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
Nov 3, 2016, 4:25 pm
#302
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2008
Programs: Marriott, Delta, United, AA
Posts: 315
Buying first class is a way to get 3 free bags checked while redeeming a voucher. I know that is still an option
You use to be able put "choice plus" tickets on hold and get free checked luggage when redeeming since you had that as part of your fare. With the new system is there nothing you can do to get luggage included with the vouchers. IE get luggage fees added on the fare? Sitting on AA vouchers hate to dish over cash when i have voucher money.
thanks!
You use to be able put "choice plus" tickets on hold and get free checked luggage when redeeming since you had that as part of your fare. With the new system is there nothing you can do to get luggage included with the vouchers. IE get luggage fees added on the fare? Sitting on AA vouchers hate to dish over cash when i have voucher money.
thanks!
Nov 4, 2016, 10:34 am
#303
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2008
Programs: Marriott, Delta, United, AA
Posts: 315
Are there any fare classes in coach besides first class that offer free luggage? I hate to use cash for my luggage and i have to check 2 bags each way on my next booking. Would be $140 out of my pocket when i have voucher money.
Nov 9, 2016, 9:39 pm
#304
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Los Angeles & Orange County, CA
Programs: Wouldn't you like to know?!
Posts: 23,822
Does anyone know if systemwide upgrades can be applied and confirmed first and then have it set up to be issued at the airport using paper vouchers? I clearly remember being able to do so, but the first agent told me her help desk told her in her 17 years working for AA when using paper voucher = no SWU. However, I HUACA and the second agent told me that she could set it up and confirm the upgrades first before I head to the airport. She also said she put it on hold for 72 hours so I could just get it ticketed when I fly out.
Who is right?
Who is right?
Nov 11, 2016, 8:12 am
#305
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Columbia, SC
Programs: AA Plat, SPG/Marriot Gold, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Expl
Posts: 2,363
Does anyone know if systemwide upgrades can be applied and confirmed first and then have it set up to be issued at the airport using paper vouchers? I clearly remember being able to do so, but the first agent told me her help desk told her in her 17 years working for AA when using paper voucher = no SWU. However, I HUACA and the second agent told me that she could set it up and confirm the upgrades first before I head to the airport. She also said she put it on hold for 72 hours so I could just get it ticketed when I fly out.
Who is right?
Who is right?
Nov 11, 2016, 8:24 am
#306
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Los Angeles & Orange County, CA
Programs: Wouldn't you like to know?!
Posts: 23,822
However, if paper voucher is treated like cash, then I don't see why it can't be done at the airport if CC can be processed as a payment even after SWU has been applied and fares have been stored.
Should I expect to be denied at the airport? My memory is a bit blurry but I really thought I had done this before at the airport.
The current status is ticket pending and it's been 48 hours.
Nov 11, 2016, 9:01 am
#307
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: South Florida
Programs: AA LTG (EXP), Hilton Silver (Dia), Marriott LTP (PP), SPG LTG (P) > MPG LTPP
Posts: 11,329
Does anyone know if systemwide upgrades can be applied and confirmed first and then have it set up to be issued at the airport using paper vouchers? I clearly remember being able to do so, but the first agent told me her help desk told her in her 17 years working for AA when using paper voucher = no SWU. However, I HUACA and the second agent told me that she could set it up and confirm the upgrades first before I head to the airport. She also said she put it on hold for 72 hours so I could just get it ticketed when I fly out.
Who is right?
Who is right?
Nov 11, 2016, 12:34 pm
#308
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Los Angeles & Orange County, CA
Programs: Wouldn't you like to know?!
Posts: 23,822
You were right. I decided to swing by another airport closer to me earlier since I wasn't busy and was close by and the airport agent was able to take my transportation voucher without any issues. My PNR is now ticketed and confirmed with SWUs previously applied ^
A side note, because it was a smaller station, the employee was giving me attitude saying they did not have a dedicated ticketing desk blah blah even though I went after the first flight of the day had already departed and the next one was not going to depart for another 2.5 hours. She went on and on bashing AA and its antiquated system along with her other coworker (I know how to handle these type of employees so in the end she was telling me more things about AA management than I cared to know). Anyway, they were both extremely unprofessional (ex-US Airways employees).
Also, the number of incompetent agents at the EXP desk are just ridiculous....flat out telling me BS just to get me off the line. 17 years and paper voucher = no SWU? Really?
Also, I called to add my business extra number and the EXP agent clearly had no idea how to do it and told me he would need to calculate the fare because they had change the way BE worked. REALLY? I hung up before he could finish his BS. I called meeting services instead (real AA employees) and they got it done in 5 seconds.
Moral of the story - always HUACA. Hopefully this will help someone in a similar situation in the future:
1. SWUs can be applied and confirmed before ticketing while using a paper voucher
2. You can hold the fare more than 24 hours until you need to ticket at the airport
A side note, because it was a smaller station, the employee was giving me attitude saying they did not have a dedicated ticketing desk blah blah even though I went after the first flight of the day had already departed and the next one was not going to depart for another 2.5 hours. She went on and on bashing AA and its antiquated system along with her other coworker (I know how to handle these type of employees so in the end she was telling me more things about AA management than I cared to know). Anyway, they were both extremely unprofessional (ex-US Airways employees).
Also, the number of incompetent agents at the EXP desk are just ridiculous....flat out telling me BS just to get me off the line. 17 years and paper voucher = no SWU? Really?
Also, I called to add my business extra number and the EXP agent clearly had no idea how to do it and told me he would need to calculate the fare because they had change the way BE worked. REALLY? I hung up before he could finish his BS. I called meeting services instead (real AA employees) and they got it done in 5 seconds.Moral of the story - always HUACA. Hopefully this will help someone in a similar situation in the future:
1. SWUs can be applied and confirmed before ticketing while using a paper voucher
2. You can hold the fare more than 24 hours until you need to ticket at the airport
Nov 15, 2016, 1:20 pm
#309
Join Date: Nov 2016
Programs: AA, Delta, United, Singapore, Emirates
Posts: 3
Expiring AA Voucher
Greetings all. Longtime lurker here.
I've searched the forum for recent posts on this, but haven't been able to find anything notable, so maybe you can help.
I have an eVoucher ($500) that is expiring next week, and the only travel I know I need to take is to Chicago next May for a wedding. The bride and groom haven't set the final date yet, so I'm really guessing as to which weekend it will be. If I book a refundable fare using the eVoucher, and then for whatever reason need to cancel the trip, will the value of the voucher I applied be refunded even though the voucher itself has expired? I understand AA's policy is to refund to the original form of payment, but if I cancel in February, I'm worried I won't received the voucher credit. Can anyone advise?
Thanks!
I've searched the forum for recent posts on this, but haven't been able to find anything notable, so maybe you can help.
I have an eVoucher ($500) that is expiring next week, and the only travel I know I need to take is to Chicago next May for a wedding. The bride and groom haven't set the final date yet, so I'm really guessing as to which weekend it will be. If I book a refundable fare using the eVoucher, and then for whatever reason need to cancel the trip, will the value of the voucher I applied be refunded even though the voucher itself has expired? I understand AA's policy is to refund to the original form of payment, but if I cancel in February, I'm worried I won't received the voucher credit. Can anyone advise?
Thanks!
Nov 15, 2016, 10:38 pm
#311
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Bay Area, CA
Programs: UA Plat 2MM; AS MVP Gold 75K
Posts: 35,068
A side note, because it was a smaller station, the employee was giving me attitude saying they did not have a dedicated ticketing desk blah blah even though I went after the first flight of the day had already departed and the next one was not going to depart for another 2.5 hours. She went on and on bashing AA and its antiquated system along with her other coworker (I know how to handle these type of employees so in the end she was telling me more things about AA management than I cared to know). Anyway, they were both extremely unprofessional (ex-US Airways employees).
US had been issuing e-vouchers for bumps and such for years.
Nov 15, 2016, 11:32 pm
#312
Join Date: Jul 2001
Programs: AA EP
Posts: 2,203
This is not correct. You just have to apply the voucher to a ticket by the voucher's expiration date.
Nov 16, 2016, 4:23 am
#313
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 50
Hi, I have a ticket pending reservation.
I have applied my vouchers by phone and just about to mail in them.
Today, I have realized there was a price drop for the same route I have booked.
Can I make another reservation and drop the one in ticket pending state?
I stilll have my vouchers in my hand.
Or can I just call them the adjust the fare for the previos reservation?
Any experience anyone in this? Thanks!
I have applied my vouchers by phone and just about to mail in them.
Today, I have realized there was a price drop for the same route I have booked.
Can I make another reservation and drop the one in ticket pending state?
I stilll have my vouchers in my hand.
Or can I just call them the adjust the fare for the previos reservation?
Any experience anyone in this? Thanks!
Nov 16, 2016, 8:09 am
#314
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Los Angeles & Orange County, CA
Programs: Wouldn't you like to know?!
Posts: 23,822
No, giving passengers attitude and complaining about management to customers are anything but understandable. I really don't care if AA took away all of their computers and made them check in by paper. It is what it is and we all have things we don't want to deal with at work. If any of my employees did what they did to our customers, I'd fire them on the spot.
Nov 21, 2016, 10:29 am
#315
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 3
I have a transportation voucher that has an expiry date of April 8th. Does the travel have to be completed before April 8th, or does the travel just have to be booked before April 8th? If travel have to be completed before April 8th, is it just departure?
Also I read somewhere that they don't charge tax on it since its a voucher?
Also I read somewhere that they don't charge tax on it since its a voucher?
Last edited by KevinMo; Nov 21, 2016 at 10:38 am