Jun 13, 2013, 6:55 am
Last edit by: Prospero
Transportation Voucher, "MCO" FAQ
Transportation eVouchers
Link to aa.com eVouchers Terms and Conditions page
Link to aa.com eVoucher page
General Information
Glossary: MCO - Miscellaneous Charges Order
AA issues e-vouchers to those in US 50 states, US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico as of 28 Nov 2019. Printed green vouchers are still used for those residing elsewhere at this time.
Transportation vouchers issued by American Airlines or American Eagle® are valid for travel on American Airlines, American Eagle and American Airlines codeshare flights (AA*).
These vouchers are also valid for travel on oneworld® itineraries (including oneworld affiliates that must be booked as a codeshare flight marketed by a oneworld carrier) where American Airlines or American Airlines codeshare flights (AA*) is the international carrier.
Note: For oneworld itineraries, international flights are defined as transatlantic, transpacific and flights to and from South America. Flights to and from Alaska, Canada, Mexico, Caribbean, or Central America are not included.
Travel agents may accept American Airlines vouchers (042/043) for full or partial payment for a ticket as an "exchange" document/ticket. If the voucher is less than the ticket the additional monies are collected. If the voucher exceeds the ticket cost an MCO will be issued for the difference as a residual indicating non-refundable and for American Airlines transportation only. Valid one year from date of issue ((you must encumber the voucher before one year has expired since issuance*). There is no change fee / ASC associated with using a voucher. Updated 18 Feb 2015.)
The original post, provided by member IceTrojan, has been placed here so members can edit and update as necessary. Information below has not necessarily been updated; be aware.
FAQ: AA Vouchers
Q. How do vouchers work on AA?
They are treated just like cash towards valid purchases.
Q. What can I use the vouchers on?
Yes, travel vouchers can be used toward the American Airlines and American Eagle flight portion of your trip, but may not be used to purchase any of the non-flight components of your trip such as hotels, rental cars, transfers, activities or insurance. Travel vouchers are not currently accepted online, but may be redeemed by calling AAVacations at 1-800-489-4810.
Q. Can I use the vouchers for ANYTHING else?
No.
Q. Really?
Yes, really.
Q. Are there restrictions on purchasing airfare?
Unlike other airlines that place restrictions on certain fares/dates/times/routes, AA vouchers are just like cash, so you can use them to buy all fares that are available for purchase.
Q. How long do I have to use the vouchers?
One (1) year from date of issuance.
Q. I can't use my voucher in time. How can I extend the expiration date?
AA automatically extended the expiration of some vouchers in 2021. If your expiration date was between January 1, 2021 and May 31, 2021, the new expiration is March 31, 2022.
If you still need to extend the expiration, spend at least part it on any of its valid uses listed above. For example, pay for a cheap throwaway ticket, a speculative ticket, or a 500-mile upgrade certificate. Any unused amount will be sent to you as a new voucher with a new 1-year expiration date.
Q. What if I lose a voucher?
Sorry, you're out of luck. Treat your vouchers like cash.
Q. Can I use the vouchers to buy tickets for someone else?
While vouchers are non-transferable, you may buy a ticket in someone else's name, so long as you are the one presenting the voucher (either by phone or personally at a ticket counter/office). If someone else presents the voucher, the ticket MUST be issued in the name of that on the voucher.
Q. Is there a fee for using the vouchers?
It appears that ticketing at an airport ticket office is still subject to a charge of $30, unless you are EXP.
Note that if you are EXP, these "booking" fees are waived (and any Agent that tells you otherwise is wrong). (thanks SquareDanceGuy)
Note that if you have booked the ticket online and go to the airport to apply a voucher, there are no fees either, regardless of status. (thanks RogerD408)
Q. What happens to the taxes?
This depends on the type of voucher. The following voucher codes are exempt from some of the taxes: Basically, if you use these vouchers to pay for the whole cost of your fare, you will lower the overall costs as some of the taxes do not apply. (thanks uncle wiggly) If you make a partial payment with vouchers, then the associated taxes will likewise be reduced by the same proportional amount. (thanks marshall)
OU is the only voucher taxable, as it's issued against the unused portion of a ticket that has been exchanged (amongst other things). (thanks hillrider)
Q. What if the value of my vouchers exceed the value of my fare? Do I lose it? (thanks ffay005)
Unlike some* other airlines, you do NOT lose the residual value of your vouchers. If the residual value is more than $5, AA will mail you another voucher back as change, and this voucher is valid for one (1) year after its issuance. (thanks whynotfly) *golfmad added the word "some" based on post #440.
Q. How many vouchers can I use at one time?
According to one AAgent, nine (9) was the maximum number of vouchers accepted by the system.
Q. I bought AA tickets from a 3rd party (e.g., travel agent, internet travel site, Priceline/Hotwire). Can I use the vouchers retroactively?
No.
Q. How long does it take to process the vouchers?
After they receive the vouchers, AA will process them within 1-3 days, so it's really dependent on how long it takes the mail to arrive to Florida. AA reservations will accept the vouchers for a phone booking, if the reservation made is at least 12 days prior to departure. It's recommended that if you need to ticket within 2 weeks that you go directly to an Airport Ticket Office, which can process your voucher/s immediately.
Q. How do I apply vouchers to a reservation I have on hold on AA.com?
US: up-to-date in March 2021, UK: up-to-date in January 2022
American Airlines
M.D. 8A701
Fort Worth, TX 76155
USA
The return address for those in the UK and the rest of Europe, who have agreed to send their voucher(s) to AA in the UK, is:
American Airlines
100 Old Hall Street
The Plaza, 7th floor
Liverpool L3 9QJ
United Kingdom
On the envelope under the return address, write:
<Date of first flight, in DD Month format (e.g. 01 Jan)>
Attach a sticky note to the vouchers with the following details:
<First flight number, e.g. AA1234>
<Last name>
<Booking record locator, AKA booking reference>
(Notice: vouchers are not processed sequentially based on date of the voucher/s being received by AA, but rather on flight dates. Flights may show as "Ticket Pending" once the voucher has been applied, and at some time prior to flight (two weeks is usual) it will show "Ticketed" and you should be able to see your ticket number, beginning with "001", in your receipt from your itinerary at aa.com or in your e-Ticket. Also notice that you should photocopy your voucher/s prior to mailing them.)
Q. What if I entered a Business Extra number?
You will have to contact Business Extra to apply the vouchers. Their number is 1-800-433-1790, and they are available 5:00 AM - 12:00 PM, CT, 7 days a week.
Q. What if I live outside the United States and I want to use vouchers?
As the vouchers are in US Dollars, it's probably most convenient to call the US reservations number for a new booking denoted in US Dollars, thus avoiding any currency conversion, except any associated with your credit card. You can call your local reservations number or visit a local Airport Ticket Office (ATO). Beware that there's not a large network of ATOs.
In all likelihood, you will be asked to mail your voucher(s) to AA, so if time is of the essence, you should consider going directly to an ATO, who can process it/them immediately.
Q. How do vouchers work on AA?
They are treated just like cash towards valid purchases.
Q. What can I use the vouchers on?
- Airfare on American Airlines (inc. American Eagle), codeshares, and oneworld itineraries where AA is the international/"governing" carrier.
- 500-mile domestic upgrade stickers (at the airport only).
- Co-payments for upgrades or reduced mileage awards.
- Excess baggage fees.
- Special handling fees (e.g. checked pets), with a traveling passenger (i.e. not cargo).
- Change fees, provided an additional collection of the fare is also being made.
- In the UK, Belgium, Germany and France, vouchers are accepted for Net fares.
- In Switzerland, vouchers are accepted on Q and L class Net fares only.
- In Ireland, vouchers are accepted in Q, O and L class Net fares only.
Yes, travel vouchers can be used toward the American Airlines and American Eagle flight portion of your trip, but may not be used to purchase any of the non-flight components of your trip such as hotels, rental cars, transfers, activities or insurance. Travel vouchers are not currently accepted online, but may be redeemed by calling AAVacations at 1-800-489-4810.
Q. Can I use the vouchers for ANYTHING else?
No.
Q. Really?
Yes, really.
Q. Are there restrictions on purchasing airfare?
Unlike other airlines that place restrictions on certain fares/dates/times/routes, AA vouchers are just like cash, so you can use them to buy all fares that are available for purchase.
Q. How long do I have to use the vouchers?
One (1) year from date of issuance.
Q. I can't use my voucher in time. How can I extend the expiration date?
AA automatically extended the expiration of some vouchers in 2021. If your expiration date was between January 1, 2021 and May 31, 2021, the new expiration is March 31, 2022.
If you still need to extend the expiration, spend at least part it on any of its valid uses listed above. For example, pay for a cheap throwaway ticket, a speculative ticket, or a 500-mile upgrade certificate. Any unused amount will be sent to you as a new voucher with a new 1-year expiration date.
Q. What if I lose a voucher?
Sorry, you're out of luck. Treat your vouchers like cash.
Q. Can I use the vouchers to buy tickets for someone else?
While vouchers are non-transferable, you may buy a ticket in someone else's name, so long as you are the one presenting the voucher (either by phone or personally at a ticket counter/office). If someone else presents the voucher, the ticket MUST be issued in the name of that on the voucher.
Q. Is there a fee for using the vouchers?
It appears that ticketing at an airport ticket office is still subject to a charge of $30, unless you are EXP.
Note that if you are EXP, these "booking" fees are waived (and any Agent that tells you otherwise is wrong). (thanks SquareDanceGuy)
Note that if you have booked the ticket online and go to the airport to apply a voucher, there are no fees either, regardless of status. (thanks RogerD408)
Q. What happens to the taxes?
This depends on the type of voucher. The following voucher codes are exempt from some of the taxes: Basically, if you use these vouchers to pay for the whole cost of your fare, you will lower the overall costs as some of the taxes do not apply. (thanks uncle wiggly) If you make a partial payment with vouchers, then the associated taxes will likewise be reduced by the same proportional amount. (thanks marshall)
OU is the only voucher taxable, as it's issued against the unused portion of a ticket that has been exchanged (amongst other things). (thanks hillrider)
Q. What if the value of my vouchers exceed the value of my fare? Do I lose it? (thanks ffay005)
Unlike some* other airlines, you do NOT lose the residual value of your vouchers. If the residual value is more than $5, AA will mail you another voucher back as change, and this voucher is valid for one (1) year after its issuance. (thanks whynotfly) *golfmad added the word "some" based on post #440.
Q. How many vouchers can I use at one time?
According to one AAgent, nine (9) was the maximum number of vouchers accepted by the system.
Q. I bought AA tickets from a 3rd party (e.g., travel agent, internet travel site, Priceline/Hotwire). Can I use the vouchers retroactively?
No.
Q. How long does it take to process the vouchers?
After they receive the vouchers, AA will process them within 1-3 days, so it's really dependent on how long it takes the mail to arrive to Florida. AA reservations will accept the vouchers for a phone booking, if the reservation made is at least 12 days prior to departure. It's recommended that if you need to ticket within 2 weeks that you go directly to an Airport Ticket Office, which can process your voucher/s immediately.
Q. How do I apply vouchers to a reservation I have on hold on AA.com?
- Call Web Services at 1-800-222-2377 or 1-918-832-1384 (6:00 AM - 2:00 AM CT, 7 days a week). In the UK, call 08-45-601-0619 (8:30 AM - 5:00 PM UK time, Monday-Friday).
- Give them the PNR and tell them you would like to apply vouchers.
- They will give you instructions on how to send the vouchers in.
- Pay any balance with a credit card.
US: up-to-date in March 2021, UK: up-to-date in January 2022
American Airlines
M.D. 8A701
Fort Worth, TX 76155
USA
The return address for those in the UK and the rest of Europe, who have agreed to send their voucher(s) to AA in the UK, is:
American Airlines
100 Old Hall Street
The Plaza, 7th floor
Liverpool L3 9QJ
United Kingdom
On the envelope under the return address, write:
<Date of first flight, in DD Month format (e.g. 01 Jan)>
Attach a sticky note to the vouchers with the following details:
<First flight number, e.g. AA1234>
<Last name>
<Booking record locator, AKA booking reference>
(Notice: vouchers are not processed sequentially based on date of the voucher/s being received by AA, but rather on flight dates. Flights may show as "Ticket Pending" once the voucher has been applied, and at some time prior to flight (two weeks is usual) it will show "Ticketed" and you should be able to see your ticket number, beginning with "001", in your receipt from your itinerary at aa.com or in your e-Ticket. Also notice that you should photocopy your voucher/s prior to mailing them.)
Q. What if I entered a Business Extra number?
You will have to contact Business Extra to apply the vouchers. Their number is 1-800-433-1790, and they are available 5:00 AM - 12:00 PM, CT, 7 days a week.
Q. What if I live outside the United States and I want to use vouchers?
As the vouchers are in US Dollars, it's probably most convenient to call the US reservations number for a new booking denoted in US Dollars, thus avoiding any currency conversion, except any associated with your credit card. You can call your local reservations number or visit a local Airport Ticket Office (ATO). Beware that there's not a large network of ATOs.
In all likelihood, you will be asked to mail your voucher(s) to AA, so if time is of the essence, you should consider going directly to an ATO, who can process it/them immediately.
Obsolete posts from 2014-2015 have been archived to: ARCHIVE: Transportation Voucher / vouchers / "MCO" FAQ and master thread.
Older obsolete posts from 2013 and before, can be read in: ARCHIVE: Transportation Voucher / vouchers / "MCO" FAQ and master thread (consol.).
Transportation e- and paper Voucher / vouchers / "MCO" FAQ and master thread
Sep 4, 2016, 9:04 am
#182
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 5
We arrived 3 hours before the flight.
We were arrived 2 weeks before the wedding (but have a lot of planning to fit into that time!)
Maybe I'm an idiot but I never liked the idea of online check-in if I have to check bags. It seems like it would just create issues (but obviously you can never avoid issues, anyway). Am I wrong?
Sep 4, 2016, 9:38 am
#183
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 8,771
That's different to honeymoon, attending other people's wedding, crucial meeting etc etc where I agree it's not for AA to start arbitrating.
But it's simply good form to try and get a bride and groom to the altar as planned.
Sep 4, 2016, 10:05 am
#184
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: US
Programs: AAdvantage
Posts: 1,753
And, as Doc Savage pointed out, you would've been less likely to have your seat dropped, though it wouldn't be guaranteed protection since it was a configuration change.
Sep 4, 2016, 10:21 am
#185
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,413
Not from a legal standpoint, but as a matter of customer service and goodwill I think if an AA agent is aware that a couple at risk of IDB is specifically flying to their own wedding, the agent should be prioritising that couple.
That's different to honeymoon, attending other people's wedding, crucial meeting etc etc where I agree it's not for AA to start arbitrating.
But it's simply good form to try and get a bride and groom to the altar as planned.
That's different to honeymoon, attending other people's wedding, crucial meeting etc etc where I agree it's not for AA to start arbitrating.
But it's simply good form to try and get a bride and groom to the altar as planned.
Sep 4, 2016, 10:28 am
#186
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 6,752
Are you serious suggesting an Airline to arbitrarily decide whose flight is more important based on their respective subjectivity?
Sep 4, 2016, 10:50 am
#187
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 8,771
However MSPEconomist has pointed out above that this was 2 weeks before - that fact wasn't in the original post. If that was the case then as an AA agent I would be less concerned.
Last edited by Ldnn1; Sep 4, 2016 at 11:01 am
Sep 4, 2016, 10:55 am
#188
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 6,752
Sep 4, 2016, 11:10 am
#189
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 8,771
Perhaps you could clarify for me - am I right in thinking that managing an oversold flight is a largely arbitrary process? Or is there a very defined set of criteria AA uses for determining who gets bumped, e.g. lowest fare class/lowest CIV first?
I genuinely don't know but would like to be enlightened.
I genuinely don't know but would like to be enlightened.
Sep 4, 2016, 11:12 am
#190
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
First, to start at the end of the saga, the claim for the delayed and damaged luggage was properly made to the last delivering carrier, e.g. BA. That is always the case. Fault is never the issue. BA is also decent about repairs & replacement of the cases and decent about interim expenses if OP kept proper receipts and was reasonable.
Second, this isn't a debate about the DOT rules. It is simply about what they provide. They provide for $0 in compensation for an IDB in this case. As to why AA offers a customer service gesture (as opposed to compensation), that is as a matter of brand damage and has nothing to do with government rules or its contractual obligations. AA (and other carriers) toss out all kinds of customer service gestures for all kinds of things where there is no legal obligation to do so.
Third, clearly AA sought volunteers as it sought OP. The DOT rule does not specify how a carrier must seek volunteers nor does its failure to seek volunteers entitle passengers to any compensation. The failure to seek compensation might result in DOT fining AA, but that does nothing for OP.
Fourth, DOT rules do require that carriers deny boarding in a specified order. It is not up to the GA and sob stories count for nothing. There may be certain medical emergencies which could move a passenger off the IDB list, but, for exactly the reasons which others note, air carriers do not make social judgments about what is important in life. Your business meeting or my kids' vacation and so forth.
Lastly. Always OLCI. Even if it's only a minute edge in a tie-breaker, it's a minute-edge. And perhaps, knowing that there were no seats, OP might have been on the phone to AA about a reroute (which AA would likely have done way earlier if it was as overbooked as it was).
Second, this isn't a debate about the DOT rules. It is simply about what they provide. They provide for $0 in compensation for an IDB in this case. As to why AA offers a customer service gesture (as opposed to compensation), that is as a matter of brand damage and has nothing to do with government rules or its contractual obligations. AA (and other carriers) toss out all kinds of customer service gestures for all kinds of things where there is no legal obligation to do so.
Third, clearly AA sought volunteers as it sought OP. The DOT rule does not specify how a carrier must seek volunteers nor does its failure to seek volunteers entitle passengers to any compensation. The failure to seek compensation might result in DOT fining AA, but that does nothing for OP.
Fourth, DOT rules do require that carriers deny boarding in a specified order. It is not up to the GA and sob stories count for nothing. There may be certain medical emergencies which could move a passenger off the IDB list, but, for exactly the reasons which others note, air carriers do not make social judgments about what is important in life. Your business meeting or my kids' vacation and so forth.
Lastly. Always OLCI. Even if it's only a minute edge in a tie-breaker, it's a minute-edge. And perhaps, knowing that there were no seats, OP might have been on the phone to AA about a reroute (which AA would likely have done way earlier if it was as overbooked as it was).
Sep 4, 2016, 11:19 am
#191
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 6,752
Perhaps you could clarify for me - am I right in thinking that managing an oversold flight is a largely arbitrary process? Or is there a very defined set of criteria AA uses for determining who gets bumped, e.g. lowest fare class/lowest CIV first?
I genuinely don't know but would like to be enlightened.
I genuinely don't know but would like to be enlightened.
For most carriers, I'd imagine the process goes something like this:
1. Offer compensation to those who willing to take a different flight.
2. Based on fare class/status/check-in time.
While there is always a degree of subjectivity, this is much preferable to, say, allowing the decision on who should fly at the discretion of the Gate Agent.
Sep 4, 2016, 11:34 am
#192
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 8,771
Firstly, I'm not trying to be argumentative. Secondly, I would like to think the process for oversold flights isn't 100% arbitrary. Finally, I'm sure each carrier has their own process.
For most carriers, I'd imagine the process goes something like this:
1. Offer compensation to those who willing to take a different flight.
2. Based on fare class/status/check-in time.
While there is always a degree of subjectivity, this is much preferable to, say, allowing the decision on who should fly at the discretion of the Gate Agent.
For most carriers, I'd imagine the process goes something like this:
1. Offer compensation to those who willing to take a different flight.
2. Based on fare class/status/check-in time.
While there is always a degree of subjectivity, this is much preferable to, say, allowing the decision on who should fly at the discretion of the Gate Agent.
p.s. not trying to be argumentative either
Sep 4, 2016, 11:59 am
#193
Join Date: May 2005
Location: SEA
Programs: AS; Hyatt Globalist; Hilton Gold; NEXUS
Posts: 979
I'm pretty sure I know the answer to this, but...
I sent in a voucher last week to Pensacola. I sent it USPS priority with tracking.
The tracking number hasn't been scanned since Monday. Estimated arrival was 8/31.
If this envelope is indeed lost, what are my options? I have a picture and a photocopy of the voucher, and of course the tracking information. I'm going to guess I am SOL on this, and out $500 due to the USPS's incompetence, but I thought I would check and see if they will actually accept a photocopy in this circumstance.
I sent in a voucher last week to Pensacola. I sent it USPS priority with tracking.
The tracking number hasn't been scanned since Monday. Estimated arrival was 8/31.
If this envelope is indeed lost, what are my options? I have a picture and a photocopy of the voucher, and of course the tracking information. I'm going to guess I am SOL on this, and out $500 due to the USPS's incompetence, but I thought I would check and see if they will actually accept a photocopy in this circumstance.
Sep 4, 2016, 12:28 pm
#194
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: San Francisco, CA
Programs: AA (PPro/3MM/Admirals Club), AS, UA, Marriott (Gold), HHonors (Gold), Accor (Plat)
Posts: 2,602
Fourth, DOT rules do require that carriers deny boarding in a specified order. It is not up to the GA and sob stories count for nothing. There may be certain medical emergencies which could move a passenger off the IDB list, but, for exactly the reasons which others note, air carriers do not make social judgments about what is important in life. Your business meeting or my kids' vacation and so forth.
Lastly. Always OLCI. Even if it's only a minute edge in a tie-breaker, it's a minute-edge. And perhaps, knowing that there were no seats, OP might have been on the phone to AA about a reroute (which AA would likely have done way earlier if it was as overbooked as it was).
Lastly. Always OLCI. Even if it's only a minute edge in a tie-breaker, it's a minute-edge. And perhaps, knowing that there were no seats, OP might have been on the phone to AA about a reroute (which AA would likely have done way earlier if it was as overbooked as it was).
There are rules for IDB. Checking in online, even when you know you have to drop luggage, may give you that slight edge. Some airlines have an earlier checkin cutoff than the luggage drop cutoff for the same flight.
Sep 4, 2016, 12:46 pm
#195
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,600
In this case , they were arriving 2 weeks before the wedding started. How are the meda going to play out that someone lost a few hours of time planning for a wedding
Whe is arriving a few hours late when the wedding is 2 weeks away more important than, say, someone who might miss the start of a cruise if delayed