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, 7:00 pm
#211
Join Date: May 2005
Location: SEA
Programs: AS; Hyatt Globalist; Hilton Gold; NEXUS
Posts: 977
Keeping copies of what was sent and the tracking number was wise. As you get closer to your travel date and AA determines they are not likely to receive your mail, they will accept the copies. Each voucher has a unique number just like a ticket and they know if it has been processed. Honestly, I believe they are sticking to the paper vouchers hoping you will misplace it and never use it. There is no reason why they can't be tracked/used electronically.
Your mailing may still show up. I had a UPS delivery due in south FL last week and it was delayed one day (I felt lucky). In my case UPS scans when it's put on the truck and not again until it's taken off, nothing along the way.
Your mailing may still show up. I had a UPS delivery due in south FL last week and it was delayed one day (I felt lucky). In my case UPS scans when it's put on the truck and not again until it's taken off, nothing along the way.
Sep 4, 2016, 8:56 pm
#212
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: US
Programs: AAdvantage
Posts: 1,753
This is incorrect. Passengers without seat assignments are indeed the first to be removed, with some exceptions.
Sep 4, 2016, 9:46 pm
#213
Join Date: May 2005
Location: PHX
Programs: AA Gold, WN A+ & CP, HH Diamond, Hyatt Platinum, National Executive Elite
Posts: 3,245
Otherwise it would seem that AA wouldn't be following its own rules for IDB.
Sep 4, 2016, 10:32 pm
#214
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2001
Programs: DL 1 million, AA 1 mil, HH lapsed Diamond, Marriott Plat
Posts: 28,190
The priorities established in AA's international contract of carriage make no reference to seat assignments. Are you thinking of domestic flights, the old US Airways rule, or have you established that AA isn't following its published priorities and is overdue for DOT enforcement action?
Sep 4, 2016, 11:58 pm
#215
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: OSL/IAH/ZRH (time, not preference)
Programs: UA1K, LH GM, AA EXP->GM
Posts: 38,265
Sep 5, 2016, 12:04 am
#216
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: US
Programs: AAdvantage
Posts: 1,753
More often that not though, wouldn't the people without seat assignments be the last ones to check in? Can you even check in other than at the airport and not have a seat assignment on AA? If that's correct then I would think that anyone who hasn't done OLCI and waits till shortly (2 hours? 3 hours?) before the flight to check in at the airport wouldn't get a seat if people who tried to check in before them couldn't get one.
Otherwise it would seem that AA wouldn't be following its own rules for IDB.
Otherwise it would seem that AA wouldn't be following its own rules for IDB.
The priorities established in AA's international contract of carriage make no reference to seat assignments. Are you thinking of domestic flights, the old US Airways rule, or have you established that AA isn't following its published priorities and is overdue for DOT enforcement action?
AA chooses to sort through the list of "Passengers other than those noted in (A) above and passengers traveling at fares other than those described in (B) or (C) above" by the seat assignment and by check-in time.
Sep 5, 2016, 1:53 am
#217
Join Date: May 2005
Location: PHX
Programs: AA Gold, WN A+ & CP, HH Diamond, Hyatt Platinum, National Executive Elite
Posts: 3,245
How is that inconsistent with their published order?
AA chooses to sort through the list of "Passengers other than those noted in (A) above and passengers traveling at fares other than those described in (B) or (C) above" by the seat assignment and by check-in time.
AA chooses to sort through the list of "Passengers other than those noted in (A) above and passengers traveling at fares other than those described in (B) or (C) above" by the seat assignment and by check-in time.
PASSENGERS WITHIN ANY CATEGORY WILL BE BOARDED IN THE ORDER OF PRESENTING THEMSELVES FOR CHECK-IN.CHECK-IN OCCURS WHEN PASSENGER PRESENTS HIS TICKET FOR ISSUANCE OF A BOARDING PASS AT ANY POINT(S) DESIGNATED BY THE AIRLINE FOR SUCH PURPOSE.
So the part you have in quotes is within a category. However, as I said earlier, it would seem that if you can do OLCI you would have a seat assignment. If you don't have a seat assignment before you check in and none are available when you try to check in, then it seems your only choice is to check in at the airport and you would be one of the last to check in. So in a not so indirect way, those without seat assignments are more likely to be bumped even if seat assignment isn't an official part of the tariff.
Sep 5, 2016, 5:57 am
#218
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
If there were a bunch of people with no seats, the most likely outcome of trying to check in at T-24 would be an error message saying you had to check in at the airport.
The actual solution to this problem is to get advanced seat assignments, but that may not help if there's a last minute plane substitution either.
Two pieces of information that's missing from the discussion at this point: did AA in fact substitute a smaller plane, and when did they do it?
The actual solution to this problem is to get advanced seat assignments, but that may not help if there's a last minute plane substitution either.
Two pieces of information that's missing from the discussion at this point: did AA in fact substitute a smaller plane, and when did they do it?
Sep 5, 2016, 11:36 pm
#219
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: OSL/IAH/ZRH (time, not preference)
Programs: UA1K, LH GM, AA EXP->GM
Posts: 38,265
As an alien, I never succeeded to OLCI and I always check in quite late. I was offered VDBs, never an IDB on AA. But that too is merely an anecdote too.
Last edited by weero; Sep 6, 2016 at 11:23 pm Reason: added "..on AA"
Sep 6, 2016, 1:11 am
#220
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 3,698
or, on an aircraft with a designed passenger capacity of 60 or fewer seats, the flight for which the passenger holds confirmed reserved space is unable to accommodate that passenger due to weight/balance restrictions when required by operational or safety reasons;
Sep 6, 2016, 11:22 pm
#221
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: OSL/IAH/ZRH (time, not preference)
Programs: UA1K, LH GM, AA EXP->GM
Posts: 38,265
Sep 7, 2016, 2:14 am
#222
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2004
Location: DFW/DAL
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, AS MVPG, HH Diamond, NCL Platinum Plus, MSC Diamond
Posts: 21,422
Sep 7, 2016, 2:31 am
#223
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,571
Sep 7, 2016, 4:45 am
#224
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: OSL/IAH/ZRH (time, not preference)
Programs: UA1K, LH GM, AA EXP->GM
Posts: 38,265
The last two tim, I got the WX excuse.
My favourite line fresh from their Indian customer service centre was "due to rain in Heathrow" ....
Sep 7, 2016, 10:40 am
#225
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: US
Programs: AAdvantage
Posts: 1,753
The tariff doesn't say anything about seat assignment, only check-in time. The part that you are quoting is preceded by:
PASSENGERS WITHIN ANY CATEGORY WILL BE BOARDED IN THE ORDER OF PRESENTING THEMSELVES FOR CHECK-IN.CHECK-IN OCCURS WHEN PASSENGER PRESENTS HIS TICKET FOR ISSUANCE OF A BOARDING PASS AT ANY POINT(S) DESIGNATED BY THE AIRLINE FOR SUCH PURPOSE.
So the part you have in quotes is within a category. However, as I said earlier, it would seem that if you can do OLCI you would have a seat assignment. If you don't have a seat assignment before you check in and none are available when you try to check in, then it seems your only choice is to check in at the airport and you would be one of the last to check in. So in a not so indirect way, those without seat assignments are more likely to be bumped even if seat assignment isn't an official part of the tariff.
PASSENGERS WITHIN ANY CATEGORY WILL BE BOARDED IN THE ORDER OF PRESENTING THEMSELVES FOR CHECK-IN.CHECK-IN OCCURS WHEN PASSENGER PRESENTS HIS TICKET FOR ISSUANCE OF A BOARDING PASS AT ANY POINT(S) DESIGNATED BY THE AIRLINE FOR SUCH PURPOSE.
So the part you have in quotes is within a category. However, as I said earlier, it would seem that if you can do OLCI you would have a seat assignment. If you don't have a seat assignment before you check in and none are available when you try to check in, then it seems your only choice is to check in at the airport and you would be one of the last to check in. So in a not so indirect way, those without seat assignments are more likely to be bumped even if seat assignment isn't an official part of the tariff.
It's also possible that AA is being extremely pedantic in their definition of "boarding pass", as those passengers without seat assignments are given priority verification cards. And technically, the status of the associated flight coupon on their electronic ticket does not reflect checked in until issuance of a seat assignment.
Coincidentally, that's what happened here as well. Equipment change from a 777 to a 777, but one with fewer seats.