FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - Non-refundable ticket question: Bought a ticket for someone else, need to cancel
Old Mar 19, 2014 | 3:16 pm
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Madison Guy
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Originally Posted by pauleeepaul
I thought the residual over the value of the initial ticket over the first rebooking (which could be a cheap throwaway) would be issued as a voucher that anyone could fly on- you might explore that possibility if the value of the initial ticket is high.
Originally Posted by BrianV
I wish/hope that is the case, but my initial gut was that it is basically married to the original ticketed passenger. I'll report back, will call tomorrow, or actually may have an Admirals Club lady (they're all ladies in Austin) handle or advise on this for me during my travels tomorrow.
That could well work IF a voucher is issued. Generally, IME, you must keep track of the 13-digit ticket number (not PNR) and when you re-ticket, at that time they will apply the full value to your new PNR and and also charge the change fee. (If somehow there is still a credit, that may become a voucher.) Hence only the original name can use it. This is what I've seen happen on a voluntary cancel. Now when AA has a schedule change that makes the flight unacceptable or they initiate a cancel and you don't accept their re-route, then you can get a voucher or even a full refund.

Perhaps others know how to get a voucher issued immediately on a voluntary cancel? (Reading again what pauleeepaul wrote, I think we're saying the same thing - the first reissue must be to the same name. That first reissue, if the new fare is a cheap dummy throwaway and that plus the $200 fee still has a significant amount left over - that might be worth the effort.)
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