Go Back  FlyerTalk Forums > Miles&Points > Airlines and Mileage Programs > American Airlines | AAdvantage
Reload this Page >

AA Trip Cancellation & Coronavirus: Discussion & Questions

Old Feb 27, 2020, 12:59 pm
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
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)

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 1Sep 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 16May 31, rebooked travel start by Dec 31
  • Canada, Caribbean, Central and South America - change fees waived, tickets booked on/before March 17, travel March 16May 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 11May 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 11May 31 April 30, rebooked travel start by Dec 31
  • All March 1March 30 Bookings (announced 3/1 , extended 3/5, extended 4/7) - change fees waived, tickets booked March 1April 30 (originally March 16, then March 30), travel Mar 1, 2020Jan 30, 2021, rebooked travel complete within 12-month ticket validity
  • Italy - refund or change fees waived, tickets booked on/before Feb 27, travel Feb 27Apr 24, rebooked travel Feb 27June 30
  • South Korea (ICN) - refund or change fees waived, tickets booked on/before Feb 24, travel Feb 24May 1, rebooked travel Feb 24June 30
  • Hong Kong (HKG) - refund or change fees waived, tickets booked on/before Jan 28, travel Jan 28July 1, rebooked travel Jan 28Aug 31
  • China (PEK, PVG) - refund or change fees waived, tickets booked on/before Jan 24, travel Jan 24Oct 23, rebooked travel Feb 1Dec 31
  • Wuhan, China (WUH) - refund only, tickets booked on/before Jan 23, travel Jan 23Mar 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

If you're traveling to / through / from:

All cities served by American

The 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
Keep in mind, you may owe any difference in ticket price when you rebook your trip.

Change your trip or cancel and rebook later

Youre 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

If you're traveling to / through / from airports in:

Australia

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 16 - May 31, 2020
  • Can travel March 16 - December 31, 2020 or within 1 year of date the ticket was issued, whichever is earlier.
Keep in mind, you may owe any difference in ticket price when you rebook your trip.

Change your trip or cancel and rebook later

Youre 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
Find your trip

Well 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 youre ready to rebook. Youll 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

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.
Keep in mind, you may owe any difference in ticket price when you rebook your trip.

Change your trip or cancel and rebook later

Youre 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
Find your trip

Well 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 youre ready to rebook. Youll 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 Europe (released March 12, expanded to Middle East)
Novel Coronavirus - Europe and the Middle East

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.
Keep in mind, you may owe any difference in ticket price when you rebook your trip.

Change your trip or cancel and rebook later

Youre 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
Find your trip

Well 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 youre ready to rebook. Youll need:
  • Your ticket number (American tickets have a 13-digit number that begins with 001)
  • Your 6-character confirmation (also called a Record Locator)
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)

No change fee if you bought your ticket before March 1 Expand Information current as of March 20, 2020

If you're traveling to / through / from:

All cities served by American

The 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
Keep in mind, you may owe any difference in ticket price when you rebook your trip.

Change your trip or cancel and rebook later

Youre 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
Find your trip

Well 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 youre ready to rebook. Youll 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, 2020March 30, 2020 (extended 3/5)
Change Fee Waiver for Flights Booked between March 1, 2020March 16, 2020 (original 3/1)
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.
Contact 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



Print Wikipost

AA Trip Cancellation & Coronavirus: Discussion & Questions

Old Jul 17, 2020, 7:19 pm
  #751  
 
Join Date: Mar 2019
Posts: 27
Originally Posted by SpammersAreScum
I'm quite certain that you are supposed to pay any fare difference. Having lucked out on that once, I'm not sure I'd be pushing my luck on a second try.
I don't think he lucked out. The even exchange policy is just that, if you read the link carefully.
kontrakobra is offline  
Old Jul 17, 2020, 7:22 pm
  #752  
 
Join Date: Mar 2019
Posts: 27
Originally Posted by insp86
I appreciate the reply. Am I misinterpreting the policy re: "even exchange"? I guess the worst that can happen is they say, "that'll be $4,000" and I say, "never mind, don't change the March tickets." That is the worst that could happen, right?
I don't think you're misinterpreting the policy. I had to reread it several times to believe it myself. Do you know where I could find the "customer version" of this policy?
kontrakobra is offline  
Old Jul 17, 2020, 9:26 pm
  #753  
 
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: San Diego
Programs: Plat Pro AAdvantage, but defected to BAEC
Posts: 1,222
Originally Posted by jkenn
Update: I applied for a refund on July 1st. Got an email on July 11th that funds were refunded back to my Amex. The credit showed up on my amex card on July 12th
I submitted a refund request over the phone on July 6th. The funds hit my credit card this morning. Still waiting on the miles and co-pay being refunded, but I got a mail from AA yesterday to call them, about that, so I did. Looks like the miles and copay refund request wasnt submitted correctly, so the agent I spoke to resubmitted it.
jkenn likes this.
Reetmafreen is offline  
Old Jul 17, 2020, 10:53 pm
  #754  
 
Join Date: Jul 2001
Programs: AA EP
Posts: 2,203
If you have a forced overnight and didnt have one before u have a major skd change. U havent provided enough info for us to really help
​​​​​​

Ur virtual SWUs shouldnt be lost I think they give u 3 months to confirm them when u change dates due to a skd change. However, C space must be available on ur new flights or u will have to go on the waitlist

Originally Posted by seaskybound
Bumping this.
Will I lose my SWUs?
AAExecPlatFlier is offline  
Old Jul 17, 2020, 11:03 pm
  #755  
Hilton Contributor Badge
 
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: SAN, BOS
Programs: AS MVPG100K, BAEC Gold, Hilton Diamond, Bonvoy Plat,
Posts: 2,266
Missing leg in reservation?

Hey all,

I have a flight to Europe I scheduled for the spring to VIE but for some reason Im missing the flight to VIE. My original PNR confirmation has the flight LHR - VIE via BA, but when I check the app it just shows LHR. I checked and Ba hasnt cancelled the flight, do you know what gives?
TravelingZoomer is offline  
Old Jul 18, 2020, 9:12 pm
  #756  
Suspended
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS
Posts: 15,027
I bought a ticket in May for travel in December, but decided to cancel it this week. What will happen to the value of the ticket? Do I get a voucher, and if so, for how long will it be valid?
Dieuwer is offline  
Old Jul 18, 2020, 11:26 pm
  #757  
 
Join Date: Jul 2001
Programs: AA EP
Posts: 2,203
What gives? You answered your own question. Ba cxld the flight. Call AA to look at your options.


Originally Posted by TravelingZoomer
Hey all,

I have a flight to Europe I scheduled for the spring to VIE but for some reason Im missing the flight to VIE. My original PNR confirmation has the flight LHR - VIE via BA, but when I check the app it just shows LHR. I checked and Ba hasnt cancelled the flight, do you know what gives?
AAExecPlatFlier is offline  
Old Jul 18, 2020, 11:28 pm
  #758  
Hilton Contributor Badge
 
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: SAN, BOS
Programs: AS MVPG100K, BAEC Gold, Hilton Diamond, Bonvoy Plat,
Posts: 2,266
Originally Posted by AAExecPlatFlier
What gives? You answered your own question. Ba cxld the flight. Call AA to look at your options.
I in fact did not, as I specifically wrote BA hadnt cancelled the flight. I suggest more careful reading when being pompous in the future.

Appreciate the help though
TravelingZoomer is offline  
Old Jul 19, 2020, 8:19 am
  #759  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Hilton Contributor Badge
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: San Antonio
Programs: DL DM, Former AA EXP now AY Plat, AC 75K, NW Plat, Former CO Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 26,957
Originally Posted by TravelingZoomer
Hey all,

I have a flight to Europe I scheduled for the spring to VIE but for some reason Im missing the flight to VIE. My original PNR confirmation has the flight LHR - VIE via BA, but when I check the app it just shows LHR. I checked and Ba hasnt cancelled the flight, do you know what gives?
It may have indeed cancelled at some point. Also was it booked as an AA or BA flight number? It's possible for the AA codeshare to get cancelled but not the actual BA flight number. For booking purposes they're two entirely different flights.
flyerCO is online now  
Old Jul 19, 2020, 9:03 am
  #760  
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: LHR GVA HKG TLV PVG JFK
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 3,913
I have a flight booked before Covid. Already upgraded it via SWUs (including some that would have expired early this year). They made a flight change forcing me to overnighting in a different city. I would like to rebook for later this year and ideally:
  1. Not receive a refund and start from scratch as the price I found was good
  2. Not lose the SWUs
  3. Not have to re-search/hope/pray for C space
What are my options?
seaskybound is offline  
Old Jul 19, 2020, 10:59 am
  #761  
 
Join Date: Jul 2001
Programs: AA EP
Posts: 2,203
Apologies. Misread it. You didnt say how it was booked (Ie prime or codeshare). But when a segment is missing from the PNR (via .ckn) it means that that flight has been cxld. Could be that AA already has a segment with the protection that you can see via .com. Again. Just call.


Originally Posted by TravelingZoomer
I in fact did not, as I specifically wrote BA hadnt cancelled the flight. I suggest more careful reading when being pompous in the future.

Appreciate the help though
AAExecPlatFlier is offline  
Old Jul 19, 2020, 11:03 am
  #762  
 
Join Date: Jul 2001
Programs: AA EP
Posts: 2,203
Generally if you want to travel at a later time vs taking any protection offered, you have to 1. pay any fare difference 2. Go on the WL for any SWU space not confirmable at the time of rebooking.



Originally Posted by seaskybound
I have a flight booked before Covid. Already upgraded it via SWUs (including some that would have expired early this year). They made a flight change forcing me to overnighting in a different city. I would like to rebook for later this year and ideally:
  1. Not receive a refund and start from scratch as the price I found was good
  2. Not lose the SWUs
  3. Not have to re-search/hope/pray for C space
What are my options?
AAExecPlatFlier is offline  
Old Jul 21, 2020, 4:58 am
  #763  
Fontaine d'honneur du Flyertalk
 
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Morbihan, France
Programs: Reine des Muccis de Pucci; Foreign Elitist (according to others)
Posts: 19,088
Dear All,
This is a source of much information, but I really would not know where the questions that I wish to ask are there. BA have just cancelled my flights to the US. I have three sectors booked on AA all on different PNRs. They are all booked in I class and are all domestic sectors

What I would like to know is this

1) Can I cancel and get a refund? I would have thought not - but I know that someone here will know

2) I think from what I read that I can cancel the trip and then rebook it - however what happens if I no longer wish to fly the sectors that I am cancelling - can the money be used towards different sectors? If I was due to fly SEA - ORD could I book JFK - MIA and pay any difference in fare?

I have checked and none of my flights all of which are due for September have been altered or cancelled by AA. I intend to wait to see if this happens first and cancel or whatever nearer the time unless it is more advantageous to do now.

Many Thanks in advance
PUCCI GALORE is offline  
Old Jul 22, 2020, 3:08 pm
  #764  
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Las Vegas
Programs: BA Gold; Hilton Honors Diamond
Posts: 3,217
I'd appreciate a sanity check on whether I can get a refund based on a schedule change. Firstly I assume a schedule change is simply that, and it doesn't necessarily have to result in a later arrival? In other words, I can arrive earlier than scheduled or depart later?

My ticket was issued after 8th April and so the 4-hour schedule change guidelines apply: https://saleslink.aa.com/en-US/docum...40_Refunds.pdf

I was originally scheduled to arrive on 11th August at 10.15 pm and depart on Sunday 16th at 11.20 am

I made a voluntary changes to my ticket on both 4th June and again on 9th June (no change fee, but fare difference) which saw me now arrive at my destination at on 11th August at 3.40 pm and depart on Sunday 16th at 6.05 am

AA then made a schedule change

The new schedule has me arriving at 10.35 am on 11th August (so 5 hrs 5 minutes earlier) and departing at 11.20 am on the 16th August (so 5 hours 15 minutes later)

Presumably I would qualify for a refund on either of these changes? The schedule change is more than 4 hours in either case.

Thanks!
Geordie405 is offline  
Old Jul 22, 2020, 3:42 pm
  #765  
 
Join Date: Jul 2018
Programs: Aadvantage platinum; IHG Spire
Posts: 544
Originally Posted by Geordie405
I'd appreciate a sanity check on whether I can get a refund based on a schedule change. Firstly I assume a schedule change is simply that, and it doesn't necessarily have to result in a later arrival? In other words, I can arrive earlier than scheduled or depart later?

My ticket was issued after 8th April and so the 4-hour schedule change guidelines apply: https://saleslink.aa.com/en-US/docum...40_Refunds.pdf

I was originally scheduled to arrive on 11th August at 10.15 pm and depart on Sunday 16th at 11.20 am

I made a voluntary changes to my ticket on both 4th June and again on 9th June (no change fee, but fare difference) which saw me now arrive at my destination at on 11th August at 3.40 pm and depart on Sunday 16th at 6.05 am

AA then made a schedule change

The new schedule has me arriving at 10.35 am on 11th August (so 5 hrs 5 minutes earlier) and departing at 11.20 am on the 16th August (so 5 hours 15 minutes later)

Presumably I would qualify for a refund on either of these changes? The schedule change is more than 4 hours in either case.

Thanks!
we had a similar situation. Moved our cancelled March flight to September. They then moved us onto a different flight that arrived around 7 hours earlier and we were able to cancel for a full refund
Geordie405 likes this.
Donsyb is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.