Originally Posted by
frank_10b
Refundable fares need not be cancelled before departure, right?
Correct.
Yet, I just called (3x) and all 3 said that all fares must be cancelled before departure. Are they just mistaken?
Yes, they are just mistaken. There is no restriction on when a refundable fare ticket needs to be canceled in order to receive a refund, other than within the ticket validity period (generally one year from date of issue).
(I didnt want to reveal my res no to the agent unless I had a favorable answer).
That may have been a contributing factor to the three wrong answers by AAgents. Without a specific PNR to reference they probably assumed your general question related to nonrefundable tickets, which generally DO need to be canceled prior to departure to retain any value. Refundable tickets are a whole different ballgame.