Originally Posted by MiamiAirport Formerly NY George

There's a difference between an electronic flight voucher which has a long number and a four digit pin and a flight credit. The latter can be used online, the former requires you to put the reservation on hold and call in to ticket.

Me thinks like gift cards AA will hope (and plans) that a certain percentage of people will forget about the flight credit or not know how to use it and not call in.