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Updating account names takes two or three months of odd jobs: but airline miles go first
Once the SSA, the DMV and the passport are done, there's still a long list of accounts to change. There's nothing technically hard here, only two things to watch: the order, and how many you'll miss.
Airline miles come first
Because the name on a miles account has to match your passport, or:
- Miles won't credit
- The name won't match when you redeem an award ticket
- In bad cases, boarding goes wrong
And this is tied to the name issue on honeymoon tickets (see item 55 of the checklist). If your passport hasn't been reissued yet, the miles accountdon't change the miles account; wait until the passport arrives and change them together. Reverse the order and you've manufactured a fresh mismatch.
The full list
- Airline miles (first priority, but synced with the passport)
- Tax softwareMake sure to get it sorted out before you file taxes next year.
- Investment accountsIncluding brokerage and retirement accounts.
- The three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion)
- The lease
- Utilities and internet
- Streaming and subscriptions
- Social accounts
The method: one list, ticked off one at a time
Allow 2 to 3 months of odd jobs.Don't expect to finish in a weekend. Many things require a phone call, a branch visit, or waiting for a reply.
The efficient approach is to use your credit report as the master list (see item 18 of the checklist): pull one from annualcreditreport.com and it enumerates every financial account in your name, including the ones you'd long forgotten.
For non-financial items (subscriptions, memberships, utilities), look through your credit card statement: every monthly charge is an item on your list.
What you can leave alone
Not every account needs touching. The test is: will this account ever be used to verify your identity?
- Must change: financial, insurance, government, airline, lease, employer
- Can wait: streaming platforms, shopping sites, social media
Spend your energy on the first group.
Handle emergency contacts at the same time
While you're changing account names, update the emergency contacts too (see item 64 of the checklist). It costs nothing, and not doing it is most expensive exactly when something goes wrong.
In one line
Sync your miles account with your passport, and use your credit report as the checklist. Set aside two or three months, and leave non-financial accounts for last.