Mar 30, 23, 12:05 pm
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
Jan 24, 21, 11:14 am
#106
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 448
I have a substantial "Flight Credit" from a reservation that I voluntarily canceled in April 2020. In reading AA.com, I see that when I use am ready to use the credit, "Travel must begin 1 year from the date of issue.*, where * = Flight Credit issued for flights canceled due to COVID-19 can be used for travel through December 31, 2021."
I'm unsure how to interpret this. Does this mean that travel must still begin 1-year from the date of issue (April 2021) and any/all residual expires 12/31/21? If not, what's the expiration of the residual balance? If I followed the chart correctly, this residual would be issued as a "Trip Credit" (possible paper voucher?) and I could book for friends/family?
I'm unsure how to interpret this. Does this mean that travel must still begin 1-year from the date of issue (April 2021) and any/all residual expires 12/31/21? If not, what's the expiration of the residual balance? If I followed the chart correctly, this residual would be issued as a "Trip Credit" (possible paper voucher?) and I could book for friends/family?
Jan 30, 21, 7:11 pm
#107
Join Date: Apr 2017
Programs: Flying Blue Silver
Posts: 123
Booked a flight with AA Basic Economy on 1/7/2021 for early February. I can no longer take the flight, but since AA did not make any changes to the flight times (and unlikely they will until departure day), I am not entitled to a refund. Can I get credit instead of rebooking?
The alternative would be cancellation for a refund of the taxes. The receipt only shows "Fare" on the one hand and "Tax/Fee/Charge" on the other hand. Can I expect the latter at full shown amount or are there deductions?
The alternative would be cancellation for a refund of the taxes. The receipt only shows "Fare" on the one hand and "Tax/Fee/Charge" on the other hand. Can I expect the latter at full shown amount or are there deductions?
Feb 1, 21, 10:28 pm
#109
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 26,874
Yes, that's effectively the post-COVID policy. No change fees, but no refunds unless flight cancelled or significantly changed. You've always been able to cancel a reservation without refunding/cancelling the ticket, you have one year from the date of purchase to use the value of the ticket.
Feb 3, 21, 5:43 am
#110
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: UK
Programs: Bonvoy Gold, AA Plat, Volare Premier, VS Silver, National Emerald Elite, Hertz President Circle
Posts: 2,526
A couple of days ago it occurred to me I had a paper transportation voucher exchange coupon that I had not used. I have checked. It was issued in Nov19. Validity is 12 months. Should I assume this has now expired? Or did AA apply an extension to these vouchers? I can see that I could have probably booked forward travel before expiry and use covid exchange rules to try and use it but in the middle of it all I, and I guess a few others, just forgot about this.
Feb 11, 21, 11:39 am
#111
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 48
I have some dumb questions, but I can't seem to find the answer. I had a $730 Travel Credit for a cancelled COVID flight (good until end of 2021), just used it for a $230 flight and it showed me $500 in "Remaining Travel Credit" on the checkout page. So far so good.
How do I see this balance, or use it for another flight? Is it truly still a travel credit, or does it become a flight credit or trip credit or something else? Does the expiration date change?
Thanks everyone.
edit: nevermind, I just got an email stating that they issued me a Trip Credit for $500, which answers all my questions. Hopefully this helps someone else!
How do I see this balance, or use it for another flight? Is it truly still a travel credit, or does it become a flight credit or trip credit or something else? Does the expiration date change?
Thanks everyone.
edit: nevermind, I just got an email stating that they issued me a Trip Credit for $500, which answers all my questions. Hopefully this helps someone else!
Last edited by defjukie; Feb 11, 21 at 11:46 am
Feb 23, 21, 2:44 pm
#114
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 202
Using AA Flight Credit online
I went to my wallet on my AA account & picked one of the two "flight credits" that I have. I followed the instructions and clicked on the link to book a new itinerary. In their example there should be an "Add Flight Credit" button when you get to payment. There is none. The AA website is wanting to put the full fare on my credit card and not use any credits. So I'm not going any further with payment.
What am I doing wrong? Is it really not possible to use a "flight credit" on the website and I need to call in to book it and use it?
What am I doing wrong? Is it really not possible to use a "flight credit" on the website and I need to call in to book it and use it?
Feb 23, 21, 3:13 pm
#115
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2006
Programs: AAdvantage PP
Posts: 13,913
I went to my wallet on my AA account & picked one of the two "flight credits" that I have. I followed the instructions and clicked on the link to book a new itinerary. In their example there should be an "Add Flight Credit" button when you get to payment. There is none. The AA website is wanting to put the full fare on my credit card and not use any credits. So I'm not going any further with payment.
What am I doing wrong? Is it really not possible to use a "flight credit" on the website and I need to call in to book it and use it?
What am I doing wrong? Is it really not possible to use a "flight credit" on the website and I need to call in to book it and use it?
Feb 23, 21, 3:17 pm
#116
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 202
Feb 23, 21, 3:24 pm
#117
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2006
Programs: AAdvantage PP
Posts: 13,913
Feb 23, 21, 3:59 pm
#119
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 202
Thanks George. Quick call to get the credit applied. On my AA account it just shows the total due for the flights; not broken down by credit and credit card. And for some reason it didn't show up immediately on the AA credit card..I assume she got it right..
Feb 23, 21, 5:12 pm
#120
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: LAX oriented World Digital Nomad
Programs: AA Exec Plat, Hyatt Globalist, MLife/Cosmo Identity Gold, Other Vegas too...
Posts: 1,282
I can't keep up with their definitions of voucher versus flight credit versus trip versus whatever other names they use, but for many of them, you have to call. Southwest has a system for this for many years but the other airlines this is all still fairly new territory and technology.
