I have been trying this with American as well. They have no idea what I am talking about when I ask if I can take over the ticket and pay a fee. They say only the travel agency can do anything about it. They said this is a bulk ticket bought at discount and they don't even have a price on it at American.

Seems there is conflicting information here. Some are saying points cannot be returned and others are saying Citi said they would return points minus their and the airlines fees.

Citi's own terms don't seem to make a lot of sense.

"Quote:

If I cancel my flight, will I lose my ThankYou Points?

Once an airline ticket reservation has been booked, cancellation is not permitted and the points will not be returned. Only one change to the travel booking may be allowed and the ticket value will be applied to a future purchase with the same airline, less the applicable change fees and the possibility of a fare difference."

So if I cancel and points are not returned, how would I apply the ticket value to a future purchase with the same airline, less the applicable fees? It sounds like what they are referring to here is a voucher.

I will be calling Citi to see what can be done. It looks like with American that is the only option.

Edit: Called Citi

I called TYP and they got me to the "Exchange Department". Here is what they told me. I can Cancel the ticket and $200 plus their $50 will be deducted. American will hold that credit on this ticket and Citi can book a ticket using that credit for travel which completes one year from time of original booking.

I asked if this is a voucher. He said it is not a voucher, there is no physical voucher. And unlike a voucher it cannot be applied to someone else, it can only be used on him.

I had hoped to get a travel voucher so I could perhaps apply the funds to someone else or extend them by buying a fully refundable ticket and then cancelling them which would get me another 12 months on a new voucher. Perhaps they could do that with this as well, but I am not sure? I am thinking not, due to their "one change" statement above.

Problem is, the person I bought this ticket for cannot take off from his new job now, and I am concerned he wouldn't be able to take off from his job by 6/15/14 either, and can't envision any travel plans he would be wanting to go on anyway in particular for the cost of the $600 which will be left on this ticket.