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)
Sep 3, 2018, 4:00 pm
#272
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: New Mexico
Posts: 5
Sep 11, 2018, 7:25 pm
#273
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: LAX
Programs: AAdvantage Platinum, Alitalia Freccia Alata
Posts: 212
I was yesterday incorrectly charged a $40 telephone booking fee for a JAL redemption, without the agent ever mentioning it. I see the extra charge pending, and it appeared magically on my e-receipt. Annoying.
For the refund on this sort of thing, is it best to call AAdvantage Customer Service or speak to a usual AAgent who deals with award travel? This happened to me years ago, and the agent was clueless—ended up reinstating miles and recharging everything, which gave me a scare. I can’t risk losing this ticket or having any accidental cancelations... who is best placed for this sort of refund?
For the refund on this sort of thing, is it best to call AAdvantage Customer Service or speak to a usual AAgent who deals with award travel? This happened to me years ago, and the agent was clueless—ended up reinstating miles and recharging everything, which gave me a scare. I can’t risk losing this ticket or having any accidental cancelations... who is best placed for this sort of refund?
Sep 12, 2018, 9:42 am
#274
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: LAX
Programs: AAdvantage Platinum, Alitalia Freccia Alata
Posts: 212
Just posting an update on the above as a data point, in case anyone else finds themselves in the same situation. Called Award Travel, and the AAgent was unclear how to do refund a $40 phone fee, so I asked him to consult a supervisor. The supervisor refunded the $40 successfully. My advice: ask for a supervisor if the partner award booking is still to be live after the refund. Searching through other threads, I see there's a few others who had my previous traumatic experience of an agent just cancelling everything in the refund process.
Jan 16, 2019, 11:23 am
#275
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 702
Earlier today I cancelled a reservation (booked less than 24 hours ago for an itinerary more than 7 days out) that was purchased using AA gift cards. According to the first rep I spoke to, the funds won't be return to the gift cards for at least 20 days. A second rep then said the funds will be refunded to an electronic voucher instead of to the original gift cards used. I searched AA's website and didn't find a clear explanation as to the refund policy when using gift cards. Can someone clarify? Thanks!
Jan 22, 2019, 4:04 pm
#276
Join Date: May 2011
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EXP, LT Gold
Posts: 3,145
I have three nonrefundable domestic tickets that I canceled within the last year.
Needing to book an INTL trip soon. I can only use the value of the canceled tickets on domestic trips, though, correct? Just checking to confirm before I cal and try.
Needing to book an INTL trip soon. I can only use the value of the canceled tickets on domestic trips, though, correct? Just checking to confirm before I cal and try.
Jan 22, 2019, 8:44 pm
#277
Join Date: May 2011
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EXP, LT Gold
Posts: 3,145
Called the EXP desk, and after 55 min on the phone with 3 different AAgents, I was able to apply all 3 balances from canceled domestic tickets to a new INTL ticket that I had placed on hold. ^
Feb 9, 2019, 8:14 am
#278
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Austin, TX
Programs: Free agent AAdvantage LT GLD
Posts: 221
Tried to searching for help on this before posting but it was hard to find search terms that didn't return a huge number of results. (cancel return flight credit was what I tried)
I want to fly AUS-LYS (CDG would be ok too) one-way in J on 4/25. The one way prices are much higher ($11k!) than the round trip prices so I was thinking I'd purchase r/t for $4137 on AA (flying BA metal via codeshare) with a return flt on 12/30. If I cancel the return flt after my departing flt how can I determine the residual value that I can use as future credit? The fare rules show a change fee of $500 but it's not clear what the residual credit would be. Best case is $4137 / 2 - $500 = $1568 which I'd be happy with but I know better than to assume that's how it'll work out. As an aside I have a friend that may be able to use the return so I wonder if I could pay the $500 to change the name on the ticket to his and keep the routing?
I want to fly AUS-LYS (CDG would be ok too) one-way in J on 4/25. The one way prices are much higher ($11k!) than the round trip prices so I was thinking I'd purchase r/t for $4137 on AA (flying BA metal via codeshare) with a return flt on 12/30. If I cancel the return flt after my departing flt how can I determine the residual value that I can use as future credit? The fare rules show a change fee of $500 but it's not clear what the residual credit would be. Best case is $4137 / 2 - $500 = $1568 which I'd be happy with but I know better than to assume that's how it'll work out. As an aside I have a friend that may be able to use the return so I wonder if I could pay the $500 to change the name on the ticket to his and keep the routing?
Feb 9, 2019, 3:15 pm
#279
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: NYC/PHX
Programs: IATA, Sabre, AvgeekAgent
Posts: 1,958
Tried to searching for help on this before posting but it was hard to find search terms that didn't return a huge number of results. (cancel return flight credit was what I tried)
I want to fly AUS-LYS (CDG would be ok too) one-way in J on 4/25. The one way prices are much higher ($11k!) than the round trip prices so I was thinking I'd purchase r/t for $4137 on AA (flying BA metal via codeshare) with a return flt on 12/30. If I cancel the return flt after my departing flt how can I determine the residual value that I can use as future credit? The fare rules show a change fee of $500 but it's not clear what the residual credit would be. Best case is $4137 / 2 - $500 = $1568 which I'd be happy with but I know better than to assume that's how it'll work out. As an aside I have a friend that may be able to use the return so I wonder if I could pay the $500 to change the name on the ticket to his and keep the routing?
I want to fly AUS-LYS (CDG would be ok too) one-way in J on 4/25. The one way prices are much higher ($11k!) than the round trip prices so I was thinking I'd purchase r/t for $4137 on AA (flying BA metal via codeshare) with a return flt on 12/30. If I cancel the return flt after my departing flt how can I determine the residual value that I can use as future credit? The fare rules show a change fee of $500 but it's not clear what the residual credit would be. Best case is $4137 / 2 - $500 = $1568 which I'd be happy with but I know better than to assume that's how it'll work out. As an aside I have a friend that may be able to use the return so I wonder if I could pay the $500 to change the name on the ticket to his and keep the routing?
Earning AA points in J looks expensive for your date of travel. If you can stomach PE, there are o/w consolidator fares AUS-LON-LYS in for under $1,300. If J is critical, this might be a good time to take advantage of TP's sale ($1300+ from EWR-LYS and just buy a cheap one-way to NY), but this is a lot less convenient than the BA flight.
Last edited by NYC Flyer; Feb 9, 2019 at 3:40 pm
Feb 10, 2019, 6:24 am
#280
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Austin, TX
Programs: Free agent AAdvantage LT GLD
Posts: 221
Thank you NYC flyer for the information that the return flight can't be turned into general credit or be transferred to another person even with the original routing (thought I could give it to the friend I'm visiting for him to come to the States).
I appreciate you pointing out the other options. Haven't done PE and I'd consider it more seriously if it saved me travel time but those are still 20 hours.
The Tap Portugal option is interesting and I see the $1300 EWR-LYS J flt on TP's site. When I change the origin to AUS that option disappears for J. I can book a separate Y ticket on UA for cheap but I either have a 90 min layover or 7.5 hr layover. I'd be comfortable with 90 min if this was all on the same itinerary but feels risky as separate record locators
Going to google flights I can get it to add UA AUS-EWR to make this all one record locator but the cost jumps to $2907 since it's adding the UA flt in J which is $1690 (!) by itself. I wish there was a way to make this a single record locator with the UA flt in Y and TP in J. Any idea how to make that happen?
There's a convoluted (AUS-SEA-FRA-LYS) with the long leg on Condor J for only $2100 with an 8 hr layover middle of the day in SEA. 29 hours of travel time but 9a-6p in Seattle wouldn't be bad if I meet up with a friend or do sight seeing. And I've flown their long haul J and despite it being angle flat I slept fine and the service / attitude was wonderful.
Last option is $3142 AUS-ORD-DUB-LYS with the long flt on Aer Lingus in J for $3142 with two 3 hr layovers.
I appreciate you pointing out the other options. Haven't done PE and I'd consider it more seriously if it saved me travel time but those are still 20 hours.
The Tap Portugal option is interesting and I see the $1300 EWR-LYS J flt on TP's site. When I change the origin to AUS that option disappears for J. I can book a separate Y ticket on UA for cheap but I either have a 90 min layover or 7.5 hr layover. I'd be comfortable with 90 min if this was all on the same itinerary but feels risky as separate record locators
Going to google flights I can get it to add UA AUS-EWR to make this all one record locator but the cost jumps to $2907 since it's adding the UA flt in J which is $1690 (!) by itself. I wish there was a way to make this a single record locator with the UA flt in Y and TP in J. Any idea how to make that happen?
There's a convoluted (AUS-SEA-FRA-LYS) with the long leg on Condor J for only $2100 with an 8 hr layover middle of the day in SEA. 29 hours of travel time but 9a-6p in Seattle wouldn't be bad if I meet up with a friend or do sight seeing. And I've flown their long haul J and despite it being angle flat I slept fine and the service / attitude was wonderful.
Last option is $3142 AUS-ORD-DUB-LYS with the long flt on Aer Lingus in J for $3142 with two 3 hr layovers.
Feb 10, 2019, 6:54 am
#282
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
The specific answer here is simple.
If you purchase the OW, it is $11,000.
If you purchase the RT, it is $4,137.
You know that the change fee is $500.
Thus, if you change your ticket so as to cancel the return segment, it will be repriced and a change fee added. The fare difference is $6,683 + 500.00 = $7,363. Thus, no refund or credit if you cancel. Not endorsing throw-away ticketing as a scheme, but if it happens on a one off basis, it's highly unlikely to have consequences.
If you purchase the OW, it is $11,000.
If you purchase the RT, it is $4,137.
You know that the change fee is $500.
Thus, if you change your ticket so as to cancel the return segment, it will be repriced and a change fee added. The fare difference is $6,683 + 500.00 = $7,363. Thus, no refund or credit if you cancel. Not endorsing throw-away ticketing as a scheme, but if it happens on a one off basis, it's highly unlikely to have consequences.
Feb 10, 2019, 7:32 am
#283
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: NYC/PHX
Programs: IATA, Sabre, AvgeekAgent
Posts: 1,958
The Tap Portugal option is interesting and I see the $1300 EWR-LYS J flt on TP's site. When I change the origin to AUS that option disappears for J. I can book a separate Y ticket on UA for cheap but I either have a 90 min layover or 7.5 hr layover. I'd be comfortable with 90 min if this was all on the same itinerary but feels risky as separate record locators
Going to google flights I can get it to add UA AUS-EWR to make this all one record locator but the cost jumps to $2907 since it's adding the UA flt in J which is $1690 (!) by itself. I wish there was a way to make this a single record locator with the UA flt in Y and TP in J. Any idea how to make that happen?
Going to google flights I can get it to add UA AUS-EWR to make this all one record locator but the cost jumps to $2907 since it's adding the UA flt in J which is $1690 (!) by itself. I wish there was a way to make this a single record locator with the UA flt in Y and TP in J. Any idea how to make that happen?
The other, circuitous/more expensive options on DE or EI. would steer me closer to a PE ticket with a single connection on the BA flights, but YMMV.
Feb 10, 2019, 2:51 pm
#284
Join Date: Jun 2009
Programs: AA EXP. HH DIAMOND.
Posts: 224
what do you term a gift card? Trying to understand if I book a miles ticket and pay the fees with an "E Voucher" and choose to cancel will I get the e voucher back? EXP so no other fees and I'm not trying to extend the date of the voucher just burn certs from Aviator
Feb 10, 2019, 3:04 pm
#285
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: The FT AA forum, until it no longer wants me.
Programs: CK or bust
Posts: 1,913