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 22, 2020, 9:00 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2020
Posts: 7
Requesting refund for a canceled flight
I have (had) an AA flight coming up on April 4, Philadelphia to Eagle. It appears that the flight has been cancelled as it is no longer in my itinerary, not do I see the flight on AA (flight number 1050, but it seems that all AA flights to EGE are cancelled)..
When I try to request a refund online (through the AA refund system), it says I am ineligible and must cancel the reservation first. I know this will just create a credit voucher for me.
Any insight or suggestions on getting a refund on this cancelled flight? Is it just a matter of time before an automatic refund kicks in? (I think the flights were cancelled in the past 48 hours).
When I try to request a refund online (through the AA refund system), it says I am ineligible and must cancel the reservation first. I know this will just create a credit voucher for me.
Any insight or suggestions on getting a refund on this cancelled flight? Is it just a matter of time before an automatic refund kicks in? (I think the flights were cancelled in the past 48 hours).
Mar 22, 2020, 11:00 am
#2
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: SAN
Programs: AA CK, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 839
I have (had) an AA flight coming up on April 4, Philadelphia to Eagle. It appears that the flight has been cancelled as it is no longer in my itinerary, not do I see the flight on AA (flight number 1050, but it seems that all AA flights to EGE are cancelled)..
When I try to request a refund online (through the AA refund system), it says I am ineligible and must cancel the reservation first. I know this will just create a credit voucher for me.
Any insight or suggestions on getting a refund on this cancelled flight? Is it just a matter of time before an automatic refund kicks in? (I think the flights were cancelled in the past 48 hours).
When I try to request a refund online (through the AA refund system), it says I am ineligible and must cancel the reservation first. I know this will just create a credit voucher for me.
Any insight or suggestions on getting a refund on this cancelled flight? Is it just a matter of time before an automatic refund kicks in? (I think the flights were cancelled in the past 48 hours).
Mar 22, 2020, 11:02 am
#3
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Roswell, GA
Programs: AA EXP 2.8m,Lifetime PLT, Hilton Diamond, IHG PlLT, SPG Gold
Posts: 3,193
At this point, I dont anyone can say with any certainly what and when AA will be back to some sort of normal operations.
I have a few flights booked in April on AA, all international, my app shows the flights still operating, I some how doubt it.
Not too worried at this point.. I think AA will do us all, what is right, and I think at this point.. the agents probably really dont know what the full policy will be on refunds/reticketing etc
I have a few flights booked in April on AA, all international, my app shows the flights still operating, I some how doubt it.
Not too worried at this point.. I think AA will do us all, what is right, and I think at this point.. the agents probably really dont know what the full policy will be on refunds/reticketing etc
Mar 22, 2020, 11:25 am
#4
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
You should be able to cancel and then request a refund. It is two actions. But, probably easiest to call and do both in a call. There won't a problem with a refund when the flight is cancelled.
Mar 22, 2020, 2:55 pm
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: PHL, NYC
Programs: AA PLT, DL SLV, UA SLV, MR LTT, HH DIA
Posts: 10,069
Can we get refunds on a ticket we cancel (to get full value credit), but then later find out the flight itself has been canceled/removed from the schedule? I'm kicking myself for canceling April flights for the flight credit when it's highly likely they'll be outright canceled and I could have gotten a refund.
Mar 22, 2020, 2:59 pm
#6
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: AA Executive Platinum/Million Miler, Marriott Titanium Elite-Lifetime, Hilton Gold
Posts: 3,212
Can we get refunds on a ticket we cancel (to get full value credit), but then later find out the flight itself has been canceled/removed from the schedule? I'm kicking myself for canceling April flights for the flight credit when it's highly likely they'll be outright canceled and I could have gotten a refund.
Mar 22, 2020, 3:47 pm
#7
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
Can we get refunds on a ticket we cancel (to get full value credit), but then later find out the flight itself has been canceled/removed from the schedule? I'm kicking myself for canceling April flights for the flight credit when it's highly likely they'll be outright canceled and I could have gotten a refund.
For the broader audience, if you are considering cancelling and your flight is still operating, wait until the last minute to cancel. If the flight is cancelled or significantly changed as most flight are or will be, you are entitled to a refund.
Mar 22, 2020, 3:57 pm
#8
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Portland, Oregon, USA
Programs: AA ExPlat, AS MVP Gold
Posts: 909
Was flying an international on Friday with cancellations and crazy changes, some shown online, others not. Called to cxl and request refund. Took about one minute. Fastest call I've ever had with an airline for anything. (Would have waited until under 72 hours, but also had to cxl award booking for my daughter scheduled for Tuesday. Fortunately, was able to move her to a domestic destination a few days ago.)
Mar 22, 2020, 4:57 pm
#9
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: CLT
Programs: AA ExecPlat
Posts: 103
Agree should call. FWIW, I did this about a week ago on flights to Rome that were canceled. The agent seemed to believe that refunds were not available. He put me on hold for about 3-4 minutes and told me he got the refunds approved. I'm not sure he knew what he was doing--refunds for a canceled flight should be automatic, no approval needed. Refund has yet to show up, I may need to call back. He did correctly process the redeposit of miles for a similar situation involving different tickets, and the refund of taxes/fees came quickly.
Mar 22, 2020, 5:32 pm
#10
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: AUS
Programs: AA Exec Platinum/MM, DL Gold/MM, Hilton Diamond, Accor Platinum, Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 6,976
Same situation here. Itinerary in early April was AUS-PHL-DUB and then LHR-AUS. As of this morning only AUS-PHL remained. I went through the online refund request after first cancelling what was left of the reservation. It took the refund request but it said it required manual review. I was able to specify flight cancellation as the reason in the request. We'll see what happens.
Messages popped up during the process which were apparently meant to discourage you from requesting a refund and to have you hold on to the credit for a future rebooking. Can't say that I blame them.
Messages popped up during the process which were apparently meant to discourage you from requesting a refund and to have you hold on to the credit for a future rebooking. Can't say that I blame them.
Mar 22, 2020, 6:25 pm
#11
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: SAN
Programs: AA CK, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 839
Mar 22, 2020, 7:49 pm
#12
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: HEL
Programs: AY Platinum, TK Elite, BT VIP, AA, BA, SK, DL, NT, WB + hotels
Posts: 8,753
I'm due to fly JFK-SJO-JFK in May. Just received an email from AA, and it appears the outbound is cancelled but the inbound operates. Can I refund the whole itinerary? Surely they can't expect me to teleport to SJO and then fly AA home?
Another question: would a OWE (AY Plat)be allowed to call the EXP line, or should I just call the regular number? As this is in May, I suppose there's no hurry.
Another question: would a OWE (AY Plat)be allowed to call the EXP line, or should I just call the regular number? As this is in May, I suppose there's no hurry.
Mar 22, 2020, 8:16 pm
#13
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
1. Yes, if any segment is cancelled, you may cancel the entire ticket for a full refund.
2. You may call any line you wish, but without an AA #, you will be auto-routed to the general number (same thing in reverse, as an EXP, you may call the general number and you will be routed to the EXP line).
3. Wait. You will spend a lot less time waiting if you wait until a couple of days before your flight. Right now it is a madhouse.
2. You may call any line you wish, but without an AA #, you will be auto-routed to the general number (same thing in reverse, as an EXP, you may call the general number and you will be routed to the EXP line).
3. Wait. You will spend a lot less time waiting if you wait until a couple of days before your flight. Right now it is a madhouse.
Mar 23, 2020, 10:32 am
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2020
Posts: 7
OP here. I called AA and they processed the cancellation and refund. Since the reservation I held still shows as valid in the AA system, the agent had to look up the flight to see it was cancelled.
I was offered to fly on another airline, declined that. I was offered 120% of the ticket value, and politely declined that. I asked for a refund and it was processed. My reservation still says I have the full value of the ticket. But the refund site states a refund is pending review - so now it's just a wait for processing.
I was offered to fly on another airline, declined that. I was offered 120% of the ticket value, and politely declined that. I asked for a refund and it was processed. My reservation still says I have the full value of the ticket. But the refund site states a refund is pending review - so now it's just a wait for processing.
Mar 23, 2020, 10:35 am
#15
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Canada, USA, Europe
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 31,452
OP here. I called AA and they processed the cancellation and refund. Since the reservation I held still shows as valid in the AA system, the agent had to look up the flight to see it was cancelled.
I was offered to fly on another airline, declined that. I was offered 120% of the ticket value, and politely declined that. I asked for a refund and it was processed. My reservation still says I have the full value of the ticket. But the refund site states a refund is pending review - so now it's just a wait for processing.
I was offered to fly on another airline, declined that. I was offered 120% of the ticket value, and politely declined that. I asked for a refund and it was processed. My reservation still says I have the full value of the ticket. But the refund site states a refund is pending review - so now it's just a wait for processing.