Mar 28, 2020, 8:55 am
Last edit by: seawolf
If your flight have been cancelled*** (you should also be able to refund on schedule changes of >120* minutes (241 minutes for tickets purchased on or after 8 Apr 2020), nonstop to connection or connection reduced to less than minimum connection time) and you want to refund, no need to call AA, just do the following:
1. Take screenshot/email of new rebooked flights/or no rebooked flights as evidence of change.
2. Note down ticket number in original email if print receipt option is not available.
3. Cancel reservation
4. Submit refund request online.
5. Go back to page after a 3-4 days to check refund status.
*NOTE: site for refunds is https://prefunds.aa.com/refunds/
*NOTE AA has changed the change time from 121 to 241 minutes for tickets purchased on or after April 8, 2020.
***Airline defines cancelled as IRROPS that occur day or a couple of days prior to departure.
Another way is to reach out to the Twitter team at @AmericanAir.
April 3, 2020: The US DOT posted today an enforcement notice regarding refunds by carriers: https://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer/latest-news
1. Take screenshot/email of new rebooked flights/or no rebooked flights as evidence of change.
2. Note down ticket number in original email if print receipt option is not available.
3. Cancel reservation
4. Submit refund request online.
5. Go back to page after a 3-4 days to check refund status.
*NOTE: site for refunds is https://prefunds.aa.com/refunds/
*NOTE AA has changed the change time from 121 to 241 minutes for tickets purchased on or after April 8, 2020.
***Airline defines cancelled as IRROPS that occur day or a couple of days prior to departure.
Another way is to reach out to the Twitter team at @AmericanAir.
April 3, 2020: The US DOT posted today an enforcement notice regarding refunds by carriers: https://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer/latest-news
Enforcement Notice Regarding Refunds by Carriers Given the Unprecedented Impact of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency on Air Travel - The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Office of Aviation Enforcement and Proceedings, a unit within the Office of the General Counsel, is issuing this notice to remind the traveling public and U.S. and foreign carriers that passengers should be refunded promptly when their scheduled flights are cancelled or significantly delayed. Although the COVID-19 public health emergency has had an unprecedented impact on air travel, the airlines’ obligation to refund passengers for cancelled or significantly delayed flights remains unchanged.
Requesting refund for a canceled flight
Mar 26, 2020, 4:11 pm
#61
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Sydney, NSW
Posts: 842
So I tweeted AA (following my earlier award question) - and they said they are just under pressure and will deposit.
I did pay a change fee for my flight (changed it from Tokyo to Vienna, instead of to Munich). They said that's non-refundable. What does anyone think about that? It wasn't a small amount (for 2 x people). I would have thought that should be recoverable as well.
I did pay a change fee for my flight (changed it from Tokyo to Vienna, instead of to Munich). They said that's non-refundable. What does anyone think about that? It wasn't a small amount (for 2 x people). I would have thought that should be recoverable as well.
Mar 26, 2020, 4:29 pm
#62
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: NYC
Programs: AA 2MM, Bonvoy LTT, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 14,638
You can only request a refund if you have not already cancelled your reservation and AA cancels the flight. The "credit" is your unused ticket. It's not like Jetblue's system where the residual value is moved into an account. If your ticket is eligible, aa.com will detect that and tell you your ticket is eligible for a refund (subject to review).
Now whether AA has a process behind the scene to actually validate that PNR was cancelled prior to AA flight cancellation is the $$$ question.
Mar 26, 2020, 4:33 pm
#63
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: NYC
Programs: AA 2MM, Bonvoy LTT, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 14,638
I have two refund/voucher issues and am unclear about options for proceeding.
Any assistance with any parts of my questions would be appreciated.
I have two cancellations to deal with.
1. Jrobin flights
YYZ-LHR-BCN-LHR-YYZ all BA flights booked online with AA (001 ticket), YYZ-LHR-BCN (N class) flown Feb 11; return booked March 31 BCN-LHR-YYZ (S-class).
Booked flight BA 485 BCN-LHR March 31 has been cancelled. I would prefer refund over voucher or flight change for entire return trip.
(a) will AA provide refund? or only a voucher?
(b) how can I estimate the amount of the refund/voucher? (Is the return half of a RT booking essentially valueless?) Is any EC261 compensation applicable? Is any Canada Transportation Agency compensation applicable?
(c) If only a voucher is an option, should I just cancel trip on "YourTrip" or should I contact AA by telephone?
2. Mrs Jrobin flights
YYZ-LHR-BCN-LHR-YYZ all BA flights booked online with travel agency (AA 001 ticket), YYZ-LHR-BCN (N class) flown Feb 11; return booked March 31 BCN-LHR-YYZ (S-class).
For some reason Manage My Booking on BA states that all flights have been flown.
Again I would prefer refund over voucher or flight change for entire return trip.
Should I "cancel trip" on "Your Trip", contact AA by telephone, or contact the travel agent?
Thanks
Any assistance with any parts of my questions would be appreciated.
I have two cancellations to deal with.
1. Jrobin flights
YYZ-LHR-BCN-LHR-YYZ all BA flights booked online with AA (001 ticket), YYZ-LHR-BCN (N class) flown Feb 11; return booked March 31 BCN-LHR-YYZ (S-class).
Booked flight BA 485 BCN-LHR March 31 has been cancelled. I would prefer refund over voucher or flight change for entire return trip.
(a) will AA provide refund? or only a voucher?
(b) how can I estimate the amount of the refund/voucher? (Is the return half of a RT booking essentially valueless?) Is any EC261 compensation applicable? Is any Canada Transportation Agency compensation applicable?
(c) If only a voucher is an option, should I just cancel trip on "YourTrip" or should I contact AA by telephone?
2. Mrs Jrobin flights
YYZ-LHR-BCN-LHR-YYZ all BA flights booked online with travel agency (AA 001 ticket), YYZ-LHR-BCN (N class) flown Feb 11; return booked March 31 BCN-LHR-YYZ (S-class).
For some reason Manage My Booking on BA states that all flights have been flown.
Again I would prefer refund over voucher or flight change for entire return trip.
Should I "cancel trip" on "Your Trip", contact AA by telephone, or contact the travel agent?
Thanks
Mar 27, 2020, 12:48 pm
#64
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: California
Programs: AA EXP; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite
Posts: 1,969
Good news. I requested a refund (and redeposit of confirmed SWUs) on via the EXP desk 3/17 for my flight on 4/19 that I cancelled myself. Couldn't get a status update on prefunds.aa.com since I had done it over the phone. As of yesterday the status was still in "pending review" from the @AmericanAir twitter and prefunds still didn't show any status (just said that the request didn't exist).
Just checked now and a refund for the full amount was sent back to my credit card as of last night.
Just checked now and a refund for the full amount was sent back to my credit card as of last night.
Mar 27, 2020, 1:08 pm
#65
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: San Diego
Programs: Plat Pro AAdvantage, but defected to BAEC
Posts: 1,222
Good news. I requested a refund (and redeposit of confirmed SWUs) on via the EXP desk 3/17 for my flight on 4/19 that I cancelled myself. Couldn't get a status update on prefunds.aa.com since I had done it over the phone. As of yesterday the status was still in "pending review" from the @AmericanAir twitter and prefunds still didn't show any status (just said that the request didn't exist).
Just checked now and a refund for the full amount was sent back to my credit card as of last night.
Just checked now and a refund for the full amount was sent back to my credit card as of last night.
Mar 27, 2020, 2:10 pm
#66
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: USA
Programs: Chase Sapphire Reserve, WFBF
Posts: 1,573
I had an invol flight change due to cancellation/cutbacks for a trip in April. After the change, I cancelled online 5 days ago and submitted refund request via prefunds. I received the statement credit today.
So refunds are working normally for these kinds of routine requests, and there should be no need to call.
So refunds are working normally for these kinds of routine requests, and there should be no need to call.
Mar 27, 2020, 6:13 pm
#68
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: California
Programs: AA EXP; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite
Posts: 1,969
I had an invol flight change due to cancellation/cutbacks for a trip in April. After the change, I cancelled online 5 days ago and submitted refund request via prefunds. I received the statement credit today.
So refunds are working normally for these kinds of routine requests, and there should be no need to call.
So refunds are working normally for these kinds of routine requests, and there should be no need to call.
Mar 27, 2020, 9:23 pm
#69
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 80
Requesting refund for a canceled flight
Some follow-up to my note 42 on this thread.
Following the advice at note 43 (thank you, USFlyerUS), I called American Airlines, using the Gold number (I have Gold status).
I was immediately connected to the options recording, without a hold, and I requested refunds.
Then, I was immediately connected to a wonderful real person on the first ring, without a hold, and she quickly processed my request to cancel my trip and process a refund.
My status is now as per notes 59 & 60: I can see Pending Review, after a re-initiate action, but check status shows nothing.
Following the advice at note 43 (thank you, USFlyerUS), I called American Airlines, using the Gold number (I have Gold status).
I was immediately connected to the options recording, without a hold, and I requested refunds.
Then, I was immediately connected to a wonderful real person on the first ring, without a hold, and she quickly processed my request to cancel my trip and process a refund.
My status is now as per notes 59 & 60: I can see Pending Review, after a re-initiate action, but check status shows nothing.
Mar 28, 2020, 1:31 am
#71
Join Date: Mar 2011
Programs: BAEC Silver
Posts: 211
I have an itinerary booked with AA. It includes sectors with Qantas that have been cancelled. This happened at least 10 days ago but the sectors still show on my PNR. AA agents say that the flight hasn't been cancelled by AA yet.
I am sceptical. I know AA is lobbying the Government to stop paying cash refunds. Is there anything I can do to trigger my refund now?
I am sceptical. I know AA is lobbying the Government to stop paying cash refunds. Is there anything I can do to trigger my refund now?
Mar 28, 2020, 4:52 am
#72
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Canada, USA, Europe
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 31,452
I have an itinerary booked with AA. It includes sectors with Qantas that have been cancelled. This happened at least 10 days ago but the sectors still show on my PNR. AA agents say that the flight hasn't been cancelled by AA yet.
I am sceptical. I know AA is lobbying the Government to stop paying cash refunds. Is there anything I can do to trigger my refund now?
I am sceptical. I know AA is lobbying the Government to stop paying cash refunds. Is there anything I can do to trigger my refund now?
Mar 28, 2020, 4:58 am
#73
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: CHS
Posts: 2,246
As a quick data point, I had 2 tickets that had >2 hour schedule changes. Instead of calling, I submitted refund requests at prefunds.aa.com. Both were approved and issued within 24 hours. I had a 3rd itinerary where I did call in almost a week ago, and that refund hasn’t posted yet. So you may want to use the website before calling...it was certainly faster for me.
Mar 28, 2020, 5:10 am
#74
Join Date: Mar 2011
Programs: BAEC Silver
Posts: 211
Due to fly SYD-DFW-LHR 11 Apr. QF7 then AA50. AA50 is still scheduled but QF7 is cancelled.
Mar 28, 2020, 7:34 am
#75
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: England
Programs: AA P, UA PP, LH FT, IHG G, Hilton G, BW P
Posts: 149
Interesting Data Point on Change Made & Questions
Hi all, first thanks to all those that are providing their experiences thus far and offering some advise, greatly appreciated.
1. We were due to fly 4/4 LHR/PHX and then return SFO/LHR, all on AA ticket stock. I've had no communication whatsoever from AA on our flight status but know the LHR/PHX flight isn't running and know it would be cancelled. However today I looked into my account and I see that AA has simply gone into our trip and put us on LHR/DFW - DFW/PHX without any notificaiton, or request for acceptance and in fact going into the account it doesn't even tell me anyhthing changed, giving me no option to reject this etc. like it normally does with irrops, so we've had an INVOL re-route. We clearly want a refund maintaining our rights to have one, so wondering if we should cancel on-line or should I go ahead and call. What bothers me is there isn't a scrap of a hint of the old trip, of course other than my original booking mails etc. I checked on prefunds.aa.com and it says I'm not eligible, but that doesn't surprise me since the trip isn't cancelled yet. I obviously don't want AA skirting the fact that the PHX flight is actuallyl cancelled as we want a refund and not a voucher and want to be assured of that. Thoughts from others highly appreciated...
2. Our second challenge is we have one in-country flight that isn't in our long-haul roundtrip itinerary (that's because each time we added it the price went up to £10k!) we want to get it refunded too as we obviously won't be in the USA now, but accept this one we may have to go the travel insurance route. Anyone have any feedback on success of getting an "orphaned" flight sitting outside of the International legs also refunded if talking to an agent?
Thanks much in advance, and stay healthy and safe everyone...
1. We were due to fly 4/4 LHR/PHX and then return SFO/LHR, all on AA ticket stock. I've had no communication whatsoever from AA on our flight status but know the LHR/PHX flight isn't running and know it would be cancelled. However today I looked into my account and I see that AA has simply gone into our trip and put us on LHR/DFW - DFW/PHX without any notificaiton, or request for acceptance and in fact going into the account it doesn't even tell me anyhthing changed, giving me no option to reject this etc. like it normally does with irrops, so we've had an INVOL re-route. We clearly want a refund maintaining our rights to have one, so wondering if we should cancel on-line or should I go ahead and call. What bothers me is there isn't a scrap of a hint of the old trip, of course other than my original booking mails etc. I checked on prefunds.aa.com and it says I'm not eligible, but that doesn't surprise me since the trip isn't cancelled yet. I obviously don't want AA skirting the fact that the PHX flight is actuallyl cancelled as we want a refund and not a voucher and want to be assured of that. Thoughts from others highly appreciated...
2. Our second challenge is we have one in-country flight that isn't in our long-haul roundtrip itinerary (that's because each time we added it the price went up to £10k!) we want to get it refunded too as we obviously won't be in the USA now, but accept this one we may have to go the travel insurance route. Anyone have any feedback on success of getting an "orphaned" flight sitting outside of the International legs also refunded if talking to an agent?
Thanks much in advance, and stay healthy and safe everyone...