FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - Big trap in American Airlines 24-hour refund policy

Jun 10, 2022 | 12:52 am

#18

mikew99

Join Date: Feb 1999

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Fanjet

Doesn't this actually violate the federal regulations regarding ticket purchases? Remember, prior to this 24hr refund policy, one could place a reservation on a 24hr hold before ticketing. The airlines scrapped that policy in favor of this new one.

Quote:

Originally Posted by nk15

Yes, although AA kept both.

We hashed this out years ago here on FT. Essentially, the DOT rule requires airlines to offer either a hold or a refund, but they don't have to offer both. Because AA allows the hold [on most tickets they sell], they don't have to also offer the refund on those tickets.

I thought that the OP was going to explain that this hold was the "trap," and it kind of is: Most airlines just offer the refund, so in those situations where AA denies it, many people assume that AA is not following the law.

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