How to Sell an Unused Flight Ticket
Flight you can not take? Depending on your airline, you may be able to sell it. Here is how.
Can You Sell a Flight Ticket?
Selling a flight ticket is more complex than selling a hotel booking. Most airlines treat tickets as personal documents tied to a specific passenger's identity, which makes straightforward resale difficult. However, a number of airlines — particularly in Europe and the Middle East — do allow paid name changes on certain fare types.
SpareHolidays connects buyers and sellers for flight tickets where the airline permits a name change. After payment, the seller coordinates the official change and uploads evidence. The transaction shows confirmation, dispute, and payout timing for that booking.
For tickets where name changes are not possible, sellers sometimes list the ticket for its residual value as a travel credit or voucher, depending on the airline's cancellation and voucher policy.
Important: Always verify your airline's specific name change policy before listing. SpareHolidays does not facilitate transactions that require fraudulent use of travel documents. Selling a ticket where the airline prohibits name changes entirely is against our terms of service.
Step-by-Step Guide
Check Your Airline Policy
Contact your airline or check their website to confirm whether name changes are permitted on your ticket type. Note any fees. This information must be accurate before you list.
Create Your Listing
Create a listing with your route, departure date, class, and booking reference (redacted for privacy). Set your asking price and describe the airline's name change process.
Wait for a Buyer
Your listing becomes visible after approval. Buyers can then purchase at your price or make an offer.
Transfer the Ticket
Once a buyer pays, contact the airline to process the name change to the buyer's details. Upload the updated booking confirmation as proof. The buyer must verify the name matches.
Get Paid
For a booking with travel dates, payout is scheduled two calendar days after the trip ends. The transaction shows its current status, and an open dispute can pause normal release. SpareHolidays charges the tiered platform fee to the buyer rather than deducting seller commission from the asking price.
Airline Name Change Policies
Name change rules split into two different things: a typo correction on the same person (usually free) and a full passenger transfer to someone else (what enables resale). The table below reflects official carrier policy checked in July 2026 — always verify with the airline before listing, because fare type can change the answer.
British Airways
Not permittedBritish Airways does not permit passenger transfers on flight-only bookings — a ticket cannot be moved into someone else's name (checked July 2026). Same-person name corrections are free. If you can't travel, ask BA about a voucher or check your insurance instead.
Lufthansa
Not permittedLufthansa states that changing the person travelling is never permitted, on any fare (Lufthansa Group policy, checked July 2026). Same-person corrections (including legal name changes) are free. Resale is not an option on Lufthansa Group airlines (LH/LX/OS/SN).
Emirates
Fee appliesEmirates allows free corrections of minor name errors. Full passenger transfers depend on fare type and route — check the exact rule in Manage Booking before listing, as discounted fares are commonly excluded.
easyJet
Fee applieseasyJet permits full passenger transfers online for £60 per person per flight (£65 via customer services), per its official fees page (checked July 2026). Changes close 2 hours before departure; spelling and title fixes are free.
Carrier policies and fees change. Figures above were checked against official carrier sources in July 2026 — the airline's current booking screen always wins. Confirm the rule for your specific fare before listing your ticket on SpareHolidays.
Tips for Selling
- List as early as possible. Buyers need time to arrange travel, and the supplier's name-change process may have a cutoff.
- Be transparent about the airline's name change fee. Include this in your listing price or describe it clearly in the listing description so there are no surprises.
- Provide as much detail as possible: airline, flight number, class, baggage allowance, and any included extras. More detail builds buyer confidence.
- Set an asking price you are willing to accept and describe any supplier transfer fee clearly. Buyers may negotiate.
- Respond to buyer messages promptly because travel dates can be time-sensitive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to List Your Flight Ticket?
Prepare the flight details, current airline transfer rule, asking price, and redacted evidence. Listing is free for sellers.