Feb 27, 20, 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 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)

Quote:

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

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?)

Quote:

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

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

Find your trip

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?)

Quote:

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

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

Find your trip

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 Europe (released March 12, expanded to Middle East)

Quote:

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

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

Find your trip

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’)

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)~~

Quote:

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

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

Find your trip

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)
~~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

Quote:

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

AA Trip Cancellation & Coronavirus: Discussion & Questions

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Feb 27, 20, 12:44 pm

#76

AA100k

Join Date: Mar 2016

Location: SAN

Programs: AA CK, Hyatt Globalist

Posts: 839

Quote:

Originally Posted by GetSetJetSet

Nope, young and healthy.

I wouldn’t assume that because you’re young and healthy that the virus isn’t a problem, especially given that those Chinese healthcare workers and doctors who are dying are also young and healthy. For myself, traveling twice monthly internationally, my concern is whether, if in the event I were to become very ill, would I be comfortable with my health care options in foreign countries I’m visiting and whether my insurance would cover any protracted hospitalization. I’m in Rome currently and feel comfortable in spite if the current spread of the virus.

Feb 27, 20, 6:09 pm

#77

ktmilne

Join Date: Feb 2020

Posts: 3

American Airlines waiver for Coronavirus to Japan (to merge)

I booked a JAL business class flight to Japan using AA miles for my disabled husband. Due to level 2 Corona Virus travel advisory and doctors advice, he will cancel the trip. Called numerous times and AA continues to refuse to waive $150 mileage redeposit fees. No response from email to customer relations. Any suggestions to get fees waived?

Feb 27, 20, 10:08 pm

#78

Penguinmoon

Join Date: Nov 2003

Location: CGK/KOA

Programs: AA ExPlat HH Diamond

Posts: 1,648

What dates are your trip? If not in the very near future I would just leave the reservation in place (unless you really need the miles for something else), and see how this plays out. Best outcomes AA eventually puts waiver and place and you can cancel, or you could travel if things improve.

Feb 27, 20, 11:32 pm

#79

ktmilne

Join Date: Feb 2020

Posts: 3

Travels dates are Mar 9-24. Haven’t canceled trip yet. Will continue to call and email AA and hope for a waiver

Feb 28, 20, 7:31 am

#80

Tilto007

Join Date: Aug 2016

Programs: Avios

Posts: 411

I am also in same situation.I think we just have to wait for eventual waiver.The situation in Japan as far as infections is far worse than what is being reported.

Hokkaido declares state of emergency as coronavirus cases multiply, become untraceable

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/20.../#.XlkkHqhKiUk

Feb 28, 20, 8:07 am

#81

GetSetJetSet

Suspended

Join Date: Dec 2009

Location: En Route

Programs: Many

Posts: 6,799

More cases in Switz and large gatherings banned

Feb 28, 20, 8:14 am

#82

DCAKen

Join Date: Dec 2003

Location: Washington DC USA

Posts: 418

As I posted in the larger China thread, I wrote to Customer Service asking if the penalties and fees could be waived and they agreed to do that.

Feb 28, 20, 9:24 am

#83

boerne

Join Date: Jun 2011

Location: I 35 south bound, finally stopped

Programs: AA EXP, LT Plt, 4mm, *A GLD, burned out medical provider, executing our estate plan

Posts: 1,612

Had a 6 week block of time not working with a 4 day work meeting in Tainan in mid April. A cruise cancelled which is where our air came from. The cruise company will reimburse everything, but will not let us keep the air. So we reconfigured our plans and are now heading to the Kimberly region of Australia for 22 days, then on to Bangkok, ultimately to Singapore in Mid May. I found 2 business savers on QF out of SFO for the outbound to SYD. That will give us 22 days in Oz which is more than enough to satisfy any unscientific 14 day quarantine. Transit back is JL SIN to NRT, AA 60 home through DFW using CSR points.

So I currently review travel outbound and inbound twice a day. With the unknown case in SAC (huge medical personnel exposure before the diagnosis), and the KE flight attendant exposure to LAX, (again massive exposure) it may be theoretically possible that the Asian/Pacific Rim countries will block travel from the US, especially from California since there is now evidence of community acquisition and uncontrolled exposure. The one news item that I knew about but never saw in print is that the smoking rate in the PRC for men is about 50%, and much less for women, 2%. The pm2.5 in Wuhan can be pretty bad during the day, and can contribute a lot to pulmonary complications. So the mortality rate in a non-smoker with much lower pm2.5 may not be as high as those in Wuhan. I saw the first mention in a news article of smokers and air quality + mortality today. see graph here

https://aqicn.org/city/wuhan/

https://www.foxla.com/news/flight-at...es-reports-say

https://www.washingtonpost.com/healt...ng-california/

I already have my N95 masks, plus disposable gloves for transiting LAX the end of march, if the entire west coast is not blocked from travel.

Feb 28, 20, 10:45 am

#84

allset2travel

Join Date: Jan 2006

Location: SFOSJCOAK

Programs: AA-EXP & 1MM+, AS, MR-LTT, HH Gold

Posts: 7,231

Quote:

Originally Posted by boerne

I already have my N95 masks, plus disposable gloves for transiting LAX the end of march, if the entire west coast is not blocked from travel.

Be safe, stay safe and travel safe!

Feb 28, 20, 11:24 am

#85

AAir_head

Join Date: Dec 2006

Location: Washington DC Metro Area

Posts: 1,066

AA Travel Alert for Italy 27 Feb -15 Mar 2020

AA has posted a travel alert for Italy effective 27 Feb - 15 Mar. Affects northern Italy down to Pisa, then curiously skips over Rome and includes Naples.

Novel Coronavirus - Italy

Information current as of February 27, 2020

If you're traveling to / through / from:

Bologna, Italy (BLQ)
Florence, Italy (FLR)
Milan Linate, Milan, Italy (LIN)
Milan Milapensa, Milan, Italy (MXP)
Milan Orio al Serio, Milan, Italy (BGY)
Naples, Italy (NAP)
Pisa, Italy (PSA)
Turin, Italy (TRN)
Venice, Italy (VCE)
Verona, Italy (VRN)

Your change fee may be waived if you:

Are traveling on an American Airlines flight
Bought your ticket by February 27, 2020
Are scheduled to travel February 27 - March 15, 2020
Can travel February 27 - April 3, 2020
Don't change your origin or destination city
Rebook in the same cabin or pay the difference

Change your trip

If your trip is eligible, you can make a one-time change online. Here's how:

Find your trip
If your trip is eligible, you'll see the option to 'change trip' in the toolbar

Find your trip

Delay your trip

We’ll continue to waive change or cancellation fees to trips that include the listed cities for travel if you:

Bought your ticket by February 27, 2020
Are scheduled to travel February 27 - March 15, 2020
Can travel February 27, 2020 and up to 331 days after your original ticket date
Wish to change your origin and destination cities

Changes must be:

Booked by March 15, 2020
Completed within 1 year of original ticket date; difference in fare may apply

These changes can’t be made online – you must contact Reservations.

Call Reservations

Call Reservations to change your trip.

Feb 28, 20, 1:03 pm

#86

aamilesslave

Join Date: Apr 2001

Location: DFW

Programs: AA EP 3MM, UA Silver, Bonvoy LT TIT, Hyatt Explorist, HH Silver, Caesars PLT

Posts: 7,254

Quote:

Originally Posted by AAir_head

For company-funded travel, that's of course up to them; and they'd be making that decision with the knowledge they will be incurring cancellation penalties in the absence of waivers (unless they have a corporate travel contract that allows for fully flexible fares and/or fee-free close-in changes).

For personal travel, unless you're on a short list of people essential to your company's operations, you're on your own and not bound by the company's ban. Unless your "company" is a government/government agency...which may or may not have the authority to curtail where you can go when you're "off the clock".

They aren't restricting personal travel, but they are (and have every right to) restricting when can return to the office or a client site.after visiting the restricted countries.

Feb 28, 20, 1:11 pm

#87

AAir_head

Join Date: Dec 2006

Location: Washington DC Metro Area

Posts: 1,066

Quote:

Originally Posted by aamilesslave

They aren't restricting personal travel, but they are (and have every right to) restricting when can return to the office or a client site.after visiting the restricted countries.

That may or may not be reasonable, depending on your situation.

cheers!

Feb 28, 20, 3:08 pm

#88

joeyE

Join Date: Dec 2011

Location: CLT

Programs: AA Executive Platinum, Hilton Diamond, Lifetime Admirals Club member

Posts: 383

‘Web Special‘ awards....I’m thinking of heading to city X (LHR in my case) in May, using a Web Special award. The links above don’t explicitly address such awards, nor if the redeposit fee will still be applied, should city X receive a travel waver. Anyone have some insight?

Feb 28, 20, 3:57 pm

#89

robertablake

Join Date: Nov 2017

Location: CLT

Programs: AA CK, 2 Million Miler

Posts: 701

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tilto007

I am also in same situation.I think we just have to wait for eventual waiver.The situation in Japan as far as infections is far worse than what is being reported.