Money back on AA gift certificates?
Jan 31, 2007, 9:53 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Coppell, TX
Programs: AA EXP (1M+), HH Diamond, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 384
Money back on AA gift certificates?
Has anyone had any experience with this: buying a fully refundable ticket, paying with gift certificates, and then canceling the ticket? What do you receive in return- cash/check or voucher/future credit?
I would like to free up some of the money I have sitting in AA gift cards if I can without taking a financial hit.
I was on a flight that got canceled a few weeks ago due to weather. Since I couldn't get out until Sunday from my original departure date of Friday, I decided to cancel the entire trip since I was going on a weekend trip. I received a check in the mail for the ticket I had purchased with some gift certificates. Which got me thinking…….
I would like to free up some of the money I have sitting in AA gift cards if I can without taking a financial hit.
I was on a flight that got canceled a few weeks ago due to weather. Since I couldn't get out until Sunday from my original departure date of Friday, I decided to cancel the entire trip since I was going on a weekend trip. I received a check in the mail for the ticket I had purchased with some gift certificates. Which got me thinking…….
Last edited by edbyu; Jan 31, 2007 at 10:00 am
Jan 31, 2007, 10:14 am
#2
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2005
Programs: AA Plat, US Air- CP, United 1P, SPG Platinum, HHonors Gold
Posts: 220
why would you go through all of this , gift cards are the same as vouchers. Gift cards are even better because you can redeem them online and vouchers have to be mailed in or taken to the airport.
Jan 31, 2007, 10:31 am
#3
Join Date: Nov 2005
Programs: AAdvantage (PLT :(, 2MM), HHonors (Silver), Hertz (5 Star), Marriott (Silver)
Posts: 779
Also correct me if i'm wrong but I thought that using vouchers was better than gift cards for the reasons of not having to pay all of the tax portions?
Maybe I have this wrong and someone can correct me.E
Jan 31, 2007, 10:33 am
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Coppell, TX
Programs: AA EXP (1M+), HH Diamond, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 384
I'm wondering what you get in return after canceling a fully refundable ticket purchased with gift cards- cash/check or credit/voucher with AA? I want the cash back.
Jan 31, 2007, 10:41 am
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: QLA
Programs: SBUX Gold
Posts: 14,507
It begs the question, why do you have so many GCs to begin with?
Jan 31, 2007, 10:41 am
#6
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2005
Programs: AA Plat, US Air- CP, United 1P, SPG Platinum, HHonors Gold
Posts: 220
If you receive a voucher because you are bumped from a flight or for any other compensation reason you do not have to pay taxes. If you receive a voucher for a refund or for a differance in fare then that voucher gets taxed on.
Jan 31, 2007, 10:43 am
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Coppell, TX
Programs: AA EXP (1M+), HH Diamond, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 384
Jan 31, 2007, 11:01 am
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SJC
Programs: AA EXP, BA Silver, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 33,533
Jan 31, 2007, 11:02 am
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Coppell, TX
Programs: AA EXP (1M+), HH Diamond, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 384
Jan 31, 2007, 11:16 am
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: QLA
Programs: SBUX Gold
Posts: 14,507
FWIW - I spent my GCs within 1 week of getting them. I'm about to get more (since it essentially means 3 miles/$ spent (2 at GC.com, 1 through Citi).
Jan 31, 2007, 11:33 am
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: STL
Programs: AA 2MM, AS MVP Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 12,966
This is a little off-topic, but there are some pretty nice mileage runs available at this time of year. Why not use your excess gift cards to make certain you step up to EXP this year? Even if your business flying just barely gets you to PLT, this should be plenty to achieve EXP. Even better than MRs would be long weekends in Paris, Rome, Dublin, London, Madrid. Life is to be lived. Go for it.
Jan 31, 2007, 11:45 am
#12
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: ATL, BER
Programs: AA LTGLD, DL PLT, SPG Gold, HH Gold
Posts: 474
afaik, gift cards can only be refunded as vouchers. That's what the CS told me in the case of a rule 80 cancellation and in the case of a rollover. Don't know about refundable tickets, but I think this is an issue of the form of payment and should also be voucher-only.
Jan 31, 2007, 1:00 pm
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Coppell, TX
Programs: AA EXP (1M+), HH Diamond, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 384
This is a little off-topic, but there are some pretty nice mileage runs available at this time of year. Why not use your excess gift cards to make certain you step up to EXP this year? Even if your business flying just barely gets you to PLT, this should be plenty to achieve EXP. Even better than MRs would be long weekends in Paris, Rome, Dublin, London, Madrid. Life is to be lived. Go for it.
Bad time of the year!
Jan 31, 2007, 1:39 pm
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: STL
Programs: AA 2MM, AS MVP Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 12,966
In your case, I would suggest a number of mini-vacations when you are not so busy, to rest the body and restore the soul. The Caribbean, South America, and Asia are often good destinations later in the year.
Jan 31, 2007, 1:58 pm
#15
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Coppell, TX
Programs: AA EXP (1M+), HH Diamond, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 384
As a fellow accountant, I can certainly sympathize. You can console yourself with the thought that at today's interest rates, the interest you must forgo is certainly a de minimus amount and not material.
In your case, I would suggest a number of mini-vacations when you are not so busy, to rest the body and restore the soul. The Caribbean, South America, and Asia are often good destinations later in the year.
In your case, I would suggest a number of mini-vacations when you are not so busy, to rest the body and restore the soul. The Caribbean, South America, and Asia are often good destinations later in the year.
