Is there a fee to update the passenger’s name on Porter Airlines?

Introduction: Why Passenger Name Accuracy Matters

When booking flights, ensuring the passenger’s name exactly matches government-issued ID is not just best practice it’s essential. Most airlines, including Porter Airlines, strictly enforce name accuracy. Boarding may be denied if the name on your ticket deviates even slightly from your ID, such as your passport or national ID card.

Understanding Porter Airlines’ policy on name changes, corrections, fees, time limitations, documentation required, and procedures helps travelers avoid last-minute stress and unexpected costs.

 

2. Distinguishing Name Corrections vs. Name Changes

It’s critical to differentiate between:

• Name corrections: Minor adjustments, such as fixing spelling errors (e.g., “Adrien” → “Adrian”), correcting up to a few characters, adding or removing a middle initial, or adjusting hyphens. Typically permitted with minimal hassle or cost.
• Name changes: More substantial changes, especially replacing one passenger with another, or legal updates (e.g., due to marriage, divorce, adoption). Often restricted or require additional documentation and fees—or may not be allowed at all.

Porter Airlines follows this distinction carefully.

 

3. Porter Airlines’ Official Position on Name Changes

3.1 Official Policy: “Conditions of Carriage”

The Conditions of Carriage document—Porter’s official legal policy set—explicitly notes that a USD 100 change fee (plus taxes) per direction per passenger applies. That means if you are changing the passenger’s name (i.e., a formal name-change request, not just a small correction), it costs $100 CAD or USD depending on where the transaction occurs, per segment and per passenger. That is for fully unused tickets.

3.2 Name Change/Correction Policy (Travel Agencies & GDS Systems)

Another Porter document for GDS bookings states that name change requires reissue of the ticket, and imposes the Name Change fee, as per the penalty’s rules (Category 16), plus any applicable fare or tax differences. That means in addition to the base change fee, you may owe additional money if the fare has increased or taxes differ.

3.3 Limitations & Conditions

The policy clarifies the following:

• No name changes are allowed on “partially traveled” itineraries (i.e., if at least one flight segment has already been flown).
• Some fare types (e.g., Basic fares) may not permit any name changes.
• Tickets issued via travel agencies (third parties) have additional limitations; often changes must be handled by the agent, not online.

 

4. Real Traveler Experiences (Reddit Insights)

Real-world experiences help clarify how policies play out in practice. On Reddit, users detail their encounters:

A traveler wrote:

“If it is a Basic fare you cannot change the name, you would need to purchase a new fare. If it is a Standard fare you can change the person on the reservation for $100, and a Flexible fare would be $60. Freedom, Navigate and Ultimate have no fee to change.

Note: These amounts align closely with Porter’s official policy, though the “Flexible” or “Freedom” fare labels seem to correspond with certain Special fare types within their tariff.

Another user corroborated:

“I have standard fares and just changed the name on a ticket. Cost $113 total …”
The $113 total suggests the base fee plus perhaps tax and/or fare difference.

More recently, one traveler said:

“They said they cant make a correction because my ticket is basic fare which is cheaper one and comes with restrictions.”

 

5. The 24-Hour Correction Window: Free or Not?

Some airlines offer free corrections for typos within 24 hours of booking. Is this the case with Porter?

• A secondary site (FlyingRules) claims that name corrections within 24 hours of purchasing the ticket are free of charge, but beyond that, a fee may apply—depending on fare type.
• A blog (FlyFairTravels) echoes that minor spelling fixes within 24 hours are free, whereas after 24 hours, fees apply depending on the fare.

Porter’s own official documentation doesn’t explicitly state a free 24-hour policy—but these external sources, while credible, should be taken with caution. The best advice is to take advantage of fast correction if a small error is noticed immediately.

 

6. Fare Types and Their Rules (Trajectory & Examples)

6.1 Basic Fare

• No name changes allowed.
• If the name is incorrect, you must cancel and rebook, which adds cost and hassle.

6.2 Standard Fare (Porter Classic Flex?)

• Name changes allowed, fee of approximately $100 (+ taxes) per direction.
• Example: Someone paid $113, indicating added taxes or fare difference.

6.3 Flexible/Freedom/Navigate/Ultimate Fares

• Traveler reports indicate no fee for name changes on these higher-tier fares.
• Likely intentionally designed for flexibility, aligning with fare names suggesting more adaptability.

 

7. Summarizing the Fee Structure

Below is a concise breakdown:

Fare Type	Name Change Allowed?	Fee (approx.)	Notes
Basic Fare	No	n/a (must cancel/rebook)	Most restrictive fare
Standard Fare	Yes	~$100 plus taxes per direction	Example: $113 total including taxes
Flexible/Freedom/Ultimate	Yes (reports suggest no fee)	$0	Designed for maximum flexibility
Within 24 Hours (minor typo)	Possibly free	$0 (if small corrections)	Not officially confirmed by Porter

 

8. Practical Steps to Update a Name

1. Act fast—if you notice a minor typo, try to correct it immediately (possibly within 24 hours) to avoid fees.
2. Check your fare type:
   • If it’s Basic, expect you’ll have to cancel or rebook.
   • Standard fare: expect ~$100 USD/CAD plus taxes.
   • Flexible fares: likely no fee—confirm with Porter.
3. Manage your booking:
   • Minor corrections like middle name tweaks may be possible through “My Bookings” online.
   • For full or substantial name changes, especially after 24 hours, you must call Porter or your travel agent.
   • If booked via third party, contact your agent to handle changes.
4. Prepare documentation, especially for legal name changes:
   • Bring government-issued ID matching both the original and new name.
   • If change due to marriage, divorce, etc., include legal certificates.
5. Expect to pay:
   • For Standard fare: ~$100 + taxes.
   • For Flexible fare: possibly nothing.
   • Beyond 24 hours: the same fee or more, depending on fare evolution.
6. Book early / double-check details:
   • Ensuring accuracy at booking prevents cost and stress later.

 

9. Final Thoughts & Recommendations

• Yes, there is typically a fee to update the passenger name on Porter Airlines—but it depends on your fare type.
• Basic fares: no changes allowed—you must cancel and rebook.
• Standard fares: name changes allowed—around $100 plus tax per direction.
• Flexible fare levels may offer name changes at no cost, enhancing flexibility.
• Minor corrections within 24 hours might be free—but this is not officially guaranteed, so act quickly.

Practical Advice:

• Double-check your name when booking.
• If you spot a typo, address it immediately—especially if it’s small.
• Know your fare rules—if you need flexibility later, upgrade to a fare type that supports free changes.
• Always confirm with Porter directly for precise fee amounts and procedures for your specific ticket.

 

10. Wrapping Up

In short—there can be a fee to change a passenger’s name on Porter Airlines, but it varies:

• Basic fare: No change permitted—must rebook.
• Standard: Allowed—about $100 + taxes per direction.
• Higher-tier fares: Often no fee.
• Minor corrections done quickly (within 24 hours) may be free, though not officially guaranteed.