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
Aug 2, 2016, 10:12 am
#151
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
Hello Forum,
I have received an e-voucher for $700.00 from AA for being bumped from a recent flight, and I am trying to figure out how to best use it.
The evoucher says valid on "flights operated by American Airlines, American Eagle® and oneworld® carriers for itineraries sold and originating in the U.S., Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands. eVouchers may also be used for payment of air travel on any oneworld® partner or Codeshare flights designated in flight listings as AA*."
I have the list of the 14 oneworld carriers, and my question is- can I go on any of the oneworld websites (Quantas, Cathay Pacific, etc) and book a flight on their product and use the evoucher to pay for it, or do i need to go to the AA site and book flights through them that might use one of the other carriers? I am trying to book smart here and maximize my options.
Thanks so much.
I have received an e-voucher for $700.00 from AA for being bumped from a recent flight, and I am trying to figure out how to best use it.
The evoucher says valid on "flights operated by American Airlines, American Eagle® and oneworld® carriers for itineraries sold and originating in the U.S., Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands. eVouchers may also be used for payment of air travel on any oneworld® partner or Codeshare flights designated in flight listings as AA*."
I have the list of the 14 oneworld carriers, and my question is- can I go on any of the oneworld websites (Quantas, Cathay Pacific, etc) and book a flight on their product and use the evoucher to pay for it, or do i need to go to the AA site and book flights through them that might use one of the other carriers? I am trying to book smart here and maximize my options.
Thanks so much.
We have merged your query into the existing vouchers thread. Please read the Wikipost at the top of the page for some information on voucher use.
/Moderator
You will have to follow the procedures listed above - either mail the voucher or use it at a AA City Ticket Office or airline ticket counter. Antiquated, but for now it is what it is. And you can not use it on another airline's site.
Aug 5, 2016, 3:52 pm
#152
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 1
Hi everyone.
I know there are a lot of thread that talking about this one. but i cant find exaclly the answer for my situation. My friend received a $1000 paper voucher for volunteering to take a flight later. he gave the voucher to me but i have some questions about it:
1. can i use it with my friend's name on the voucher ?
2. can i use the voucher for an International Flight ( to Asia ) with AA ?
3. how many days in advance for a flight that i can book ? 12 or 21 ?
thanks alot
-------------------------------------------------------------
Hi everyone. my friend received a $1000 voucher from AA a few months ago. he gave me the voucher and we already lost contact with each other. can i still be able to use the voucher ?
I know there are a lot of thread that talking about this one. but i cant find exaclly the answer for my situation. My friend received a $1000 paper voucher for volunteering to take a flight later. he gave the voucher to me but i have some questions about it:
1. can i use it with my friend's name on the voucher ?
2. can i use the voucher for an International Flight ( to Asia ) with AA ?
3. how many days in advance for a flight that i can book ? 12 or 21 ?
thanks alot
-------------------------------------------------------------
Hi everyone. my friend received a $1000 voucher from AA a few months ago. he gave me the voucher and we already lost contact with each other. can i still be able to use the voucher ?
Last edited by JY1024; Aug 5, 2016 at 5:08 pm Reason: merged posts from different threads from the same member
Aug 5, 2016, 10:16 pm
#153
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
Welcome to FlyerTalk.
Please read the Wikipost at the top of the page. The basics and links to resources are there. /Moderator
Please read the Wikipost at the top of the page. The basics and links to resources are there. /Moderator
Aug 21, 2016, 9:51 pm
#154
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: DTW/MBS
Programs: UA 1K, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Formerly Starbucks Gold
Posts: 3,525
Hey all, question.
I made a reservation for Thanksgiving that has me going DEN-DFW(overnight)-ORD, with the DFW-ORD being on a dreamliner. The schedule has changed and it's now a 738.
I would never have booked the flight if that was the case and just done DEN-ORD-LAN.
Anyways, my ticket is currently pending as I had an AA voucher to use. I want to make a change now, but figure that would cause some issues when AA gets around to processioning my vouchers, which I'm told isn't until a couple weeks before the flight.
If AA lets me make a change, the total should be the same, and my voucher would get processes the same way hopefully, no?
I made a reservation for Thanksgiving that has me going DEN-DFW(overnight)-ORD, with the DFW-ORD being on a dreamliner. The schedule has changed and it's now a 738.
I would never have booked the flight if that was the case and just done DEN-ORD-LAN.
Anyways, my ticket is currently pending as I had an AA voucher to use. I want to make a change now, but figure that would cause some issues when AA gets around to processioning my vouchers, which I'm told isn't until a couple weeks before the flight.
If AA lets me make a change, the total should be the same, and my voucher would get processes the same way hopefully, no?
Aug 21, 2016, 10:12 pm
#155
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: YYZ
Posts: 1,629
Aug 21, 2016, 10:47 pm
#156
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: DTW/MBS
Programs: UA 1K, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Formerly Starbucks Gold
Posts: 3,525
Aug 22, 2016, 10:49 pm
#157
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Bristol
Programs: BA GGL, UA Plat, DL Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,380
AA routes not touching US ?
I think I probably know the answer to this question, but here goes anyway...
I am London-based and have ended up with an unused AA transportation voucher with a face value of GBP 119 and a March 2017 expiry. As I don't have plans to visit the US before then, it seems like I have 3 choices:
1. Make an unnecessary trip to the US (much as I love you guys, seems a bit silly!)
2. Throw the voucher away (seems a shame)
3. Use it on an AA booking within Europe...
Does such a thing as (3) even exist standalone ? I assume the AA codeshares on AY, BA etc. are only valid in conjunction with a trans-Atlantic ticket...?
I am London-based and have ended up with an unused AA transportation voucher with a face value of GBP 119 and a March 2017 expiry. As I don't have plans to visit the US before then, it seems like I have 3 choices:
1. Make an unnecessary trip to the US (much as I love you guys, seems a bit silly!)
2. Throw the voucher away (seems a shame)
3. Use it on an AA booking within Europe...
Does such a thing as (3) even exist standalone ? I assume the AA codeshares on AY, BA etc. are only valid in conjunction with a trans-Atlantic ticket...?
Aug 22, 2016, 10:53 pm
#158
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Dallas, TX
Programs: AA EXP 3MM; LH FT (*A Silver); Marriott Rewards Platinum Elite; Starwood Corporate Preferred
Posts: 782
Need to verify the restrictions on the voucher but I am fairly certain it needs to be used on AA operated and AA marketed flights.
You are correct that codeshares are only valid if the trip has a Domestic US segment.
I believe the voucher is basically locking you into a trip that has the US as part of the ticket.
You are correct that codeshares are only valid if the trip has a Domestic US segment.
I believe the voucher is basically locking you into a trip that has the US as part of the ticket.
Aug 22, 2016, 11:07 pm
#159
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: LAX
Programs: AAdvantage EXPLAT, Hilton Diamond, SPG/Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum, Citi Exec MC, Amex Plat
Posts: 1,443
Years ago, AA had a LHR-BRU slot squatter, but that's gone. I think at this point, any AA flight is going to either take off or land in the US.
Aug 22, 2016, 11:14 pm
#160
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: US
Programs: AAdvantage
Posts: 1,753
The only AA route that doesn't touch the US that comes to mind is LPB-VVI, but even that doesn't really count since it's part of a triangle and I don't believe AA has any local traffic rights on that segment.
Aug 23, 2016, 1:05 am
#161
Moderator: American AAdvantage, Signatures
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: London, England
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond Ambassador, National Exec, AA EXP Emeritus
Posts: 9,765
If you know someone going to the US, I believe you could use your voucher for that person's travel as long as you're the one presenting the voucher. I'd suggest doing it at the airport; it's probably a pain to get there, but I've never trusted vouchers over the phone and sent in by post myself.
Aug 23, 2016, 8:25 am
#163
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: YYF/YLW
Programs: AA, DL, AS, VA, WS Silver
Posts: 5,950
I think that the travel only needs to be ticketed by the expiry date; travel can be as much as a year after the ticketing date. So that gives you considerably more time in which the travel can happen.
Aug 23, 2016, 8:32 am
#164
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: DCA
Programs: AS MVP Gold 75K
Posts: 947
The other day I got an extremely unhelpful e-mail from Customer Service in response to a complaint about interlining in Australia. The AAgent spelled it "Quantas" - I couldn't stop laughing at the incompetence of it all!