Originally Posted by geepmaley

AA site says this

Canceling flight awards and reinstating miles

If your plans change and you no longer wish to travel, you can cancel your trip anytime on aa.com. We’ll reinstate your miles and refund eligible taxes and fees up to 1 year after the ticket issue date, but you have to cancel your trip before the first flight departs. If you cancel your trip on aa.com, your miles will be reinstated and your refund will be requested automatically in most cases. There is no fee to reinstate your miles.

Find your trip

Contact Reservations for help reinstating miles on a trip that:

• Has already started
• Involves travel on partner airlines
• Was booked outside the U.S. or on an international version of aa.com
• Has been changed due to an uncontrollable event since the ticket was originally issued

Contact Reservations

Refunds of taxes and fees will be issued in full amounts, less:

• Sale-imposed nonrefundable taxes
• Taxes we must pay whether or not you travel

Some countries have different rules about refunds, and if so, we will follow those rules.