Can I give my ticket to someone else on American Airlines?

No you cannot transfer a ticket to someone else. Tickets can only be used by the person whose name is on the ticket. If a passenger cannot fly be sure to cancel the ticket before time of departure. Many airlines will let you reuse the value of the ticket to book another reservation.



No, in 2026, you cannot transfer an American Airlines ticket to another person. Airline tickets are considered non-transferable contracts between the airline and the specific passenger named on the ticket. This policy is strictly enforced due to security regulations and revenue management practices. If you can no longer travel, you cannot simply change the name on the ticket to a friend or family member. However, if you have a "Main Cabin" or higher-tier ticket (excluding Basic Economy), you can cancel the flight and receive a Trip Credit. This credit is typically tied to the original passenger, but under certain "AAdvantage" elite status rules or for specific types of business accounts, there may be more flexibility in how that credit is applied to future bookings. For Basic Economy tickets, the value is usually lost entirely if you cancel. If you need to "transfer" the value, your best option is to cancel, take the credit, and use it for your own future travel while your friend purchases a separate ticket at the current market rate.

People Also Ask

The cost of changing the name on your flight ticket will depend entirely on the airline. Some airlines allow one free correction per ticket. Others will charge a “correction fee” or a “change fee” that can range from $50 to $200.

MORE DETAILS

What's really happening is that airlines want to control their revenue. In the days when you could transfer tickets, consolidators would scoop up the cheap ones and resell them, negating the airline's ability to move the ticket price around as demand ebbed and flowed.

MORE DETAILS

When Can You Transfer a Plane Ticket to Someone Else? To transfer your plane ticket, you're required to cancel the original ticket and pay the cancelation fee and the ticket issued for the same location will be rebooked. You can make such changes when the booking is done in advance.

MORE DETAILS

No change fee on American-operated flights, but the difference in fare still applies. Change to/standby for a flight the same day with the same origin/destination and number of stops. Fees may apply. Fees may apply.

MORE DETAILS

You have up to 24 hours from the time you first buy your ticket for a refund if you booked at least 2 days prior to departure. Keep the cancellation email if you're issued a travel credit. It contains the ticket number and original confirmation code you'll use to rebook a future flight.

MORE DETAILS

Do I lose my money if I cancel my American Airlines flight? All tickets: may be canceled for a full refund within 24 hours of purchase when booked at least two days before departure. Refundable tickets: may be canceled for a full refund by requesting a refund online or by contacting reservations.

MORE DETAILS

Let's assume you would like to voluntarily cancel your flight. You can get a full flight ticket refund only if you booked a refundable ticket. However, airline ticket refund rules vary from airline to airline.

MORE DETAILS

If you purchased a round-trip flight and need to change the first leg to a different day, your best bet will likely be to pay the change fee and book a new flight. If you only need to change the return portion of a round trip, however, it may be cheaper to book a new one-way flight than to pay the cancellation fee.

MORE DETAILS

Yes. The name submitted on your airline reservation must be an exact match to the name you provided on your application. If you use a frequent flyer account or online travel profile, ensure that your name is properly saved.

MORE DETAILS

Some airlines allow one free correction per ticket. Others will charge a “correction fee” or a “change fee” that can range from $50 to $200. If you wind up cancelling your flight and rebooking it under your new name, there might be charges as well. Airlines also differ in terms of the conditions for name changes.

MORE DETAILS

You can get a full flight ticket refund only if you booked a refundable ticket. However, airline ticket refund rules vary from airline to airline. Thus, it is better to refer to the airline's website or contact it directly for possible airfare reimbursement.

MORE DETAILS