Sep 22, 2017, 4:26 pm
Last edit by: Prospero
AA Ticket Refunds and Policies
As of 1 Apr 2016, 24 hour free cancellation, except bookings purchased within seven days of travel, is standard. Tickets purchased within seven days of travel are exempt from 24 hour cancellation policies, per USDOT.
NOTE: Hold can be used when offered. (As of 3 Nov 2016, AA randomly offers free 24 hour hold to those booking travel over seven days out, and some still report being offered up to 7 days hold for $15.99.)
Current refunds policy:
Getting a reservation refunded is a two-step process. First cancel the reservation on aa.com or by calling Reservations, then second request the refund at http://prefunds.aa.com.
For bookings made online, AA may continue to sometimes offer hold for unspecified interim going forward, but 24 hours hold via telephone booking may no longer be granted by agents (though occasional ones might anyway).
update July 2016
Fully refundable tickets that are cancelled: fare, fees and taxes will be returned to the original form of payment (FOP).
Nonrefundable tickets that are cancelled voluntarily: AA will generally issue a voucher for the fare, taxes and fees less the change fee described in the detailed fare rules. The voucher may be used for AA flights and other limited purposes. See Transportation Voucher / vouchers / "MCO" FAQ and master thread.
Full refunds, even for nonrefundable tickets, may often be made for the full fare, fees and taxes:
"We do not refund nonrefundable American Airlines tickets except when the ticket is cancelled within 24 hours of purchase, when we make a schedule change that results in a change of 61 minutes or more, upon the death of a passenger or passenger's travelling companion or because of military orders. Supporting documentation is required."
Some equipment changes, such as purchasing international First and being changed to a flight without First class, or a domestic F or Business seat is eliminated by substituting a single class Economy cabin, may also allow a full refund.
Don't forget to look at other venues for tickets, such as OTAs, if purchasing within the 7 day window and you would like some hedging protection. Expedia offers 24 hour cancellation on AA itineraries within the 7 day window and many AA itineraries can be held via Expedia Trip Lock (which charges a small fee to hold a fare for 48 hours).
As of 1 Apr 2016, 24 hour free cancellation, except bookings purchased within seven days of travel, is standard. Tickets purchased within seven days of travel are exempt from 24 hour cancellation policies, per USDOT.
NOTE: Hold can be used when offered. (As of 3 Nov 2016, AA randomly offers free 24 hour hold to those booking travel over seven days out, and some still report being offered up to 7 days hold for $15.99.)
Current refunds policy:
"You have 24 hours to cancel your trip for a full refund if you booked at least 7 days prior to departure. Link to AA Refunds FAQ."
For bookings made online, AA may continue to sometimes offer hold for unspecified interim going forward, but 24 hours hold via telephone booking may no longer be granted by agents (though occasional ones might anyway).
update July 2016
AA follows USDOT requirements to the letter:● 24 hour cancellation with refund and no penalty, though
● No free 24-hour cancellations for purchases made within seven days of flying (except on refundable fares)
● 24 hour hold will be offered for some random (at least to passengers) online bookings for some tickets for an undetermined interim period of time
● Extended hold for pay will still be offered online on many bookings (not within seven days)
● The five day holds for awards remains unaffected, but be aware all awards by non-elites also incur a $75 close in processing fee for 21 days or fewer from booking to flying.
● Awards that are cancelled incur a $150 redeposit fee (and $25 per other awards from the same account), except for Concierge Key and Executive Platinum members.
● No free 24-hour cancellations for purchases made within seven days of flying (except on refundable fares)
● 24 hour hold will be offered for some random (at least to passengers) online bookings for some tickets for an undetermined interim period of time
● Extended hold for pay will still be offered online on many bookings (not within seven days)
● The five day holds for awards remains unaffected, but be aware all awards by non-elites also incur a $75 close in processing fee for 21 days or fewer from booking to flying.
● Awards that are cancelled incur a $150 redeposit fee (and $25 per other awards from the same account), except for Concierge Key and Executive Platinum members.
Nonrefundable tickets that are cancelled voluntarily: AA will generally issue a voucher for the fare, taxes and fees less the change fee described in the detailed fare rules. The voucher may be used for AA flights and other limited purposes. See Transportation Voucher / vouchers / "MCO" FAQ and master thread.
Full refunds, even for nonrefundable tickets, may often be made for the full fare, fees and taxes:
"We do not refund nonrefundable American Airlines tickets except when the ticket is cancelled within 24 hours of purchase, when we make a schedule change that results in a change of 61 minutes or more, upon the death of a passenger or passenger's travelling companion or because of military orders. Supporting documentation is required."
Some equipment changes, such as purchasing international First and being changed to a flight without First class, or a domestic F or Business seat is eliminated by substituting a single class Economy cabin, may also allow a full refund.
Don't forget to look at other venues for tickets, such as OTAs, if purchasing within the 7 day window and you would like some hedging protection. Expedia offers 24 hour cancellation on AA itineraries within the 7 day window and many AA itineraries can be held via Expedia Trip Lock (which charges a small fee to hold a fare for 48 hours).
AA Ticket Refund and Related (master thread)
Oct 22, 2016, 10:07 am
#47
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Madison WI
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT - 2.9MM, Lifetime AC, HHonors Gold, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat Amb, Hertz Precs Crcl
Posts: 2,213
Any idea how long for AA to "process" a refund?
I had to cancel a trip to Australia that I was sure was non-refundable. However three different agents (all after checking with their rate desk) told me all but $200 WAS refundable to my CC (or could be changed to a new ticket for a $100 fee with any residual to a paper voucher.) For anyone interested, that fare basis is OLX4QT1. Not wanting to deal with a paper voucher, I took the refund route.
Naturally I had to use the refund portal, and it said the refund could not be automatically processed. So I filled in everything and submitted it. It now says it is "in process." Any idea how long before AA actually looks at it? (Once AA does process it I'd except to see a fast credit since it is a Citi AAdvantage card.)
Naturally I had to use the refund portal, and it said the refund could not be automatically processed. So I filled in everything and submitted it. It now says it is "in process." Any idea how long before AA actually looks at it? (Once AA does process it I'd except to see a fast credit since it is a Citi AAdvantage card.)
Oct 22, 2016, 10:07 am
#48
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Madison WI
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT - 2.9MM, Lifetime AC, HHonors Gold, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat Amb, Hertz Precs Crcl
Posts: 2,213
Any idea how long for AA to "process" a refund?
I had to cancel a trip to Australia that I was sure was non-refundable. However three different agents (all after checking with their rate desk) told me all but $200 WAS refundable to my CC (or could be changed to a new ticket for a $100 fee with any residual to a paper voucher.) For anyone interested, that fare basis is OLX4QT1. Not wanting to deal with a paper voucher, I took the refund route.
Naturally I had to use the refund portal, and it said the refund could not be automatically processed. So I filled in everything and submitted it. It now says it is "in process." Any idea how long before AA actually looks at it? (Once AA does process it I'd except to see a fast credit since it is a Citi AAdvantage card.)
Naturally I had to use the refund portal, and it said the refund could not be automatically processed. So I filled in everything and submitted it. It now says it is "in process." Any idea how long before AA actually looks at it? (Once AA does process it I'd except to see a fast credit since it is a Citi AAdvantage card.)
Oct 22, 2016, 1:30 pm
#49
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: CHS
Programs: UA GS, Bonvoy Amabassador, Hertz PC
Posts: 2,589
Did I mess up - trying to get a refund with AA
Hello...
I generally fly united, but as I won't make GS and I won't make the next break on getting certificates, I decided to try American
I bought 2 tickets, both one ways, both were refundable
I cancelled them
I tried the refunds site and nothing worked - said they couldn't be processed
1st phone call to AA desk said wait an hour
after 4 hours, still not working so I called back, that person said wait 24 hours
Tried just now and it works (26 hours later)
I had to fill out 2 forms for each ticket and they will be forwarded to a specialist to see if I can get my money back on a refundable ticket
Did I miss something? as someone who makes and cancels probably 50 tickets a year, if I have to do this for every ticket, I'll go insane.
Please tell me I missed a checkbox or something where they just refund my money rather than what i just went thru.
Mod - thanks for moving - I searched first but didn't find this gem, after reading the first 2 pages, I am horrified beyond belief and I guess Delta will be my back up
I generally fly united, but as I won't make GS and I won't make the next break on getting certificates, I decided to try American
I bought 2 tickets, both one ways, both were refundable
I cancelled them
I tried the refunds site and nothing worked - said they couldn't be processed
1st phone call to AA desk said wait an hour
after 4 hours, still not working so I called back, that person said wait 24 hours
Tried just now and it works (26 hours later)
I had to fill out 2 forms for each ticket and they will be forwarded to a specialist to see if I can get my money back on a refundable ticket
Did I miss something? as someone who makes and cancels probably 50 tickets a year, if I have to do this for every ticket, I'll go insane.
Please tell me I missed a checkbox or something where they just refund my money rather than what i just went thru.
Mod - thanks for moving - I searched first but didn't find this gem, after reading the first 2 pages, I am horrified beyond belief and I guess Delta will be my back up
Last edited by Hipplewm; Oct 22, 2016 at 1:49 pm
Oct 22, 2016, 1:30 pm
#50
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: CHS
Programs: UA GS, Bonvoy Amabassador, Hertz PC
Posts: 2,589
Did I mess up - trying to get a refund with AA
Hello...
I generally fly united, but as I won't make GS and I won't make the next break on getting certificates, I decided to try American
I bought 2 tickets, both one ways, both were refundable
I cancelled them
I tried the refunds site and nothing worked - said they couldn't be processed
1st phone call to AA desk said wait an hour
after 4 hours, still not working so I called back, that person said wait 24 hours
Tried just now and it works (26 hours later)
I had to fill out 2 forms for each ticket and they will be forwarded to a specialist to see if I can get my money back on a refundable ticket
Did I miss something? as someone who makes and cancels probably 50 tickets a year, if I have to do this for every ticket, I'll go insane.
Please tell me I missed a checkbox or something where they just refund my money rather than what i just went thru.
Mod - thanks for moving - I searched first but didn't find this gem, after reading the first 2 pages, I am horrified beyond belief and I guess Delta will be my back up
I generally fly united, but as I won't make GS and I won't make the next break on getting certificates, I decided to try American
I bought 2 tickets, both one ways, both were refundable
I cancelled them
I tried the refunds site and nothing worked - said they couldn't be processed
1st phone call to AA desk said wait an hour
after 4 hours, still not working so I called back, that person said wait 24 hours
Tried just now and it works (26 hours later)
I had to fill out 2 forms for each ticket and they will be forwarded to a specialist to see if I can get my money back on a refundable ticket
Did I miss something? as someone who makes and cancels probably 50 tickets a year, if I have to do this for every ticket, I'll go insane.
Please tell me I missed a checkbox or something where they just refund my money rather than what i just went thru.
Mod - thanks for moving - I searched first but didn't find this gem, after reading the first 2 pages, I am horrified beyond belief and I guess Delta will be my back up
Oct 22, 2016, 9:19 pm
#53
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
I had to cancel a trip to Australia that I was sure was non-refundable. However three different agents (all after checking with their rate desk) told me all but $200 WAS refundable to my CC (or could be changed to a new ticket for a $100 fee with any residual to a paper voucher.) For anyone interested, that fare basis is OLX4QT1. Not wanting to deal with a paper voucher, I took the refund route.
Naturally I had to use the refund portal, and it said the refund could not be automatically processed. So I filled in everything and submitted it. It now says it is "in process." Any idea how long before AA actually looks at it? (Once AA does process it I'd except to see a fast credit since it is a Citi AAdvantage card.)
Naturally I had to use the refund portal, and it said the refund could not be automatically processed. So I filled in everything and submitted it. It now says it is "in process." Any idea how long before AA actually looks at it? (Once AA does process it I'd except to see a fast credit since it is a Citi AAdvantage card.)
We've started and consolidated this thread on cancellations and refunds (which took time due to an emergency) because the previous thread was as much about the now non-existent 24 hour hold.
/Moderator
*See the Wikipost for AA FAQ and links.
Oct 22, 2016, 9:19 pm
#54
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
I had to cancel a trip to Australia that I was sure was non-refundable. However three different agents (all after checking with their rate desk) told me all but $200 WAS refundable to my CC (or could be changed to a new ticket for a $100 fee with any residual to a paper voucher.) For anyone interested, that fare basis is OLX4QT1. Not wanting to deal with a paper voucher, I took the refund route.
Naturally I had to use the refund portal, and it said the refund could not be automatically processed. So I filled in everything and submitted it. It now says it is "in process." Any idea how long before AA actually looks at it? (Once AA does process it I'd except to see a fast credit since it is a Citi AAdvantage card.)
Naturally I had to use the refund portal, and it said the refund could not be automatically processed. So I filled in everything and submitted it. It now says it is "in process." Any idea how long before AA actually looks at it? (Once AA does process it I'd except to see a fast credit since it is a Citi AAdvantage card.)
We've started and consolidated this thread on cancellations and refunds (which took time due to an emergency) because the previous thread was as much about the now non-existent 24 hour hold.
/Moderator
*See the Wikipost for AA FAQ and links.
Nov 4, 2016, 4:58 am
#55
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: London, UK
Programs: Delta Platinum, BA Silver
Posts: 88
Hi!
Just have a question about the 24h refund policy. Does that work for changes too ?
What I mean is, if I book a ticket and call within 24h to change it will they waive the change fee or do I need to cancel, get a refund, and book again ?
Thanks
Just have a question about the 24h refund policy. Does that work for changes too ?
What I mean is, if I book a ticket and call within 24h to change it will they waive the change fee or do I need to cancel, get a refund, and book again ?
Thanks
Nov 4, 2016, 4:58 am
#56
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: London, UK
Programs: Delta Platinum, BA Silver
Posts: 88
Hi!
Just have a question about the 24h refund policy. Does that work for changes too ?
What I mean is, if I book a ticket and call within 24h to change it will they waive the change fee or do I need to cancel, get a refund, and book again ?
Thanks
Just have a question about the 24h refund policy. Does that work for changes too ?
What I mean is, if I book a ticket and call within 24h to change it will they waive the change fee or do I need to cancel, get a refund, and book again ?
Thanks
Nov 4, 2016, 6:20 am
#57
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 393
Not sure if this is the best place to ask but...
Bought a non-refundable ticket through Amex PTS...had to cancel it a month later (still before departure) though Agent indicated less the change fee, credit could be used for within 1 year.
Can an AAgent perform the new ticketing, utilizing my credit? Or does PTS need to do this? And how lucidly is there to be issues with the re-ticketing?
If it helps, ticket was Ex-USA on AA metal
Bought a non-refundable ticket through Amex PTS...had to cancel it a month later (still before departure) though Agent indicated less the change fee, credit could be used for within 1 year.
Can an AAgent perform the new ticketing, utilizing my credit? Or does PTS need to do this? And how lucidly is there to be issues with the re-ticketing?
If it helps, ticket was Ex-USA on AA metal
Nov 4, 2016, 6:20 am
#58
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 393
Not sure if this is the best place to ask but...
Bought a non-refundable ticket through Amex PTS...had to cancel it a month later (still before departure) though Agent indicated less the change fee, credit could be used for within 1 year.
Can an AAgent perform the new ticketing, utilizing my credit? Or does PTS need to do this? And how lucidly is there to be issues with the re-ticketing?
If it helps, ticket was Ex-USA on AA metal
Bought a non-refundable ticket through Amex PTS...had to cancel it a month later (still before departure) though Agent indicated less the change fee, credit could be used for within 1 year.
Can an AAgent perform the new ticketing, utilizing my credit? Or does PTS need to do this? And how lucidly is there to be issues with the re-ticketing?
If it helps, ticket was Ex-USA on AA metal