Is AA trying to be tricky with me??
 

I have an upcoming flight that has a 4+ hour schedule change. Because of this, I wanted to cancel my flight. I talked the agent on the phone and she agreed and the ticket is cancelled. She told me to go to prefunds.aa.com, use my ticket number, and I'd apply to get my money back (in about 3 days, she said).
When filling out the form, the last thing it says (screen shot included) about Travel Credits, and would I like one?? "Accept" or "Decline" - no mention of, if you decline, your refund will be processed as a monetary credit.
Are they trying to trick me into taking a travel credit, or is something wrong with my refund?

Thanks for your help!
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...e9a58a1f64.png

Decline Trip Credit.

Decline the trip credit. They would prefer you take the credit, but you're entitled to a refund if 4+ hours schedule change occurred. As to whether you're being "tricked", there is clearly some marketing here to push people towards credits. I can't fault AA for that as even Amazon tries to push you into taking a credit rather than a refund -- it's normal these days.

In a word, Yes. They are trying to trick you into taking a credit in lieu of cash. They introduced this in the Spring of 2020 during the deluge of refund requests. Back then the offered credit was for a higher dollar amount than the cash refund, so it was at least worth considering. Unless you are turning right around and booking a new AA trip for at least that amount, there is absolutely no reason to choose trip credit now.

Decline. Fill out the rest of the online form and select “schedule change/cancellation”

AA is definitely not alone in steering pax towards credit over refund. I wasn't paying close enough attention recently and wound up saving the value of a canceling UA award ticket recently, rather than having the miles redeposited. Required 20 minutes on the phone to get the miles back.

I will point out the difference. Amazon offers "Gift card or refund to original payment method". AA just says "accept or deny", which is more vague, especially since refund rules can be so incredibly convoluted.

Yah, AA was desperate for cash back then and posting refunds was a massive potential liability. IIRC, they gave you a 25% bonus if you retained the value as credit. Given that I had several business trips I had to cancel, the 25% bonus was a nice kick.

Yes. The answer to your question is always yes. Anything they can do to separate you from your cash. Assume always at every interaction that getting, and keeping, your money is Job One.

UA doesn’t even offer a refund option on the app/website when cancelling fully refundable paid tickets. Only credit. Have to call in to get refund processed.

At least Amazon credits never expire.