Mar 30, 2023, 11:05 am
Last edit by: lowkeyflyer
Methods to bypass flight credit restrictions (primarily being unable to use them on Basic Economy tickets)
Inspired by United thread wiki: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unit...redit-ffc.html
Inspired by United thread wiki: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unit...redit-ffc.html
GUIDE to Trip Credit, Flight Credit, Travel Voucher, Gift Card, Refund
Mar 8, 2023, 4:31 pm
#751
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: NYC
Programs: AA Executive Platinum, DL Silver, IHG Diamond Elite, Marriot Gold, HHonors Gold
Posts: 73
I recently cancelled an AA booking from YVR (Vancouver) to LAX. AA refunded me partly in cash and partly with a trip credit. I tried to use the trip credit this morning to book a new ticket (same journey, YVR to LAX), but AA refused to accept it because the itinerary commenced outside the USA. I appreciate that this might be the rule that govern the use of AA Trip Credits, but considering the Trip Credit was given to me following a cancellation of the exact same itinerary commencing outside the USA, this doesn't seem right (or fair). Any thoughts on what I can do about this? The Trip Credit is worth over $800 so I don't want to just give up.
Mar 8, 2023, 4:49 pm
#752
Join Date: Jan 1999
Location: Miami,FL
Posts: 240
This just happened to me today. My wife had a flight credit for a cancelled Us-Japan flight and we wanted to use for LHR-MIA and after trying for some time, the agent came back and said it can only be used for flight originating in the US? This is 1600 dollar credit for a cancelled paid flight and my wife wont be doing enough trip before 12/31 when it expires to use it.
This is beyond crazy in 2023 if this is an IT glitch. As a policy , it seems very backwards to say the least for a company that flies globally.
I’m going to try again tomorrow but not hopeful at this point,
This is beyond crazy in 2023 if this is an IT glitch. As a policy , it seems very backwards to say the least for a company that flies globally.
I’m going to try again tomorrow but not hopeful at this point,
Mar 8, 2023, 5:59 pm
#754
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Cockeysville, MD
Programs: Marriott Rewards Lifetime Titanium, Amex Plat, Hertz Gold 5*, National Exec, AA Plat
Posts: 9,467
AA policy for a long time. It doesn't exclude international travel, but has to be a round trip starting in the US.
Mar 8, 2023, 6:18 pm
#755
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,543
More accurately - travel originating in the same country - or at least a country with the same currency - I think, iirc, for example that a ticket from France could be used from Germany since they both use the Euro
Mar 8, 2023, 6:32 pm
#756
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: BLR
Programs: AA - EXP, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, UK - Gold
Posts: 1,223
I think its originating country - and nothing to do with Currency. Had a DEL-JFK cancel (bought and paid for in USD) but at the time of cancelling, Agent did say the flight credit can only be usable for departing India and not any other country.. Luckily I had subsequent travel and could use it within a couple of months.. One thing i'm not sure is if the flight credit is tied to the same person or can anyone use it?
Mar 8, 2023, 6:41 pm
#757
Join Date: Jan 1999
Location: Miami,FL
Posts: 240
Anyone manage to get around this issue and use their cash backed credit for a flight not originating in the US?
Mar 8, 2023, 7:02 pm
#758
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,543
I think its originating country - and nothing to do with Currency. Had a DEL-JFK cancel (bought and paid for in USD) but at the time of cancelling, Agent did say the flight credit can only be usable for departing India and not any other country.. Luckily I had subsequent travel and could use it within a couple of months.. One thing i'm not sure is if the flight credit is tied to the same person or can anyone use it?
Last edited by Dave Noble; Mar 8, 2023 at 7:07 pm
Mar 8, 2023, 7:05 pm
#759
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: NYC
Programs: AA Executive Platinum, DL Silver, IHG Diamond Elite, Marriot Gold, HHonors Gold
Posts: 73
The reservation was created on the U.S. site and quoted in dollars and was going to charge in US dollars, the same currency and site as the US-Japan ticket this was trying to replace.
Anyone manage to get around this issue and use their cash backed credit for a flight not originating in the US?
Anyone manage to get around this issue and use their cash backed credit for a flight not originating in the US?
Mar 8, 2023, 7:07 pm
#760
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,543
Mar 9, 2023, 12:36 am
#762
Moderator: Hyatt Gold Passport & Star Alliance
Join Date: May 1998
Location: London, UK
Programs: UA-1K 3MM/HY- LT Globalist/BA-GGL/GfL
Posts: 12,074
All through COVID this was AA's rule - you had to buy a new ticket in the same currency as the voucher was issued. Caused me some problems and so bought future tickets from BA across the Atlantic.
Mar 9, 2023, 2:20 am
#763
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 134
I have successfully used trip credit (in USD) for LHR-LAX recently. I'm based in UK, and when trying to book online it wouldn't accept it. I called reservations, and it probably took 20-30 mins. Agent mentioned it was difficult, but doable.
Mar 9, 2023, 11:43 am
#764
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Detroit, MI
Programs: Delta, JetBlue, Marriott
Posts: 150
This is a link to AA's discussion about trip credits:
Travel credit − Customer service − American Airlines (aa.com)
One of the bullets under Trip Credit:
Travel credit − Customer service − American Airlines (aa.com)
One of the bullets under Trip Credit:
Valid for
- Domestic or international flights originating in the U.S. or select countries
Mar 9, 2023, 12:26 pm
#765
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: LAS, ZQN
Programs: UA PP (2MM), BA gold
Posts: 2,195
Here is the page on credits: https://www.aa.com/i18n/customer-ser...vel-credit.jsp
Unfortunately under terms/conditions it does not state what area the "select countries" for Trip Credits.
I also do not see any verbiage as to currency.
Unfortunately under terms/conditions it does not state what area the "select countries" for Trip Credits.
I also do not see any verbiage as to currency.
