Feb 27, 2020, 12:59 pm
Last edit by: dstan
For tickets purchased Wednesday, April 8, 2020 or after, see https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/amer...020-after.html
More changes: Saturday, March 14, 2020, 10:40 PM .
Official announcement from American Airlines: http://news.aa.com/news/news-details...3/default.aspx
American Airlines Announces Additional Schedule Changes in Response to Customer Demand Related to COVID-19
NOTE: also see AA Waiving Change Fees for Travel Purchased March 1 - May 31 (Coronavirus)
(information current as of April 15, 2020)
https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/travel-alerts.jsp
(Previous travel waivers require rebooked travel to start by the earlier of the stated date OR the 12-month validity of the original ticket)
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This thread is dedicated to discussion and questions pertaining to changing travel on AA motivated by COVID-19 novel Coronavirus but not covered by AA travel alerts or waivers.
For those destinations covered by AA Coronavirus-related travel alerts and waivers see Coronavirus COVID-19 AA paid & award China et al cancel / change / questions
Link to AA travel alerts
Link to thread AA schedule changes - free flight change / cancellation / refund (consolidated)
Link to thread AA 2020 schedule adjustments / changes due to coronavirus
AA agents have occasionally allowed passengers with booked travel wishing to cancel because of Coronavirus concerns to cancel without fees, but this is not AA official policy. Possible reasons:
Events, meetings, etc. you were to attend have been cancelled due to Coronavirus concerns, so your trip would be in vain.
You have documentable health conditions that your doctor feels are sufficient to cancel travel plans.
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New General Change Fee Waiver (released ≈April 7-15)
New Change Fee waiver for South Pacific (released ≈March 20?)
New Change Fee waiver for Canada, Caribbean, .Central and South America (released ≈March 20?)
New Change Fee waiver for Europe (released March 12, expanded to Middle East)
Change Fee Waiver for Flights Booked before March 1, 2020 for travel March 1 – May 31 (extended March 20)
Change Fee Waiver for Flights Booked before March 1, 2020 for travel March 10 – April 30 (released March 9)
• AA Award Travel - Per multiple first-hand accounts (including by dstan), under the above General Travel Waiver, AA Award Travel booked before March 1 for travel between March 1, 2020 – April 30, 2020 can be canceled for a full refund of all fees and taxes paid AND free redeposit of miles (reinstatement fee waived).
Change Fee Waiver for Flights Booked between March 1, 2020–March 30, 2020 (extended 3/5)
Change Fee Waiver for Flights Booked between March 1, 2020–March 16, 2020 (original 3/1)
https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/...conditions.jsp
This waiver is valid only for tickets issued on American Airlines ticket stock. Tickets can be identified by a 13-digit ticket number beginning with American Airlines code ’001’. Tickets issued by other airlines with a different carrier code (ticket numbers not beginning with ‘001’) are subject to the waiver policy of that airline.
This policy excludes bookings through AAdvantage® award tickets.
American Airlines Vacations packages purchased between March 1, 2020 at 4:30 p.m. CT and March 31, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. CT, also qualify for the one-time change fee waiver. Changes must be made prior to the departure of your original flight. Any difference in fare or hotel rate will apply.
Contact American Airlines Vacations
Updated: March 9, 2020
More changes: Saturday, March 14, 2020, 10:40 PM .
Official announcement from American Airlines: http://news.aa.com/news/news-details...3/default.aspx
American Airlines Announces Additional Schedule Changes in Response to Customer Demand Related to COVID-19
NOTE: also see AA Waiving Change Fees for Travel Purchased March 1 - May 31 (Coronavirus)
Current AA Travel Waivers for COVID-19
(information current as of April 15, 2020)
https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/travel-alerts.jsp
- All Pre-May 31 Bookings (announced 4/7) - change fees waived, tickets booked on/before May 31, travel Mar 1–Sep 30, rebooked travel start by Dec 31, 2021
Previous AA Travel Waivers for COVID-19
(Previous travel waivers require rebooked travel to start by the earlier of the stated date OR the 12-month validity of the original ticket)
- South Pacific - change fees waived, tickets booked on/before March 16, travel March 16–May 31, rebooked travel start by Dec 31
- Canada, Caribbean, Central and South America - change fees waived, tickets booked on/before March 17, travel March 16–May 31, rebooked travel start by Dec 31
- Europe and the Middle East (announced 3/12, expanded to Middle East) - change fees waived, tickets booked on/before March 11, travel March 11–May 31, rebooked travel start by Dec 31
- All Pre-March 1 Bookings (announced 3/9, extended 3/20) - change fees waived, tickets booked on/before March 1, travel March 11–May 31
April 30, rebooked travel start by Dec 31 - All March 1–March 30 Bookings (announced 3/1 , extended 3/5, extended 4/7) - change fees waived, tickets booked March 1–April 30 (originally March 16, then March 30), travel Mar 1, 2020–Jan 30, 2021, rebooked travel complete within 12-month ticket validity
- Italy - refund or change fees waived, tickets booked on/before Feb 27, travel Feb 27–Apr 24, rebooked travel Feb 27–June 30
- South Korea (ICN) - refund or change fees waived, tickets booked on/before Feb 24, travel Feb 24–May 1, rebooked travel Feb 24–June 30
- Hong Kong (HKG) - refund or change fees waived, tickets booked on/before Jan 28, travel Jan 28–July 1, rebooked travel Jan 28–Aug 31
- China (PEK, PVG) - refund or change fees waived, tickets booked on/before Jan 24, travel Jan 24–Oct 23, rebooked travel Feb 1–Dec 31
- Wuhan, China (WUH) - refund only, tickets booked on/before Jan 23, travel Jan 23–Mar 31
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
This thread is dedicated to discussion and questions pertaining to changing travel on AA motivated by COVID-19 novel Coronavirus but not covered by AA travel alerts or waivers.
For those destinations covered by AA Coronavirus-related travel alerts and waivers see Coronavirus COVID-19 AA paid & award China et al cancel / change / questions
Link to AA travel alerts
Link to thread AA schedule changes - free flight change / cancellation / refund (consolidated)
Link to thread AA 2020 schedule adjustments / changes due to coronavirus
AA agents have occasionally allowed passengers with booked travel wishing to cancel because of Coronavirus concerns to cancel without fees, but this is not AA official policy. Possible reasons:
Events, meetings, etc. you were to attend have been cancelled due to Coronavirus concerns, so your trip would be in vain.
You have documentable health conditions that your doctor feels are sufficient to cancel travel plans.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
New General Change Fee Waiver (released ≈April 7-15)
No change fee if you bought your ticket before May 31, 2020
Information current as of April 15, 2020
Keep in mind:
Travel must be completed on or before December 31, 2021. The change fee will be waived but you may still owe any difference in ticket price when you rebook your trip.
Information current as of April 15, 2020
If you're traveling to / through / from:
All cities served by AmericanThe change fee is waived if you:
- Booked an American Airlines flight
- Bought your ticket on or before May 31, 2020
- Are scheduled to travel March 1 - September 30, 2020
- Can travel on or before December 31, 2021
Change your trip or cancel and rebook later
You’re allowed to make changes to your trip once. You can change it now, or cancel and rebook later.Keep in mind:
Travel must be completed on or before December 31, 2021. The change fee will be waived but you may still owe any difference in ticket price when you rebook your trip.
New Change Fee waiver for South Pacific (released ≈March 20?)
Novel Coronavirus - South Pacific
Information current as of March 20, 2020
Keep in mind:
We’ll send an email that includes your ticket number after you cancel your trip. Keep this handy so you can refer to it when you call to rebook.
Information current as of March 20, 2020
If you're traveling to / through / from airports in:
AustraliaThe change fee is waived if you:
- Booked an American Airlines flight
- Bought your ticket on or before March 16, 2020
- Are scheduled to travel March 16 - May 31, 2020
- Can travel March 16 - December 31, 2020 or within 1 year of date the ticket was issued, whichever is earlier.
Change your trip or cancel and rebook later
You’re allowed to make changes to your trip once. You can change it now, or cancel and rebook later.Keep in mind:
- Travel must start by December 31, 2020 or within 1 year of date the ticket was issued, whichever is earlier.
- The change fee will be waived but you may still owe any difference in ticket price when you rebook your trip.
Change or cancel online
Here's how:- Find your trip
- If your trip is eligible, you'll see 'Change trip' or ‘Cancel trip’ in the top toolbar
We’ll send an email that includes your ticket number after you cancel your trip. Keep this handy so you can refer to it when you call to rebook.
Call to rebook
After you cancel your trip online, please call Reservations when you’re ready to rebook. You’ll need:- Your ticket number (American tickets have a 13-digit number that begins with ’001’)
- Your 6-character confirmation (also called a ‘Record Locator’)
New Change Fee waiver for Canada, Caribbean, .Central and South America (released ≈March 20?)
Novel Coronavirus - Canada, Caribbean, Central and South America
Information current as of March 20, 2020
Keep in mind:
We’ll send an email that includes your ticket number after you cancel your trip. Keep this handy so you can refer to it when you call to rebook.
Information current as of March 20, 2020
If you're traveling to / through / from airports in these countries:
- Argentina
- Aruba
- Brazil
- Canada
- Cayman Islands
- Chile
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Ecuador
- El Salvador
- Guatemala
- Guyana
- Panama
- Peru
- St. Maarten
- Uruguay
The change fee is waived if you:
- Booked an American Airlines flight
- Bought your ticket on or before March 17, 2020
- Are scheduled to travel March 16 - May 31, 2020
- Can travel March 16 - December 31, 2020 or within 1 year of date the ticket was issued, whichever is earlier.
Change your trip or cancel and rebook later
You’re allowed to make changes to your trip once. You can change it now, or cancel and rebook later.Keep in mind:
- Travel must start by December 31, 2020 or within 1 year of date the ticket was issued, whichever is earlier.
- The change fee will be waived but you may still owe any difference in ticket price when you rebook your trip.
Change or cancel online
Here's how:- Find your trip
- If your trip is eligible, you'll see 'Change trip' or ‘Cancel trip’ in the top toolbar
We’ll send an email that includes your ticket number after you cancel your trip. Keep this handy so you can refer to it when you call to rebook.
Call to rebook
After you cancel your trip online, please call Reservations when you’re ready to rebook. You’ll need:- Your ticket number (American tickets have a 13-digit number that begins with ’001’)
- Your 6-character confirmation (also called a ‘Record Locator’)
Novel Coronavirus - Europe and the Middle East
Information current as of March 20, 2020
Keep in mind:
We’ll send an email that includes your ticket number after you cancel your trip. Keep this handy so you can refer to it when you call to rebook.
Information current as of March 20, 2020
If you're traveling to / through / from airports in these countries:
- Austria
- Belgium
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- UK
The change fee is waived if you:
- Booked an American Airlines flight
- Bought your ticket on or before March 16, 2020
- Are scheduled to travel March 11 - May 31, 2020
- Can travel March 11 - December 31, 2020 or within 1 year of date the ticket was issued, whichever is earlier.
Change your trip or cancel and rebook later
You’re allowed to make changes to your trip once. You can change it now, or cancel and rebook later.Keep in mind:
- Travel must start by December 31, 2020 or within 1 year of date the ticket was issued, whichever is earlier.
- The change fee will be waived but you may still owe any difference in ticket price when you rebook your trip.
Change or cancel online
Here's how:- Find your trip
- If your trip is eligible, you'll see 'Change trip' or ‘Cancel trip’ in the top toolbar
We’ll send an email that includes your ticket number after you cancel your trip. Keep this handy so you can refer to it when you call to rebook.
Call to rebook
Please call Reservations when you’re ready to rebook. You’ll need:- Your ticket number (American tickets have a 13-digit number that begins with ’001’)
- Your 6-character confirmation (also called a ‘Record Locator’)
No change fee if you bought your ticket before March 1 Expand Information current as of March 20, 2020
Keep in mind:
We’ll send an email that includes your ticket number after you cancel your trip. Keep this handy so you can refer to it when you call to rebook.
If you're traveling to / through / from:
All cities served by AmericanThe change fee is waived if you:
- Booked an American Airlines flight
- Bought your ticket on or before March 1, 2020
- Are scheduled to travel March 1 - May 31, 2020
- Can travel March 1 - December 31, 2020 or within 1 year of date the ticket was issued, whichever is earlier
Change your trip or cancel and rebook later
You’re allowed to make changes to your trip once. You can change it now, or cancel and rebook later.Keep in mind:
- Travel must start by December 31, 2020 or within 1 year of date the ticket was issued, whichever is earlier.
- The change fee will be waived but you may still owe any difference in ticket price when you rebook your trip.
Change or cancel online
Here's how:- Find your trip
- If your trip is eligible, you'll see 'Change trip' or ‘Cancel trip’ in the top toolbar
We’ll send an email that includes your ticket number after you cancel your trip. Keep this handy so you can refer to it when you call to rebook.
Call to rebook
After you cancel your trip online, please call Reservations when you’re ready to rebook. You’ll need:- Your ticket number (American tickets have a 13-digit number that begins with ’001’)
- Your 6-character confirmation (also called a ‘Record Locator’)
• AA Award Travel - Per multiple first-hand accounts (including by dstan), under the above General Travel Waiver, AA Award Travel booked before March 1 for travel between March 1, 2020 – April 30, 2020 can be canceled for a full refund of all fees and taxes paid AND free redeposit of miles (reinstatement fee waived).
Change Fee Waiver for Flights Booked between March 1, 2020–March 30, 2020 (extended 3/5)
https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/...conditions.jsp
Terms and conditions
If you purchased a ticket on American Airlines between March 1, 2020 at 4:30 p.m. CT and March 31, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. CT, you may change your flight once without paying a change fee. Tickets must be purchased for travel between March 1, 2020 and January 30, 2021.Exception policy
- We will waive the change fee only on published Non-Refundable Fare tickets.
- Tickets must be purchased between March 1, 2020 at 4:30 p.m. CT and March 31, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. CT, with original travel between March 1, 2020 and January 30, 2021.
- Changes must be made prior to the departure of your original flight.
- New travel must be completed within 1 year of original ticket issue date.
- Any difference in fare will apply.
- Change your trip online or by calling Reservations.
This waiver is valid only for tickets issued on American Airlines ticket stock. Tickets can be identified by a 13-digit ticket number beginning with American Airlines code ’001’. Tickets issued by other airlines with a different carrier code (ticket numbers not beginning with ‘001’) are subject to the waiver policy of that airline.
This policy excludes bookings through AAdvantage® award tickets.
American Airlines Vacations packages purchased between March 1, 2020 at 4:30 p.m. CT and March 31, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. CT, also qualify for the one-time change fee waiver. Changes must be made prior to the departure of your original flight. Any difference in fare or hotel rate will apply.
Contact American Airlines Vacations
Updated: March 9, 2020
AA Trip Cancellation & Coronavirus: Discussion & Questions
Jun 15, 2020, 5:25 pm
#706
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP, Hyatt Glob, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Plat, Total Wine & More Reserve
Posts: 4,528
No blanket waivers for cancellation, however. Non-refundable tickets remain non-refundable.
The website seems to reflect this:
https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/...us-updates.jsp
For new tickets booked between now and June 30, we’re expanding our offer to waive change fees for future travel. This offer includes AAdvantage® award tickets but excludes Basic Economy tickets.
Keep in mind:
Keep in mind:
- You may owe any difference in ticket price when you rebook your trip.
- You’re allowed to change your origin and destination cities as part of this offer.
Jun 15, 2020, 5:54 pm
#707
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: TPA
Programs: BA Silver; Hilton Gold; IHG Diamond Ambassador; Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,814
I had a different experience. I cancelled my DFW-OGG-DFW flights via an agent on 05JUN. The agent sent me the ticket numbers and I went to the AA refund site and submitted all three tickets for a cash refund. The status page showed "pending" up until yesterday. Yesterday, I got an email saying the refunds had been processed and included the card type and last four of the card. I went into the AA refund site to see the status and it matched exactly. Each ticket said "Issued to American Express Card ending in xxxx" I did find the site seemed to have a lag (maybe due to overnight batch vs real-time).
And the three credits were posted to my AMEX this morning - so all-in-all, pretty painless.
And the three credits were posted to my AMEX this morning - so all-in-all, pretty painless.
I found it interesting that the AA tweet said they provided last name and ticket # to "Request a Receipt" -- who would possibly think that's the way to do it? -- to see the correct info. Why wouldn't they recommend the much more logical "Check Your Refund Status" unless they know it's broken? The mind wobbles.
Jun 16, 2020, 7:33 am
#708
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: PHL
Programs: AA ExP, Marriott Amb, National EAE, Hilton Diamond, SPG Plat (RIP), US CP (RIP)
Posts: 2,379
So, "Check Your Refund Status" worked for you? Maybe it's just me -- still no change a month later.
I found it interesting that the AA tweet said they provided last name and ticket # to "Request a Receipt" -- who would possibly think that's the way to do it? -- to see the correct info. Why wouldn't they recommend the much more logical "Check Your Refund Status" unless they know it's broken? The mind wobbles.
I found it interesting that the AA tweet said they provided last name and ticket # to "Request a Receipt" -- who would possibly think that's the way to do it? -- to see the correct info. Why wouldn't they recommend the much more logical "Check Your Refund Status" unless they know it's broken? The mind wobbles.
Jun 16, 2020, 8:08 am
#709
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: DFW (Highland Village)
Programs: AA Lifetime GLD, SPG Lifetime GLD
Posts: 384
Jun 16, 2020, 9:55 am
#711
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 1,589
Now another question: I have flights NYC-PAR booked with AAVacations but operated by BA, BA has cancelled some flights, I called AAVacations and re-booked, now BA has cancelled one of the flights again so I will re-book, am I safer booking AA flights (via DFW), or is AA likely to cancel those too? The flights are in 16 days.
Jun 16, 2020, 12:15 pm
#712
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 26
Booked a basic economy ticket at the end of February, for an April trip. Event was re-scheduled for December, so I cancelled the flight. I want to re-book now for December since ticket prices have come back down to pre-Covid levels.
Can I take my basic economy credit, pay the difference and get main cabin seats this time? If we have a second wave and flights start getting cancelled again, would I be able to get a full refund on that ticket?
Can I take my basic economy credit, pay the difference and get main cabin seats this time? If we have a second wave and flights start getting cancelled again, would I be able to get a full refund on that ticket?
Jun 16, 2020, 9:33 pm
#713
Join Date: Apr 2020
Posts: 8
Jun 17, 2020, 1:56 pm
#714
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: TPA
Programs: BA Silver; Hilton Gold; IHG Diamond Ambassador; Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,814
But I will go to my grave arguing that "Check My Refund Status" is a more intuitive choice than "Request Receipt" or "Request Refund" to get the info I wanted.
Jun 22, 2020, 10:02 am
#715
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Los Angeles& Telluride
Programs: UA1K, 1MM,AA Exec. Platinum, Global Entry, Nexus
Posts: 731
AA did a great job getting my funds credited to my accounts. I cancelled three TATL biz class flights for July and August and I got notice and confirmation that my accounts were credited within 7 business days. I appreciated it immensely.
Jun 27, 2020, 6:28 pm
#716
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: San Diego
Programs: Plat Pro AAdvantage, but defected to BAEC
Posts: 1,222
Does AA wait till the weekend to scrub codeshare flights that are cancelled by the operator? From reading FT, I’m aware that AA will often do large scale schedule changes on Saturday evening/Sunday morning. My BA operated, but booked under an AA codeshare, was cancelled by BA on Tuesday, but my AA account still shows the flight as operating. The BA PNR only shows the outbound LAX-LHR flight on AA metal, but there is no sign of the BA operated LHR-SAN flight.
I cant initiate the refund process as AA still shows both flights as operating, but in reality the AA LAX-LHR is probably toast too, but it’s just a matter of time.
I cant initiate the refund process as AA still shows both flights as operating, but in reality the AA LAX-LHR is probably toast too, but it’s just a matter of time.
Jun 28, 2020, 3:22 pm
#717
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: San Diego
Programs: Plat Pro AAdvantage, but defected to BAEC
Posts: 1,222
Does AA wait till the weekend to scrub codeshare flights that are cancelled by the operator? From reading FT, I’m aware that AA will often do large scale schedule changes on Saturday evening/Sunday morning. My BA operated, but booked under an AA codeshare, was cancelled by BA on Tuesday, but my AA account still shows the flight as operating. The BA PNR only shows the outbound LAX-LHR flight on AA metal, but there is no sign of the BA operated LHR-SAN flight.
I cant initiate the refund process as AA still shows both flights as operating, but in reality the AA LAX-LHR is probably toast too, but it’s just a matter of time.
I cant initiate the refund process as AA still shows both flights as operating, but in reality the AA LAX-LHR is probably toast too, but it’s just a matter of time.
Jun 29, 2020, 7:29 am
#718
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: D/FW
Programs: DL MM/Silver; UA 1K ; Hilton Gold; Marriott Titanium; Avis Pref+,Hertz PC
Posts: 585
I was supposed to visit my folks in Florida in April. Because of the pandemic, I changed it to July. Now Florida is spiking in cases and when I tweeted them, they told me that I am only allowed one change and either I fly on those dates or forfeit the ticket. Is this the norm?
Jun 29, 2020, 12:14 pm
#719
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: MCI
Programs: AA Gold 1MM, AS MVP, UA Silver, WN A-List, Marriott LT Titanium, HH Diamond
Posts: 52,575
We have a trip planned for MCI-MIA in late July. It's an as-yet-unchanged itin, but it's an award "web special". If I decide to change it to a later date, do I have to find seats in a specific fare bucket? Or do I have to cancel it and start over, paying whatever the going rate is? There is no "change" option, presumably because it's a "web special", even though I'm not really sure what fare bucket that is or how it differs from a regular award.
Jun 29, 2020, 3:35 pm
#720
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: PHL
Programs: AA ExP, Marriott Amb, National EAE, Hilton Diamond, SPG Plat (RIP), US CP (RIP)
Posts: 2,379
I was supposed to visit my folks in Florida in April. Because of the pandemic, I changed it to July. Now Florida is spiking in cases and when I tweeted them, they told me that I am only allowed one change and either I fly on those dates or forfeit the ticket. Is this the norm?
But yes, I believe only one free change and then usual change fees apply. You may be able to get a voucher but after applying the change fee it may essentially be forfeiting the ticket.