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, 2021, 10:15 pm
#391
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 247
Hello,
I know the answer but just double checking. My routing has changed from SEA-DFW-DUB to SEA-ORD-DUB. Due to restrictions in Dublin, likely my kids won't be able to travel (not vaccinated). I'd prefer refund over a voucher but I'm guess this doesn't qualify. Arrivals and departures are all within 240 mins of originals and honestly this routing is a shorter overall itinerary. Normally I'd be happy with this change but may need to cancel later anyway. Does changing the intermediate city quality for a refund?
Thanks
Ray
I know the answer but just double checking. My routing has changed from SEA-DFW-DUB to SEA-ORD-DUB. Due to restrictions in Dublin, likely my kids won't be able to travel (not vaccinated). I'd prefer refund over a voucher but I'm guess this doesn't qualify. Arrivals and departures are all within 240 mins of originals and honestly this routing is a shorter overall itinerary. Normally I'd be happy with this change but may need to cancel later anyway. Does changing the intermediate city quality for a refund?
Thanks
Ray
May 4, 2021, 9:26 am
#392
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: NYC/LAX
Programs: IATA, Sabre, AvgeekAgent
Posts: 1,976
Unfortunately, no. For the purposes of schedule change refunds AA considers your "flight" to be the entire purchased O&D journey, without regard to specific flight numbers or connecting points. For a connecting itinerary, only a change in departure or arrival time of 241 minutes or change of operating carrier would permit a refund.
Refund
Jul 30, 2021, 11:08 pm
#395
Join Date: Jul 2005
Programs: Hilton Diamond, Starwood Platinum, AA, SW, Delta
Posts: 892
Aa refund policy for using milss
I booked two tickets from lax to mia next week but I decide I won't be flying. I booked it using miles I read on aa that if i cancel before flight I will get my miles back and taxes paid? Is that true?
Aug 20, 2021, 7:14 am
#396
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: DTW
Programs: AA EXP, Delta GM, Marriott Titanium, Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 159
Need some help here, I have gone back and fourth with multiple EXP AAdvantage agents about what qualifies as a refund eligible flight. My understanding was that if the carrier changed I am eligible for a refund. I know this normally relates to Mainline -> Eagle and vice versa, however would this cover Eagle (Operated by Republic) -> Eagle (Operated by Skywest) as well? My understanding is that these are still different carriers and would be eligible for a refund.
Aug 21, 2021, 12:25 pm
#397
Join Date: May 2003
Location: DEL
Programs: Mucci du Miel d'Or
Posts: 2,393
My American flight to MIA to GIG has been cancelled as there is now no GIG service on the day I am travelling. I see that they want to put me on a GOL connecting flight from GRU. The GOL flight will get me there less than 4 hours after my original arrival time, but it's in economy and a connection I'd rather avoid.
1) Can I refund or 2) can I move dates?
1) Can I refund or 2) can I move dates?
Aug 23, 2021, 10:21 pm
#399
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: PHX and LIH
Programs: AA: 2 MM
Posts: 86,727
Anyone had trouble using flight credits lately? I followed all the instructions on the website - but using "Flight Credit" for payment wasn't an option on the screen (despite what the instructions show) so I called. Agent couldn't get it to work either. I've was on hold about a 1/2 hour with her checking back every 3-5 to let me know they were working on it. Finally went through.
Oct 20, 2021, 1:03 am
#400
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 138
I cancelled a booking, was told be a $100 fee and could now submit a refund request - it has been 9 days since I did that, it is still in Pending Review
I tried to search the forum for data points on recent refund - is this a normal delay (not sure why it needed a review?).
How long do people tend to see the Review status for - should I be worried yet of a delay? If I see no changes what is my best route to chase it up that will give me information?
Please advise if is a better thread or place to ask this - thanks!
I tried to search the forum for data points on recent refund - is this a normal delay (not sure why it needed a review?).
How long do people tend to see the Review status for - should I be worried yet of a delay? If I see no changes what is my best route to chase it up that will give me information?
Please advise if is a better thread or place to ask this - thanks!
Oct 30, 2021, 7:33 am
#401
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: London N8
Programs: BA (LTG), Miles&More (whatever the lowest level is), Oyster card (zones 1-2)
Posts: 909
I am trying to get my head around American's refund policy and fare classes. I wanted to book a refundable flight Miami to Cancun: by refundable I don't mean I might want to change and rebook, I wanted to book something where I could cancel it before travel and get my money back. I booked on AA.com asking it to give me a business flexible ticket, and it has put me into R Class, which I thought was restricted business?
Have I got this wrong? I cant find anywhere on the ticket what the refund conditions are, only that I have about 40 hours to cancel for free
Thanks!
Have I got this wrong? I cant find anywhere on the ticket what the refund conditions are, only that I have about 40 hours to cancel for free
Thanks!
Oct 30, 2021, 1:29 pm
#402
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: NYC/LAX
Programs: IATA, Sabre, AvgeekAgent
Posts: 1,976
I am trying to get my head around American's refund policy and fare classes. I wanted to book a refundable flight Miami to Cancun: by refundable I don't mean I might want to change and rebook, I wanted to book something where I could cancel it before travel and get my money back. I booked on AA.com asking it to give me a business flexible ticket, and it has put me into R Class, which I thought was restricted business?
Typically there is a ticket designator of SHRF appended to the fare basis (if you are able to find the fare rules) on these.
Oct 30, 2021, 2:49 pm
#403
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: London N8
Programs: BA (LTG), Miles&More (whatever the lowest level is), Oyster card (zones 1-2)
Posts: 909
Thank you. So does this mean that if I cancel I can get a full refund? (I can’t find the full fare rules on my ticket). I definitely booked ‘business flexible’ on aa.com.
Oct 30, 2021, 3:10 pm
#404
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: NYC/LAX
Programs: IATA, Sabre, AvgeekAgent
Posts: 1,976
I don't really shop on aa.com, but I can tell you that Business Flexible fares in Sabre's fare display are refundable to the original form of payment.