Can I change the guest name on a hotel booking if a different person ends up travelling?

Yes, you can often change the guest name on a hotel booking, but whether it goes through depends on the supplier and the rate you booked.

When a name change is requested, it is passed on to whoever actually holds the room. Some suppliers accept a straightforward name change while the booking is still inside the free cancellation window, and the amendment comes back confirmed within a few moments. Others treat the booking as fixed the minute it is made, so the only route open to you is to cancel and book again under the new traveller's name. Non refundable rates are the most likely to be locked, because the room has already been bought on terms the hotel will not reopen.

For that reason the software shows you what your particular booking allows rather than making a promise it cannot keep. When you open the booking you will see whether an amendment option is available, and where it is not, you will see the cancellation terms instead so you can judge whether rebooking is sensible or expensive. If a change cannot be made automatically, our support team can raise it with the supplier on your behalf, although we cannot guarantee the hotel will agree to it.

For corporate or group work where travellers swap at the last minute, it is worth reading the rate conditions before you confirm and leaning towards a flexible rate, then opening the booking and trying the amendment as soon as you know the new name.