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)
Jan 19, 2017, 8:25 am
#91
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Dallas
Programs: AAdvantage EXP, IHG Spire, Marriott Gold, HHonors Gold, National Executive Elite
Posts: 1,523
Check to see if AA overcharged you. I had this 2 weeks ago. I bought a $1094 ticket and they charged me twice over 2 days. The 3rd day, they refunded the second charge. They issued the refund the day of travel, which scared the .... out of me thinking they cancelled my flight. I found later on after checking my statement the double charges.
And it was AMEX that notified me of the refund, not AA.
And it was AMEX that notified me of the refund, not AA.
Jan 19, 2017, 8:42 am
#92
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
Maybe it's an error. If so, you may see it reversed soon enough. Don't spend it just yet !
However, when audit picks up an error which favors the customer, a refund does have to be issued. Despite what some people think, a public company can't simply pocket the cash.
However, when audit picks up an error which favors the customer, a refund does have to be issued. Despite what some people think, a public company can't simply pocket the cash.
Jan 19, 2017, 11:39 am
#94
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: LAX, LGB, SNA
Programs: AA EXP OWE, DL DM ST+, AS MVPG, UA, BA, WN CP, Hyatt E, Ritz Plat, HH GM
Posts: 3,185
Apr 21, 2017, 8:16 am
#95
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Beantown! (BOS)
Programs: AA PtPro (2 MM); Hilton Diamond; Hertz President Cr; DL SkyMiles; UA MileagePlus
Posts: 3,440
I just got an e-mail which looks just like what OP described.
-I did not request a refund from AA.
-The e-mail spells out my full first name and full last name correctly.
-Master Card with last four digit listed on the e-mail is not mine.
-E-mail has AA logo.
-Says sender e-mail address is first.last@aa.com
-E-mail does not have any attachments nor links.
Looks highly suspicious. What is the point of this e-mail when there is no attachments nor links? One I can think is that this e-mail did not bounce back to the sender as undeliverable, confirming to the sender that this e-mail address is active e-mail address where bunch of spams and phishing e-mails can be sent…
-I did not request a refund from AA.
-The e-mail spells out my full first name and full last name correctly.
-Master Card with last four digit listed on the e-mail is not mine.
-E-mail has AA logo.
-Says sender e-mail address is first.last@aa.com
-E-mail does not have any attachments nor links.
Looks highly suspicious. What is the point of this e-mail when there is no attachments nor links? One I can think is that this e-mail did not bounce back to the sender as undeliverable, confirming to the sender that this e-mail address is active e-mail address where bunch of spams and phishing e-mails can be sent…
Apr 21, 2017, 8:30 am
#96
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: South Florida
Programs: AA LTG (EXP), Hilton Silver (Dia), Marriott LTP (PP), SPG LTG (P) > MPG LTPP
Posts: 11,329
I just got an e-mail which looks just like what OP described.
-I did not request a refund from AA.
-The e-mail spells out my full first name and full last name correctly.
-Master Card with last four digit listed on the e-mail is not mine.
-E-mail has AA logo.
-Says sender e-mail address is first.last@aa.com
-E-mail does not have any attachments nor links.
Looks highly suspicious. What is the point of this e-mail when there is no attachments nor links? One I can think is that this e-mail did not bounce back to the sender as undeliverable, confirming to the sender that this e-mail address is active e-mail address where bunch of spams and phishing e-mails can be sent…
-I did not request a refund from AA.
-The e-mail spells out my full first name and full last name correctly.
-Master Card with last four digit listed on the e-mail is not mine.
-E-mail has AA logo.
-Says sender e-mail address is first.last@aa.com
-E-mail does not have any attachments nor links.
Looks highly suspicious. What is the point of this e-mail when there is no attachments nor links? One I can think is that this e-mail did not bounce back to the sender as undeliverable, confirming to the sender that this e-mail address is active e-mail address where bunch of spams and phishing e-mails can be sent…
Yes, it could be the result of a simple error on an AAgent's part where they mashed up your account with a legitimate refund. As long as the CC number is correct (the proper pax) then it should shake out fine.
Apr 21, 2017, 8:32 am
#97
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Beantown! (BOS)
Programs: AA PtPro (2 MM); Hilton Diamond; Hertz President Cr; DL SkyMiles; UA MileagePlus
Posts: 3,440
Follow-up:
I did go to AA.com refund page and entered the ticket number listed on the e-mail. Says refund was issued on the same date as the e-mail indicates, same amount as e-mail indicates, and to the same last four digit Master Card e-mail indicates.
So was this legitimate e-mail form AA but sent to the wrong person?
I did go to AA.com refund page and entered the ticket number listed on the e-mail. Says refund was issued on the same date as the e-mail indicates, same amount as e-mail indicates, and to the same last four digit Master Card e-mail indicates.
So was this legitimate e-mail form AA but sent to the wrong person?
Apr 21, 2017, 12:44 pm
#98
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2004
Location: DFW/DAL
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, AS MVPG, HH Diamond, NCL Platinum Plus, MSC Diamond
Posts: 21,422
Follow-up:
I did go to AA.com refund page and entered the ticket number listed on the e-mail. Says refund was issued on the same date as the e-mail indicates, same amount as e-mail indicates, and to the same last four digit Master Card e-mail indicates.
So was this legitimate e-mail form AA but sent to the wrong person?
I did go to AA.com refund page and entered the ticket number listed on the e-mail. Says refund was issued on the same date as the e-mail indicates, same amount as e-mail indicates, and to the same last four digit Master Card e-mail indicates.
So was this legitimate e-mail form AA but sent to the wrong person?
Apr 21, 2017, 5:10 pm
#99
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: AA, UA, GE
Posts: 5,127
Apr 21, 2017, 5:36 pm
#100
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: NYC
Posts: 6,437
A few months ago, someone signed up for Netflix with an email address of mine. I'd guess stuff like this happens fairly often.
Apr 21, 2017, 7:43 pm
#101
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: AA, UA, GE
Posts: 5,127
Apr 21, 2017, 7:51 pm
#102
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: NYC
Posts: 6,437
FWIW, I called Netflix to report the email address issue. They said they'd stop sending me emails. I asked what would happen to the account. They basically said the account would continue to be charged, but wouldn't be usable until the real holder contacted them.
May 10, 2017, 9:44 am
#103
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 52
AA schedule change - but I don't want a refund
Some months ago, I booked 4 domestic one way tickets on AA with sAAver miles (so 12,500 miles each). They just notified me of a change in my flights that now causes me to leave 2 hours later, arriving at my destination 2 hours later. I am not happy about the change as I would much prefer to arrive earlier rather than later.
I called but the only other flight they said I was eligible for was an even later flight. She offered to refund my miles - but that doesn't help me since pretty much all other flights that day are now 30k miles.
Is there anything I can do? My ideal would be a flight that leaves about 4 hours earlier than my original flight.
First time using AA miles so a lot to learn. Thanks
I called but the only other flight they said I was eligible for was an even later flight. She offered to refund my miles - but that doesn't help me since pretty much all other flights that day are now 30k miles.
Is there anything I can do? My ideal would be a flight that leaves about 4 hours earlier than my original flight.
First time using AA miles so a lot to learn. Thanks
May 10, 2017, 10:02 am
#105
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: San Diego, Ca
Programs: AA 2MM LT PLT; AS MVP Gold75k; HHonors Diamond; IHG PLT
Posts: 3,503
HUCA.
In virtually ever instance of an award schedule change I can recall, I was eventually able to secure the preferred itinerary - even in cases where saaver award inventory was not available. Perhaps my status helped?
In virtually ever instance of an award schedule change I can recall, I was eventually able to secure the preferred itinerary - even in cases where saaver award inventory was not available. Perhaps my status helped?