? Most airlines don’t allow the transfer of a flight ticket post reservation.

However, the trend is still prevalent among some airlines, as you will learn further in this article.

Transferable flight tickets can be extremely convenient when it comes to making changes in the reservation.

You don’t have to face the cumbersome cycle of cancelation and rebooking.

However, at the same time, such tickets are prone to unethical practices.

Therefore, the following question arises:

Why is Airline Flight Ticket Transfer Restricted?

Although it is a matter of security, there’s more to the picture. The answer lies in the price structure of a flight ticket.

As you may be aware, last-minute flight tickets are comparatively costlier than advance reservations.

Therefore, speculators take advantage of the trend and purchase a flight ticket in advance.

Next, they resell it at a price lower than the airlines’ last-minute fares.

This affects revenue and leads to unscrupulous price discrimination.

Therefore, you control such practices most airlines offer non-transferable flight tickets.

However, to ensure that passengers stay satisfied, airlines have come up with hassle-free cancelation and refund policies.

But, remember that the best time to book international flight tickets is well in advance.

So, let’s understand the nature of transferable flight tickets.

What are Transferable Flight Tickets?

In simple words, a transferable airline ticket is a ticket that you can transfer to someone else after booking.

You will see that such flight tickets are restricted to low-cost air carriers.

You can change reservation details, such as the name on paying a fee.

Transferable flight tickets are especially beneficial if your travel plans are uncertain.

Such tickets are a lifesaver in case of a last-minute flight plan change, or when that friend backs out of a group trip you have been planning forever!

So, to avoid such bitter moments, check the terms and conditions before finalizing your reservation.

However, it doesn’t mean that non-transferable tickets are bad.

Depending on the airline and circumstances, you may still get a full refund or use the value of the ticket for future travel.

Now, let’s know about non-transferable flight tickets.

What are Non-Transferable Flight Tickets?

Only the person in whose name the ticket is book can fly on a non-transferable flight ticket.

In other words, you cannot travel on an airline ticket that is booked on someone else’s name.

Although railway and bus tickets are usually transferable, it is not the case with most of the flight tickets.

This practice curbs fraudulent behavior.

That being said, you will also come across other airlines that allow the transfer of flight tickets.

What Airlines Allow Transfer Flight Tickets?

Below, you will find some air carriers that continue to offer transferable flight tickets:

• EasyJet

EasyJet is amongst the largest European low-cost air carrier.

Some of the cheapest international flights, especially to Europe, are powered by EasyJet.

To transfer an EasyJet flight ticket, you have to change the name on the reservation.

This is possible after you pay a name change fee to the airline.

You get the best possible price if you transfer the ticket at least 60 days before the flight.

Beyond this time frame, you are most likely to pay a heavier fee.

Also, note that the airline has the right to refuse a transfer request if it is put forth too close to the scheduled departure.

• Wizz Air

Wizz Air is a Hungarian airline with the largest national fleet.

Also, it is a low-cost airline that connects about 60 destinations.

You can transfer the flight ticket by changing the name on the reservation.

It is possible online or over a call. Moreover, the changes must be made at least 3 hours before the departure of the flight.

If you change the name from the Wizz Air call center, you have to pay the call center transaction fee.

The name change fee online is 45 Euros for one leg of the journey. There is no name change fee in case of a typo or misspelling.

• RyanAir

RyanAir is yet another budget airline that gives you the right to transfer your flight ticket.

This Ireland-based airline surpassed every other budget airline in Europe in the year 2016.

The airline flew more international passengers than any other European airline.

RyanAir also offers transfer package deals that may interest you.

Also, if you book directly from the airline website, you can change the reservation name free of cost within 24 hours.

Moreover, you may even change the date, time, and route. Otherwise, a name change fee is applicable.

You can make changes from the official airline website under ‘Manage my Booking.’

You may change the name up to 2 hours before the flight departure.

• Flybe

Flybe is a British airline that connects 15 countries. It was also the largest European regional airline until 2019.

The airline offers three types of tickets. These are ‘Just Fly,’ ‘Get More,’ and ‘All In.’

The name change fee applies to all unflown legs of the journey.

You can process the name change by getting in touch with the customer contact center of Flybe.

Also, these changes can be made up to 2 hours before the departure of the flight.

Moreover, you can change the itinerary and name change at the same time by paying only the change fee once.

Lastly, a misspelled name can be changed free of cost.

• Vueling

The Spanish low-cost air carrier, Vueling, allows passengers to transfer the flight ticket.

It is the largest airline in the country that connects over 100 destinations worldwide. It is a great pick to book cheap flights.

Vueling has codeshare agreements with British Airways, Qatar Airways, Cathay Pacific, LATAM Brasil, as well as Iberia.

The name change fee depends upon the time when the request is made.

You can make the changes for no cost at all within 24 hours of the reservation.

On the other hand, if you cancel it after 24 hours, you will have to pay a fee. It is 50 Euros for each passenger per way.

You can make the changes up to two hours before the flight departs.

• Transavia

Transavia is a low-cost air carrier from the Netherlands. You can process the name change after paying a fee of 50 Euros.

It applies to per person per flight.

The airline will rebook the ticket after updating the name.

You can make such changes through the airlines’ website.

In addition, you may get in touch with the airline over the phone and request changes.

Also, be mindful that you cannot make any reservation changes after you have checked-in.

Moreover, if you book return flights and the outbound flight has departed, you cannot make any changes in the reservation.

• WestJet

WestJet is a leading Canadian Airline only second to Air Canada. The airline offers transferable flight tickets.

You can change the name on the reservation after paying a fee. The charges vary according to the fare, journey, or ticket type.

For instance, if you have booked for travel within Canada, the charges range from 100 to 118 Canadian Dollars for Econo, Econo Flex, Premium, and Business Classes.

On the other hand, if you fly between Canada and Europe, the name change charge will be between 150 to 177 Canadian Dollars for all the ticket mentioned above types.

Also, you can make the change for free within 24 hours of the booking.

What are the Ticket Transfer Policies of Leading Airlines?

• Delta

From Delta Basic Economy to all other fare types, Delta tickets are non-transferable.

Instead, you can apply for a refund of the unused flight ticket.

All e-tickets purchased directly from Delta are eligible for a full refund.

You may cancel the flight ticket for free of cost within 24 hours of the booking.

The Delta flight changes require the payment of a fee ranging from $200-500. The charges depend upon the type of journey.

• Lufthansa

Lufthansa business class flight tickets, and others are non-transferable.

However, like other airlines, you can still make name changes.

However, if you want to make changes to your nickname, then it is not possible.

Also, you cannot reverse the name order. That is to say, you cannot swap your first and last name.

You can make such changes by logging on to the airlines’ website.

Find the ‘Manage Booking’ tab and enter details such as booking reference and last name.

Look for your booking and edit the name. Once the process is complete, you will receive an airfare alert or an email with the new details and e-ticket.

• United Airlines

United Airlines ticket policy states that all tickets are non-transferable.

You cannot transfer your ticket to anyone under any circumstance.

However, the company waives cancelation and ticket change charges if you do so within 24 hours of the booking.

Also, the departure of the original flight must be after one week, at least.

Once the airline ticket is issued, you cannot change the name.

To change the name, you must first cancel the original ticket and create a new reservation. There may be a redeposited fee.

Also, you cannot make ticket changes for the Basic Economy fare.

And, the airline comes up with great offers, and you can score cheap business class tickets.

• American Airlines

The largest airline in the world, American Airlines does not offer transferable tickets.

On the other hand, the airline allows you to transfer the flight before the departure of your original flight.

American Airlines charges a fee to make changes in the ticket.

You can only make name changes at least 24 hours of the departure of the flight.

You may correct the name under the same PNR. Also, there may be restrictions on the type of changes based on the type of ticket, nonstop flights, and so on.

• Southwest Airlines

Southwest Airlines is a low-cost air carrier from the USA and has lenient policies. The airline doesn’t allow you to transfer a ticket.

However, you can cancel your reservation or change it free of cost within 24 hours of the booking.

Moreover, you can change your reservation anytime before the flight departs and pay no extra charge for the same.

On top of that, the airline offers a full refund or gives you flight credit that you can use for future travel. It is valid for one year.

Also, if you wish to change the flight itinerary, there is no charge. All you have to do is settle the difference in the fare.

The airline also offers some of the best last-minute flight deals.

So, next time you find extremely cheap flight tickets, make sure the offer is legitimate.

Also, remember the above-mentioned information when you book flight tickets with any airline.

Although most of the airlines offer non-transferable tickets, others give you a choice to book transferable tickets.

Weigh the pros and cons and book accordingly!