How to Change or Correct Name on Air Canada Account?

Having the wrong name on your Air Canada account can cause problems when your profile needs to match your government-issued identification, especially when you are using Aeroplan benefits or completing identity verification.

The good news is that Air Canada and Aeroplan provide ways to update personal information. The exact process depends on whether you are correcting the name on your account/profile or the passenger name on an existing flight booking. These are not always the same request.

Can You Change Your Name on an Air Canada Account?

Yes. Aeroplan members are responsible for keeping their membership information accurate and up to date. Air Canada states that Aeroplan membership information, including a legal name, can be updated through the account or by contacting the Aeroplan Contact Centre.

However, there is an important distinction:

• Account/profile name: Your personal information stored in your Air Canada/Aeroplan account.

• Booking name: The passenger name attached to a specific flight reservation.

• Legal name: The name shown on your applicable government-issued identification.

If your account has a typo but your flight booking is correct, you generally need to address the account information. If the name on your ticket is wrong, you need to follow Air Canada's booking name-correction process instead.

How to Correct Your Name on an Air Canada or Aeroplan Account

If the incorrect name is in your Aeroplan profile, start by signing in to your account and reviewing your personal information.

Step 1: Sign in to your account

Log in to your Air Canada/Aeroplan account and open your profile or account information.

Look for the personal-information section where your membership details are displayed. Air Canada's Aeroplan privacy information confirms that members can access and edit profile information after signing in.

Step 2: Check the name carefully

Before submitting a correction, compare the name in your profile with the name you use on your official identification.

Check:

• First name

• Last name

• Middle name, if displayed

• Spelling

• Name order

• Any recent legal name change

Do not make unnecessary changes simply to make the name look different from your legal documents. Accurate information is especially important if you later need to complete Aeroplan identity verification.

Step 3: Save the corrected information

If the relevant name field is editable, enter the correct information and save the update.

Air Canada's Aeroplan terms state that members are responsible for updating their membership information, including changes to their legal name.

After saving, sign out and sign back in if necessary to confirm that the updated name appears correctly.

What If You Cannot Edit Your Name Online?

Not every personal-information issue can necessarily be resolved through the online profile.

If the name field cannot be changed, the information does not update correctly, or you need a formal correction, contact the Aeroplan Contact Centre. Air Canada's privacy policy specifically says that members can contact the Aeroplan Contact Centre for personal information they cannot directly access or correct online.

Air Canada may need to verify your identity before making certain changes. This is a normal security measure because account information is personal and can affect loyalty-program benefits.

When contacting Air Canada, have relevant information available, such as:

• Your Aeroplan number

• The email address associated with the account

• Your current account name

• The correct legal name

• Supporting identification or documentation if requested

Only provide sensitive documents through an official Air Canada channel when Air Canada specifically asks for them.

How to Change Your Name After Marriage or Another Legal Name Change

If your legal name has changed, update your Aeroplan profile so that it reflects your current legal information.

Air Canada specifically advises Aeroplan members completing identity verification to use their legal name and ensure that their Aeroplan profile matches their government-issued identification. It also gives a legal name change, such as after marriage, as an example of when the profile should be updated.

A sensible approach is:

1. Confirm that your government-issued identification reflects the new legal name.

2. Sign in to your Air Canada/Aeroplan account.

3. Update the profile information if the name field is available.

4. If you cannot make the change yourself, contact Aeroplan.

5. Complete any identity verification requested by Air Canada.

6. Check the profile again after the change has been processed.

Do not assume that changing the name on your airline account automatically changes the name on every existing reservation.

What If the Wrong Name Is on Your Air Canada Flight Ticket?

This is a different situation from correcting your account profile.

Air Canada's online booking FAQ states that passenger information cannot be changed online and that customers should contact Air Canada directly when a passenger name is incorrect. It recommends doing this within 24 hours of completing the booking to avoid complications.

For a simple spelling mistake or qualifying name correction, Air Canada's published name-correction policy provides procedures for eligible tickets. For certain reservations consisting only of Air Canada-operated flights, the policy allows a complimentary correction through the Contact Centre for direct bookings.

Common examples of a booking name correction

A correction may be appropriate when:

• Your first name was misspelled.

• Your last name contains a spelling error.

• Your legal name has changed and the reservation needs to reflect the applicable travel document.

• The passenger's name was entered incorrectly during booking.

The rules can differ when other airlines are included in the itinerary. Air Canada's name-correction policy specifically distinguishes between reservations involving only Air Canada-operated flights and those involving other carriers.

For that reason, do not cancel or purchase a replacement ticket simply because you see a name error. Contact the appropriate booking source first and ask what correction is permitted for your ticket.

Account Name vs. Ticket Name: What's the Difference?

Understanding this distinction can prevent unnecessary changes.

SituationWhat you should do

Typo in your Aeroplan profileCorrect your account information

Legal name changedUpdate your Aeroplan profile and follow any verification requirements

Wrong passenger name on a flight bookingContact Air Canada or the original booking source

Booking made through a travel agencyContact the agency that issued the booking

Booking involving another airlineAsk the booking source about the applicable name-correction rules

Name needed for Aeroplan identity verification does not match IDCorrect the profile so the information matches your legal identification

Air Canada says bookings made through a travel agency or online travel agency should generally be handled through the original booking source.

What Documents Might Air Canada Ask For?

The documents required depend on the type of correction and the circumstances.

For identity verification, Air Canada says eligible customers may be asked to provide a valid government ID, such as a driver's licence, passport, NEXUS card, or Canadian permanent resident card. The information on the ID must match the Aeroplan profile for the verification process.

For a legal name change, Air Canada may request additional documentation if needed to establish or verify the change.

It is best not to send documents before they are requested. Instead, contact Air Canada through an official channel and follow the instructions provided for your particular case.

What Happens If Your Aeroplan Name Does Not Match Your ID?

A mismatch can interfere with identity-related Aeroplan features.

Air Canada's current identity-verification guidance says that members should use their legal name and ensure their Aeroplan profile matches their government ID.

This is particularly relevant if you are trying to use an identity-verification method that compares your profile with identification.

If you discover a mismatch:

1. Compare your profile with your current legal identification.

2. Correct the profile if you have access to the necessary field.

3. Contact Aeroplan if the field cannot be changed.

4. Complete verification again after the information has been corrected, if required.

Can You Change the Name on an Aeroplan Reward Ticket?

Be careful when dealing with an Aeroplan reward booking.

Air Canada's published Flight Reward Policy states that name changes are not permitted once a Flight Reward ticket has been issued.

If you discover an incorrect name on an Aeroplan reward ticket, contact Aeroplan rather than assuming that changing your account profile will correct the issued ticket.

What If You Booked Through a Travel Agency or Another Website?

The company that issued your booking can matter.

Air Canada advises customers with bookings made through a travel agent or online travel agency to contact that original booking source for assistance.

For example, if your flight was purchased through an online travel agency, changing your Air Canada account profile will not necessarily modify the passenger information on that agency-issued reservation.

Before requesting a correction, determine where the ticket was actually issued.

Tips to Avoid Name Problems With Air Canada

A few simple checks can prevent most name-related issues.

Use your legal name when appropriate

When your profile needs to be used for identity verification, make sure it reflects your legal information. Air Canada specifically recommends that the legal name on an Aeroplan profile match the government ID used for verification.

Review your itinerary immediately after booking

Air Canada recommends reviewing your itinerary after making a reservation. If you notice a passenger-name error, contact Air Canada promptly rather than waiting until the departure date.

Do not confuse a typo with a passenger change

Correcting "Jonh" to "John" is fundamentally different from replacing one passenger with another person. Name-correction rules are designed for eligible corrections and do not necessarily allow a ticket to be transferred to a completely different traveler.

Keep your account information current

Aeroplan's terms make members responsible for keeping their membership information accurate and updating changes such as a legal name.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I change my name on my Air Canada account?

Sign in to your Air Canada/Aeroplan account and review your profile information. If the relevant information can be edited online, update it and save the change. If you cannot correct the name online, contact the Aeroplan Contact Centre for assistance. Air Canada confirms that members can update profile information online or contact Aeroplan when information cannot be corrected directly.

Can I correct a spelling mistake in my Air Canada account name?

Yes, an account-profile correction may be possible online. If the name field is unavailable or the correction cannot be completed through your account, contact Aeroplan.

If the spelling mistake is on your flight ticket, use Air Canada's booking name-correction process instead. Passenger information cannot simply be edited through the normal online booking tools.

Can I change my Air Canada name after marriage?

Yes, a legal name change should be reflected in your Aeroplan membership information. Air Canada specifically references legal name changes, including changes after marriage, in its identity-verification guidance.

Does changing my Air Canada account name change my flight ticket?

Not necessarily. Your account profile and flight reservation are separate records. If the incorrect name is attached to a reservation, contact Air Canada or the original booking source for a name correction.

Can I change a passenger's name online through Manage My Bookings?

Air Canada's FAQ states that passenger information cannot be changed online. If you notice an error in a passenger's name, contact Air Canada directly, preferably within 24 hours of completing the booking.

What if my Aeroplan profile name does not match my passport?

Correct the Aeroplan profile so that it accurately reflects your legal name. This is especially important for Aeroplan identity verification, where Air Canada says the legal name on the profile should match the government-issued ID.

Can I change the name on an issued Aeroplan Flight Reward?

Air Canada's published Flight Reward Policy says name changes are not permitted once a Flight Reward ticket has been issued. If you encounter this problem, contact Aeroplan for guidance on your specific booking.

Who should I contact if I booked through Expedia or another travel agency?

Contact the agency or website that issued the booking. Air Canada advises customers with travel-agency and online-travel-agency bookings to contact their original booking source.

Does Air Canada charge for correcting a name?

The answer depends on whether you are correcting account information or a flight reservation and on the type of ticket and itinerary involved. Air Canada's published name-correction policy provides complimentary corrections for certain eligible Air Canada-only bookings, while other situations can have different requirements.

Final Takeaway

Changing or correcting a name on an Air Canada account is usually straightforward when the issue is limited to your Aeroplan profile information. Start by signing in and checking whether you can edit the personal information directly. If the name cannot be changed online, contact Aeroplan and be prepared to verify your identity.

The most important point is to separate an account-name correction from a flight-ticket name correction. Changing your profile does not automatically fix the passenger name on an existing reservation. For a ticket error, contact Air Canada or the original booking source as soon as possible, particularly when the booking was recently made.

For legal name changes and identity verification, make sure the information in your Aeroplan profile is consistent with your current government-issued identification. That simple check can prevent avoidable problems later.

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