Sep 22, 2017, 4:26 pm
Last edit by: Prospero
AA Ticket Refunds and Policies
As of 1 Apr 2016, 24 hour free cancellation, except bookings purchased within seven days of travel, is standard. Tickets purchased within seven days of travel are exempt from 24 hour cancellation policies, per USDOT.
NOTE: Hold can be used when offered. (As of 3 Nov 2016, AA randomly offers free 24 hour hold to those booking travel over seven days out, and some still report being offered up to 7 days hold for $15.99.)
Current refunds policy:
Getting a reservation refunded is a two-step process. First cancel the reservation on aa.com or by calling Reservations, then second request the refund at http://prefunds.aa.com.
For bookings made online, AA may continue to sometimes offer hold for unspecified interim going forward, but 24 hours hold via telephone booking may no longer be granted by agents (though occasional ones might anyway).
update July 2016
Fully refundable tickets that are cancelled: fare, fees and taxes will be returned to the original form of payment (FOP).
Nonrefundable tickets that are cancelled voluntarily: AA will generally issue a voucher for the fare, taxes and fees less the change fee described in the detailed fare rules. The voucher may be used for AA flights and other limited purposes. See Transportation Voucher / vouchers / "MCO" FAQ and master thread.
Full refunds, even for nonrefundable tickets, may often be made for the full fare, fees and taxes:
"We do not refund nonrefundable American Airlines tickets except when the ticket is cancelled within 24 hours of purchase, when we make a schedule change that results in a change of 61 minutes or more, upon the death of a passenger or passenger's travelling companion or because of military orders. Supporting documentation is required."
Some equipment changes, such as purchasing international First and being changed to a flight without First class, or a domestic F or Business seat is eliminated by substituting a single class Economy cabin, may also allow a full refund.
Don't forget to look at other venues for tickets, such as OTAs, if purchasing within the 7 day window and you would like some hedging protection. Expedia offers 24 hour cancellation on AA itineraries within the 7 day window and many AA itineraries can be held via Expedia Trip Lock (which charges a small fee to hold a fare for 48 hours).
As of 1 Apr 2016, 24 hour free cancellation, except bookings purchased within seven days of travel, is standard. Tickets purchased within seven days of travel are exempt from 24 hour cancellation policies, per USDOT.
NOTE: Hold can be used when offered. (As of 3 Nov 2016, AA randomly offers free 24 hour hold to those booking travel over seven days out, and some still report being offered up to 7 days hold for $15.99.)
Current refunds policy:
"You have 24 hours to cancel your trip for a full refund if you booked at least 7 days prior to departure. Link to AA Refunds FAQ."
For bookings made online, AA may continue to sometimes offer hold for unspecified interim going forward, but 24 hours hold via telephone booking may no longer be granted by agents (though occasional ones might anyway).
update July 2016
AA follows USDOT requirements to the letter:● 24 hour cancellation with refund and no penalty, though
● No free 24-hour cancellations for purchases made within seven days of flying (except on refundable fares)
● 24 hour hold will be offered for some random (at least to passengers) online bookings for some tickets for an undetermined interim period of time
● Extended hold for pay will still be offered online on many bookings (not within seven days)
● The five day holds for awards remains unaffected, but be aware all awards by non-elites also incur a $75 close in processing fee for 21 days or fewer from booking to flying.
● Awards that are cancelled incur a $150 redeposit fee (and $25 per other awards from the same account), except for Concierge Key and Executive Platinum members.
● No free 24-hour cancellations for purchases made within seven days of flying (except on refundable fares)
● 24 hour hold will be offered for some random (at least to passengers) online bookings for some tickets for an undetermined interim period of time
● Extended hold for pay will still be offered online on many bookings (not within seven days)
● The five day holds for awards remains unaffected, but be aware all awards by non-elites also incur a $75 close in processing fee for 21 days or fewer from booking to flying.
● Awards that are cancelled incur a $150 redeposit fee (and $25 per other awards from the same account), except for Concierge Key and Executive Platinum members.
Nonrefundable tickets that are cancelled voluntarily: AA will generally issue a voucher for the fare, taxes and fees less the change fee described in the detailed fare rules. The voucher may be used for AA flights and other limited purposes. See Transportation Voucher / vouchers / "MCO" FAQ and master thread.
Full refunds, even for nonrefundable tickets, may often be made for the full fare, fees and taxes:
"We do not refund nonrefundable American Airlines tickets except when the ticket is cancelled within 24 hours of purchase, when we make a schedule change that results in a change of 61 minutes or more, upon the death of a passenger or passenger's travelling companion or because of military orders. Supporting documentation is required."
Some equipment changes, such as purchasing international First and being changed to a flight without First class, or a domestic F or Business seat is eliminated by substituting a single class Economy cabin, may also allow a full refund.
Don't forget to look at other venues for tickets, such as OTAs, if purchasing within the 7 day window and you would like some hedging protection. Expedia offers 24 hour cancellation on AA itineraries within the 7 day window and many AA itineraries can be held via Expedia Trip Lock (which charges a small fee to hold a fare for 48 hours).
AA Ticket Refund and Related (master thread)
May 3, 2016, 7:25 pm
#17
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 3,190
Sorry but you aren't familiar with AA policy and this is not the best advice.
AA used to have a 24hr HOLD policy thus giving you the ability to determine within that time if you wanted to purchase the ticket or not.
Just recently (but most likely after the OP purchased his ticket) they switched to a 24hr REFUND policy.
Specifically your last statement is the most troubling as I highly doubt the OP bought a fully refundable ticket (in the US it is rare to buy a refundable ticket but not unheard of). Most likely what will actually happen is the OP will get a credit/refund less a service charge (probably $200).
AA used to have a 24hr HOLD policy thus giving you the ability to determine within that time if you wanted to purchase the ticket or not.
Just recently (but most likely after the OP purchased his ticket) they switched to a 24hr REFUND policy.
Specifically your last statement is the most troubling as I highly doubt the OP bought a fully refundable ticket (in the US it is rare to buy a refundable ticket but not unheard of). Most likely what will actually happen is the OP will get a credit/refund less a service charge (probably $200).
So to me, it looks like you are attacking my post for some (unknown) reason, rather than taking it at face value and realizing the strategic caveats in there. What did I do to you?
rb211.
May 3, 2016, 9:44 pm
#18
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Pittsburgh
Programs: MR/SPG LT Titanium, AA LT PLT, UA SLV, Avis PreferredPlus
Posts: 31,008
If you believe that post is "attacking", I suggest you be cautious posting around the interwebs. It was a series of factual corrections of false information/bad advice.
May 3, 2016, 9:47 pm
#19
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 3,190
Seriously, where was any of the information I provided false? Where did I provide any bad advice?
rb211.
May 4, 2016, 9:51 pm
#20
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,203
Time to Refund to Credit Card on Refundable Ticket
If you book fully flexible refundable ticket online (say about 30 days in advance) and cancel it online (say about 7 days before travel date), how long it takes to refund show up on your credit card.
With some other airlines or even third party sites, it is usually within 2-3 business days. AA claims that I need to wait 2 billing cycles. (thought it was just the usual legal fine print but reality might be shorter)
What is the usual realistic timeframe to expect refund to show up on credit card for fully flexible refundable ticket?
With some other airlines or even third party sites, it is usually within 2-3 business days. AA claims that I need to wait 2 billing cycles. (thought it was just the usual legal fine print but reality might be shorter)
What is the usual realistic timeframe to expect refund to show up on credit card for fully flexible refundable ticket?
May 4, 2016, 10:14 pm
#22
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,203
Thank you for quick response.
Your underlined words made me research bit further.
So even for fully flexible refundable tickets, refunds to CC are not automatic but one has to actually go through a special web portal to request refund. is that policy still in force?
Your underlined words made me research bit further.
So even for fully flexible refundable tickets, refunds to CC are not automatic but one has to actually go through a special web portal to request refund. is that policy still in force?
May 4, 2016, 10:55 pm
#23
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: ORD
Programs: AA ExPlat, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Plat
Posts: 71
In my experience I see the money back on my credit card between 3 and 14 days after submitting the refund request to AA.
May 4, 2016, 10:55 pm
#24
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: North America
Posts: 2,265
I have not requested a refund from AA recently but I remember they have an ancient process.
I'm sure someone else will chime in soon. [Edit: above]
May 5, 2016, 11:36 am
#26
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Wanting First. Buying First.
Programs: Lifetime Executive Diamond Platinum VIP with Braniff, Eastern, Midway, National & Pan Am
Posts: 17,492
What is the usual realistic timeframe to expect refund to show up on credit card for fully flexible refundable ticket?
I've never requested a refund online. I always just call Res. I don't think it's ever taken more than 2 or 3 days for the credit to be posted to my credit card.
May 5, 2016, 11:39 am
#27
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Dallas
Programs: AAdvantage EXP, IHG Spire, Marriott Gold, HHonors Gold, National Executive Elite
Posts: 1,523
May 5, 2016, 12:37 pm
#28
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
All merchants are told by their card processor to advise consumers that it may take 2 billing cycles. That advice is 30 years old. But, it keeps many people off their card issuer's back.
If AA promptly processed your refund and you have a card issued by a major commercial bank, you should see the credit as pending within 2-3 business days and finalized within a day after that.
If AA promptly processed your refund and you have a card issued by a major commercial bank, you should see the credit as pending within 2-3 business days and finalized within a day after that.