Jun 13, 2013, 6:55 am
Last edit by: Prospero
Transportation Voucher, "MCO" FAQ
Transportation eVouchers
Link to aa.com eVouchers Terms and Conditions page
Link to aa.com eVoucher page
General Information
Glossary: MCO - Miscellaneous Charges Order
AA issues e-vouchers to those in US 50 states, US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico as of 28 Nov 2019. Printed green vouchers are still used for those residing elsewhere at this time.
Transportation vouchers issued by American Airlines or American EagleŽ are valid for travel on American Airlines, American Eagle and American Airlines codeshare flights (AA*).
These vouchers are also valid for travel on oneworldŽ itineraries (including oneworld affiliates that must be booked as a codeshare flight marketed by a oneworld carrier) where American Airlines or American Airlines codeshare flights (AA*) is the international carrier.
Note: For oneworld itineraries, international flights are defined as transatlantic, transpacific and flights to and from South America. Flights to and from Alaska, Canada, Mexico, Caribbean, or Central America are not included.
Travel agents may accept American Airlines vouchers (042/043) for full or partial payment for a ticket as an "exchange" document/ticket. If the voucher is less than the ticket the additional monies are collected. If the voucher exceeds the ticket cost an MCO will be issued for the difference as a residual indicating non-refundable and for American Airlines transportation only. Valid one year from date of issue ((you must encumber the voucher before one year has expired since issuance*). There is no change fee / ASC associated with using a voucher. Updated 18 Feb 2015.)
The original post, provided by member IceTrojan, has been placed here so members can edit and update as necessary. Information below has not necessarily been updated; be aware.
FAQ: AA Vouchers
Q. How do vouchers work on AA?
They are treated just like cash towards valid purchases.
Q. What can I use the vouchers on?
Yes, travel vouchers can be used toward the American Airlines and American Eagle flight portion of your trip, but may not be used to purchase any of the non-flight components of your trip such as hotels, rental cars, transfers, activities or insurance. Travel vouchers are not currently accepted online, but may be redeemed by calling AAVacations at 1-800-489-4810.
Q. Can I use the vouchers for ANYTHING else?
No.
Q. Really?
Yes, really.
Q. Are there restrictions on purchasing airfare?
Unlike other airlines that place restrictions on certain fares/dates/times/routes, AA vouchers are just like cash, so you can use them to buy all fares that are available for purchase.
Q. How long do I have to use the vouchers?
One (1) year from date of issuance.
Q. I can't use my voucher in time. How can I extend the expiration date?
AA automatically extended the expiration of some vouchers in 2021. If your expiration date was between January 1, 2021 and May 31, 2021, the new expiration is March 31, 2022.
If you still need to extend the expiration, spend at least part it on any of its valid uses listed above. For example, pay for a cheap throwaway ticket, a speculative ticket, or a 500-mile upgrade certificate. Any unused amount will be sent to you as a new voucher with a new 1-year expiration date.
Q. What if I lose a voucher?
Sorry, you're out of luck. Treat your vouchers like cash.
Q. Can I use the vouchers to buy tickets for someone else?
While vouchers are non-transferable, you may buy a ticket in someone else's name, so long as you are the one presenting the voucher (either by phone or personally at a ticket counter/office). If someone else presents the voucher, the ticket MUST be issued in the name of that on the voucher.
Q. Is there a fee for using the vouchers?
It appears that ticketing at an airport ticket office is still subject to a charge of $30, unless you are EXP.
Note that if you are EXP, these "booking" fees are waived (and any Agent that tells you otherwise is wrong). (thanks SquareDanceGuy)
Note that if you have booked the ticket online and go to the airport to apply a voucher, there are no fees either, regardless of status. (thanks RogerD408)
Q. What happens to the taxes?
This depends on the type of voucher. The following voucher codes are exempt from some of the taxes: Basically, if you use these vouchers to pay for the whole cost of your fare, you will lower the overall costs as some of the taxes do not apply. (thanks uncle wiggly) If you make a partial payment with vouchers, then the associated taxes will likewise be reduced by the same proportional amount. (thanks marshall)
OU is the only voucher taxable, as it's issued against the unused portion of a ticket that has been exchanged (amongst other things). (thanks hillrider)
Q. What if the value of my vouchers exceed the value of my fare? Do I lose it? (thanks ffay005)
Unlike some* other airlines, you do NOT lose the residual value of your vouchers. If the residual value is more than $5, AA will mail you another voucher back as change, and this voucher is valid for one (1) year after its issuance. (thanks whynotfly) *golfmad added the word "some" based on post #440.
Q. How many vouchers can I use at one time?
According to one AAgent, nine (9) was the maximum number of vouchers accepted by the system.
Q. I bought AA tickets from a 3rd party (e.g., travel agent, internet travel site, Priceline/Hotwire). Can I use the vouchers retroactively?
No.
Q. How long does it take to process the vouchers?
After they receive the vouchers, AA will process them within 1-3 days, so it's really dependent on how long it takes the mail to arrive to Florida. AA reservations will accept the vouchers for a phone booking, if the reservation made is at least 12 days prior to departure. It's recommended that if you need to ticket within 2 weeks that you go directly to an Airport Ticket Office, which can process your voucher/s immediately.
Q. How do I apply vouchers to a reservation I have on hold on AA.com?
US: up-to-date in March 2021, UK: up-to-date in January 2022
American Airlines
M.D. 8A701
Fort Worth, TX 76155
USA
The return address for those in the UK and the rest of Europe, who have agreed to send their voucher(s) to AA in the UK, is:
American Airlines
100 Old Hall Street
The Plaza, 7th floor
Liverpool L3 9QJ
United Kingdom
On the envelope under the return address, write:
<Date of first flight, in DD Month format (e.g. 01 Jan)>
Attach a sticky note to the vouchers with the following details:
<First flight number, e.g. AA1234>
<Last name>
<Booking record locator, AKA booking reference>
(Notice: vouchers are not processed sequentially based on date of the voucher/s being received by AA, but rather on flight dates. Flights may show as "Ticket Pending" once the voucher has been applied, and at some time prior to flight (two weeks is usual) it will show "Ticketed" and you should be able to see your ticket number, beginning with "001", in your receipt from your itinerary at aa.com or in your e-Ticket. Also notice that you should photocopy your voucher/s prior to mailing them.)
Q. What if I entered a Business Extra number?
You will have to contact Business Extra to apply the vouchers. Their number is 1-800-433-1790, and they are available 5:00 AM - 12:00 PM, CT, 7 days a week.
Q. What if I live outside the United States and I want to use vouchers?
As the vouchers are in US Dollars, it's probably most convenient to call the US reservations number for a new booking denoted in US Dollars, thus avoiding any currency conversion, except any associated with your credit card. You can call your local reservations number or visit a local Airport Ticket Office (ATO). Beware that there's not a large network of ATOs.
In all likelihood, you will be asked to mail your voucher(s) to AA, so if time is of the essence, you should consider going directly to an ATO, who can process it/them immediately.
Q. How do vouchers work on AA?
They are treated just like cash towards valid purchases.
Q. What can I use the vouchers on?
- Airfare on American Airlines (inc. American Eagle), codeshares, and oneworld itineraries where AA is the international/"governing" carrier.
- 500-mile domestic upgrade stickers (at the airport only).
- Co-payments for upgrades or reduced mileage awards.
- Excess baggage fees.
- Special handling fees (e.g. checked pets), with a traveling passenger (i.e. not cargo).
- Change fees, provided an additional collection of the fare is also being made.
- In the UK, Belgium, Germany and France, vouchers are accepted for Net fares.
- In Switzerland, vouchers are accepted on Q and L class Net fares only.
- In Ireland, vouchers are accepted in Q, O and L class Net fares only.
Yes, travel vouchers can be used toward the American Airlines and American Eagle flight portion of your trip, but may not be used to purchase any of the non-flight components of your trip such as hotels, rental cars, transfers, activities or insurance. Travel vouchers are not currently accepted online, but may be redeemed by calling AAVacations at 1-800-489-4810.
Q. Can I use the vouchers for ANYTHING else?
No.
Q. Really?
Yes, really.
Q. Are there restrictions on purchasing airfare?
Unlike other airlines that place restrictions on certain fares/dates/times/routes, AA vouchers are just like cash, so you can use them to buy all fares that are available for purchase.
Q. How long do I have to use the vouchers?
One (1) year from date of issuance.
Q. I can't use my voucher in time. How can I extend the expiration date?
AA automatically extended the expiration of some vouchers in 2021. If your expiration date was between January 1, 2021 and May 31, 2021, the new expiration is March 31, 2022.
If you still need to extend the expiration, spend at least part it on any of its valid uses listed above. For example, pay for a cheap throwaway ticket, a speculative ticket, or a 500-mile upgrade certificate. Any unused amount will be sent to you as a new voucher with a new 1-year expiration date.
Q. What if I lose a voucher?
Sorry, you're out of luck. Treat your vouchers like cash.
Q. Can I use the vouchers to buy tickets for someone else?
While vouchers are non-transferable, you may buy a ticket in someone else's name, so long as you are the one presenting the voucher (either by phone or personally at a ticket counter/office). If someone else presents the voucher, the ticket MUST be issued in the name of that on the voucher.
Q. Is there a fee for using the vouchers?
It appears that ticketing at an airport ticket office is still subject to a charge of $30, unless you are EXP.
Note that if you are EXP, these "booking" fees are waived (and any Agent that tells you otherwise is wrong). (thanks SquareDanceGuy)
Note that if you have booked the ticket online and go to the airport to apply a voucher, there are no fees either, regardless of status. (thanks RogerD408)
Q. What happens to the taxes?
This depends on the type of voucher. The following voucher codes are exempt from some of the taxes: Basically, if you use these vouchers to pay for the whole cost of your fare, you will lower the overall costs as some of the taxes do not apply. (thanks uncle wiggly) If you make a partial payment with vouchers, then the associated taxes will likewise be reduced by the same proportional amount. (thanks marshall)
OU is the only voucher taxable, as it's issued against the unused portion of a ticket that has been exchanged (amongst other things). (thanks hillrider)
Q. What if the value of my vouchers exceed the value of my fare? Do I lose it? (thanks ffay005)
Unlike some* other airlines, you do NOT lose the residual value of your vouchers. If the residual value is more than $5, AA will mail you another voucher back as change, and this voucher is valid for one (1) year after its issuance. (thanks whynotfly) *golfmad added the word "some" based on post #440.
Q. How many vouchers can I use at one time?
According to one AAgent, nine (9) was the maximum number of vouchers accepted by the system.
Q. I bought AA tickets from a 3rd party (e.g., travel agent, internet travel site, Priceline/Hotwire). Can I use the vouchers retroactively?
No.
Q. How long does it take to process the vouchers?
After they receive the vouchers, AA will process them within 1-3 days, so it's really dependent on how long it takes the mail to arrive to Florida. AA reservations will accept the vouchers for a phone booking, if the reservation made is at least 12 days prior to departure. It's recommended that if you need to ticket within 2 weeks that you go directly to an Airport Ticket Office, which can process your voucher/s immediately.
Q. How do I apply vouchers to a reservation I have on hold on AA.com?
- Call Web Services at 1-800-222-2377 or 1-918-832-1384 (6:00 AM - 2:00 AM CT, 7 days a week). In the UK, call 08-45-601-0619 (8:30 AM - 5:00 PM UK time, Monday-Friday).
- Give them the PNR and tell them you would like to apply vouchers.
- They will give you instructions on how to send the vouchers in.
- Pay any balance with a credit card.
US: up-to-date in March 2021, UK: up-to-date in January 2022
American Airlines
M.D. 8A701
Fort Worth, TX 76155
USA
The return address for those in the UK and the rest of Europe, who have agreed to send their voucher(s) to AA in the UK, is:
American Airlines
100 Old Hall Street
The Plaza, 7th floor
Liverpool L3 9QJ
United Kingdom
On the envelope under the return address, write:
<Date of first flight, in DD Month format (e.g. 01 Jan)>
Attach a sticky note to the vouchers with the following details:
<First flight number, e.g. AA1234>
<Last name>
<Booking record locator, AKA booking reference>
(Notice: vouchers are not processed sequentially based on date of the voucher/s being received by AA, but rather on flight dates. Flights may show as "Ticket Pending" once the voucher has been applied, and at some time prior to flight (two weeks is usual) it will show "Ticketed" and you should be able to see your ticket number, beginning with "001", in your receipt from your itinerary at aa.com or in your e-Ticket. Also notice that you should photocopy your voucher/s prior to mailing them.)
Q. What if I entered a Business Extra number?
You will have to contact Business Extra to apply the vouchers. Their number is 1-800-433-1790, and they are available 5:00 AM - 12:00 PM, CT, 7 days a week.
Q. What if I live outside the United States and I want to use vouchers?
As the vouchers are in US Dollars, it's probably most convenient to call the US reservations number for a new booking denoted in US Dollars, thus avoiding any currency conversion, except any associated with your credit card. You can call your local reservations number or visit a local Airport Ticket Office (ATO). Beware that there's not a large network of ATOs.
In all likelihood, you will be asked to mail your voucher(s) to AA, so if time is of the essence, you should consider going directly to an ATO, who can process it/them immediately.
Obsolete posts from 2014-2015 have been archived to: ARCHIVE: Transportation Voucher / vouchers / "MCO" FAQ and master thread.
Older obsolete posts from 2013 and before, can be read in: ARCHIVE: Transportation Voucher / vouchers / "MCO" FAQ and master thread (consol.).
Transportation e- and paper Voucher / vouchers / "MCO" FAQ and master thread
Jun 23, 2016, 9:07 am
#136
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,535
So apparently the only way to use the travel vouchers (I have 2 from a "refund") is to mail them in now? You can only redeem at a ticket office otherwise? (and in NY, according to the aa.com website, the only ticket office is in New York City). Do you send them return receipt? Since they say that if you lose them, you're SOL.
Last time I mailed them in, aa.com took almost 3 months to "book" the flight, so I was unable to make changes to them due to irrops.
Last time I mailed them in, aa.com took almost 3 months to "book" the flight, so I was unable to make changes to them due to irrops.
Jun 23, 2016, 9:11 am
#137
Join Date: Jan 2012
Programs: AY+ Plat, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 2,846
So apparently the only way to use the travel vouchers (I have 2 from a "refund") is to mail them in now? You can only redeem at a ticket office otherwise? (and in NY, according to the aa.com website, the only ticket office is in New York City). Do you send them return receipt? Since they say that if you lose them, you're SOL.
Last time I mailed them in, aa.com took almost 3 months to "book" the flight, so I was unable to make changes to them due to irrops.
Last time I mailed them in, aa.com took almost 3 months to "book" the flight, so I was unable to make changes to them due to irrops.
Jun 23, 2016, 12:40 pm
#138
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,535
Thanks, I'll call our local airport and see if they'll take it. The vouchers themselves say they can only be redeemed at a ticket office or by calling the 800#. And the aa.com website only lists one ticket office in our state.
Jul 11, 2016, 6:03 pm
#139
Join Date: Oct 2011
Programs: AA EP, DL PL, SPG & IHG Plat, HH Diamond, Hertz 5*, EC EE
Posts: 78
I have a $500 paper voucher that went into the washing machine. I need some advice. First, some of the voucher is very difficult to read after going through the wash, but it looks like the important part was circled by the gate agent and is a 6 digit alpha-numeric code followed by "/AA". Can someone confirm those last 3 digits? If someone could pm me an image of some of their code digits (partial is ok), that would help me decipher the code on mine...
Also, because of the condition, and what I've read, I thought it best to make the itinerary online and go into the airport to make the payment at the counter, instead of mailing it in. If I get trouble from someone at the counter not liking a partially legible voucher, I can try again at a different counter. I can't try again if I mail in.
Also, I wonder if that can be done at the lounge counter? I hope so, because at airports I frequent, the regular ticket counters can be super busy.
Also, because of the condition, and what I've read, I thought it best to make the itinerary online and go into the airport to make the payment at the counter, instead of mailing it in. If I get trouble from someone at the counter not liking a partially legible voucher, I can try again at a different counter. I can't try again if I mail in.
Also, I wonder if that can be done at the lounge counter? I hope so, because at airports I frequent, the regular ticket counters can be super busy.
Jul 11, 2016, 6:36 pm
#140
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: YYZ
Posts: 1,629
You need to be able to read the control numbers along the bottom middle of the voucher. This number is used in exchange for the new ticket's issuance along with the dollar amount. If you cannot read the numbers your next step would be to return to the station you got the viucher from and ask them to look up the voucher number from the day they issued it to you (probably need to ask the Stn. Mgr. to do this). If you had a rez on hold you could then ask them to add the voucher number to the held PNR and ask them what line it's been recorded on in the PNR. Then mail the voucher in. If you have any issues with issuance you can then refer any follow-up agent to the line number in the PNR and if you're lucky, they will issue the ticket based on that info.
Good luck - as they say, treat these like cash since they cannot be replaced.
Good luck - as they say, treat these like cash since they cannot be replaced.
Jul 12, 2016, 10:08 am
#141
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 44
Where should I fly with 1000 USD travel voucher?
I have received 1000 USD travel voucher from AA and I'm based in ICN right now.
Where would you recommend me to go with this voucher?
Also, if I were to use this voucher with my family (4 ppl including me) by spending maybe a few hundred dollars more, where will I be able to go?
Thanks!
Where would you recommend me to go with this voucher?
Also, if I were to use this voucher with my family (4 ppl including me) by spending maybe a few hundred dollars more, where will I be able to go?
Thanks!
Jul 12, 2016, 10:20 am
#143
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Bangkok or San Francisco
Programs: United 1k, Marriott Lifetime PE, Former DL Gold, Former SQ Solitaire, HH Gold
Posts: 11,886
How long is a piece of string? Too many unknowns to give you a good answer. Are you a Korean citizen or American?
You're going to struggle getting even 1 R/T to the US for $1,000. Where are you interested in going and what do you like to do? Beaches? Mountains? Skiing? Hiking? Historical? Shopping?
You're going to struggle getting even 1 R/T to the US for $1,000. Where are you interested in going and what do you like to do? Beaches? Mountains? Skiing? Hiking? Historical? Shopping?
Jul 12, 2016, 10:29 am
#144
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 44
How long is a piece of string? Too many unknowns to give you a good answer. Are you a Korean citizen or American?
You're going to struggle getting even 1 R/T to the US for $1,000. Where are you interested in going and what do you like to do? Beaches? Mountains? Skiing? Hiking? Historical? Shopping?
You're going to struggle getting even 1 R/T to the US for $1,000. Where are you interested in going and what do you like to do? Beaches? Mountains? Skiing? Hiking? Historical? Shopping?
And I would say I'm interested in historical and shopping
Jul 14, 2016, 2:59 pm
#146
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 47
Two part question for anyone who knows..
1. Can these transportation vouchers be used on AA vacations? (in the faq it just says American Airlines airfare but I don't know if AA vacations counts as that)
2. Can we book AA vacations at a ticket office using these vouchers?
Thanks in advance.
1. Can these transportation vouchers be used on AA vacations? (in the faq it just says American Airlines airfare but I don't know if AA vacations counts as that)
2. Can we book AA vacations at a ticket office using these vouchers?
Thanks in advance.
Jul 15, 2016, 9:48 pm
#147
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2002
Location: NC
Programs: AAConciergeKey/1MM, DL DM/2 MM, UA Gold,Hilton Diamond, IHG Plat, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 11,969
Can vouchers be used for travel beyond the expiration date as long as reservations are made prior to that expiration date?
Jul 16, 2016, 1:49 am
#148
Join Date: Jul 2001
Programs: AA EP
Posts: 2,203
Aug 2, 2016, 8:21 am
#149
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 1
Best use of an eVoucher
Hello Forum,
I have received an e-voucher for $700.00 from AA for being bumped from a recent flight, and I am trying to figure out how to best use it.
The evoucher says valid on "flights operated by American Airlines, American EagleŽ and oneworldŽ carriers for itineraries sold and originating in the U.S., Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands. eVouchers may also be used for payment of air travel on any oneworldŽ partner or Codeshare flights designated in flight listings as AA*."
I have the list of the 14 oneworld carriers, and my question is- can I go on any of the oneworld websites (Quantas, Cathay Pacific, etc) and book a flight on their product and use the evoucher to pay for it, or do i need to go to the AA site and book flights through them that might use one of the other carriers? I am trying to book smart here and maximize my options.
Thanks so much.
I have received an e-voucher for $700.00 from AA for being bumped from a recent flight, and I am trying to figure out how to best use it.
The evoucher says valid on "flights operated by American Airlines, American EagleŽ and oneworldŽ carriers for itineraries sold and originating in the U.S., Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands. eVouchers may also be used for payment of air travel on any oneworldŽ partner or Codeshare flights designated in flight listings as AA*."
I have the list of the 14 oneworld carriers, and my question is- can I go on any of the oneworld websites (Quantas, Cathay Pacific, etc) and book a flight on their product and use the evoucher to pay for it, or do i need to go to the AA site and book flights through them that might use one of the other carriers? I am trying to book smart here and maximize my options.
Thanks so much.