AA not refunding 24-hr cancellation (updated: refund received)
Jul 26, 22, 2:55 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2022
Posts: 7
AA not refunding 24-hr cancellation (updated: refund received)
TLDR version of the story, booked a flight for business, then cancelled a couple hours later as I found a better itinerary on United.
After checking my statement today (two-weeks later) I noted American did not refund my booking (J class fare), despite cancelling within the 24-hour grace period. It appears they gave me flight credit instead.
Do they not understand the law? It's not like Europe where they can just fleece you. These air unfair/deceptive practices per the DOT.
How can I get through to a human at American, who can expedite the refund? I filled out the online refund form, and have contacted customer relations, although it seems they cannot be bothered.
Never again will I contemplate flying on this trash airline, especially for business purposes. When I cancel on the United app, the refund process is much more transparent.
After checking my statement today (two-weeks later) I noted American did not refund my booking (J class fare), despite cancelling within the 24-hour grace period. It appears they gave me flight credit instead.
Do they not understand the law? It's not like Europe where they can just fleece you. These air unfair/deceptive practices per the DOT.
How can I get through to a human at American, who can expedite the refund? I filled out the online refund form, and have contacted customer relations, although it seems they cannot be bothered.
Never again will I contemplate flying on this trash airline, especially for business purposes. When I cancel on the United app, the refund process is much more transparent.
Jul 26, 22, 3:18 pm
#3
Join Date: Jan 2020
Programs: Jetblue, Turkish, Hilton Gold, Spirit Gold
Posts: 366
The 24 hour full refund does not apply to flights booked last minute: All US airlines have such fine print I believe.
You have up to 24 hours from the time you first buy your ticket for a refund if you booked at least 2 days prior to departure. The 24-hour refund policy applies to all ticket types, but you have to cancel the trip to get a refund
You have up to 24 hours from the time you first buy your ticket for a refund if you booked at least 2 days prior to departure. The 24-hour refund policy applies to all ticket types, but you have to cancel the trip to get a refund
Jul 26, 22, 4:07 pm
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,741
Did you request a refund? Or just cancel the ticket?
Isn't J fare class fully refundable? If so 24hr does not matter, nor does it matter if it was last minute. Just request a refund if that's what you want. If not the ticket is still intact with the funds on it.
Per DOT regulations they have 7 days to process the refund once you request it.
Isn't J fare class fully refundable? If so 24hr does not matter, nor does it matter if it was last minute. Just request a refund if that's what you want. If not the ticket is still intact with the funds on it.
Per DOT regulations they have 7 days to process the refund once you request it.
Jul 26, 22, 5:15 pm
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2022
Posts: 7
was booked directly through AA, a week prior to departure, and cancelled within a couple hours of booking.
Unfortunately, their IT is horrendous. Ive requested a refund manually; although based off my experience with other major carriers this should be refunded automatically within a day or two.
Jul 26, 22, 5:44 pm
#8
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: AA Executive Platinum/Million Miler, Marriott Titanium Elite-Lifetime, Hilton Gold
Posts: 3,042
was booked directly through AA, a week prior to departure, and cancelled within a couple hours of booking.
Unfortunately, their IT is horrendous. Ive requested a refund manually; although based off my experience with other major carriers this should be refunded automatically within a day or two.
Unfortunately, their IT is horrendous. Ive requested a refund manually; although based off my experience with other major carriers this should be refunded automatically within a day or two.
Jul 26, 22, 7:27 pm
#9
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Cockeysville, MD
Programs: Marriott Rewards Lifetime Titanium, Amex Plat, Hertz Gold 5*, National Exec, AA Plat
Posts: 9,443
was booked directly through AA, a week prior to departure, and cancelled within a couple hours of booking.
Unfortunately, their IT is horrendous. Ive requested a refund manually; although based off my experience with other major carriers this should be refunded automatically within a day or two.
Unfortunately, their IT is horrendous. Ive requested a refund manually; although based off my experience with other major carriers this should be refunded automatically within a day or two.
Jul 26, 22, 8:53 pm
#11
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 494
TLDR version of the story, booked a flight for business, then cancelled a couple hours later as I found a better itinerary on United.
After checking my statement today (two-weeks later) I noted American did not refund my booking (J class fare), despite cancelling within the 24-hour grace period. It appears they gave me flight credit instead.
Do they not understand the law? It's not like Europe where they can just fleece you. These air unfair/deceptive practices per the DOT.
How can I get through to a human at American, who can expedite the refund? I filled out the online refund form, and have contacted customer relations, although it seems they cannot be bothered.
Never again will I contemplate flying on this trash airline, especially for business purposes. When I cancel on the United app, the refund process is much more transparent.
After checking my statement today (two-weeks later) I noted American did not refund my booking (J class fare), despite cancelling within the 24-hour grace period. It appears they gave me flight credit instead.
Do they not understand the law? It's not like Europe where they can just fleece you. These air unfair/deceptive practices per the DOT.
How can I get through to a human at American, who can expedite the refund? I filled out the online refund form, and have contacted customer relations, although it seems they cannot be bothered.
Never again will I contemplate flying on this trash airline, especially for business purposes. When I cancel on the United app, the refund process is much more transparent.
Jul 26, 22, 9:45 pm
#12
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: San Jose, California, USA
Programs: AS 100K, UA MM, AA MM, IC Plat Amb, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 3,146
Just in case: Did AA.com offer you the opportunity to hold the ticket instead of purchasing it outright?
I ask because the DOT requires that airlines offer either a 24-hour hold OR a 24-hour cancellation period. If AA offered you the hold, they don't have to offer you the refund.
AA policy is actually more generous than the DOT requires, but even if you aren't due a refund by the DOT rule, AA might give you a refund as a customer service gesture.
I ask because the DOT requires that airlines offer either a 24-hour hold OR a 24-hour cancellation period. If AA offered you the hold, they don't have to offer you the refund.
AA policy is actually more generous than the DOT requires, but even if you aren't due a refund by the DOT rule, AA might give you a refund as a customer service gesture.
Jul 26, 22, 10:25 pm
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,741
Just in case: Did AA.com offer you the opportunity to hold the ticket instead of purchasing it outright?
I ask because the DOT requires that airlines offer either a 24-hour hold OR a 24-hour cancellation period. If AA offered you the hold, they don't have to offer you the refund.
AA policy is actually more generous than the DOT requires, but even if you aren't due a refund by the DOT rule, AA might give you a refund as a customer service gesture.
I ask because the DOT requires that airlines offer either a 24-hour hold OR a 24-hour cancellation period. If AA offered you the hold, they don't have to offer you the refund.
AA policy is actually more generous than the DOT requires, but even if you aren't due a refund by the DOT rule, AA might give you a refund as a customer service gesture.
OP's complaint seems to be that it was not automatic, and after he requested it it's taking a while. In other words, this is a big nothingburger. AA has 7 days to process the refund after it's requested. We are not at that point yet.
Jul 26, 22, 10:42 pm
#14
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: NYC
Programs: AA 2MM, Bonvoy LTT, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 14,575
OP said he booked a week out. Depending on how he is rounding that, DOT may or may not require a refund, but AA's policies allow for a full refund, so it's moot. He also said his booking class was J so his ticket should be fully refundable anyway (does AA sell non-refindable tickets into J fare class?)
OP's complaint seems to be that it was not automatic, and after he requested it it's taking a while. In other words, this is a big nothingburger. AA has 7 days to process the refund after it's requested. We are not at that point yet.
OP's complaint seems to be that it was not automatic, and after he requested it it's taking a while. In other words, this is a big nothingburger. AA has 7 days to process the refund after it's requested. We are not at that point yet.
