Jan 14, 2015, 11:06 am
Last edit by: JDiver
Free 24 hr. Hold For Reservations Made Within 7 Days Of Travel No Longer Offered
Note: AA no longer refunds tickets purchased within the seven days of flight time frame when one cancels within 24 hours, as of 12 June 2015.
Please follow that topic / policy here: AA No more Refunds within 24 hours if booked inside 7 day window
The 24-hour reservation requirement is mandated by the Department of Transportation’s consumer rule “Enhancing Airline Passenger Protections” (14 CFR 259.5(b)(4), 76 Fed. Reg. 23110, 23166, Apr. 25, 2011) and applies to all reservations made seven days or more prior to the flight’s scheduled departure time.
1) Allowing one to "hold" a booking for 24 hours rather than purchase immediately. Unfortunately, some may not know this and purchase thinking they can cancel within 24 hours free of fees or cost.
Q: How do I "Hold" a reservation?
A: You may place your reservation on hold for 24 hours if you are booking your reservation seven or more days prior to departure. When you make a reservation on aa.com for American Airlines flights, including American flights operated by codeshare partners, look for the “Free 24 hour hold” option on the “Review and Pay” page during the booking process.
AA Reservations FAQ - Link
A: You may place your reservation on hold for 24 hours if you are booking your reservation seven or more days prior to departure. When you make a reservation on aa.com for American Airlines flights, including American flights operated by codeshare partners, look for the “Free 24 hour hold” option on the “Review and Pay” page during the booking process.
AA Reservations FAQ - Link
Hold Your Reservation On aa.com (Link)
As a convenience for your travel planning, aa.com offers hold* options during booking. You may place your reservation on hold for up to 24 hours for free, or you may pay to place your reservation on hold for an extended time period. When you make a reservation on aa.com for American Airlines flights, including American flights operated by codeshare partners, look for the "Hold" option on the "Review and Pay" page during the booking process.
Hold your reservation for 24 hours or more
Book your flight now!
* Actual hold period depends on fare rules. Some fares require purchase by a specific time.
As a convenience for your travel planning, aa.com offers hold* options during booking. You may place your reservation on hold for up to 24 hours for free, or you may pay to place your reservation on hold for an extended time period. When you make a reservation on aa.com for American Airlines flights, including American flights operated by codeshare partners, look for the "Hold" option on the "Review and Pay" page during the booking process.
Hold your reservation for 24 hours or more
* Did you find a good fare, but need more time? Hold your trip.
Here's how it works: * All holds are free for the first 24 hours.
* If you choose to hold longer, you’ll be charged after 24 hours.
* Hold charges are non-refundable.
* When you’re ready, go to the confirmation email or My Trips to pay for or cancel your trip.
* Be sure to pay with a credit card from the same country you used to hold your trip or your fare may change.
Once you select the Hold option, the Free Hold and Extended Hold offers will display:* If you choose to hold longer, you’ll be charged after 24 hours.
* Hold charges are non-refundable.
* When you’re ready, go to the confirmation email or My Trips to pay for or cancel your trip.
* Be sure to pay with a credit card from the same country you used to hold your trip or your fare may change.
Book your flight now!
* Actual hold period depends on fare rules. Some fares require purchase by a specific time.
Link to PDF USDOT "Guidance on the 24-Hour Reservation Requirement"
Updated 1 July 2015
No More Free 24 hr. Hold For Reservations Made Within 7 Days Of Travel
Mar 25, 2014, 9:26 pm
#16
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP / LT PLT / 3MM, Marriott LT Gold
Posts: 35,399
Terrible news for me personally. I don't think I've booked a ticket in the last 10 years that I didn't hold first. But I guess there is a war against people holding fictitious seats for selfish purposes and this is the result.
Mar 26, 2014, 4:56 am
#17
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Boston, MA (BOS)
Programs: AA PLT Pro 2MM, DL Gold, UA Silver, Marriott Ambassador + LT Plat, COFC Venture X, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 5,587
Mar 26, 2014, 5:47 am
#18
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: AUS
Programs: BAEC Gold, AA PPro, Hyatt Globalist, Amex Plat
Posts: 7,043
Are you saying that you all your tickets in the last 10 years were booked inside a 7 day window?
Regards
Mar 26, 2014, 6:44 am
#19
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP / LT PLT / 3MM, Marriott LT Gold
Posts: 35,399
Mar 26, 2014, 7:11 am
#20
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: ORD
Programs: AA PLT, IHG Spire
Posts: 41
This will suck when a cancellation happens and there are long hold times, I typically now can go on the mobile app, find the flight I want to change to, put it on hold, and then when I get to either a phone agent or airport agent they can rebook me on that flight, now if I buy it outright I would imagine I am stuck paying for the new ticket....
Anyone else have thoughts on this situation? This happened a lot this year with the weather issues.
Anyone else have thoughts on this situation? This happened a lot this year with the weather issues.
Mar 26, 2014, 7:17 am
#21
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: AUS
Programs: BAEC Gold, AA PPro, Hyatt Globalist, Amex Plat
Posts: 7,043
Mar 26, 2014, 7:19 am
#22
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: AUS
Programs: BAEC Gold, AA PPro, Hyatt Globalist, Amex Plat
Posts: 7,043
This will suck when a cancellation happens and there are long hold times, I typically now can go on the mobile app, find the flight I want to change to, put it on hold, and then when I get to either a phone agent or airport agent they can rebook me on that flight, now if I buy it outright I would imagine I am stuck paying for the new ticket....
Anyone else have thoughts on this situation? This happened a lot this year with the weather issues.
Anyone else have thoughts on this situation? This happened a lot this year with the weather issues.
Regards
Mar 26, 2014, 7:29 am
#23
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: WAS
Programs: AA EXP, BA Bronze, TK Elite, Hyatt Diamond, Hilton Gold, Fairmont Premiere, IHG Ambas
Posts: 180
DP Why do you hate us?
Really Doug? Really? You couldn't help yourselves could you? One of those minor details that meant so much but got so little coverage. I definitely chose to spend the extra $25-50 on domestic short haul because I could do this while making other arrangements safe in knowing I don't have to try and figure out whether I will get a refund 24hrs post.
I guess its worth it for the newAA, but at what cost?
I never thought I would ever ever utter these words -- Southwest just looked a little better with that never ending price adjustment!
I guess its worth it for the newAA, but at what cost?
I never thought I would ever ever utter these words -- Southwest just looked a little better with that never ending price adjustment!
Mar 26, 2014, 7:33 am
#24
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
1. This change does not violate DOT rules. The DOT rules carve out the 7-day period prior to travel.
2. Another example of what happens when there are too many gamers. Just look at FT where people actually advise others to do this in order to increase their shot at an UG when the space isn't ticketed. That is called inventory spoilage and you can see that AA is agressively fighting this on all fronts, not just cancellations. Just take a look at the threads regarding people who book and cancel space and have their AA accounts shut down.
2. Another example of what happens when there are too many gamers. Just look at FT where people actually advise others to do this in order to increase their shot at an UG when the space isn't ticketed. That is called inventory spoilage and you can see that AA is agressively fighting this on all fronts, not just cancellations. Just take a look at the threads regarding people who book and cancel space and have their AA accounts shut down.
Mar 26, 2014, 7:42 am
#25
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: WAS
Programs: AA EXP, BA Bronze, TK Elite, Hyatt Diamond, Hilton Gold, Fairmont Premiere, IHG Ambas
Posts: 180
2. Another example of what happens when there are too many gamers. Just look at FT where people actually advise others to do this in order to increase their shot at an UG when the space isn't ticketed. That is called inventory spoilage and you can see that AA is agressively fighting this on all fronts, not just cancellations. Just take a look at the threads regarding people who book and cancel space and have their AA accounts shut down.
Mar 26, 2014, 7:59 am
#26
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: ORD
Programs: AA PLT, UA Silver, EK Gold, Hilton Diamond, Global Entry, Clear
Posts: 1,082
Mar 26, 2014, 8:08 am
#27
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 523
They should make this an option for PLT and EXP at least. This is very frustrating. This was a big advantage from AAdvantage!
Mar 26, 2014, 8:23 am
#28
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: SEA
Programs: WN A+, AS MVP75K, Marriott Platinum, National EE
Posts: 114
Did this change on Monday?
I was able to hold a last minute flight Saturday night for Sunday both on the phone and online.
I was able to hold a last minute flight Saturday night for Sunday both on the phone and online.
Mar 26, 2014, 8:24 am
#29
Join Date: Apr 2010
Programs: AA EXP, HH Diamond, MR Gold, SPG Gold, Hertz PC
Posts: 202
IMO, the close in hold will return as an "enhancement" (up-sell). At some point we will be offered the "new" feature of "Not ready to decide? Put your flight on hold for 48 hours (because they have to make it better than the formerly free 24 hours) for only $X." If you book within 48 hours the hold charge is deducted from the price. Really, even a $.99 hold fee would dramatically cut down on inventory spoilage, but once they can get away charging a fee, they're going to want to make money on it. I'm guessing about $5.
Of course, if they just switched from free hold to paid hold, people would have complained. So now, when they roll out this paid hold, people will be grateful. I figure we'll be seeing this in 60-90 days. And along with that, an enhanced hold for more than 7 days out.
The reason I think this will be a little different is that most new fees and charges are directed at more casual flyers. This is one aimed squarely at the most frequent flyers and business travelers so I have to believe there will be a part two to this story.
Of course, if they just switched from free hold to paid hold, people would have complained. So now, when they roll out this paid hold, people will be grateful. I figure we'll be seeing this in 60-90 days. And along with that, an enhanced hold for more than 7 days out.
The reason I think this will be a little different is that most new fees and charges are directed at more casual flyers. This is one aimed squarely at the most frequent flyers and business travelers so I have to believe there will be a part two to this story.
Mar 26, 2014, 8:26 am
#30
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,095